6A-6.03014. Exceptional Student Education Eligibility and Assessments for Students with Visual Impairments

(1) Definitions.

(a) Visual impairment including blindness means any impairment in vision regardless of significance or severity that, even with correction, adversely affects the student’s educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness, including ocular, brain-based and neurological disorders.

(b) Teacher of the visually impaired means an individual who is certified in the area of visually impaired in accordance with Rule 6A-4.0178, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

(2) A full and individual evaluation must be conducted by a school district to identify a student with a visual impairment as eligible for exceptional student education and consider the individual needs of a student with a visual impairment when developing, reviewing, or revising an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) in accordance with Rules 6A-1.09401(1)(j), 6A-1.09414, 6A-6.03028, 6A-6.0331, and 6A-6.03411, F.A.C.

(3) Eligibility determination. For a student who has, or who is suspected of having, a visual impairment, evaluation for eligibility must include a medical report and three assessments as described in paragraphs (3)(b)-(d), unless one or more of the assessments is waived as provided in paragraph (3)(e).

(a) Medical report. A medical report must include a diagnosis or provide information about a student’s visual impairment. This medical report must be provided by a licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or neurologist.

(b) Functional vision assessment. A functional vision assessment considers the student’s performance of daily tasks across a variety of natural environments to determine factors that influence visual access.  This assessment must be conducted by a teacher of the visually impaired.

(c) Learning media assessment. A learning media assessment considers and compares learning and literacy media in order to provide recommendations about which visual, tactual, and auditory learning media are appropriate for the student. These recommendations must consider the use of braille in accordance with the requirements of Rule 6A-6.03028(3)(g)8., F.A.C. This assessment must be conducted by a teacher of the visually impaired.

(d) Orientation and mobility screening. The district must conduct an orientation and mobility screening. An orientation and mobility screening considers the travel needs and abilities of the student in a variety of environments. The screening must be conducted by a person who holds an orientation and mobility certification or endorsement.

(e) Assessment waiver. If one of the assessments described in paragraphs (3)(b)-(3)(d) provides sufficient information to determine that a student with a visual impairment is eligible for exceptional student education, the other assessments must be waived for the purpose of determining eligibility. However, if the assessments were waived because they were not necessary to determine eligibility, the assessments that were waived must be completed during the IEP process.

(4) Reevaluation. Reevaluation of students with visual impairment must comply with Rule 6A-6.0331(7), F.A.C., and, in addition, the reevaluation must include: 

(a) A medical report as referenced in paragraph (3)(a), unless a medical report is waived by the student’s IEP team if the team finds that there is no suspected change in visual functioning, or if the team is provided a physician’s written recommendation to waive the medical report for students with bilateral anophthalmia; and

(b) An evaluation of skills known to be impacted by visual impairment as required for determining initial eligibility.

(5) Once a student with a visual impairment is determined eligible for exceptional student education, the district must conduct the assessments and screening as described below.

(a) The district must conduct any assessment waived for the eligibility determination as provided in paragraph (3)(e).

(b) The district must conduct a special skills assessment. A special skills assessment evaluates skills aligned with content knowledge as described in Rule 6A-1.09401(1)(j), F.A.C. This assessment must be conducted by a teacher of the visually impaired.

(6) Supportive services. The district must make available referral forms, links, and technical support contacts for services to students and parents. These resources include:

(a) Critical Initiatives in Visual Impairment Project Florida State University (CIVI-FSU);

(b) Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS);

(c) Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR);

(d) Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired (FIMC-VI);

(e) Florida Low Vision Initiative (FLVI); and

(f) Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB).

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1001.42(4)(l), 1003.01(3)(a), (b), 1003.57 FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1003.57, 1011.62(1)(c) FS. History–New 7-1-77, Amended 7-13-83, Formerly 6A-6.3014, Amended 2-12-91, 3-1-08, 8-23-17, 5-21-24.