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The terms partially sighted, low vision, legally blind, and totally blind are used in the educational context to describe students with visual impairments. The inability to fully utilize one’s vision substantially impairs how a child manages their environment. Social and often physical development can be substantially delayed, especially for very young children.
BSBP services provided to Youth Low Vision customers is funded by state general fund dollars.
BSBP recognizes that when a child is unable to fully utilize their vision, it can substantially impair how they integrate and manage their environment minimizing their ability to function independently. Therefore, the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) continues to provide low-vision exams and a maximum of two wearable prescribed low-vision devices biennially, to support children ages birth through 13 enrolled in a qualified educational program (including Early On home school, alternative school, and registered online school programs).
In the case of infants and young children, if a diagnosis of visual acuity is unable to be determined, eligibility is based on the low vision provider's assessment of vision loss equating to program eligibility standards.
A list of websites and organizations geared for blind or visually impaired youth and their parents.
To request BSBP Youth Low Vision services, a referral form must be submitted. Upon submitting the requested information, the individual or guardian seeking services will be contacted by a BSBP representative who will process the submitted referral form, provide program information, and assign a Rehabilitation Professional to discuss service needs. Requests for Youth Low Vision services can come directly from the individual, family, friends, physicians, and teacher consultants.
Contact a Bureau of Services for Blind Persons office near you to speak to a Rehabilitation Professional in your area.
Program eligibility is determined using the following two forms:
Low Vision Assessment - $250.00
Contact Lenses (two-year prescription) - $200.00
Complete Pair of Glasses (frames, lenses, tint, coating) - $500.00
Customary Telescopic or Microscopic Device - $1,500
BSBP may replace a lost or broken device once within the two years that it was purchased. All warranties or replacement plans must be utilized before replacing items, including insurance policies, school policies if a sports or school activity is involved, homeowners and tenant insurance, etc. Rehabilitation professionals or management may deny a request for replacement based on the circumstances of breakage, loss, the frequency of occurrence, or the availability of BSBP funding.