Rights and Accommodations for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
Students with visual impairments are entitled to specialized instruction, assistive technology, and orientation and mobility services to access education on equal terms.
Overview
Understanding Visual Impairment in the Classroom
Visual impairment includes a wide spectrum — from low vision to total blindness — and may be present at birth or acquired at any age. It affects a student's ability to access printed materials, navigate the school environment, and participate in visually-oriented instruction.
Under IDEA, visual impairment including blindness is one of the 13 qualifying disability categories. Students who are blind or have low vision and require specialized instruction are entitled to an IEP. Those who need accommodations but not specialized instruction may qualify for a 504 plan under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Visual impairment including blindness is an explicit IDEA category. Students qualify when the impairment adversely affects educational performance and requires specialized instruction.
Students with low vision who do not need specialized instruction but require accommodations — such as large print or screen magnification — may qualify for a 504 plan.
The ADA requires schools to ensure that students with visual impairments have equal access to all programs, activities, and facilities, including digital content and physical spaces.
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology & Materials
Schools are required to provide assistive technology and accessible materials when they are necessary for a student to access the curriculum.
Braille Materials
Students who are blind or have severe low vision may use Braille as their primary literacy medium. Schools must provide textbooks, worksheets, and assessments in Braille. A Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) typically provides Braille instruction.
Screen Readers
Screen reader software (such as JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver) converts on-screen text and interface elements to speech or Braille output. Schools must ensure that digital content, websites, and software used in instruction are compatible with screen readers.
Screen Magnification
Students with low vision may use screen magnification software (such as ZoomText or built-in OS magnifiers) to enlarge on-screen content. Hardware magnifiers and video magnifiers (CCTVs) are also commonly used for printed materials.
Large Print Materials
Students with low vision may require textbooks, worksheets, and assessments in enlarged print. The appropriate font size varies by student and should be specified in the IEP or 504 plan based on a functional vision assessment.
Refreshable Braille Displays
Electronic Braille displays connect to computers and mobile devices to render on-screen text in Braille in real time. They allow students who are blind to access digital content alongside sighted peers.
Audio Description & Accessible Media
Videos and multimedia used in class must include audio description tracks for students who are blind. Audio description narrates visual content that is not conveyed through dialogue or sound.
Practical Guidance
Classroom Accommodations
Materials & Format
- Braille versions of all printed materials
- Large print textbooks and handouts
- Electronic files of all printed materials
- Audio recordings of text-based content
Instruction & Access
- Verbal description of visual content on the board or screen
- Tactile graphics for maps, charts, and diagrams
- Preferential seating near the board or screen
- Access to a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI)
Assessment
- Extended time on tests and assignments
- Tests in Braille or large print
- Oral administration of tests
- Use of assistive technology during assessments
Environment
- Good lighting and glare reduction
- Consistent, uncluttered classroom layout
- Orientation and mobility support in the building
- Accessible digital platforms and websites
Related Services
Orientation & Mobility Services
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) is a specialized service provided under IDEA for students who are blind or have low vision. O&M specialists teach students to travel safely and independently in school and community environments using techniques such as the long white cane, sighted guide, and electronic travel aids.
O&M services must be included in a student's IEP when they are needed. This includes instruction in using the cane, navigating the school building, crossing streets, and using public transportation. O&M is a related service — it supports the student's ability to access their education, not just their physical mobility.
Specialist Support
The Role of the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI)
- Provides direct instruction in Braille literacy and assistive technology
- Conducts functional vision assessments and learning media assessments
- Adapts and transcribes materials into Braille, large print, or electronic formats
- Consults with general education teachers on visual accommodations
- Supports transition planning for post-secondary education and employment
- Teaches compensatory skills such as organization, concept development, and social skills
Further Reading
Organizations & Federal Resources
Explore More Accommodations
Learn about rights and supports for other disability areas.