Annual Resources Update-Students with Sensory Disabilities
The Virginia Department of Education is required by the Code of Virginia, § 22.1-217.01, to annually prepare and distribute to local school boards information describing educational and other services that are available to students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired. School boards are required to post this information on school division websites annually and to inform the parents of students who are identified as deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired of the availability of such services. Specifically, the law states:
“The Department of Education shall annually prepare and distribute to local school boards packets of information describing the educational and other services available through the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to students who are identified as deaf or hard of hearing or visually impaired. Local school boards shall annually post this information on the school division’s website and inform the parents of those students who are identified as deaf or hard of hearing or visually impaired of its availability. School boards shall ensure that packets of such information are available in an accessible format for review by parents who do not have Internet access.”
What are Sensory Disabilities?
“Sensory disabilities” can involve any of the five senses, but for educational purposes, it generally refers to a disability related to hearing, vision, or both hearing and vision.
Sensory disabilities affect access – access to visual and/or auditory information. Most content information is presented visually and/or auditorily in the classroom. It is important that children experiencing a vision and/or a hearing loss are appropriately identified to ensure access to education.
The following links provide Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia:
For questions regarding this guidance, contact Amy Scott, Coordinator of Sensory Disabilities and Supports, at (804) 418-4724 or Amy.Scott@doe.virginia.gov.