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Ohio's Response

The National Agenda for the Education of Children and Youths with Visual Impairments, Including those with Multiple Disabilities

Written by Anne L. Corn, Phil Hatlen, Kathleen M. Huebner, Frank Ryan and Mary Ann Siller, all members of the National Agenda Steering Committee
AFB Press (American Foundation for the Blind): 1995: 32 pages
ISBN 0-89128-293-9: Available in quantities of 25 only: $60.00.
The National Agenda for the Education of Children and Youths with Visual Impairments, Including Those with Multiple Disabilities is the result of a remarkable national effort to define essential educational services for students who are blind or visually impaired and may have additional disabilities. The Agenda outlines eight critical goals and the ways to achieve them. These goals relate to:

1. Referral
   
2. Parent participation
   
3. Personnel preparation
   
4. Provision of educational services
   
5. Array of services
   
6. Assessment
   
7. Access to instructional materials
   
8. Core curriculum
   

Strategies and key contact people focused on implementing each goal are included in this important blueprint for securing effective educational programs for children with unique needs.

"We envision an education system that would set higher expectations for all students, give all students the opportunity to learn to challenging standards, and take responsibility and be accountable for the success of all children. To the extent appropriate, students with disabilities would have access to the same curricula aligned with the state's content standards that other students are receiving and, with reasonable accommodations, be included in state and local assessments. The needs of students with disabilities would be considered as part of state and local planning for regular education and not regarded solely as special education's responsibility. All teachers (both regular and special) would be trained to teach to high standards.

The goals set forth in this publication--which call for assessments by trained and competent professionals, quick referrals to a full array of appropriate services, appropriate pre-service and in-inservice training for professionals, parental involvement, and individualized programming--will help fuel this reform movement for visually impaired individuals in positive and meaningful ways.

As we move toward the 21st century, our society is changing and growing at an ever-increasing rate. We must ensure that our children can change and grow with it so that they are not left behind, but instead fully participate in every aspect of mainstream societal life. If the children of today and tomorrow are to succeed in this way, then we must set high standards for them, ourselves, and for our programs. We must expect children to learn to a high level of competency, so they can compete successfully and confidently in the global 21st century society that is fast approaching."

From the foreword by Judith E. Heumann, Assistant Secretary,
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services
For information regarding the implementation of the National Agenda in Ohio, contact Paula Mauro at ORCLISH .