Extended School Year Vision Services
What Are Extended School Year Vision Services?
Extended School Year (ESY) Vision Services are specialized instruction and support provided by a certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) during school breaks, typically in the summer, as part of a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). These services are designed to prevent significant skill regression and ensure continued access to critical instruction when school is not in session.
For students with visual impairments, breaks in services can result in the loss of specialized skills that are essential for independence, access, and progress. These include braille literacy, assistive technology use, orientation to new environments, or daily living routines. ESY Vision Services help maintain progress in these areas and support a smoother transition into the new school year.
At Virtual TVI, our certified teachers deliver ESY services remotely using secure, live Zoom sessions tailored to each student’s needs, IEP goals, and learning style.
What Does the TVI Focus on During ESY?
The focus of ESY Vision Services depends on the individual student’s IEP and the team’s decision about which skills are most vulnerable to regression. Instruction is aligned with the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and may include:
- Braille instruction to prevent loss of reading and writing skills
- Assistive technology use to maintain fluency with screen readers, braille notetakers, or magnifiers
- Daily living skills such as organizing materials, navigating routines, or using tactile labels
- Compensatory skills including concept development, calendar skills, or adapted literacy
- Self-determination and advocacy practice, especially for students preparing for transitions
- Reinforcement of classroom strategies that promote access to general or adapted curriculum
For students with multiple disabilities, ESY may focus on maintaining tactile symbol recognition, object schedule routines, AAC access, or specific communication-response strategies involving visual or tactile input.
How Are ESY Services Delivered Virtually?
Virtual TVI provides ESY instruction through secure video sessions that are individualized, interactive, and adapted for each student. Depending on location, hybrid services with some in-person sessions may be available. Services are typically scheduled in shorter weekly sessions across several weeks of the summer.
Virtual instruction includes:
- Live lessons over Zoom with direct interaction between the TVI and student, supported by a family member or school staff as needed
- Camera positioning to observe the student using braille, tactile tools, or adapted materials
- Real-time demonstrations by the TVI, with guidance for an adult assisting the student onsite
- Screen sharing and interactive digital tools for students working on technology or digital assignments
- Mailed or emailed materials including braille books, tactile symbols, or adapted worksheets for hands-on practice
- Ongoing communication with the family or summer staff to reinforce strategies and track progress
Instruction is paced to fit summer schedules, with flexibility built in for vacations, therapy, or other commitments.
Who Needs ESY Vision Services?
ESY Vision Services may be appropriate for:
- Students at risk of losing braille or large print reading skills over the break
- Students who need continued support using assistive technology
- Students preparing for a major change in placement or academic expectations
- Students with multiple disabilities who need consistent routines and access strategies
- Students who are just beginning to learn key skills, such as concept development, object symbols, screen readers, or tactile graphics
- Students with recent vision loss who need to quickly acquire vision skills, such as braille and assistive technology, to be able to participate in their general education again (the justification for this may fall under a “critical stage of development” rather than risk of regression)
The IEP team decides whether a student qualifies for ESY based on data showing risk of significant regression and difficulty with recoupment, OR because the student is at a critical stage of development and needs to quickly acquire skills in order to participate in their general education classes, such as switching from doing math visually to doing it in braille, which requires learning all the various math symbols in braille. If vision-specific skills are at risk, ESY Vision Services can be added to support continuity and progress.
Partner with Virtual TVI for Summer Support
At Virtual TVI, we believe that learning does not stop when the school year ends. Our certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired are available to support students over the summer months with meaningful, consistent instruction that reinforces progress and prepares them for success in the fall.
If your student is eligible for ESY and needs vision services, Virtual TVI is ready to help.