Before the school meeting

You’ll probably be the only CVI expert in the room. That’s tiring. Here’s the short version.

The week before

• Ask for every document the team will discuss: evaluation reports, the draft plan, progress reports. “Please send any reports and drafts by [day] so I can read them before we meet.”
• Ask who’s coming. If the teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) isn’t on the list, ask for them.
• Read the reports. Circle what’s missing, like no functional vision assessment, or nothing about clutter, fatigue or getting around.
• Write your top three asks. Make each one specific. “A functional vision assessment by a TVI who knows CVI,” not “more vision help.”
• Pick supports from the “Supports to ask for at school” list (cviexplained.com/iep-accommodations/).
• Decide who’s coming with you: a partner, a relative, a therapist, an advocate, or someone from your state’s Parent Center. Tell the school.

The day before

• Print one page about your child: what helps, what overwhelms, what they’re good at, and a recent photo.
• Print the 2017 federal memo on vision eligibility (OSEP 17-05) if eligibility is in question.
• Gather doctor’s letters and any notes or short videos from home that show what you see.
• Put it all in one folder, with your three asks on top.
• Ask your companion to take notes, so you can talk.

In the room

• Hand out your one page at the start.
• Say your three asks early, before the agenda runs out.
• Ask “Who will do that, how often, and starting when?” for every service.
• Ask for anything you don’t understand to be explained. “What does that mean for [child] on a normal Tuesday?”
• If they say no, ask: “Can I have that decision and the reasons in writing?”
• Don’t sign on the spot. “I’d like to read this at home and get back to you by [day].”

What to say when they say…

“It’s behavior.” Or “It’s attention.” “Before we treat this as behavior, I’d like a functional vision assessment by a TVI. CVI can look like not paying attention. I want to know what [child] can actually see in that room.”

“Her vision screening was normal.” “A screening checks the eyes. CVI is in the brain, and kids with CVI often pass the eye chart. Under IDEA, visual impairment means a vision problem that, even with correction, affects how a child does in school. That’s what I’m asking us to look at.”

“We don’t have a vision teacher.” “I understand. [Child]’s plan should be based on what [child] needs, not on who’s on staff. How will the district get a TVI to do this? Could you contract with someone, or ask a nearby district?”

“We’ll try it and see.” “OK. Let’s write down what we’re trying, who checks it, and the date we’ll look at it again.”

“She seems fine in class.” “Some kids hold it together at school and fall apart at home. Here’s what we see after school.”

The day after

• Send a follow-up email listing what was agreed, who does what, and anything still open. Ask them to reply if anything is wrong. (Template: cviexplained.com/letters-and-emails/.)
• File your notes with the date.
• Put the next review date in your calendar.
• If something was refused, ask for the decision in writing.
• Stuck? Call your state’s Parent Training and Information Center. It’s free. Find it at parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/.