(1) Definitions.
(a) Visual impairment including blindness
means any impairment in vision regardless of significance or severity that,
even with correction, adversely affects the student's educational performance.
The term includes both partial sight and blindness, including ocular,
brain-based and neurological disorders.
(b) Teacher of the visually impaired means an
individual who is certified in the area of visually impaired in accordance with
Rule
6A-4.0178, Florida
Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
(2) A full and individual evaluation must be
conducted by a school district to identify a student with a visual impairment
as eligible for exceptional student education and consider the individual needs
of a student with a visual impairment when developing, reviewing, or revising
an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) in accordance with Rules
6A-1.09401(1)(j),
6A-1.09414,
6A-6.03028,
6A-6.0331, and
6A-6.03411, F.A.C.
(3) Eligibility determination. For a student
who has, or who is suspected of having, a visual impairment, evaluation for
eligibility must include a medical report and three assessments as described in
paragraphs (3)(b)-(d), unless one or more of the assessments is waived as
provided in paragraph (3)(e).
(a) Medical
report. A medical report must include a diagnosis or provide information about
a student's visual impairment. This medical report must be provided by a
licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or neurologist.
(b) Functional vision assessment. A
functional vision assessment considers the student's performance of daily tasks
across a variety of natural environments to determine factors that influence
visual access. This assessment must be conducted by a teacher of the visually
impaired.
(c) Learning media
assessment. A learning media assessment considers and compares learning and
literacy media in order to provide recommendations about which visual, tactual,
and auditory learning media are appropriate for the student. These
recommendations must consider the use of braille in accordance with the
requirements of Rule
6A-6.03028(3)(g)8.,
F.A.C. This assessment must be conducted by a teacher of the visually
impaired.
(d) Orientation and
mobility screening. The district must conduct an orientation and mobility
screening. An orientation and mobility screening considers the travel needs and
abilities of the student in a variety of environments. The screening must be
conducted by a person who holds an orientation and mobility certification or
endorsement.
(e) Assessment waiver.
If one of the assessments described in paragraphs (3)(b)-(3)(d) provides
sufficient information to determine that a student with a visual impairment is
eligible for exceptional student education, the other assessments must be
waived for the purpose of determining eligibility. However, if the assessments
were waived because they were not necessary to determine eligibility, the
assessments that were waived must be completed during the IEP
process.
(4)
Reevaluation. Reevaluation of students with visual impairment must comply with
Rule
6A-6.0331(7),
F.A.C., and, in addition, the reevaluation must include:
(a) A medical report as referenced in
paragraph (3)(a), unless a medical report is waived by the student's IEP team
if the team finds that there is no suspected change in visual functioning, or
if the team is provided a physician's written recommendation to waive the
medical report for students with bilateral anophthalmia; and
(b) An evaluation of skills known to be
impacted by visual impairment as required for determining initial
eligibility.
(5) Once a
student with a visual impairment is determined eligible for exceptional student
education, the district must conduct the assessments and screening as described
below.
(a) The district must conduct any
assessment waived for the eligibility determination as provided in paragraph
(3)(e).
(b) The district must
conduct a special skills assessment. A special skills assessment evaluates
skills aligned with content knowledge as described in Rule
6A-1.09401(1)(j),
F.A.C. This assessment must be conducted by a teacher of the visually
impaired.
(6) Supportive
services. The district must make available referral forms, links, and technical
support contacts for services to students and parents. These resources include:
(a) Critical Initiatives in Visual Impairment
Project Florida State University (CIVI-FSU);
(b) Florida Division of Blind Services
(DBS);
(c) Florida Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR);
(d)
Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired
(FIMC-VI);
(e) Florida Low Vision
Initiative (FLVI); and
(f) Florida
School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB).
Notes
Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R.
6A-6.03014
Rulemaking Authority
1001.02,
1001.42(4)(l),
1003.01(3)(a),
(b),
1003.57 FS. Law Implemented
1001.02,
1003.57,
1011.62(1)(c)
FS.
New 7-1-77, Amended
7-13-83, Formerly 6A-6.3014, Amended 2-12-91, 3-1-08, Amended by
Florida
Register Volume 43, Number 153, August 8, 2017 effective
8/23/2017, Amended
by
Florida
Register Volume 50, Number 090, May 7, 2024 effective
5/21/2024.
New 7-1-77, Amended 7-13-83, Formerly 6A-6.3014, Amended
2-12-91, 3-1-08, 8-23-17.