Youth Low Vision (YLV) Program

The terms partially sighted, low vision, legally blind, and totally blind are used in the educational context to describe students with visual impairments. The inability to fully utilize one’s vision substantially impairs how a child manages their environment. Social and often physical development can be substantially delayed, especially for very young children. 

BSBP services provided to Youth Low Vision customers is funded by state general fund dollars.  

BSBP recognizes that when a child is unable to fully utilize their vision, it can substantially impair how they integrate and manage their environment minimizing their ability to function independently. Therefore, the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) continues to provide low-vision exams and a maximum of two wearable prescribed low-vision devices biennially, to support children ages birth through 13 enrolled in a qualified educational program (including Early On home school, alternative school, and registered online school programs).

Eligibility for the YLV program is based on verification of the following:

• The age of the student (birth through 13 years old).
• Enrollment in an education program.
• Visual acuity is 20/70 or less in the best-corrected eye or has a visual field restriction of 40 degrees of less in the best eye with a documented deteriorating eye diagnosis. 

In the case of infants and young children, if a diagnosis of visual acuity is unable to be determined, eligibility is based on the low vision provider's assessment of vision loss equating to program eligibility standards. 

A list of websites and organizations geared for blind or visually impaired youth and their parents.