Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired works with infants, children, teens and young adults with visual impairments in the state of Iowa. We work with Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) and school districts, providing support for students to successfully learn in and out of the classroom.

Young child standing with a gait trainer smiling at the camera.

Setting Up Iowans with Visual Impairments for Success

It’s our goal for each and every student to have the tools they need to succeed, regardless of their ability levels and learning needs. We offer a wide range of services and resources to help students with visual impairments reach their goals and learn to live independently, from consulting to in-class assistance and support.

Students

Our statewide consultants, itinerant teachers, and mobility specialists can support students with visual impairments in a variety of ways. We help students obtain assistive technology, and we offer one-on-one support to help students study, learn, and transition to their desired life after school.

Learn more about student education assistance

Educators

Managing a classroom of students with varying needs can be difficult. IESBVI offers a library of resources to assist educators in supporting students with visual impairments, as well as programs educators can attend to learn how to best support students of all abilities.

Learn about our Summer Institute program for educators

Parents & Guardians

Navigating life and school with a visually impaired child can feel overwhelming as a parent. We offer ways to help parents support their child’s learning, living, and working needs.

Learn about early intervention for visually impaired children

Upcoming Events

IESBVI hosts events for educators, parents, and students with visual impairments. Check out our upcoming events and read more about any that interest you! We’d love for you to attend an upcoming event.

Chat with the Deafblind Technical Assistance Team (DTAT) 2021-2022

November 9, 2021at 3:30 PM
The Deafblind Technical Assistance Team (DTAT) is offering an opportunity to ask questions about student behaviors, communication, sensory issues, literacy strategies, assessment practices, and anything else that you or your team finds challenging when working with a child who is deafblind. A session is offered each month and is limited to one team per session.…More about this event: Chat with the Deafblind Technical Assistance Team (DTAT) 2021-2022

Family First Hour – Topic: Ask an Expert featuring Disability Rights Iowa

November 9, 2021at 6:30 PM
What: A series of hour-long Zoom meetings covering various topics relevant for families who have a child on the Deafblind Registry. When: Sessions will be on the 2nd Tuesday of every other month from 6:30-7:30pm. November 9th – Ask an Expert featuring Disability Rights IowaJan 11th – Building Social Skills and Sibling SupportMarch 8th -…More about this event: Family First Hour – Topic: Ask an Expert featuring Disability Rights Iowa
All upcoming events

Recent News

Learn about recent happenings in our student programs and more.

Iowa Students Participate in National Braille Challenge

Posted on: Post categories: Student News
Only 50 students from around the country are selected to compete in the annual national Braille Challenge finals and this year, two IESBVI students were selected for the July (virtual) event! Sophomore Nathan Deeds of Williamsburg was a finalist in the Junior Varsity category and second grader Khanh Tran of Fairfield was a finalist in…Read Moreabout Iowa Students Participate in National Braille Challenge

Family First Hours

Posted on: Post categories: For Families IESBVI Updates
What: A series of hour-long Zoom meetings covering various topics relevant for families who have a child on the Deafblind Registry. When: Kickoff in August with an informational session about the Iowa Deafblind Project! Following sessions will be on the second Tuesday of every other month from 6:30-7:30pm. August 3 – Deafblind Project and Technical…Read Moreabout Family First Hours
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A group of young students in the classroom holding their artwork for the camera.

Itinerant Educators & Mobility Specialists

Itinerant educators and mobility specialists are professionals who will travel to you, rather than you having to travel to them. IESBVI employs a range of specialists who travel across the State of Iowa to provide support to students with visual impairments and school districts who have requested services through their AEA.

Learn more about itinerant services with IESBVI

Find Teachers & Consultants Near You

IESBVI employs teachers of the visually impaired and consultants to provide statewide coverage for Iowa’s students. Select your county to find the Area Education Agency (AEA) and staff that can help you.

You can find teachers using the dropdown form below or by clicking on a link from the list of AEA region below the form.
List of Iowa AEA Regions An Interactive Iowa Map of AEA Regions Northwest AEA Region Prairie Lakes AEA Region Central Rivers AEA Region Keystone AEA Region Green Hills AEA Region Heartland AEA Region Grant Wood AEA Region Great Prairie AEA Region Mississippi Bend AEA Region

Interested in consulting or vision assistance services? Contact us to get connected.