I’ve received hundreds of messages over the years from parents asking me questions about Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), specifically low vision IEPs and IEPs for visual impairment. Since I had an IEP in elementary school and again in high school for low vision, I’ve been able to share lots of free IEP resources on Veronica With Four Eyes and share my tips about how to start receiving IEP services. Below, I am linking a preview of some of my most popular posts that talk about getting visual impairment IEPs and my low vision IEP, as well as additional links to categories and tags on my website.
Common IEP Terminology For Low Vision
Shortly before my first IEP meeting in kindergarten, my mom befriended a special education teacher who told us about common IEP terminology and helpful terms and phrases to know before the first IEP meeting. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot more about low vision IEPs and disability accommodations, and this post covers several terms and phrases to know before the first IEP meeting, and common IEP terminology for low vision IEPs.
Related links
- Common IEP Terminology For Low Vision
- Six Ways I Collected Documentation For IEP Violations
- How I Document Accessibility Preferences With Low Vision
- Tips For Handling Academic Ableism In The Classroom
- Eight Things You Need To Know About Your Disability Accommodations
Seven Myths About IEP Students
Some parents and/or students may be resistant to getting an IEP because they believe that it will keep the student from being able to stay in the classroom, take standardized tests, or even go to college. In reality, having an IEP can make all of this possible for students who are blind or that have low vision. This post addresses some of the most common misconceptions about having an IEP in general, with a special emphasis on low vision IEPs.
Related links
- Seven Myths About IEP Students
- Five Myths About Print Disabilities
- Seven Myths About Schools For The Blind
- Questions To Ask Other Students With Low Vision
- How I Talk About Disability With New Friends
Explaining Child Study Teams Using The Scientific Method
A child study team consists of professionals that determine if a student is eligible for special education services or accommodations in the classroom, such as IEPs or 504 plans. The exact size and composition of a child study team may vary, though normally, all of the members are based in the school. Some examples of staff members include the school psychologist, school nurse, school social worker, assistant principal, reading/math specialist, classroom teacher, disability specialist (like a teacher of the visually impaired), and parents. These meetings can be very confusing, and this post explains how child study teams are structured using terms from the scientific method for experimentation, based on my experience with low vision IEPs.
Related links
- Explaining Child Study Teams Using The Scientific Method
- Using PicsArt To Simulate Low Vision
- Learning To Explain Usable Vision
- Two of Everything: Living With Double Vision
Common Classroom Accommodations For Low Vision
A common question I receive from parents of kids with low vision or people who are losing their sight is about the most common classroom accommodations for low vision students. Even as my vision has changed over time, my accommodations have stayed fairly consistent from middle school to high school and then to college. This post shares the most common classroom accommodations for low vision students and how these accommodations can help Student Assistance Plans (SAPs), 504 Plans, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and college Disability Services files.
Related links
- Common Classroom Accommodations For Low Vision
- How To Come Up With Sample Accommodations
- Preferential Seating and Low Vision
- Why I Prefer My Schoolwork Digitally: Updated Edition
- Five Apps I Use In The Science Classroom As A Low Vision Student
- Five Accessible Calculator Apps For Low Vision
- Five Apps That Help Students With Low Vision In The Classroom
Computer Lab Accommodations For Low Vision Students
While it wasn’t officially written as part of my IEP accommodations, my teachers and I worked together to develop various accommodations for my low vision so that I could use computers in the school computer lab. These accommodations are essential for ensuring that students can fully participate in virtual learning and digital activities. This post shares the list of my computer lab accommodations for low vision that anyone can use. It’s worth noting that every school I have attended, including my college, uses Microsoft Windows laptops and desktop computers, with rare exceptions for individual classes.
Related links
- Computer Lab Accommodations For Low Vision Students
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Computers
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Keyboards
- Computer Mice and Mouse Alternatives For Low Vision
- Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Windows 10
Testing Accommodations For Low Vision Students
I have a few different posts that are related to testing accommodations for low vision students. However, this post is the most comprehensive list of accommodations that I receive for taking tests, quizzes, and exams both in the classroom and in alternative testing environments. It’s worth noting that testing accommodations for standardized tests will need to be approved by the state or testing organization, and students are not automatically granted accommodations just because they have an IEP.
Related links
- Testing Accommodations For Low Vision Students
- Remote Testing Accommodations For Low Vision
- Math Test Accommodations For Low Vision
- SOL Test Accommodations And Low Vision
- SAT Accommodations for Low Vision
- ACT Accommodations For Low Vision
- AP Exam Accommodations For Low Vision
- CLEP Exams and Low Vision
A To Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
The Technology-Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (Tech Act) defines an assistive technology device as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” The Tech Act also defines an assistive technology service as “any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device.”
Assistive technology is a major part of low vision IEPs for many students, and it’s important to know the different types of assistive technology for low vision that are available. This post gives examples of 26 different types of assistive technology that people with low vision can use.
Related links
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
- Five Myths About Assistive Technology
- Assistive Technology For Dysgraphia
- Tips For Improving Confidence About Using Assistive Technology
- How I Use My Phone As Assistive Technology In Class
Five Things Your IEP Case Manager Won’t Tell You
Sometimes, people expect their IEP case manager to do everything for their students and fight every battle that comes up when it is not always possible in reality. Case managers are still essential, and I am very appreciative of their work for students, though I wish I had known some of these things in advance so that I did not get frustrated thinking that my case manager did not care about me at all.
Related links
- Five Things Your IEP Case Manager Won’t Tell You
- Ten Lessons My TVI Taught Me
- How My Guidance Counselor Helped Me As A Low Vision Student
- Services Provided By State Department/State Unit for Visual Impairment
RELATED CATEGORIES, TAGS, AND POSTS ON LOW VISION IEPS
- Accommodations Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes (veroniiiica.com)
- IEP Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes (veroniiiica.com)
- Learning to Self-Advocate
- I Don’t Need An IEP!
- Transitioning to a 504 Plan Before College
- How To Get Disability Accommodations In Community College
- How To Create A Disability Services File
