IEP Direct Vision Services
What Are IEP Direct Vision Services?
IEP Direct Vision Services are specialized lessons provided by a certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) to support students with blindness or visual impairments. These services are outlined in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and delivered during the school day to help the student build the skills they need for access, participation, and independence.
The TVI’s role focuses not only on helping the student access the standard academic curriculum or functional adapted curriculum, but also on teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), which includes essential life and learning skills not typically taught in general education. This may include assistive technology, braille literacy, daily living skills, sensory efficiency, self-determination, and much more.
At Virtual TVI, our certified teachers deliver these services remotely using secure, live Zoom sessions. We also offer hybrid services with in person sessions on occasion as needed, depending on location. Lessons are individualized, interactive, and adapted to meet the full range of student needs, including those with additional physical, cognitive, or communication challenges.
What Does a Teacher of the Visually Impaired Do?
A Teacher of the Visually Impaired provides direct instruction, guidance, and specialized strategies to help students who are blind or have low vision succeed in school and in life. Instruction is highly individualized and based on the student’s vision-related needs, learning profile, and IEP goals.
Instruction may include:
- Assistive Technology (screen readers, magnifiers, braille notetakers, adapted input devices, and accessible apps)
- Braille Reading and Writing (literary braille, Nemeth Code for math, tactile graphics, computer braille, etc.)
- Tactile Symbol Recognition (learning to use consistent tactile markers for objects, activities, and communication)
- AAC and Eye Gaze Support (teaching access methods for students using Augmentative and Alternative Communication tools or eye-tracking systems)
- Modified Academic Activities (for example, replacing a paper coin-counting worksheet with real coins that the student can explore and manipulate)
- Sensory Efficiency (helping students use their remaining vision, hearing, or touch more effectively to engage in tasks)
- Daily Living Skills (such as organizing personal items, identifying belongings, navigating routines, or feeding skills)
- Self-Advocacy and Participation (including helping students communicate needs, express choices, and participate meaningfully in class activities)
TVIs also ensure materials are accessible, provide recommendations for adaptations, and collaborate with other educators and service providers to promote inclusion.
How Are Vision Services Delivered Virtually?
Virtual TVI delivers IEP services remotely through live Zoom sessions (or other platforms as requested) during school hours. Lessons are hands-on, visual, auditory, and tactile, with the support of onsite school staff when needed. Sessions are structured to be meaningful, accessible, and aligned with the student’s IEP.
Here’s how virtual instruction works:
- Hands-On Learning with Camera Support: The student’s camera can be positioned to show their hands and work area while they use a braillewriter, tactile graphics, adapted worksheets, or learning tools. The TVI provides real-time instruction and feedback.
- Live Demonstration and Physical Assistance: The TVI demonstrates skills such as braille writing, abacus, object identification, or device use while an onsite staff member helps guide the student’s hands, reinforce concepts, or present materials at the student’s pace.
- Interactive Digital Tools: The TVI shares documents and interactive lessons on screen that the student can mark up or respond to with adapted input methods. Students can also share their screen to demonstrate skills such as touch typing, navigating software, or completing classroom tasks.
- Adapted Classroom Participation: The camera can be set up to allow the TVI to observe the student during class activities, such as circle time, work centers, sensory routines, or transitions. The TVI then offers specific strategies to school staff to increase the student’s independence, access, and engagement. This method is highly effective, as it helps classroom staff understand the necessary adaptations so they can implement them daily in activities, not just during a vision session.
- Mailed Materials and Custom Adaptations: Virtual TVI sends customized materials to the school in advance when needed. These may include emailing items to print or gather, or mailing braille books, tactile symbols, object schedules, or adapted learning kits to support upcoming lessons or IEP goals.
- Team Collaboration and Coaching: The TVI meets with staff to share observations, strategies, and tools that can help the student participate more fully in school routines and academic learning. This often includes modeling tasks or explaining how to use specialized equipment.
Supporting Students with Multiple Disabilities
Students with visual impairments often have additional disabilities, such as physical, intellectual, and/or communication challenges. Virtual TVI understands the complexity of these needs and designs instruction that is both realistic and empowering. We focus on educating the teachers and instructional aides (and other service providers) so they can implement the changes throughout every part of the student’s day.
Examples of vision services for students with multiple disabilities include:
- Teaching object or tactile schedule systems for understanding routines
- Supporting eye gaze or AAC device use with visual or tactile adaptations
- Helping a student participate in counting, sorting, or identifying items using real objects
- Adapting fine motor activities with contrast, texture, or simplified layouts
- Teaching recognition of real items or partial objects when symbolic learning is limited
- Coaching staff on positioning, lighting, or contrast to improve visual engagement
Instruction is paced appropriately, scaffolded with supports, and centered on promoting independence in every possible area of the student’s school life.
Partner with Virtual TVI for Specialized Support
At Virtual TVI, we believe that every student with a visual impairment deserves access to high-quality instruction using up-to-date best practices that meets their unique needs and builds toward independence. Our certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired provide meaningful, accessible instruction that supports not only academic growth, but also real-world readiness.
If your student requires direct vision services and your team is seeking flexible, high-quality support, Virtual TVI is here to help.