Direct TVI Services
Individualized instruction for students who are blind or have low vision to include, but not limited to:
Services are available remotely, hybrid, or in-person when appropriate.
Request Services
Building access, independence, and educational participation.
Instruction is individualized to the student’s needs, learning environment, assistive technology, educational team, and access goals.
Areas of instruction may include:
- Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)
- Braille, including UEB and Nemeth
- Assistive technology
- Native accessibility tools for Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPad, apps, and more
The 9 Areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum
The Expanded Core Curriculum, or ECC, includes skills students who are blind or visually impaired often need to access learning, build independence, and participate more fully in school and life.
Compensatory Access Skills
Skills needed to access learning, including:
- Braille
- Concept development
- Communication modes
- Study and organizational skills
- Assistive technology
Orientation and Mobility
Safe and efficient movement through environments using:
- Cane skills
- Spatial awareness
- Environmental navigation
- Travel skills
Social Interaction Skills
Explicit instruction in:
- Nonverbal communication
- Conversational skills
- Peer interaction
- Social awareness
Independent Living Skills
Daily life skills such as:
- Personal care
- Cooking
- Money management
- Time organization
- Household tasks
Recreation and Leisure Skills
Participation in hobbies, sports, and community activities.
Career Education
Career awareness, work readiness, self-advocacy, and workplace skills.
Assistive Technology
Use of tools and technology to increase access and independence, including:
- Screen readers
- Magnification
- Braille devices
- Accessible software and apps
Sensory Efficiency Skills
Instruction in using remaining sensory channels effectively, including:
- Functional vision skills
- Auditory skills
- Tactile skills
- Low vision device use
Self-Determination
Skills that help students advocate for themselves and make informed decisions, including:
- Goal setting
- Choice making
- Problem solving
- Understanding one’s disability
- Self-advocacy
Why the ECC matters
The ECC exists because students with visual impairments often miss incidental learning that sighted peers naturally acquire through observation.
These skills typically require direct, intentional instruction from professionals such as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and Orientation & Mobility specialists.
Services may be provided as:
- Ongoing direct instruction
- Consultation services
- Short-term intensive support
- Extended School Year services
- Compensatory education services
- Temporary district coverage
- Supplemental tutoring support
Comprehensive independent evaluations for students with visual impairments.
Clear, practical reports are designed to help teams understand how a student’s visual impairment impacts educational access and learning.
Available for:
- School districts
- Families
- Attorneys and advocates
- Homeschool evaluations
- Private school consultation
Evaluations may include:
- Functional Vision Assessments
- Learning Media Assessments
- Assistive Technology Assessments
- Expanded Core Curriculum Assessments
- Braille Assessments
- CVI-related assessments and recommendations
- Educational records review
- Classroom observations
- Consultation with educational teams and parents
Short-term, seasonal, and restorative support.
Extended School Year
Summer and school-break services are available to help students maintain essential skills and continue making meaningful educational progress.
- Braille instruction
- Assistive technology support
- ECC instruction
- Accessibility support
- Transition preparation
- Intensive short-term skill development
Compensatory Education Services
Compensatory services are available for students who need additional support due to missed or interrupted services, delayed implementation, staffing shortages, or inaccessible instruction.
- Braille and literacy skills
- Assistive technology
- Accessibility training
- Academic access
- Organization and independence skills
- ECC development
Remote and hybrid support can be a strong solution.
Services are available remotely or through hybrid models for districts and families. With thoughtful planning, accessible tools, collaboration with on-site staff, and individualized instruction, students can receive meaningful support even when a TVI is not physically present every day.
Need flexible TVI services for a student, family, or school team?
Heather provides direct instruction, consultation, evaluations, ESY, compensatory education, and short-term or ongoing support through remote, hybrid, and in-person models when appropriate.
Contact HeatherFrequently Asked Questions
Can TVI services be provided remotely?
Yes. Remote and hybrid services can be highly effective when instruction is individualized, technology is accessible, and the educational team works collaboratively. Heather has extensive experience providing successful remote services for students with a wide range of visual needs.
What types of students does Heather support?
Heather provides individualized instruction for students who are blind or have low vision, including students with ocular visual impairments, CVI, multiple disabilities, autism, deafblindness, gifted students, and English Language Learners.
What is the Expanded Core Curriculum?
The Expanded Core Curriculum includes important access and independence skills that students with visual impairments may not learn incidentally through observation. These areas include compensatory access skills, orientation and mobility, social interaction, independent living, recreation and leisure, career education, assistive technology, sensory efficiency, and self-determination.
Does Heather provide Independent Educational Evaluations?
Yes. Heather provides comprehensive independent evaluations for students with visual impairments. Evaluations may include Functional Vision Assessments, Learning Media Assessments, assistive technology assessments, ECC assessments, braille assessments, CVI-related recommendations, records review, observations, and team consultation.
Are ESY and compensatory education services available?
Yes. Heather offers Extended School Year services and compensatory education services for students who need continued support, short-term intensive instruction, or additional services due to missed, delayed, interrupted, or inaccessible instruction.
Who can request services?
Services may be requested by school districts, individual families, attorneys, advocates, homeschool families, and private schools. Services may be short-term, ongoing, consultative, evaluative, or direct instructional support.