Visual Impairment, Blindness, and FES-UA
A Florida family's guide to funding support
From Braille instruction to assistive technology — what FES-UA covers for blind and visually impaired learners.
💡 Quick Answer: Does Visual Impairment Qualify?
Yes. "Visual impairment, including blindness" is one of the 23 qualifying conditions in Florida Statute 1002.394. The statute also lists "dual sensory impaired" separately for students with combined vision and hearing loss. Documentation can be an ophthalmologist or optometrist evaluation, an IEP with visual impairment eligibility, or a physician diagnosis. FES-UA can cover TVI (Teacher of the Visually Impaired) services where available, orientation and mobility instruction, Braille instruction, assistive technology (screen readers, braille displays, magnification tools), and academic tutoring with accessibility adaptations.
If your child has a visual impairment — from low vision to complete blindness, including cortical visual impairment (CVI) — FES-UA can help fund educational support services.
This guide covers documentation, the types of visual impairment, the expanded core curriculum that blind/VI students need, and how families use FES-UA for support.
Visual Impairment Is One of the 23 Qualifying Conditions
Florida Statute 1002.394 lists "Visual impairment, including blindness" as one of the disability categories that qualify for FES-UA.
The statute also separately lists "Dual sensory impaired" for students with combined vision and hearing loss — a distinct eligibility category.
Source: Florida Statutes 1002.394
What Documentation Qualifies
To apply for FES-UA with a visual impairment, you typically need ONE of the following:
Option 1: Ophthalmologist or optometrist evaluation
A comprehensive eye examination documenting:
- Visual acuity (distance and near)
- Visual field measurements (if relevant)
- Functional vision assessment
- Diagnosis and prognosis
This is the most specific documentation for visual impairment.
Option 2: IEP with visual impairment eligibility
If your child has an Individualized Education Program from a Florida public school with "Visual Impairment" or "Blind/Visually Impaired" as the eligibility category, that qualifies.
Option 3: Physician diagnosis
A diagnosis letter from an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or neurologist documenting the visual impairment. Should include type and severity.
For cortical visual impairment (CVI):
Documentation from a neurologist or ophthalmologist confirming the CVI diagnosis. CVI is a brain-based visual impairment, so standard acuity measures may not capture the full picture — functional vision assessment is important.
The Visual Impairment Landscape
Visual impairment isn't one condition — it includes a range of profiles:
Low vision
Reduced visual acuity or visual field that can't be fully corrected with glasses or contacts. The student has usable vision but needs accommodations, magnification, or modifications.
Functionally blind
The student may have some light perception or very limited vision but relies primarily on non-visual methods (Braille, audio, tactile) for learning.
Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)
A brain-based visual impairment — the eyes may be structurally intact, but the brain has difficulty processing visual information. CVI is now the leading cause of visual impairment in children in developed countries.
CVI characteristics:
- • Difficulty with visual complexity
- • Color preferences (often attracted to certain colors)
- • Difficulty with distance viewing
- • Latency in visual response
- • Variable visual functioning
Progressive conditions
Some conditions (Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stargardt's disease, etc.) involve progressive vision loss. The student may currently have low vision but be learning Braille in preparation for future vision changes.
The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)
Here's something important: blind and visually impaired students need instruction in areas that typical academic curriculum doesn't cover.
The Expanded Core Curriculum includes:
Why this matters for FES-UA: Academic tutoring for VI students should connect to this broader curriculum. A tutor who only focuses on grade-level academics without understanding ECC needs isn't providing complete support.
How Families Use FES-UA for Visual Impairment
TVI (Teacher of the Visually Impaired) Services
TVIs are specially trained educators who provide:
- Braille instruction
- Adaptation of curriculum materials
- Assistive technology training
- Consultation on accessibility
Finding TVIs can be challenging — there's a national shortage. When available through approved providers, FES-UA can fund these services.
Orientation and Mobility Instruction
O&M specialists teach safe, independent travel:
- White cane skills
- Environmental awareness
- Route planning
- Public transportation
When delivered by an approved FES-UA provider, O&M instruction is covered.
Braille Instruction
For students who are blind or have progressive vision loss, Braille literacy is essential. FES-UA can fund:
- Braille reading and writing instruction
- Braille materials
- Refreshable braille displays
Assistive Technology
Screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver), screen magnification software, refreshable braille displays, optical and electronic magnifiers, text-to-speech tools, accessible note-taking devices.
Academic Tutoring with Accessibility Adaptations
Materials in accessible formats (large print, Braille, audio), screen reader compatibility, verbal description of visual content, extra time for reading, tactile learning materials.
Families in Jacksonville and St. Petersburg use FES-UA for assistive technology and academic tutoring — combining accessibility tools with academic support.
The Accessibility Advantage of Online Tutoring
For many VI students, online tutoring offers accessibility advantages:
Screen reader compatibility
Online platforms can be navigated with screen readers. The student uses their own configured setup with familiar software.
Font and contrast control
The student controls their own display — text size, contrast, color schemes — optimized for their specific vision.
No transportation barriers
The student learns from home, eliminating navigation challenges. Particularly relevant for students still developing O&M skills.
Familiar technology setup
At home, the student has their assistive technology already configured — magnification, screen reader preferences, braille display.
Co-Occurring Conditions and Dual Sensory Impairment
Visual impairment can co-occur with other conditions:
Dual sensory impairment — combined hearing and vision loss (listed as a separate FES-UA eligibility category)
Cerebral palsy — cortical visual impairment (CVI) is common with CP
Intellectual disability — some syndromes involve both
Autism — elevated rates of visual differences
Usher Syndrome:
Students with Usher syndrome have hearing loss and progressive vision loss (Retinitis Pigmentosa). They qualify under both visual impairment and hearing impairment categories.
If your child has visual impairment plus other conditions, document all of them. For related information, see our hearing impairment guide.
Matrix Codes and Visual Impairment
Your child's FES-UA funding depends on matrix code, which evaluates support intensity across self-care, ambulation, communication, and behavior.
Visual impairment can affect multiple domains:
- Ambulation — O&M support needs
- Self-care — assistance with tasks affected by vision
- Communication — Braille or adapted materials needs
The evaluation looks at functional support needs. A student with low vision who needs minimal accommodations may receive a lower matrix code than a student who is blind and learning Braille.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does visual impairment qualify for FES-UA?
Yes. "Visual impairment, including blindness" is one of the 23 qualifying conditions in Florida Statute 1002.394.
What documentation do I need?
An ophthalmologist or optometrist evaluation, an IEP with visual impairment eligibility, or a physician diagnosis documenting the visual condition.
Does cortical visual impairment (CVI) qualify?
Yes. CVI qualifies as a visual impairment. Documentation should come from a neurologist or ophthalmologist familiar with CVI.
Can FES-UA pay for Braille instruction?
Yes. Braille instruction and materials are approved FES-UA expenses when provided by qualified instructors.
Can FES-UA fund screen readers and braille displays?
Yes. Assistive technology for educational use is an approved FES-UA expense.
Can FES-UA pay for a TVI?
Yes, when the TVI is an approved FES-UA provider. Finding TVIs can be challenging due to the national shortage.
How much funding will my child receive?
Funding depends on matrix code, which evaluates support intensity. Students with significant support needs across multiple domains may qualify at higher levels.
Can tutoring be delivered in accessible formats?
Yes. Tutoring for VI students should include materials in accessible formats and compatibility with the student's assistive technology.
My child has both hearing and vision loss — is that a separate category?
Yes. "Dual sensory impaired" is listed as a separate eligibility category in Florida Statute 1002.394.
Does online tutoring work for students with visual impairments?
For many, yes. Online platforms can be navigated with screen readers, and the student uses their own configured accessibility setup at home.
Ready to Get Started?
If your child has a visual impairment and you're approved for FES-UA — or working on your application — we can help with tutoring delivered in accessible formats.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your child's needs and how FES-UA can fund their support.
Book a Free Consultation →For more about our reading approach, visit our reading tutoring page.
Sources: Florida Statutes 1002.394, Step Up For Students, American Foundation for the Blind
Last updated: May 2026