The Children’s Services Program at the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) provides education services to children who are legally blind, deaf-blind, and visually impaired by:
- Creating partnerships among children, families, schools, and communities;
- Providing adapted materials, equipment, and books for educational access;
- Teaching skills such as reading Braille;
- Promoting individual choice, independence, and life-long learning;
- Creating awareness of blindness through community outreach and education; and
- Providing opportunities for children with blindness or visual impairment to experience full inclusion in extracurricular activities
Teachers and consultants of the program provide instruction in Braille, access to helpful technologies, and independent living and social skills training. A full-scope lending library of accessible textbooks and materials is available for equal access in classrooms. Program staff provides training and consultation to classroom teachers, parents, paraprofessionals, and local school district staff on maximizing full inclusion in educational programs and curriculums.
Services for Infants, Toddlers and Preschool Children
BESB staff work directly with infants, toddlers and preschool children at home and in educational settings. Our education consultants, specializing in the education of children who are blind or visually impaired, can provide assistance to:
- Conduct a vision assessment;
- Arrange for low vision, auditory and other appropriate examinations and evaluations;
- Evaluate a child's progress and development;
- Develop and implement the child's Individual Family Service Plan or Individual Education Plan;
- Teach parents and care givers how to work with children who are blind or visually impaired;
- Work with community providers and programs;
- Make connections with self-help groups and supportive professional networks;
- Provide specialized early intervention and school services for infants and pre-school children with limited vision and hearing; and
- BESB also works in coordination with the New England Consortium for Deaf-Blind Technical Assistance and Training to provide the above services to children who have combined vision and hearing loss
Services for School-Aged Children
BESB works with school-aged children in the school, in special-needs programs and at home. Our education consultants can provide assistance to:
- Conduct a vision assessment;
- Become a member a child's education planning team to create goals and make referrals to professionals, such as orientation and mobility instructors, rehabilitation teachers and vocational rehabilitation counselors;
- Provide school materials in Braille and large print as needed;
- Consult with parents and other education team members to work with children who are blind and visually impaired;
- Instruct a child in Braille, use of low vision aids, organization skills, adaptive equipment and other skills needed for independence; and
- Provide specialized educational and consultative services to children, parents and professionals
Training Opportunities for Parents, Professionals and Paraprofessionals
BESB staff provides ongoing education opportunities for parents, school district staff, and community providers on best practices for working with children and students who are blind or have visual impairments. Training is offered during the fall each year, focusing on specific areas in each training program offering. For more information on upcoming training opportunities email Lori.Cornelius@ct.gov.
Newsletters
BESB BUZZ (Pre-ETS) Newsletter Spring 2024
BESB BUZZ (Pre-ETS) Newsletter Fall 2023