Each local school system has a vision program to assist blind and visually impaired students to receive instruction along with their sighted peers. Most vision programs will provide services to students from infancy through high school graduation or age 21. Parents who need advocacy, assistance, in obtaining appropriate services for your child should consult Know Your Rights, Education and for parents. Parents may also wish to contact Lisa Wright who is the vision expert at the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education, lwright@msde.state.md.us. Here is a list of the vision programs in the local school systems in Maryland.
Vision Program
c/o Cash Valley Elementary
10601 Cash Valley Road
LaVale, MD 21502
301-724-6632
Vision Services
2644 Riva Road
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-222-5479
Dept. of the Visually Impaired
200 E. North Avenue, Room 326
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-396-8562
Vision Program
SE Office-Battle Grove Elem.
7828 St. Patricia Lane
Baltimore, MD 21222
410-887-7502
Vision Program
Hunting Creek Annex
4105 Old Town Road
Huntingtown, MD 20639
410-414-7034
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Hampstead Elementary School
3737 Shiloh Road
Hampstead, MD 21074
410-751-3420
Vision Teacher
Elkton Middle School
615 North Street
Elkton, MD 21921
410-996-5010
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
F.B. Gwynn Center
5998 Radio Station Road
La Plata, MD 20646
301-934-7200 x192535
Vision Programs
Glade Elementary
9525 Glade Road
Walkersville, MD 21793
240-236-8945
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
40 S. Second St.
Oakland, MD 21550
301-334-8916
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Fallston High School
2301 Carrs Mill Road
Fallston, MD 21047
410-638-4120
Vision Program
Faulkner Ridge Center
10598 Marble Faun Court
Columbia, MD 21044
410-313-7022
Mid-Shore Spec. Ed. Consortium
12 Magnolia Street
Easton, MD 21601
800-462-1614
Vision Program
Gaithersburg Middle School
2 Teachers Way
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
301-670-2250
Vision Program
Oxen Hill Staff Dev. Center, Ste D
7711 Livingston Road
Oxen Hill, MD 20745
301-567-8600
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Stephen Decatur High School
9913 Seahawk Rd.
Berlin, MD 21811
410-641-7121
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
St. Mary's County Public Schools
23160 Moakly Street
Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-475-5511 x216
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Marshall Street Education Center
1350 Marshall Street
Hagerstown, MD 21742
301-766-8517
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Pemberton Elementary
Pemberton Drive
Salisbury, MD 21801
410-677-5810
3501 Taylor Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21236-4499
(410) 444-5000
(410) 319-5700 (fax)
E-mail: info@mdschblind.org
The Maryland School for the Blind (MSB) is a private, non-profit school housed on a 95-acre campus in the Parkville area of Baltimore. It is the only residential and day school in Maryland for students who are blind or visually impaired. Students must be referred by their local school district. They attend tuition-free. Criterion for referral is a visual impairment which, even with correction, adversely affects educational functioning.
Ninety percent of MSB students have multiple disabilities in addition to blindness or visual impairment.
The school provides services for individuals from birth to age 21. Students participate in vocational rehabilitation services while transitioning from MSB to the community and employment. Independent Living services include:
.. Personal management
.. Braille
.. Handwriting
.. Typing
.. Home management
.. Orientation and mobility training
Employment services include:
.. Prevocational evaluation
.. Career and skill counseling
.. Occupational skill development
.. Vending stand training
.. Consultation with other organizations
700 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093-2554
(800) 323-4238
(847) 446-8111
(847) 446-9916 (fax)
E-mail: info@hadley-school.edu
The Hadley School for the Blind offers more than 100 distance education courses free of charge to those who are blind, their families, or blindness professionals. Students can select from a variety of courses and study anytime, anywhere.
Courses are offered in six core areas:
.. Academic and high school studies
.. Braille and other communications skills
.. Technology
.. Independent living and life adjustment
.. Recreation and leisure time
.. Parent/family education
Courses are available in Braille, large print and audiocassette. Call for a catalog or visit the website for additional information.