Blindness Skills Specialist Program

LEA Information

Determining the Most Appropriate Placement For a Student with a Visual Impairment

 Students with  visual impairments have many complex needs and skill areas to address during the assessment process, including those from the Expanded Core Curriculum.  This can make it  difficult to determine the best placement for a student with a visual impairment.  A certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired is vitally important member of the team when determining the best placement option for the student. 

Placement decisions are based on:

1. The assessment results
2. The student's individual needs. 

The placement can not be based on:

1. The Category of Visual Impairment or Blindness.
2. The current delivery system available in your district.
3. The availability of educational or related services, or space.

Severity of Needs Rating Scales

To assist school districts in  determining placement for a student who is visually impaired, there are several published Severity of Needs Rating Scales. These rating scales look at a variety of factors based on the information gathered during the assessment process. 

The categories include:

1. Medical information,
2. Primary reading medium,
3. Need for instruction in compensatory skills,
4. Need for instructional modifications, and
5. Independence level. 

Scores are assigned in each area and the totals are then applied to a rating scale to determine amount of service required.  Based on the severity of needs, the IEP team can determine the most appropriate placement. 

If your school district would like information regarding the Severity of Needs Rating Scales please contact the Blind Skills Specialist Program at 1-800-401-6680 Ext. 4 or 573-651-5077.