Information and referral –

Got a question? Want to know where to get materials? Give us a call or go to the TSBVI website and/or email us! TX SenseAbilities , a quarterly newsletter developed in collaboration with DARS, is available on-line or in print (in English or Spanish).

• General Information for Parents (required at ARD meetings)

Family Support –

TSBVI Outreach offers family support and assistance. You may contact us for information, to be connected with one or more of the family support organizations in this state and nationally, for travel assistance to attend relevant training, to join the Texas Family listserv, and/or to request Home Consultation (Request for Outreach Family Services).

Local district training –

Most VI professionals serve a variety of students. TSBVI has various models for helping provide local district training and support:

Workshops –

TSBVI staff can present at workshops (see sample topics) at the local and/or regional levels and provide training for VI/O&M staff, related professionals and/or for families. We can help you train your teachers of students with multiple disabilities, paraprofessionals, diagnosticians, group home staff, related therapists, and ECI staff. These workshops can be tailored to your needs and presented on a variety of topics to meet your schedule, such as on inservice days and parent meetings. Request for Training/In-Service.

• TSBVI Sponsored Workshops and Conferences

TETN and Distance Education Offerings

Texas Deafblind Project –

The Texas Deafblind Project is funded by a federal grant to provide information and training about deafblindness to families and the professionals that work with them. Subcontracted through the Texas Education Agency, the Deafblind Outreach team provides technical assistance that is designed to meet the unique needs of children, birth through 21 years of age, who have both a vision and hearing impairment. The Project will continue to compile the state deafblind census data for inclusion in the Federal Deaf-Blind Census and provide training in the completion of the census. Outreach services are available statewide, and provided in coordination with local schools and regional ESCs.

• School Based Therapy Training Module

Statewide Training Calendar –

TSBVI sponsors BART training, Texas Focus conference (in coordination with the 20 Education Service Centers), the Deafblind Symposium every other year, New Mentor Training, a Mentor Center on the TSBVI campus 3-4 times a year, an assortment of technology trainings on campus and distance education videoconferencing approximately once a month.

Professional Preparation Coordination –

the TSBVI Outreach Program has provided resources about becoming a VI professional. The site includes data on the need for an increase in the supply of VI professionals as well as informative newsletters on the process for becoming certified.

Mentoring –

The TSBVI Outreach Program coordinates a statewide mentor program for new VI professionals, both VI teachers and orientation and mobility specialists. Mentors help to provide valuable professional encouragement and assistance while new professionals take required coursework and for the first year on the job. There are training opportunities for those wishing to become mentors.

• TSBVI Mentor Training Course

American Printing House for the Blind materials on Federal Quota account –

TSBVI manages a statewide system of ordering, distributing, and repairing instructional materials purchased from APH with federal quota funds.  Specialized equipment and instructional materials may be requested by a local school district for the eligible visually impaired students it serves.  Visit APH Products.

Annual Registration of Students with Visual Impairments -

TSBVI is responsible for collecting information about all students with visual impairments, including infants, students who have disabilities in addition to visual impairment, and deafbindness. This information is used to generate Federal Quota Funds which are used to purchase materials from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). This information is also used by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in the area of adapted textbook distribution. Finally, this information is used by regional Education Service Centers(ESC) to plan and support services for students with visual impairments. The Annual Registration of Students with Visual Impairments is a snapshot of students taken on the first Monday in January.

Technology Loan Program –

The Technology Loan Program provides technology equipment to students with visual impairments, which will enable them to realize their educational potential. The program provides transitional equipment that will enable students to receive necessary instruction. The Educational Service Centers and TSBVI will assist children, teachers, and parents with training to ensure that the student is able to benefit from the loan device(s).