Visual Impairment: Guidelines, Support Documents, and Resources

All school-age children who are determined to be eligible with a Visual Impairment, Including Blindness will need to have an eye examination. This information does not confirm a child’s eligibility status for special education services and supports. It provides information about the learner’s visual diagnosis/diagnoses, clinical functioning, prognosis, and possible medical treatments for the eye condition(s).  An example template has been created for administrative units to use and/or adapt to secure information about the eye examination.

• Example Template for Medical Examination Report (DOC)

• Colorado Braille Competency Testing Guidelines (PDF)
• Colorado Braille Competency (UEB) Test Information (PDF)
• Colorado Braille Mastery Test Accommodation Procedures (PDF)
• Colorado Braille Competency Renewal Testing Guidelines (PDF)
• CDE-Funded Braille Mentors (PDF)

• The ABCs of UEB by Constance Risjord
• The Rules of UEB, edited by Christine Simpson
• Duxbury UEB Chart Form
• Transcriber's UEB Online Course (Canadian National Institute for the Blind)
• National Library Service (NLS) Braille Transcribing Course
• RIDBC Renwick Centre online training course in Unified English Braille (UEB), entitled "UEB Online for Sighted Learners"
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to UEB Literary
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to UEB Mathematics
• Unified English Braille for Math for Sighted Learners

The Colorado Braille Competency Practice Test Documents are only for approved candidates for the Colorado Braille Competency Test. Approved candidates include licensed teachers of students with visual impairments or braillists employed in a Colorado public school district.  If a copy of the Practice Test documents is needed in braille format, please email Tanni Anthony or call her at (303) 503-4647.

• Colorado Braille Practice Test - Example Multiple Choice Questions (PDF)
• Colorado Braille Practice Test - Answers to Example Multiple Choice Questions (PDF)
• Colorado Braille Practice Test - Sample 01 Seven (PDF)
• Colorado Braille Practice Test - Sample 02 Ten (PDF)

• US DOE Policy Guidance: Education Blind and Visually Impaired Students (PDF)
• OSEP Dear Colleague Letter on Braille (PDF)
• Braille and Visually Impaired Students - What Does the Law Require? (PDF)
• ECEA Regulations on Learning Media Plans (PDF)

• American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Press
• Blind Children's Center (publications)
• Family Connect (articles, videos, personal stories)
• Foundation for the Blind (products)
• Hadley School for the Blind (correspondence courses)
• National Federation of the Blind (publications)
• Paths to Literacy for Students who are Blind/Visually Impaired (literacy resources)
• Perkins School for the Blind (publications)
• Perkins School for the Blind (webcasts specific to blindness/deafblindness)
• Texas School for the Blind (handouts and publications)
• Washington State School for the Blind (video clips on blindness tips)

• AERBVI - Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
• ACB - American Council of the Blind
• ACVREP - Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals
• AFB - American Foundation for the Blind
• APH- The American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
• BANA- Braille Authority of North America
• CEC - Division on Visual Impairment of the Council for Exceptional Children
• COSB - Council for Schools for the Blind
• LI - Lighthouse International
• NBA - National Braille Association
• NFB - National Federation of the Blind
• RRTC - Rehabilitation Research & Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision
• USABA - United States Association for Blind Athletes

• ICEVI - International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment
• WBU - World Blind Union

• Family Connect for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
• Lighthouse Guild
• National Federation of the Blind's National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
• Parent to Parent of Colorado
• PEAK Parent Center in Colorado

• SEE THE FUTURE FUND Scholarship Application
  This application is for Colorado students who are blind/visually impaired and who are college-bound or currently in a college program.
• American Foundation for the Blind
• Lighthouse International
• National Federation of the Blind