Supplemental or Specialized Vision Services
What Are Supplemental or Specialized Vision Services?
Vision loss is a complex and highly individualized disability. No two students with visual impairments are alike, and the support they require can vary widely based on their age, cognitive profile, physical motor abilities, additional diagnoses, and the nature or severity of their vision loss. From pre-readers with multiple disabilities to advanced braille users in AP classes, the range of needs is vast—and growing.
While certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) receive broad training, it is not always possible for one person to be deeply experienced in every area of visual impairment. Many TVIs specialize in particular age groups, learning styles, or support models. Some may be highly effective with students using print and magnification, but have limited experience with braille, screen readers, or complex access tools. Others may not have encountered rare conditions, like Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), or advanced use cases for technology.
That is where Virtual TVI’s Supplemental or Specialized Vision Services come in. We provide targeted support from a TVI who is experienced in the specific needs of your student. Whether working directly with the student or coaching your district’s in-person TVI, our goal is to ensure that students receive the expertise they need to thrive.
Why Might a District Need Specialized Vision Services?
Even the most dedicated, capable TVIs can benefit from additional support in highly specialized areas. Vision education evolves quickly, especially when it comes to technology, rare conditions, and advanced skillsets. No one TVI can be an expert in everything.
Virtual TVI can help when:
- A student needs advanced assistive technology instruction, such as using screen readers with complex commands, mastering multi-line or notetaker-based refreshable braille displays, or setting up accessible workflows for coding, digital editing, or advanced academic content
- A student is learning specialized forms of braille, including Spanish braille, music braille notation, computer braille, or Nemeth Code for higher-level math and science
- A student presents with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) that requires tailored strategies beyond typical low vision approaches
- A student experiences Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) that affects visual processing or access, and the team needs help understanding and responding appropriately
- A student is highly advanced and needs a TVI who can push their skills to the next level academically or functionally
- A student is multiply disabled and needs a multi-sensory, adapted approach that your local TVI may not have experience with
- Your current TVI is new to the field and would benefit from ongoing coaching or mentorship in a specific instructional area
In these cases, Virtual TVI matches your team with a professional who has proven skill and experience in that exact need.
How Do Supplemental Services Work?
We offer two service models, depending on your team’s needs:
1. Direct Specialized Services for the Student
Our specialist TVI meets with the student virtually during the school day to deliver direct instruction in the specific area of need. This is an ideal solution when your local TVI is not able to teach the required skill or when the skill is highly technical or time-sensitive. We can also send customized materials to the school if needed.
Examples include:
- Teaching a student how to use a new braille notetaker or refreshable braille display
- Providing weekly lessons on screen reader navigation for digital assignments
- Instructing a student in music braille for band, choir, or private lessons
- Building functional object symbol systems for students with severe multiple impairments
- Supporting a student experiencing temporary or fluctuating vision loss due to Functional Neurologic Disorder or FND
2. TVI-to-TVI Coaching and Support
Our specialist works directly with your district’s TVI, offering guidance, resources, and modeling so they can support the student with confidence. This may be a one-time consultation or a short-term coaching series to build up your TVI’s expertise in a new skill area.
Examples include:
- Helping a TVI learn how to teach Spanish braille or format complex braille math
- Supporting the implementation of assistive technology that the TVI is unfamiliar with
- Advising on CVI strategies for instruction, environment, and assessment
- Reviewing or co-developing lesson plans or access strategies for a unique case
- Completing a Functional Vision and Learning Media Assessment with the TVI and helping them write the report to ensure it is legally compliant and addresses all relevant areas and needs
We also offer yearlong mentorships for teachers who are stepping into the TVI role but are not yet certified and are completing their university coursework while working full time. Since certain evaluations, such as Functional Vision Assessments and Learning Media Assessments, must legally be completed by a Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired, your teacher can work under the guidance of one of our certified TVIs as an intern. In this model, our TVI serves as the teacher of record, ensuring that all services are delivered in compliance with legal requirements.
Our approach is always collaborative, respectful, and focused on building your team’s long-term capacity while ensuring the student receives what they need now.
Why Choose Virtual TVI?
Virtual TVI is home to a team of certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired with a wide range of backgrounds, specialties, and hands-on experience. We maintain current knowledge of evolving technologies, complex conditions, and evidence-based strategies, and we are passionate about sharing that knowledge with school teams across the country.
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, we believe every student deserves a TVI who understands their specific learning needs, and every TVI deserves access to the tools and support to grow when challenges arise.
Partner with Us to Strengthen Your Vision Team
Whether you are facing a unique student need, navigating a complicated case, or supporting a TVI who is still learning, Virtual TVI is here to help. Our supplemental and specialized services are flexible, collaborative, and tailored to fit your team’s situation.
Let us match you with the right expert to get your student and TVI the support they need to move forward with confidence.