Vision Support

The BCIU provides vision support services to visually impaired students ages 5 through 22 from various Berks County school districts.

Based on Part 300 of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Pennsylvania’s Chapter 14, Special Education Services and Programs State Regulations, the definition of a visual impairment is: "An impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness."

The education of visually impaired students includes team planning and the use of adaptations to meet the specific visual needs of the student. Educational services will include an assurance that instructional materials are available to students in the appropriate media and at the same time as their fully sighted peers.

Vision support services include: 

  • Functional vision assessment

  • Learning media assessment

  • Functional interpretation of medical information

  • Individualized instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)

  • Large-print/braille materials preparation

  • Support to school personnel/consultation

  • Case Management

BCIU Vision Support services are provided through a certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and include:

  • Understanding of Visual Impairment in Academic and Functional Environments

  • Self-Advocacy Skills

  • Braille Instruction

  • Visual Efficiency Skills

  • Social Interaction Skills

  • Independent Living Skills

  • Organizational Skills

Program Contact:
Brian Hocking
Email Brian Hocking

Itinerant Services Brochure
Itinerant Services Brochure - Spanish

QUICK LINKS | Special Education

Early Intervention (EI)

School Age

Local Task Force

State Task Force

Referral Process

  • Parent/teacher will contact local school district regarding vision concerns in the academic environment.

  • Parent/Guardian provision of a clinical eye report from a vision care provider with the last 2 years detailing vision loss.

  • Local school district will refer the student to BCIU for a functional vision assessment.

  • The educational team will discuss students' strengths and needs in the evaluation process.

  • If appropriate, individualized goals/objectives will be developed and specially designed instruction will be implemented through an IEP.

  • School districts must make referrals by submitting a Request for School-Age Programs and Services Form to the BCIU.