What will appropriate educational programming look like for my child?
All children can learn, but not all children learn in the same way, at the same time, or at the same rate. Learning is an individual process. There are many different ways of meeting a student's exceptional learning needs. What is right for one student may not be the best for another.
A doctor's diagnosis of a specific condition or disability does not provide enough information for planning for a child's individual needs. No two children are exactly alike. Children identified with the same diagnosis often have different abilities and learning needs, and require different supports. A support team, including parent(s), classroom teacher, and others, will collaborate to identify your child's unique learning needs and will then determine, implement and evaluate appropriate educational supports. A Manitoba Education Consultant for the Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) may be a member of your child's support team.
What does a vision consultant do?
Manitoba Education Consultants for Blind and Visually Impaired provide support services across the province to students who are blind or visually impaired. A BVI consultant helps the school team by providing specialized expertise which may not be available within the school division.
A consultant for BVI may:
- deliver programming and provide teaching adaptations in the classroom, gymnasium, playground and other school environments
- participate in the IEP process
- communicate with parents about their child's needs and progress
- provide workshops to school division personnel and parents
- provide training for educational support staff working with the visually impaired child and their equipment
- co-ordinate additional supports both within the education system and the wider community (ex: pre- and post-transition services)
BVI consultants also work directly with students, providing instruction in:
- Braille literacy
- keyboarding and handwriting
- orientation and mobility
- skills of daily living
- assistive technology
- concept development
- use of specialized equipment
- career education
- optimal use of residual vision
- sensory development
How does a consultant for BVI become involved with my child?
Manitoba Education consultants for BVI are available to work with those students who have one or more of the following:
- best corrected visual acuity of 20/70 or less
- less than 20 degrees of field of vision
- a deteriorating eye condition
A referral form completed by the school and signed by the parents, as well as a recent eye report from an ophthalmologist or optometrist, are required before a consultant can conduct a functional vision assessment and begin working with your child and the school support team. The referral form and eye report are sent to Manitoba Education for review and approval.
The required referral forms are available on the Manitoba Education website at
During a functional vision assessment, a BVI consultant observes a student performing activities using their near and far vision. The consultant may use special tools and may ask the student to do specific activities. A functional vision assessment helps the vision consultant decide which supports will be helpful for the student.
How will I know if my child needs special equipment and materials?
A Manitoba Education Consultant for BVI can assess a student's technology needs and consult on the supply, purchase, set-up and installation of recommended equipment. Consultants can also provide direct teaching in the use of technology for Braille-using students who need instruction in the use of specialized computer hardware/software or access devices.
Manitoba Education offers Alternate Format Services (AFS). AFS supports the education of students who are print disabled by providing books in alternate formats, such as audio files, Braille, large print and electronic text. Alternate format materials are available for students who are blind, visually impaired, as well as those who are physically disabled or learning disabled.
For more information
Information about services available from Manitoba Education for students who are blind or visually impaired is available on the Manitoba Education website at
or Manitoba EducationStudent Services Unit
Winnipeg: 204-945-7912
Manitoba toll free: 1-800-282-8069 ext. 7912