Visual Impairment (VI) Eligibility in Oregon
Students are eligible for special education under Visual Impairment (VI) when a vision condition, even with glasses, contacts, or medical treatment, limits how they access visual information and affects their developmental progress or educational performance. Columbia Regional Inclusive Services partners with EI/ECSE programs and school districts to help evaluate students and determine VI eligibility.
Vision Documentation
Oregon rules (OAR 581-015-2180) require documentation from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist showing one of the following:
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A visual impairment that cannot be corrected by medical treatment, therapy, or lenses, or
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Inconclusive exam results and evidence that the child shows inadequate use of residual vision.
Children birth to age 5
If a child is suspected of having a visual impairment, the EI/ECSE team gathers existing medical documentation. When families lack current documentation, they typically obtain the eye exam through their medical provider. CRIS supports the EI/ECSE team with functional vision assessments and related evaluations.
School-Age (K–21) children and youth
Families obtain the required eye exam through their health care provider or community eye specialist. Districts provide CRIS with the eye report; schools do not conduct medical eye examinations.
Functional Vision Assessment (FVA)
A Teacher of the Blind and Low Vision (TBLV) conducts an FVA to understand how the child uses vision in real-world learning tasks. The FVA evaluates:
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Use of residual visual acuity and visual fields
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Impact on reading, mobility, classroom access, and daily activities
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Environmental and material needs (contrast, lighting, print size)
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Compensatory skills such as tactile or auditory learning strategies
Additional developmental or educational assessments may be used to understand how the vision condition affects communication, early learning, academic tasks, and participation.
Team Determinations
To qualify under VI, the team must determine the following:
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The child has a visual impairment as documented by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
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The visual impairment adversely affects developmental progress (ages 3–5) or educational performance (ages 5–21).
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The child needs specialized instruction (e.g., Braille or tactile literacy, orientation and mobility instruction, learning to use assistive technology for access)
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The concerns are not primarily due to (a) lack of appropriate reading instruction; (b) lack of appropriate math instruction; and (c) limited English proficiency.
Components of a VI Evaluation
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Parent input and medical history
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Ophthalmology/optometry report
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Functional Vision Assessment by a TVI
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Additional assessments as needed to understand the impact on learning and daily activities
Summary
A child is eligible under Visual Impairment when an eye specialist documents a qualifying vision condition, the impairment affects developmental or educational performance, the child requires specialized instruction, and the concerns are not due to limited instruction or language factors. These determinations guide access to special education and to Columbia Regional Inclusive Services’ Blind and Low Vision supports.
