MANITOBA EDUCATION AND TRAINING Program and Student Services Branch Services for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Service Model

Service Model in Manitoba Team of seven consultants for the Blind and Visually Impaired provide province wide service

Service Model cont’d Consultants are based in city of Winnipeg Offices in the Manitoba Education and Training Building

Service Background

Service Background Service began in 1975 Prior to ‘75 children who were blind were sent to school in province of Ontario

Service Background Would begin attending W. Ross McDonald School for the Blind in Brantford, Ontario at age of 5 1300 miles away from Winnipeg

Service Background Parents, who had school age children who were blind, requested that their children be allowed to attend neighborhood schools In response provincial government created educational services that allow student to attend community school

Service Background Children who were blind were first group to be mainstreamed or included in Manitoba education system

Debt of Gratitude owed to…….

Vision Consultant Services

Vision Consultant Services Provide direct teaching (braille/mobility/life skills/tech) Conduct Functional Vision Assessments/Tech assessments Participate in the IEP process

Vision Consultant Services Participate in preschool transition and school leaving transition Provide training to school staff in assistive technology and software Provide workshops to school division staff, parents, post-secondary institutions

Eligibility & Assessment

Eligibility & Assessment Access to consultant service is initiated by completing a PSSB vision referral form and by having an eye report form completed by a professional eye care practitioner (ophthalmologist or optometrist).

Eligibility & Assessment Students eligible for placement on a consultant caseload have one or more of the following: corrected visual acuity of 20/70 or less less than 20 degrees of field of vision deteriorating eye condition A recent eye report from an ophthalmologist or optometrist as well as a referral form, completed by the school and signed by the parents, is required before this assessment can take place.

Eligibility & Assessment Students not meeting criteria seen on an “on call” basis but will not be placed on a caseload. Consultant for BVI will arrange to meet with the school team to review the eye condition, discuss concerns and make recommendations for adaptations.

Special Equipment Special learning equipment provided on loan basis

Student or School Initiated Courses Option for up to 4 credits in Senior Years in “Compensatory Skills for the Visually Impaired.” Concentrated instruction in braille, orientation and mobility, technology, daily living skills and transitioning to adulthood.

Vision Screening Program The Vision Screening Program is coordinated by school divisions with support from the consultants for BVI. It is intended to identify as early as possible, school age students who may have undetected visual difficulties. This is a voluntary program by a school division. Over half in Manitoba have conducted this program since the late 1970’s. Equipment can be borrowed from the Educational Resources Unit. The consultants can provide training for the screening to school teams. Some school divisions are following another program – Eye see, Eye learn which is coordinated with local optometrists. Manitoba education encourages all parents to consider an early pre-school visit to an optometrist. Note – visits are at no cost for children up to 18 years of age. Be aware that there is also the Children’s Opti-care program through Manitoba Family Services and Labour that help eligible families pay for their children’s eyeglasses (up to $84.00 every 3 years) and may be higher for children with special vision needs.

Vision Screening Program Consultants for BVI will provide training for school teams. Equipment can be borrowed from the Instructional Resources Unit. Consultants for BVI will provide information about other options, such as the Eye See Eye Learn program.

Alternate Formats

Alternate Format Services -Consultants assist schools in obtaining the appropriate textbooks and resources for the students in a variety of formats -braille, audio, large print and electronic formats available through the Alternate Formats Library The library will search for materials through Interlibrary loan across Canada. If not available Media Production Services will braille, enlarge or produce in audio format. Each medium takes some time to produce – especially the braille format. Consultants will connect with upcoming teachers in late spring to have materials produced over the summer. Tactile (Touch Books) are produced for the early elementary users with textured art. There are also geographic maps made in tactile format.

Large print and braille books

Interlibrary Loan -Alternate Format Services utilizes the reciprocal loan services of many other special collections across Canada and United States -specialized collections accessed through a request made on a student's behalf from his/her own provincial education resource centre.

Production of Alternate Format Materials -When requested alternate format texts cannot be source from on-site collection or interlibrary loan contacts, the Alternate Formats produces book. -Alternate Formats can produce the requested book in audio, braille, large print, or electronic text format.

Alternate Format Materials for Post-Secondary Students -Post-secondary students registered as being visually impaired or who have certifiable disabilities which affect ability to read print, and who attend Manitoba colleges/universities, have access to braille, large print, audio books or electronic textbooks.

Consultant Contact Information Laura Roy, Coordinator 204 945-5916 laura.roy@gov.mb.ca Dave Beckett 204 232-7433 dave.beckett@gov.mb.ca Danielle Brodeur 204-330-1172 danielle.brodeur@gov.mb.ca Sara Careless 204-792-8595 sara.careless@gov.mb.ca Kim Gilbey 204-792-7931 kim.gilbey@gov.mb.ca Heather Harland 204 232-7429 heather.harland@gov.mb.ca Stacey Roberton 204 795-8424 stacey.roberton@gov.mb.ca Joanne Tokar 204 232-7431 joanne.tokar@gov.mb.ca