New IDEAs: Important Changes in Special
Education for Students Who Are Blind or Visually
Impaired
Made by the IDEA Amendments of 1997
This fact sheet highlights some of the changes made to the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that are particularly important to students who
are blind or visually impaired and to their parents, teachers, and advocates.
Enacted as part of IDEA's "reauthorization," these amendments were signed into
law by President Clinton on June 4, 1997. For more comprehensive information
about these and other changes, contact American Foundation for the Blind,
Governmental Relations Group, 820 First Street, N.E., Suite 400, Washington,
DC 20002, Phone 202-408-0200; e-mail: afbgov@afb.net.
Braille
New IDEA—The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for a child who is blind or
visually impaired must provide for instruction in braille unless, after an evaluation
of the child's reading and writing skills, needs, and appropriate reading and
writing media, the IEP team decides that such instruction is not appropriate for
the child. [Sec. 614(d)(3)(B)(ii)]
Notes—Until now, parents and advocates have had to persuade often reluctant
IEP teams to include Braille instruction in a student's individualized education
plan. However, for a number of reasons, Braille instruction is frequently omitted.
To address this problem, this new provision establishes inclusion of Braille
instruction as the default for the IEPs of blind or visually impaired students. Thus,
the IEP team must now affirmatively act to exclude instruction in Braille.
Orientation & Mobility
New IDEA—"Orientation and mobility services" (O&M) was added to the
statutory list of examples in the definition of "related services". [Sec. 602 (22)]
Notes—Although O&M has been generally understood to be a service related to
the provision of special education for blind or visually impaired students, IEPs
frequently fail to provide for O&M to students who clearly need it (e.g., training in
use of the white cane). By expressly including O&M in the list of related services,
parents and advocates have an even clearer statutory basis to assert a student's
right to receive the service.
Placement
New IDEA—The parents of the child must be members of any group that makes
placement decisions. [Sec. 614(f)]
Notes—This provision unequivocally guarantees the right of parents to
participate in the process that determines where their child will receive special
education and related services (e.g., a school for the blind or a neighborhood
school). The IDEA requires that special education and related services be
provided in the "least restrictive environment" (LRE). The definition of LRE in the
law has not changed. However, the legislative history of the new law specifically
supports "the longstanding policy of a continuum of alternative placements
designed to meet the unique needs of each child with a disability. Placement
options available include instruction in regular classes, special classes, special
schools, home instruction and instruction in hospitals and institutions. For
disabled children placed in regular classes, supplementary aids and services and
resource room services or itinerant instruction must also be offered as needed."
(Senate Report 105-17, page 11; House Report 105-95, page 91)
Assistive Technology
New IDEA—In developing the IEP, the IEP team must consider whether the child
requires assistive technology devices and services. [Sec. 614(d)(3)(B)(v)]
Notes—Students may need computers adapted with speech output, closed
circuit television magnification systems to enlarge handouts or read the
chalkboard, and portable Braille notetakers to complete class work and keep up
with their peers. Students may also need training to use these tools effectively.
This new provision clarifies that a student's need for these and other devices and
services must be assessed.
Education with Non-Disabled Peers
New IDEA—The IEP must include an explanation of the extent, if any, to which a
child will not participate with non-disabled peers in the regular classroom or in
extracurricular and nonacademic activities. [Sec. 614(d)(1)(A)(iv)]
Notes—Often, the needs and interests of blind or visually impaired students to
take part in elective school activities outside the classroom are neglected. This
provision furthers the general interest in the integration of students with
disabilities in all aspects of school life. It also asks the IEP team to acknowledge
and account for the important role of extracurricular activities in the lives of
students with disabilities.
IEP Team Expansion
New IDEA—The IEP team has been expanded to include: the parents; a regular
education teacher (if the child is, or may be, in regular ed); a special education
teacher; a representative of the Local Education Agency (LEA) who is qualified to
provide special education, is knowledgeable about the general curriculum, and is
knowledgeable about the resources of the LEA; a person who can interpret
evaluation results; and, at the discretion of the parent or the agency, other
individuals, including related services personnel, with knowledge or special
expertise regarding the child. [Sec. 614(d)(1)(B)]
Notes—This provision clarifies the right of parents to be accompanied by
advocates and others with relevant expertise during the IEP process. Parents
need not obtain permission from the rest of the IEP team to be assisted by an
advocate or specialist of the parents' choice. Additionally, by firmly establishing
participation in the IEP team by regular education teachers, the provision is also
aimed at ensuring that the IEP is not prepared in a vacuum.
The above information does not constitute legal advice or opinion and is
furnished for discussion purposes only. Laws and regulations vary in each state
or jurisdiction, and you should not rely upon the information provided herein
without first discussing the information with your own attorney. Your own attorney
has the professional obligation to advise you based upon all pertinent laws and
regulations in light of the particular facts and circumstances of your case.
Although we believe our information to be accurate, we are not liable for the
accuracy or completeness of our information or its relevance or applicability to
your particular case or controversy.