About us

Mission Statement

Allied Instructional Services (AIS) is committed to improving the outcomes of the blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, deaf, and hard of hearing population. Recognizing the critical shortage of trained professionals, and the reduction of statewide services to meet the unique needs of the impaired individual, AIS has assembled a team of certified instructors to meet the needs of our visually impaired and hard of hearing population.

AIS contracts with school divisions, government agencies, hospitals, infant programs and individuals to provide blind and low vision services (including braille, technology, and rehabilitation), orientation and mobility, deaf-blind services, deaf, and hard of hearing services to individuals of all ages from infants to seniors as well as their families.

At Allied Instructional Services (AIS), we strive to ensure the independence and success of each individual under our guidance. AIS provides the needed tools, instruction, and experiences in a variety of instructional settings including school, home, and community environments.

Deaf-Blindness Information

Deaf-blindness is a complex term. It is often mistakenly thought to apply only to individuals who do not see or hear anything. However, it actually applies to individuals with varying degrees and types of both a vision and hearing loss. In fact, of those on the deaf-blind census, 83% have some vision and 61% have some hearing (Killoran, 2007).

The combined effect of hearing and vision loss can dramatically impact how an individual can access information and communication. AIS recognizes that it is critically important to ensure that children and young adults with deaf-blindness receive specialized instruction and follow-through by family and caregivers.  The Teacher of the Deaf-Blind provides direct one-on-one instruction and consultative special education services within a student’s school.

Hearing Services

AIS is committed to promoting challenging educational experiences for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Licensed teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) provide assistance in auditory learning, speech-reading, receptive and expressive language development, and academic support using specialized techniques. AIS staff and/or audiologists also provide instruction in the use and care of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and FM assistive technology. Close contact with general education teachers as well as parents is maintained to support instruction in the schools.

Certified Specialists:

• Teachers for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TVI or TBVI)
  
  
• Children who are blind or have vision loss learn about the world in unique ways. They may learn to read by using fingers, or by using magnification. They learn to cook, dress, and succeed at sports by using adaptive skills and equipment. Learning to use and maximize existing senses requires a highly qualified and skilled professional: a Teacher for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
  

• Orientation and Mobility Specialists (O&M)
  
  
• Orientation is the process of using sensory information to establish and maintain one's position in the environment.
  
  
• Mobility is the process of moving safely, efficiently, and gracefully within one's environment.
  
  
• The ultimate goal of O&M instruction is for visually impaired persons to be able to travel in any environment as independently as possible. (O&M) is an important and integral part of the curriculum in the comprehensive delivery of services to children with visual impairments. The O&M instructor serves as a member of the multidisciplinary team in developing and implementing IEPs for children with visual impairments. To reach this goal, O&M instruction must begin at the earliest possible age.