The Office of Visual Disabilities strives to identify and assess children with visual impairments and provides a continuum of services allowing those children access to a free, appropriate education. The Department offers comprehensive services in the least restrictive environment for students who are eligible as visually impaired under State guidelines. Hamilton County Schools employ Vision Specialists to provide services to students who are Blind and Visually Impaired. The Vision Specialists are state credentialed teachers with an endorsement in the instruction of students with Visual Impairments. They are certified to conduct and/or interpret Functional Vision Assessments.
Orientation and Mobility services are provided by a certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. The O&M Specialist is qualified to provide evaluation and teaching services to students who are Blind or Visually Impaired to enable those students to attain systematic orientation to and safe movement within their environments in school, home, and community.
The Teachers Place
1161 W40th Street, Suite 302
Chattanooga, TN 37411
☎️423.498.7235 |
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| Our Team |
Terrilyn Ladd, EdS., CCC-SLP
Director of Related Services
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Emily Darr
Lead Teacher |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you read Braille?
Yes
All teachers of the visually impaired receive training that goes well beyond that of a bachelor's level. In addition to many other rigorous courses, one of the qualifications to receive certification to teach students with visual impairments is a demanding course in Braille writing and reading. This includes grades 1 and 2 Braille in addition to Nemeth for the creation and transcription of math.
2. Did you have to learn sign language?
No
In most cases sign language is not a required course for teachers of the visually impaired. This skill is taught to teachers of the deaf. Teachers of the Visually Impaired may work with teachers of the deaf when they work with a student who has a dual disability of deaf/blind.
3. My child has one eye in which s/he is legally blind. Does this mean s/he qualifies for vision services?
No
If one eye has normal vision, then the student would not qualify for services if there were no other eye conditions diagnosed. However, a Vision Teacher cannot make the assumption that the good eye is within guidelines if not noted by an eye examination by an eye doctor.