Services

Allied Instructional Services’ team of certified specialists provide services to develop the independence of people who are

• Blind or have vision loss
• Deaf-Blind
• Deaf or have hearing loss 

We contract with the public and private organizations as well as individuals to provide instruction in the individual’s school, home, workplace, and/or community.

Our services span all ages; starting with early intervention with infants and toddlers and continues through rehabilitation with senior citizens.

---

Service Populations:

• Blind/Vision loss
• Deaf-Blind
• Deaf/Hearing Loss
• Infants and Toddlers (birth to 3)
• Students  (Pre-K to 12th grade)
• Adults and Senior Citizens
• Families

Our Core services include:

• Adapted Daily Living Skills
• Braille Instruction
• Compensatory Skills
• Functional Visual Assessments
• Learning Media Assessments
• Low Vision Services
• Nemeth Instruction
• Orientation and Mobility
• Tactile Graphics
• Technology Training (Blind/low vision)
• Travel Training Instruction

---

Description of Populations: (Scroll for more>>)

• Blind/Vision loss
• “Impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance.  The term includes both partial sight and blindness.” 34 CFR 300.8 (c)(13); 8 VAC 20-81-10

• Deaf-Blind
• Does not necessarily mean total loss of vision and hearing – rather - “Simultaneous hearing and vision loss, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for children with deafness or children with blindness.” 34 CFR, 300.8 (c)(2); 8 VAC 20-80-10.

• Infants and Toddlers
• Early Intervention Services from birth through the age of three

• Students
• Children from Pre-K – 12 grade

• Adults and Senior Citizens
• Ongoing services for individuals after high school
• Rehabilitation services for adults and senior citizens

• Families
• Immediate Family
• Extended Family
• Siblings
• Other people that are a significant part of the life of the person receiving services

Description of Services:

• Adapted Daily Living Skills
• Instruction in use of modifications to become skilled in independent living skills

• Braille Instruction
• Tactual Readiness
• Braille Code
• Braille Reading
• Use of Braille Writer & Writing
• Slate & Stylus
• Screen Readers
• Technology Training

• Compensatory Skills
• Use of Adaptations/Modifications
• Concept development (space, time, directions, quantity, sequence, position)
• Organization (personal belongings)
• Auditory Readiness
• Listening Skills
• Study Skills
• Reference Skills
• Handwriting
• Signature (w/guide)
• Check Writing Guide

 

• Functional Visual Assessments
• Series of interviews, observations, screenings, and assessments which must be modified for each individual’s age and abilities
• Takes into account environment, behavior, peripheral fields, color and contrast discrimination, light sensitivity and preferences, and near and distance acuity.
• Used to determine how a student functions visually in daily activities with a variety of materials, ways to increase visual functioning

 

• Learning Media Assessments  
• Series of observations and assessments to determine how an individual accesses, or may need to learn to access, printed information.
• Used to determine primary and secondary learning media, current skills in the various areas of literacy instruction (reading, writing, listening, keyboarding, technology

• Low Vision Services
• Use of Distant Low Vision devices & proper care
• Developmental Vision Skills & techniques to increase visual efficiency
• Proper Care of Glasses
• Visually locate, track and scan
• Provision of large print materials
• Obtain optical and non optical aids for students
• Obtain adapted materials (high contrast/large print)
• Low Vision Software Training
• Coordinate Low Vision Evaluations
• Assess remaining functional vision

 

• Nemeth Instruction
• Nemeth Code
• Math Formatting
• Use of Abacus
• Use of Calculator – talking/L. print

• Orientation and Mobility
• Safe and independent travel
• Body Awareness
• Gross Moor Skills
• Increase Strength/Stamina
• Environmental & Spatial Concepts
• Directionality
• Search Patterns
• Protective Technique
• Trailing
• Sighted Guide
• Pre-cane & Cane Skills
• Independent and safe travel
• Use of Distant Low Vision devices
• Request/decline assistance
• Use of public transportation
• Arrange personal transportation

 

• Tactile Graphics
• Instruction in accurate interpretation of maps, charts, graphs, models and tables

• Technology Training (Blind/low vision)  
• Accurate, efficient, and timely task completion
• Keyboarding
• Use of Computer
• Use of Screen Magnification
• Use of Screen Reader
• Use of Electronic Braille Notetaker
• Use of Braille Embosser
• Use of Standard Printer
• Use of Scanner
• Use of word processing, spread sheets, powerpoint
• Use of closed circuit television
• Managing equipment
• Use of audio reading devices
• Use of recorder for notes

 

• Travel Training Instruction
• Travel instruction (also known as travel training) is short-term, one-to-one, intensive instruction designed to teach people with disabilities and seniors to travel safely and independently on fixed-route public transportation in their community. Individuals with disabilities and seniors learn travel skills while following a specific route, typically to a school or a job site. Travel instruction professionals must be able to determine how different disabilities affect a person's ability to travel, and they must develop appropriate methods to teach travel skills dependent upon individual needs.
   
• Travel Training can be requested for any student - not just one who is blind or VI

• Independent Living
• Independence in activities of daily living
• Eating and table manners,
• Dressing, personal hygiene & grooming
• Use of telephone, calendar/planner
• Measurements
• Time management
• Organization (home environment) and housekeeping/home maintenance
• Clothing identification & care
• Food preparation and dining out skills
• Identification & management of money, budgeting
• Shopping and use of personal shopper

 

• Recreation and Leisure
• Fitness for physical and social health
• Exposure to/Participate in Games & Activities
• Develop Hobbies/Special Interests
• Independently access activities & manage leisure time
• Use Community Resources

• Social Interaction
• Self-Concept
• Posture
• Nonverbal communication
• Face & eye contact
• Social interactions with peers & adults
• Manners & etiquette
• Knowledge of social reciprocity
• Emotional awareness
• Knowledge of human sexuality
• Accepts/declines assistance

 

• Self-Determination
• Knowledge of own strengths/weaknesses, diagnosis & needs
• Self advocacy
• Knows & uses resources
• Setting and reaching goals
• Career goals identified

• Career Education
• Career/job awareness, exploration, preparation
• Interest/aptitude awareness
• Job search skills
• Application & interview skills
• Volunteer work & paid work experience
• Job Modification awareness/skills
• Predictors of successful employment
• Laws/rights

 

Other Services:

• Camps and Special Events
• Stay up to date with local and national events and activities

 

• Professional Trainings
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Professional Presentations

• Parent Support Network
• Training for Parents
• Connecting families with a network of support, information and education