Visual Impairment, including Blindness

Definition: A child with a Visual Impairment, including Blindness, shall include a child with an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects the child's educational performance. Through appropriate evaluation, there should be evidence of the child’s need for specially designed instruction provided by a special education service provider.

Children and youth with visual impairment, including blindness in Colorado have access to a range of services for their education and social support. The majority of students with visual impairment, including blindness attend a public school in Colorado. Close to 60 students are served at the Colorado School for the Blind, which is located on the campus of the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind in Colorado Springs. Almost every Colorado administrative unit has employed or has contract access to a teacher of students with visual impairment (TVI) and a certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. These individuals work with other educational team members to ensure that the students with visual impairment, including blindness, have access to the general education curriculum and the related services that are identified on their Individualized Education Programs.

ECEA Rule - Visual Impairment, Including Blindness

• ECEA Act 1 CCR 301-8:  Visual Impairment, Including Blindness (PDF)

Related Links

• Colorado Services for Children and Youth with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss Project
• Deafblindness (combined vision and hearing loss)
• NIMAS/NIMAC
• Orientation and Mobility
• Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

For more information on Visual Impairment including Blindness, please contact:

Tanni Anthony, Blindness/Visual Impairment Specialist
Phone:  303-503-4647
Email Tanni Anthony