Services for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Educational services, programs and opportunities for persons from birth to 21 years of age who are visually impaired, blind or deaf-blind are provided by the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority (APSEA).

A student’s needs will vary for many reasons some of which include level of vision loss, age, developmental level and students with additional challenges. Programs, services and support offered by APSEA are intended to ensure students have access to the core academic curriculum of the public school system. Individualized programs are developed from the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) to address essential areas and experiences that are unique to children and youth who are blind or visually impaired.

Students aged 0 – 21 shall have a diagnosis from a licensed eye specialist within the last 12 months identifying at least one of the following:

• Visual acuity of 20/70 or less, at near or distance, in the better eye with best correction or, for difficult-to -test children or youth, an estimated acuity and/or visual behavior which is significantly abnormal from what is developmentally age-appropriate
• Visual field of 20 degrees or less, or a diagnosis of hemianopsia or bilateral scotomas
• Congenital or degenerative condition
• Medical diagnosis of Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) made by an ophthalmologist, or neurologist
• Temporary eye conditions such as postoperative retinal detachment or patching where service for a limited time is required (at the discretion of the Provincial Supervisor)

Students must also demonstrate one of the following functional implications:

• Reduced or variable visual acuity due to eye condition, environmental factors or visual fatigue.
• Limited ability to visually access the full range of program-appropriate media and materials.

For further information and to access the referral form for APSEA services please contact: Laurie Watson, APSEA Provincial Supervisor, PEI at:

St Jean School
335 Queen St, Rm 36, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4C5
Laurie_Watson@apsea.ca
902-368-6985   Ext: 238
Fax to email: 902-425-6166 (Attn: Wanda Nauss)