Assessment Services for Students
who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Assessment Team
Student evaluations are done by APSEA's Assessment Team. The team includes a physiotherapist, speech and language pathologist, psychologist, and other educators who specialize in the evaluation of skills of students who are blind or visually impaired. Depending on the needs of the student, the team may also consist of educators with expertise in the development of children who are blind or visually impaired with multiple disabilities, pre-school development, and career education. Referrals for assessment are made through the APSEA Itinerant Teacher in collaboration with the parents and public school staff.
Before the student comes to the APSEA Centre, the assessment team receives written information from parents, teachers, and other professionals involved in the child's program.
Length of Assessments
Most educational assessments are completed in 1.5 to 3.5 days. Each assessment is followed by a case conference. Career assessments generally require three to four days.
Types of Assessment
- Functional vision
- Cognitive
- Academic
- Orientation and mobility
- Speech and language
- Daily living skills/self help skills
- Braille
- Physiotherapy
- Career Planning
- Technology
Follow up
Within 3-4 weeks, detailed reports will be available to the parents, the student's school, and other agencies authorized by the parents to receive the reports. Once the assessment is completed, a meeting is held with the parents and local school district personnel. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the team's findings and recommendations. This information can be used to:
- Identify learning strengths and needs
- Collaborate with school district personnel in planning appropriate educational programs
- Plan goals for an individualized educational program
- Assist in the selection of high school courses, career options and/or planning for post-secondary education
- Facilitate transition planning
Location and Accommodation
The APSEA Assessment Centre is located in the Residential Building at the APSEA Centre, 5940 South Street, Halifax, N.S. APSEA provides overnight accommodation and meals to parents and students for 1-4 day assessments.
Contacts/Addresses
For further information please contact:
Superintendent (image)
)Voice/TTY: 902-424-3214
Fax: 902-424-5819
E-mail: Bertram R. Tulk
Director of Programs for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired (image)
)Voice/TTY: 902-424-8503
Fax: 902-424-0543
E-mail: Victoria Jeans
Director, Resource and Assessment Services (image)
)Voice/TTY: 902-424-0831
Fax: 902-424-6421
E-mail: Richard Thompson
BVI Assessment Services