Goals of the National Agenda

THE NATIONAL AGENDA (for the Education of Children with Visual Impairments, Including those with Multiple Disabilities, as revised 5/03)

  1. Early Referral: Students and their families will be referred to an appropriate education program within 30 days of identification of a suspected visual impairment. Appropriate quality services will be provided by teachers of the visually impaired.
  2. Parent Participation: Policies and procedures will be implemented to insure the right of all parents to full participation and equal partnership in the educational process.
  3. Professional Personnel: Universities with a minimum of one full-time faculty member in the area of visual impairment will prepare a sufficient number of teachers and orientation and mobility specialists for students with visual impairments to meet personnel needs throughout the country.
  4. Caseloads: Caseloads will be determined based on the assessed needs of students.
  5. Array of Services: Local education programs will ensure that all students have access to a full array of service delivery options.
  6. Assessment: All assessments and evaluations of students will be conducted by and/or in partnership with personnel having expertise in the education of students with visual impairments and their parents.
  7. Access to Instructional Materials: Access to developmental and educational services will include an assurance that instructional materials are available to students in the appropriate media, and at the same time as their sighted peers.
  8. Expanded Core Curriculum: All educational goals and instruction will address the academic and expanded core curricula based on the assessed needs of each student with visual impairments.
  9. Transition: Transition services will address developmental and educational needs (birth through high school) to assist students and their families, in setting goals and implementing strategies through the life continuum commensurate with the student’s aptitudes, interests, and abilities.
  10. Personnel Preparation: To improve student learning, service providers will engage in on-going local, state, and national professional development.

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