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Youth Low Vision (YLV) Program
YLV Program History
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.
YLV Program Overview
Introduction:
The inability to fully utilize one’s vision substantially impairs how a child manages their environment. Limitations will impair the child’s ability to integrate with their environment and minimize their ability to function.
Purpose:
The Youth Low Vision (YLV) program is available to assist currently enrolled students or those participating in a qualified educational program (including home school, alternative school, and registered online school programs) with fully utilizing their residual vision in the classroom and other activities with their peers through coordination with the Intermediate School District (ISD) and Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP).
Eligibility:
The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons provides low vision assessments and a maximum of two wearable low vision devices prescribed by a low vision practitioner for children ages birth through the age of 13. Children must have visual acuities of 20/70 or less in the better eye with the best correction or a visual field loss of 40 degrees or less in the better eye with a documented deteriorating condition.
For More information and to Apply
Referrals should be made by contacting your intermediate school district (ISD) Teacher Consultant for the Visually Impaired.
You may also contact a Bureau of Services for Blind Persons office near you for assistance in contacting your ISD Teacher Consultant for the Visually Impaired.
List of Resources
A list of websites and organizations geared for blind or visually impaired youth and their parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Does the YLV program have income requirements?Recognizing there are limited program funds available, BSBP will support purchasing a low vision assessment and device(s) when the household income is less than $150,000 per year
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What is the maximum amount BSBP will provide towards a low vision assessment and wearable device?
Low Vision Assessment - $250.00
Contact Lenses (two-year prescription) - $200.00
Complete Pair of Glasses (frames, lenses, tint, coating) - $500.00
Customary Telescopic or Microscopic Device - $1,500
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Does an individual have to use their private or public health/vision insurance towards the cost of a low vision assessment or the purchase of a wearable device?Comparable Benefits should always be used to subsidize the cost of services provided by BSBP.
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How often can my student receive YLV services?YLV services are provided biennially every other fiscal year (October 1 to September 30).
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Does the YLV program replace lost or broken devices?
BSBP may replace a lost or broken device once within the two years that it was purchased. All warranties or replacement plans must be utilized before replacing items, including insurance policies, school policies if a sports or school activity is involved, homeowners and tenant insurance, etc. Rehabilitation professionals or management may deny a request for replacement based on the circumstances of breakage, loss, the frequency of occurrence, or the availability of BSBP funding.