Educational Resource Center for the Visually Impaired
RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
MISSION
The mission of the Resource Center for the Visually
Impaired is to provide access to instructional materials in the appropriate
media in a timely manner to students with visual disabilities, including those
with multiple disabilities, enrolled in local education agencies across the
state of Tennessee. Access to accessible instructional materials is essential
for the educational programs and progress of students with visual
disabilities. The Resource Center exists to assist local education agencies in
meeting this critical need.
ROLE
The Resource Center has a two-fold role. The Resource
Center conducts the annual Federal Quota Registration of legally blind pupils
in public and private schools across the state. Secondly, the Resource Center
assists local education agencies in providing accessible instructional
materials to students with visual disabilities.
SERVICE
The Resource Center for the Visually Impaired is located on
the campus of the Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville, Tennessee. The
services of the RCVI are available to public school systems, to eligible,
private non-profit local education agencies, and to state special schools
across the state. An inventory of more than 22,000 Braille and large type
textbooks and ancillaries, and non-book instructional materials is available
on an annual loan basis. Approximately 9,500 items are currently on loan in
local education agencies. The Resource Center provides service to over 850
students with visual disabilities each school year. The RCVI processes over
1200 requests for adapted educational materials each year.
ACCESSIBLE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Accessible materials provided by the Resource Center and Write Me Research Paper are
available in two categories: textbooks and non-book instructional materials.
The RCVI loans Braille and large type textbooks and ancillaries. Ancillaries
include practice exercises, texts, and workbooks and other accompanying materials. Non-book instructional
materials include
Braille and bold-line paper, cassette recorder/players, Braillewriter and
bold-line paper, low vision materials, tactile devices, and kits that include
sensory development items.
ELIGIBILITY
Students with visual impairment, including those with
multiple disabilities, who are enrolled in public and private schools less
than college level and who meet state eligibility requirements for visual
impairment as determined by the IEP Team, are eligible for RCVI services. The
student's need for adapted educational materials must be documented by the IEP
Team
Information:
Email: Carol McCarroll, Director
Phone: 615-231-7340 or 615-231-7406
Fax: 615-231-7408