Services for Students who are Blind and Visually Impaired

Children who are blind or visually impaired have brighter futures today than at any time in history! No longer isolated from their peers and the rest of society, children who are blind or visually impaired are fully involved in the world around them. Advances in technology make it possible for them to live, learn and play alongside their peers. Powerful laws protect their rights to education, access to their communities and other important civil rights. There have never been more excellent resources to help children who are blind and visually impaired achieve their fullest potential.

If your child is blind or visually impaired, the Blind Children's Vocational Discovery and Development Program (BCVDDP) may be able to help you, your child, and your entire family. Every year, hundreds of Texas families turn to the Children's Program for information and support to help their children grow and thrive. A Blind Children's Specialist—an expert in providing services to children with visual impairments—works with each child and family to create a Family Service Plan. The plan—tailored to the child's unique needs and circumstances—is a flexible document that will develop along with the child.

The Texas Education Agency has provided a statewide membership that allows K-12 public and charter schools to have access to Learning Ally services for their students with print disabilities at no cost. Enroll your school today, learn more about membership benefits and read news about Texas schools succeeding with Learning Ally.

Region 18 provides statewide leadership for the Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Process in Texas for the Division of IDEA Coordination at the Texas Education Agency. The resource page provides access to documents that are used in the special education process. The framework is a template in electronic format that summarizes state and federal requirements for special education by topic, including requirements for eligibility, assessment, and documentation for visual impairments.

For over 53 years TFB has achieved their goals through cooperation with other organizations and agencies that are working toward similar purposes. We have done this by providing: scholarships, information and referral services, direct advocacy, comprehensive legislative awareness. In addition, each local chapter is active in taking on projects, and meeting the individual needs of the blind and visually impaired population in their community.

Prevent Blindness of Texas, a non-profit, voluntary health and human service agency focused on preventing blindness; preserving sight; and enhancing and extending the quality of vision life for all Texans. We strive to serve the greatest number of Texas residents by continually improving the delivery of services through our network of branch offices and volunteers. We help our clients and their families with free vision screening, eye examination referrals, counseling and education to enable them to live as full and normal a quality vision life as possible.

The purpose of the Association shall be to render all possible assistance to the promotion, development, and improvement of all phases of education and rehabilitation of persons of all ages who are blind and visually impaired.

The Talking Book Program (TBP) is a free program that provides unabridged books in alternative formats for Texans of all ages who are unable to read standard print material due to visual, physical, or reading disabilities. TBP provides books and magazines in digital audio, large print and Braille formats. A digital audio player is provided on loan at no cost to qualified persons. Books and magazines can also be downloaded to certain portable devices using a mobile app. In FY2012, TBP provided services to nearly 16,000 individuals and institutions across Texas and circulated more than 860,000 books and magazines. 

Find TWC programs and services for Texans with physical or cognitive disabilities, including blindness or visual impairment.