Family & Community Special Communities
Special Education

Vision Impairment, Blind and Deafblind

Sensory Impairment
The term shall include the following:

Vision - The capacity to see, after correction, is limited, impaired, or absent and results in one or more of the following: reduced performance in visual acuity tasks; difficulty with written communication; and/or difficulty with understanding information presented visually in the education environment. The term includes students who are blind and students with limited vision.

Deaf-Blind - Concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes severe communication and other developmental and educational needs.

Educational Programs in Massachusetts

Perkins School for the Blind
Direct and consultative services to children from birth through age 22 throughout the state. The Perkins School for the Blind also serves as an information resource.

Massachusetts Organizations/Resources

Carroll Center for the Blind
The Carroll Center for the Blind provides direct and consultative services to children and adults throughout the state. The Center also serves as an information resource.

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)
The MCB is primarily an adult vocational rehabilitation agency, but some technical assistance is available to high school students and consultation to families and schools. No direct services are provided, but MCB can be an information resource.

Massachusetts Vision Resources Library (VRL)
The VRL is a source of large print and braille books for students in Massachusetts as was as other free educational materials available through American Printing House for the Blind's Quota Funds. No direct services are provided, but can be an information resource.

New England Center for Deafblind (NEC)
The NEC provides technical assistance to children and families in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. No direct services are provided, but consultation, training and referral services are available.

Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education (NERCVE)
Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education (NERCVE) is an established center within the Institute for Community Inclusion that is academically affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Boston, Graduate College of Education. UMass Boston is New England's only academic center for preparing Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments and Orientation and Mobility Specialists, two key specialties which assist people with visual impairments achieve their goals of high quality education, seeking employment, and traveling independently.

National Organizations/Resources

Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP)
A national professional organization which administers testing and awards national certification to Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists and Certified Low Vision Therapists.

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss.

The National Braille Press (NBP)
The National Braille Press is a nonprofit braille printing and publishing house. NBP has an extensive catalog of books and a children's book club.

National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education Through Technology, Media and Materials (NCIP)
This website provides: Technology for Students Who are Visually Impaired Collection: Table of Contents. General information, practices, products, organizations and publications that support users who are visually impaired may be accessed through this website.

The National Federation of the Blind
NFB is the largest organization of the blind in America.

National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS)
The Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) is the main federal program authorizing state and local aid for special education and related services for children with disabilities. One significant improvement in the 2004 legislation was the addition of sections defining the provision of textbooks and instructional materials in accessible formats for students who are blind or print disabled. NIMAS will guide the production and electronic distribution of curricular materials in accessible, student-ready versions, including braille and digital talking books.

National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC)
The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) is a national membership organization of parents and friends of blind children reaching out to each other to give vital support, encouragement, and information.