The American Printing House for the Blind is the world’s largest company devoted solely to researching, developing, and manufacturing products for people who are blind and visually impaired. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest organization of its kind in the United States. Under the 1879 federal Act to Promote the Education of the Blind, APH is the official supplier of educational materials for visually impaired students in the U.S. who are working at less than college level.
Primary ServicesAPH designs and manufactures textbooks and magazines in braille, large print, recorded, and digital formats. APH also manufactures hundreds of educational, recreational, and daily living products. APH’s fully-accessible website (www.aph.org) features information about APH products and services, online ordering of products, and free information on a wide variety of blindness-related topics. One popular online service is the Louis Database, a free tool to help locate accessible books available from organizations across the U.S. People ServedAPH’s products are useful to infants, preschoolers, elementary and high school students, and adults. APH primarily serves people who are visually impaired, although many of our products have application for people with learning disabilities and people with multiple disabilities. Many of our products can be enjoyed by visually impaired and sighted students alike, making them useful for students who are in an inclusive classroom. With the exception of magazine subscriptions, our products may be purchased by anyone. Ages ServedAll ages. ReferralsNot necessary.
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The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired is a private, nonprofit agency. Its mission is to promote the dignity and empowerment of the people in Wisconsin who are blind and visually impaired by providing services, advocating legislation and educating the general public. WCBVI is funded through an annual drive, private grants and bequests.
Incorporated under laws of the State of Wisconsin in October 1952, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind (now known as The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired) is comprised of 17 delegates who are appointed by the Board of Directors. All Directors are either blind or visually impaired or someone who has direct and real life connection with people who are blind or visually impaired. The Council is a strong voice for people who are blind or visually impaired in Wisconsin, representing their interests to the legislature. Many laws benefiting blind persons exist because the Council promoted their passage. Values StatementInclusivity, uncompromising respect and integrity are the core values that guide the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired in fulfilling our mission and vision in serving the greater blind and visually impaired community state-wide, while fostering long-term relationships with our partners, sister organizations, donors, policy-makers and the general public. Our values also guide the development of our goals, policies and procedures as well as influence our relationships between and among our Board of Directors and Staff. Inclusivity – As people who are blind or visually impaired, we understand the experiences of being in a minority group and at times facing adversity or discrimination. Therefore, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired affirms our commitment to actively seek and welcome diverse people, experiences and perspectives and to foster inclusivity. We affirm that practicing inclusivity creates opportunities for greater innovation, sustainability and mission-focused, responsive and person-centered programs and services. Uncompromising Respect – We affirm the dignity and worth of all individuals and groups in how we treat each other, even in times of disagreement and conflict. We acknowledge and affirm all people traveling with us on this life journey of blindness or visual impairment, including those facing rapidly changing vision. We further recognize that each individual and family must take their own path on this journey in an atmosphere of genuine support and compassion, allowing for constructive feedback, growth-centered risk-taking and creativity. Integrity – We affirm our unfailing integrity in all individual and organizational actions in stewardship of the Council’s precious human, financial and capital resources. Our goal is to say what we do and do what we say, both within the organization and outside of it, which we exemplify by the highest standards of ethics, honesty and trustworthiness as we live our mission. Our latest Annual Report is available at this link. Introductory Resources and Full Day TrainingsIntroductory Overview
Full Day Training 5 BeliefsHigh Expectations Culturally Responsive Practices Student Relationships Family and Community Engagement Collective Responsibility 5 Step ProcessStep 1 - Understand Achievement Step 2 - Identify Effect(s) of Disability and Summarize Needs Step 3 - Develop Goals Step 4 - Align Services Step 5 - Analyze Progress Digging Deeper: Special TopicsComing Soon! For questions about this information, contact DPI Sped Team (608) 266-1781 Wisconsin National Agenda Documents
Wisconsin Assessment and Curriculum Resources Expanded Core Curriculum Other brochures Information available at the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired 1-800-832-9784 www.wcbvi.edu Compendium of Instruments for Assessing the Skills and Interests of Individuals with Visual Impairments or Multiple Disabilities (Benoff, Lang, 86 Beck-Viisola, 2001) www.lighthouse.org/assessment/
Federal Register Part IV
U.S Department of Education Educating Blind and Visually Impaired Students; Policy Guidance; Notice June 8, 2000 http: / /www.e d.gov/ legislation / Fe dRegister/ other/ 2000-2 / 060800a.pdf Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction INSTRUCTIONS: This form is provided to assist school district ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST individualized education program (IEP) teams in determining if a student
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT appropriately can be determined to have an impairment under Chapter 115, Wis. Stats., and the eligibility criteria established in PI 11.36, Wis. Admin. ELG-VIS-001 (Rev. 07-09) Code. The IEP team should complete this form to document determination of eligibility for special education services and keep it on file with the This form is provided for local use only. student record. Student Name Date of Eligibility Determination Visual impairment means even after correction a child’s visual functioning significantly adversely affects his or her educational performance. The IEP team may identify a child as having a visual impairment after all of the following events occur: Section I. FUNCTIONAL VISION EVALUATION (All must be checked Yes.) A certified teacher of the visually impaired conducted a functional vision evaluation, including: Yes No Review of medical information, Yes No Formal/informal tests and Yes No Educational implications and curricular needs. Explain or reference data finding: Section II. OPHTHALMOLOGIST/OPTOMETRIST EVALUATION (At least one must be checked Yes.) An ophthalmologist or optometrist finds at least one of the following (check all that apply): Yes No Central visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye after conventional correction Yes No Reduced visual field to 50 degrees or less in the better eye Yes No Other ocular pathologies that are permanent and irremediable Yes No Cortical visual impairment Yes No A degenerative condition that is likely to result in a significant loss of vision in the future Explain or reference data used to support findings: Section III. ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY NEEDS Yes No Orientation and mobility needs were evaluated to determine if there are related mobility needs in home, school, or community environments. The evaluation was conducted by: An orientation and mobility specialist, or A teacher of the visually impaired in conjunction with an orientation and mobility specialist. Explain or reference data used to support findings: Mission & HistoryVision Forward provides a continuum of services, from birth through adulthood, to people with visual impairments, helping them achieve important developmental milestones as well as educational, personal and professional goals. All our programs and services are provided regardless of a person’s or family’s ability to pay.
At Vision Forward, we focus on ability, not disability, because we know that what people can do is far more important than what they can’t do. For this reason, we work to empower and educate individuals and families not only about vision issues, but also about the social and emotional aspects of vision loss. Our MissionEmpower, educate, and enhance the lives of individuals impacted by vision loss through all of life’s transitions. Our VisionAll individuals with vision loss have reached their full potential to lead active, independent lives. |