Visual Impairment

A student with a visual impairment is one whose vision interferes with functioning in a regular school program or, for preschool-age children, in learning tasks. Examples are students whose visual impairments may result from congenital defects, eye diseases, or injuries to the eye. Visual impairment is determined on the basis of a current examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. These services are available for partially sighted students.

Students with visual diabilities may exhibit the following behaviors in a general education setting:

• irritability after extensive visual efforts
• excessive frowning or squinting
• may need more time for assignments
• may need large print
• may need Braille