CONNECT:
Educational Services
Overview
The purpose of the Education Services program is to assist infants, children, students and youth who are blind, vision impaired or deafblind reduce developmental delays and succeed in school in order to recognize their full potential. Information is also provided to families in order to assist them in navigating the educational system. The Program also helps prepare students 14 – 21 for a successful transition from school into the world of work by facilitating access to transition related opportunities.
Super Summer Camp
The Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired is excited to offer Super Summer Camp again this year. Campers 8 years old to the completion of 10th grade, have the opportunity of a lifetime this summer! Find out more now and reserve your child’s spot!
Frequently Asked Questions
The most important thing you can do is to offer your support as he/she grows to maturity. One of the biggest factors that contributes to a child's independence is whether the parent adopts a positive outlook and then transmits that to the child. A positive outlook encourages a child to develop to his/her full potential, realizing that he/she will have successes and failures, but that ultimately, the failures can be overcome and independence achieved.
You can either call the agency's toll free telephone number (1.800.622.2155) or contact the regional office closest to your home.
As members of the “Infants and Toddlers Connection of Virginia” early intervention coordinating councils, the agency's education coordinators offer support and technical assistance to infants, their families, and infant development program staff. Specifically, the education services program can offer:
- resources that will increase parents’ awareness of the needs of infants who are blind or visually impaired.
- information about independent living skills, communication skills, orientation and mobility, and visual development as they relate to infants with visual disabilities.
- suggestions and guidance for parenting a child who is blind or visual impaired.
Education Services Program staff provide consultation, technical assistance, and training for families, early intervention staff, and public school staff who teach blind infants and children who are blind or visually impaired. Information includes, but is not limited to:
- Vocational planning
- Transition related programs
- Community resources
- Adaptive materials
- Educational programs
- Independent living
- Recreational planning
- You Local School Divisions: Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services
Phone 804-786-8079, Text Users Dial 711 (Virginia Relay) - Department of Education
Parent Ombudsman
Toll Free: 800-422-2083
Email: SpecialEducationOmbudsman@doe.virginia.gov - Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
1100 Bank Street, 7th Floor, Richmond VA 23219
Toll Free Voice/TTY: 800-846-4464
- Virginia Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (VAAPVi)
PO Box 1523; Chesterfield VA, 23832
Phone: 804-938-1624
Email: info@vaapvi.org
Education Services Resource Documents
- Services that the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired provides to Families of Infants who are Blind or Visually Impaired.
- Services that the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired provides to Early Intervention Systems and Providers.
- Virginia's Early Intervention Screening Process For Visual Impairments
The following 5 part training series has been developed by the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to help identify possible vision problems (Parts 1 & 2) and to clarify the suggested methods in Virginia's Early Intervention Vision Screening process (Parts 3, 4 & 5). Use this training package to learn or review at your own pace. - Cooperative Agreement Between the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) and Virginia’s Public School Division - This agreement establishes certain opportunities and responsibilities for both parties as we provide services to students who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind. This Agreement permits school divisions to borrow braille textbooks and special adaptive equipment from DBVI to use with students who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind.
- "What is Braille?" -- This pamphlet provides an overview of Braille; Braille codes; writing Braille; Braille instructional; Braille textbooks.
Find other external website resources for Education Services on the Resources page.
Program Director Information
For further information, please contact Donna Cox, Director of Education and Library Services.
Telephone: (804) 887-7327
Toll Free: (800) 622-2155
Email:
Donna Cox
