Vision Services & Orientation and Mobility

 Children who have a dual sensory impairment (hearing and vision loss) have unique and complex needs.

 

The deafblind specialist at Texas School for the Deaf is a Certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments.  Support is provided to families and the students who have significant visual loss combined with hearing loss and to those students who may be at risk for serious vision loss. The deafblind specialist coordinates the team to serve these students; the family and student are integral members of this team. We strive to meet the needs of the students with sensitivity, compassion and understanding. “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” (Helen Keller)

 

• Conducting Functional Vision Evaluation & Learning Media Assessments
• Coordinating Clinical Low Vision Evaluations with low vision specialists
• Direct and collaborative services to support the Expanded Core Curriculum, unique to students with vision impairment in the areas of compensatory or functional academic skills, career education, social interaction skills, recreation and leisure skills, independent living skills and visual efficiency skills
• Consulting with Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist to provide services if needed
• Collaboration with staff (instructional and residential) to support goals and objectives in the individual educational plan
• Collaboration with staff regarding appropriate modifications and accommodations needed for access to learning and communication
• Provide training to staff including support staff, paraprofessionals, teachers and residential staff about the unique needs of students with deafblindness
• Collaborate with classroom teachers and paraprofessionals on appropriate strategies for learning and concept development
•  Provide information to families and students about current research, training, seminars and support groups at the local, state and national levels related to the specific vision and hearing loss of the student
• Act as a liaison to other agencies and programs for Texas School for the Deaf as well as the families and students such as The Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services-Division for Blind Services, Texas Deafblind Outreach Team, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Helen Keller National Center for Youth and Adults and the Deafblind Multi-handicapped Association of Texas; participate as an active member of the Texas Interagency Task Force on Deafblindness.

Heather Keiler-Green Teacher of the Visually Impaired Phone: (512) 462-5223 Send email

Laila Mehrabian CTVI Assistant/Intervener Send Email

Lauren Brown Intervener Send Email

Vacant Intervener

Carolina Gonzalez Orientation and Mobility Specialist Send Email