What is the purpose of collaborating with the certified teacher of the visually impaired (CTVI) at the start of the evaluation?

• A. To confirm the IEP goals
• B. To schedule therapy sessions
• C. To determine the child's home language
• D. To plan assessment accommodations and materials appropriate for the visual impairment

Answer: (D)

Collaborating with the certified teacher of the visually impaired at the start of an evaluation focuses on making sure the student can access the assessment in ways that match their visual needs. The CTVI helps identify and plan the accommodations and materials that will be used during testing—things like large-print or high-contrast formats, braille or tactile graphics when necessary, appropriate magnification or screen-reading tools, and any adjustments to timing, breaks, or test administration procedures. By aligning the testing formats with the student’s visual abilities, the evaluator can gather an accurate picture of the student’s true skills rather than counting barriers created by the impairment.

While IEP goals and service planning are important, and language background or scheduling related services may come up in other contexts, the primary purpose of involving the CTVI at the outset is to tailor the evaluation so it reflects the student’s capabilities with appropriate visual accommodations.