Itinerant Services - Naperville Community Unit School District 203

[Skip To Content]

Naperville Community Unit School District 203

Naperville, Illinois

Monday, May 21, 2012

DISTRICT INFORMATION

DISTRICT PROGRAMS

SITE INFORMATION

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Home // Special Education // Itinerant Services

Itinerant Services

Itinerant services are offered to students who have visual or hearing impairments. Certified vision and hearing teachers provide necessary accommodations in order for students to access their educational environment and materials. Services may include individual instruction in the use of specialized equipment to compensate for hearing or vision loss, integrated instruction in the classroom, and consultation with appropriate staff.

Orientation and mobility services are available to students with visual impairments who require specialized training in order to travel in the school, home, and community environments.

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT DEFINED

Students with visual disabilities are those who have disorders, in BOTH the structure within the ocular pathway AND function of the eye that with the best correction and medical treatment, interfere with learning. These students would exhibit one or more of the following conditions:

Reduced visual acuity, usually 20/70 or less in the better eye after best possible correction.
Restricted field of vision, to the degree that it affects the student’s ability to function academically.
Progressive and/or permanent eye conditions as noted by an eye specialist on an ocular report.
Temporary eye conditions such as post-operative retinal detachment where placement for a limited time is recommended.
Medically diagnosed cortical visual impairment.

HEARING IMPAIRMENT DEFINED

Hearing impairment is defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as "an impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child's educational performance."

A student may be identified as hearing impaired if an unaided hearing loss of 25+ decibels is present that makes the acquisition of receptive and expressive language skills difficult. A hearing loss of 25 decibels or less, with or without amplification, is considered within the normal hearing limits.

ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY SERVICES DEFINED

Services are provided by a certified O+M instructor to provide instruction in the techniques and skills needed to enable visually impaired individuals to move independently, safely and purposefully through the environment. Instruction may include: concept development, spatial awareness, self-protective techniques, cane skills, use of low vision aides, use of compensatory skills, indoor travel, residential travel, business travel, and use of public transportation.

THE ITINERANT TEACHER’S ROLE

Assist in the development of students’ IEPs
Instruct students in compesatory skills related to hearing or vision loss
Communicate with parents and staff
Provide inservice to staff working with students who have hearing or vision disabilities
Obtain, develop and modify educational materials
Provide training in assistive technology to students and staff
Provide a bridge to post-secondary education or employment
Assess auditory or visual functioning related to educational performance to determine the need for service and in conjunction with three-year re-evaluations