MDE-LIO has a team of education consultants who are available to support families and school districts serving students who are BVI.
Our consultants are highly qualified professionals who can provide training and support in areas related to visual impairment.
Outreach Support Guidelines
Before submitting a request to MDE-LIO, please keep in mind that:
- MDE-LIO will provide support when the parent/legal guardian and the local district or intermediate school district (ISD) special education administrator/designee agree to work collaboratively throughout the process.
- Our education consultants will support and consult on current programs that are outlined in the student’s individualized educational program (IEP) or individualized family service plan (IFSP). However, they will not serve as participants or decision-makers for the development of the IEP or IFSP.
- MDE-LIO will not respond to a request for support if a complaint, due process hearing, or disagreement about a previous evaluation or educational service exists.
- MDE-LIO does not provide independent educational evaluations (IEE).
Support Areas for Students Who Are BVI
Education consultants can provide support in the following areas:
- Observation and consultation
- Learning Media Assessment (LMA)
- Functional Vision Assessment (FVA)
- Students with multiple impairments
- Career education/transition
- Assistive technology
- Independent living skills
- Orientation and mobility
- Cortical visual impairment
- Health education
- Braille
- Low vision
- Social skills
- Early childhood
How to Submit a Request for Support
A request for support can be initiated by a parent/guardian, teacher, or special education administrator/designee from the local district or ISD. However, the request must be signed by all three.
When a request comes in, our educational consultants work in collaboration with the family as well as staff from the local district or ISD to provide support.
- Fill out and sign the BVI Outreach Support Request Form [PDF], which includes a consent to release information component. Please do not include student names on the form. (Students who are of majority age may sign the form.)
- Email the completed form to [email protected].
- After MDE-LIO receives the form, a staff member will contact the requester within 3 business days to acknowledge that we received the request.
- An education consultant will then work with everyone who signed the form to create an action plan for the request.