Determining Service Levels for Learners with CVI Using the Visual Impairment Scale of Service Intensity

#7 of CVI for the TVI series

The Visual Impairment Scale of Service Intensity (VISSIT) is a research-based tool developed to help TVIs determine the appropriate type and amount of service for a student with a visual impairment based on the student’s needs identified in the evaluation. The VISSIT has been found to be a statistically reliable and valid tool for determining service intensity.  Attendees will have a hands-on experience in completing a VISSIT on a case-study student during this session. 

At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
1.  Understand the purpose of the Visual Impairment Scale of Service Intensity (VISSIT) and how the scale works in determining the type and amount of service needed by a student with a visual impairment to recommend to the IEP team.
2.  Recommend accurate service type and time for students with visual impairments based on the use of the VISSIT after participating in a practice session of filling out a VISSIT for a case study student with a visual impairment. This session will be a hands-on experience.
3. Collaborate and share their recommendations on the appropriate intensity of service from the practice session with other attendees.

Shannon D. Darst, Ph.D., TVI, is an assistant professor in the Visual Impairment Preparation Program at Stephen F. Austin State University (Texas) and an adjunct professor and internship coordinator for the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments preparation program at Texas Tech University (Texas). Dr. Darst worked in both a residential setting and in the itinerant service model for students with visual impairments for 20 years in the central Texas area before moving into full-time work in TVI personnel preparation. Dr. Darst is a board member of the Texas Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired and serves as a member of the subcommittee of the Texas Action Committee for the Education of Students with Visual Impairments, which developed VISSIT and the O&M VISSIT (Visual Impairment Scale of Service Intensity of Texas), the service intensity recommendation tools.

Bookmark the CVI for the TVI Series — A monthly forum for collaboration and discussion —  to catch up on past events.

Join the mailing list if you would like to be notified about new webinars in this series.