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Vision and Vision Loss Resources for Students

Attention to eye care and the visual system should begin in the first year of life, and especially for children with developmental delay.
  • Vision impacts child development, safety, and health.
  • Vision affects how a child learns, plays and feels.
  • Regular assessment by an ophthalmologist or optometrist is the only way to ensure that eyes are healthy and that the visual perception system is developing and functioning properly. 
Here are some of the many resources available to children, young adults, and their families to support healthy vision and ensure that any student with visual impairment or blindness can lead an active, productive and fulfilling life.
All About Vision
  • ​NEI for Kids by National Eye Institute
  • Is My Child Seeing Clearly? Guide for Parents of Children in Early Intervention by Children's Vision Massachusetts
  • Vision Disorders in Children with Special Health Care Needs by Children's Vision Massachusetts
  • When to Take Your Child to an Eye Doctor If... by Prevent Blindness Children's Vision Massachusetts
  • Vision Health of Children with Special Needs: The Facts, The Law, and Best Practices (webinar recording) from National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health/Prevent Blindness
Eye Exams for Children
  • Vision Care Guidelines from Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services
  • Find a Massachusetts Eye Care Provider from "Focus"
  • "Find a Doctor" Directory from American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • “Doctor Locator Search” from American Optometric Association
  • Preparing Your Child for an Eye Exam or Eye Patch Social Story from New England College of Optometry

Vision Simulation
  • Baby See App by Rebion

Eye Glasses
  • 10 Tips for Buying Kids' Eyewear by All About Vision
  • Specs 4 Us
  • Kid Needs Glasses; Won't Tolerate Anything on Face from Autism Speaks
  • MiraFlex Glasses
    • ​MiraFlex Catalogue (PDF)
  • Preparing Your Child for New Glasses Social Stories from New England College of Optometry

Insurance Coverage for Eye Exams and Eye Glasses
​
​Private insurance plans vary regarding benefits for eye
care.  In Massachusetts, MassHealth provides coverage for annual visits to ophthalmologists and optometrists, as well as to opticians who fit and dispense prescription eyeglasses. Depending upon your child’s insurance provider, you may need a referral from your child’s primary care provider or pediatrician prior to scheduling a visit with an eye care provider. If your child does not have insurance for eye exams or for prescription eyeglasses, assistance programs can help such as:
  • EyeCare America
  • InfantSEE 
  • OneSight by LensCrafter

Eye Safety for Children
  • Children's Eye Injuries: Prevention and Care from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • Star Pupils Eye Health and Safety Curriculum from Prevent Blindness America

Family Support
  • Massachusetts Association of Parents of the Visually Impaired (MAPVI)​
  • Cortical Visual Impairment Resources from Children's Vision Massachusetts 
  • Greater Massachusetts Special-Needs Events
  • Wonder Baby from Perkins School for the Blind​
  • ​​The New England Consortium  for Deafblind Technical Assistance And Training (NEC)
  • Family and Student Resources from Association of Educators of Students with Visual Impairment (AMESVI)
  • Family Connect by American Foundation for the Blind 
  • TeleSupport for Parents from Lighthouse Guild
Vision Requirements & Specialized Assessments for Students with Vision Loss
  • Massachusetts School Vision Requirements  
  • Guidelines for the Specialized Assessment for Students with Vision Impairment or Blindness by Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
  • IDEA by U.S. Department of Education​

Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist and Teacher of the Visually Impaired Resources for Students
To learn about the process for obtaining specialized services such as O&M, TVI and Assistive Technology, please review Team and Massachusetts IEP Information.
Agencies providing COMS and TVI services include:
  • Carroll Center for the Blind
  • The Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education
  • Perkins School for the Blind

Deafblind Resources
  • ​New England Consortium on Deafblindness
  • Helen Keller National Center New England Region

Assistive Technology Resources for Students
  • Accessible Instructional Materials Library (AIM)​
  • New England Consortium for Deaf Blind Technical Assistance and Training
Assistive Technology Resources for Teachers/Instructors
  • Teacher Resources and Training Modules from Freedom Scientific

Accessible Recreation for Children 
  • Smile Mass Accessible Play and Travel

Advocacy and Research - In the News
  • Your Child's Sight from Children's Vision Massachusetts
  • Brain training video games help low-vision kids see better from University of Rochester: ScienceDaily

Mobility
  • Safe Toddles - wearable cane

See Also: 

Young adult wearing glasses putting coin in vending machine
Transition
Picture
Eye Care
For more information please contact: 
Lisa DiBonaventura,  M.A.,  COMS
Statewide Director Vision & Vision Loss Services
Department of Developmental Services  (DDS)
Email: Lisa.DiBonaventura@mass.gov
About                   Contact                  FAQ
Site Accessibility & Download Policy
Please note: By posting these Web links, it is not our intention to endorse or recommend the sites. These sites are being offered only as informational resources.  
"Focus" on Vision and Vision Loss: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability
  • MCB/DDS
    • About >
      • Site Accessibility & Download Policy
      • Vision Loss Terminology
    • APH Federal Quota Account >
      • APH Activity Ideas
    • DDS Collaborative Eye Care Clinics
    • Orientation & Mobility/Low Vision Services >
      • Areas Served
      • COMS Log In
    • Let's Walk Together
    • Vision Loss Support Groups
    • EOHHS Resources
  • Eye Care
    • Find an Eye Care Provider >
      • By Town >
        • Ayer
        • Beverly
        • Boston
        • Burlington
        • Cambridge
        • Chelmsford
        • East Bridgewater
        • East Harwich
        • Fairhaven
        • Fall River
        • Falmouth
        • Fitchburg
        • Framingham
        • Franklin
        • Gardner
        • Greenfield
        • Holyoke
        • Lowell
        • Marlborough
        • Melrose
        • New Bedford
        • Newton
        • North Dartmouth
        • North Reading
        • Plymouth
        • Quincy
        • Revere
        • Sagamore
        • Salem
        • Sandwich
        • South Dennis
        • Spencer
        • Sturbridge
        • Sudbury
        • Taunton
        • Tewksbury
        • Waltham
        • Watertown
        • West Springfield
        • Worcester
    • NECO SEMA >
      • NECO Student Access
    • MCPHS Eye and Vision Center
    • DDS Vision Care Guidelines
    • Eye Health & Safety
    • Eye Conditions & Simulations >
      • A
      • B
      • C
      • D
      • E
      • F
      • G
      • H
      • I
      • K
      • L
      • M
      • N
      • O
      • P
      • R
      • S
      • T
      • U
      • V
    • In the News
  • Everyday Life
    • Strategies
    • COVID Resources
    • Deafblind Resources
    • Orientation & Mobility >
      • Movement, Safety and Fun
    • Recreation >
      • Leisure and Learning at Home
    • Local & National Organizations
  • Tech and Access
    • Apps for Vision Loss
    • Technology Equipment
    • Technology Resources
    • Products for Accessibility
    • News and Information Access
  • Students
    • Birth - 22 >
      • Team and IEP
    • Transition
  • Connect
    • Inspiring Lives >
      • Dejan
    • Focus Blog
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Training
    • "Focus Talks"
    • Conferences & Workshops
    • Online Courses & Webinars
    • Downloadable Resources & Videos
    • Train the Trainer: Human Guide >
      • Trainer Log In (password needed)
    • Train the Leader: Support Groups >
      • Support Group Leader Log in (password required)