Vision Support Programs in the School District of

Philadelphia

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Vision Support Referral Process

• Student fails vision screening by school nurseAll students in all grades, plus newly

admitted students, are given vision screenings

• Nurse refers student for full eye exam by Optometrist or Ophthalmologist

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Vision SupportReferral Process - Continued

• Diagnosed Vision Impairment• With corrective glasses• Low Vision- 20/70• Legally Blind- 20/200 or a visual

field of 20 degrees or less• Light Perception- can tell when

lights are on or off• Totally Blind- sometimes safety

glasses are worn

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Vision Support Referral Process -

Continued

• If a vision impairment is diagnosed, then a Permission to Evaluate (PTE) is issued• Special Education Liaison (SEL) or vision

itinerant (also called Teacher of the Visually Impaired) sends PTE to parent

• A Functional vision assessment by the vision itinerant follows the signed PTE

• An Evaluation Report (ER) is written• An Individualized Education Program (IEP)

for vision services is developed and implemented

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Levels of Service

Roles and Responsibilities of Teachers

of the Visually Impaired

• Works directly with students• Provides specialized equipment,

materials, and strategies to maximize student’s vision

• Collaborates with, and supports classroom teachers

• Assess visual functioning of students• Writes Evaluation Reports and IEPs

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Levels of Service

Program placement is based upon the need to provide a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). A range of options continues to be the most effective approach and is part of Pa., Chapter 14, special education law.

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Vision Support

Levels of Service

• Itinerant – Up to 20% of the School Day• Vision support (K – 12) occurs in student’s neighborhood

school or at the Overbrook Educational Center (K-8)• Student is inside the regular classroom 80% or more

• Supplemental – 20% to 40% of the School Day• Vision support (K – 12) occurs in student’s neighborhood

school or at the Overbrook Education Center (K-8)• Supplemental – Classroom Programs – More than 40% of the

School Day• Student’s vision impairment requires more time in a self-

contained classroom in order to make educational progress• Location: Overbrook Educational Center (K-8)

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Vision SupportLevels of Service

Full-Time Vision Support

All of our School District of Philadelphia (SDP) classroom programs are Supplemental Level Programs. Full-Time placement is available in an Approved Private School (APS). APS placement is recommended when a student needs a program of Vision Support that cannot be provided by the School District of Philadelphia.

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