Blind and Visually Impaired

This page provides links to various information, programs and resources related to students who are blind, have visual impairments or print disabilities.

Definition of Visual Impairment

“Visual impairment” including blindness means an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance.

Information and Resources

• Ohio State School for the Blind is an educational facility and resource center on blindness and low-vision, providing a comprehensive education for Ohio's blind and visually impaired students which encourages independence and individual success.
• Ohio State School for the Blind (OSSB) Statewide Services provides technical assistance, professional development, materials and resources to families and local school districts serving children who have a visual impairment or print disability including those with multiple disabilities.
• Assistive Technology & Accessible Educational Materials Center (ATAEM) assists local education agencies in providing accessible instructional materials (AIM) for students with print disabilities, including students who are blind and visually impaired.

  • On behalf of the Ohio Department of Education, ATAEM conducts the Federal Quota Registration of Blind Students to qualify for federal funds to purchase accessible instructional materials (AIM), including textbooks and equipment available from the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. (APH) for each registered student.

• Federal Quota Registration of Blind Students in Ohio
• Braille Excellence for Students and Teachers (BEST) Grant   
• Brailler Repair
• National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) was implemented as part of the reauthorization of IDEA (2004). This statute addresses the timely delivery of print textbooks in specialized formats (braille, large print, digital text, and audio) to school-age students with print disabilities, including students who are blind and visually impaired. ATAEM's role is to assist school personnel in locating accessible formats for eligible Ohio students.

For additional information, contact ATAEM at 614-410-1042.

• The Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness works to increase access and equity for students, families, and communities through connections, resources, and supports.
• The Ohio Center for Deafblind Education (OCDBE) provides services in Ohio for individuals with deafblindness from birth through age 21. Services include free collaborative technical assistance to families, educational personnel and service providers through training and information dissemination. 
• State Library of Ohio (and local libraries) offer the Talking Book Program that provides free recorded books, magazines and playback equipment. Catalogs, large type books and books on tape are available.
• Deaf Education Resources - in conjunction with the Ohio School for the Deaf, the State Library has books and videos related to educating the deaf, including interpreting and sign language for teachers, parents and students who are deaf. To locate the resources, type: interpreting and sign language into the search box. Click on the title of any item for more information about the resource. A State Library card is required to borrow an item from the collection, and any Ohio resident can apply for a card.

Other Resources

• National Center on Accessible Educational Materials
  • Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) — Basics for Families
  • Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) — A Technical Guide for Families and Advocates 
  • Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) for Educators
• Braille Through Remote Learning offers information on Braille courses, Braille code and other relevant information.
• American Optometric Association provides general information about the eye.
• American Printing House for the Blind has information and product catalogs.
• Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a comprehensive site containing information on education and technology for the visually impaired.  
• Perkins School for the Blind (Hilton/Perkins National and International Programs) the Perkins school for the Blind was the first School for the Blind in the United States. Services include the residential school, community-based programs, consultations, support assessment and training materials for children who are blind, blind/multi-disabled and deafblind and their families and providers. Hilton Perkins develops publications, curricula, literature and materials for parents and professionals.
• Assistive Technologies
• ODH Children's Hearing and Vision program is a program of early detection, diagnosis and treatment of children with hearing and vision problems. In addition to providing school-screening standards, the program conducts a statewide survey of hearing and vision screening programs and provides training for people who do screenings.  The information and links are designed to be a resource for parents, districts, and programs. The agencies listed provide helpful information for families and educators of children identified with vision or hearing impairments. This directory of resources specifies the screening requirements and guidelines for school-based preschool and K-12 schools. Children who do not pass school hearing and vision screenings should be referred for follow up care.

Last Modified: 12/12/2024 9:38:48 AM