EDUCATION FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS

Plain English Breakdown

The official text states the program serves children 'less than 22 years of age,' which technically excludes students on their 22nd birthday, though this is a minor distinction.

Education for Visually Impaired Students

This law requires Alaska school districts to include braille instruction in education plans for visually impaired students unless other services are determined to be more appropriate.

What This Bill Does

• Requires schools to assume that literacy skills are essential goals for students with visual impairments when creating their education plans.
• Mandates that individualized education programs must include braille instruction by default.
• Allows schools to skip braille only if they determine other special services better fit the student's needs, though this does not stop them from also providing braille.
• Creates a state program to provide extra materials and teachers for visually impaired children ages 3 to under 21.
• Requires the agency to help train current teachers in how to teach braille.

Who It Names or Affects

• Students with visual impairments who are at least three years old but less than 22 years old.
• Public school districts that create individualized education programs.
• Teachers of students with visual impairments who will receive training.
• The state agency and department responsible for special education services.

Terms To Know

Individualized Education Program

A written plan that lists the specific educational goals and services a student with disabilities needs.

Braille

The system of reading and writing through touch, specifically Standard English Braille Grade 2.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not specify how much funding is available for the new training or materials.
• It does not state when this program will officially begin operating in schools.
• The text does not explain exactly what other services might be considered more appropriate than braille.

Official Summary Text

EDUCATION FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS
An Act relating to the education of visually impaired students in public schools.

Current Bill Text

SB0127A -1- SB 127
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

34-LS0138\A

SENATE BILL NO. 127

IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION

BY SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON BY REQUEST

Introduced: 3/12/25
Referred: Education, Finance

A BILL

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

"An Act relating to the education of visually impaired students in public schools." 1
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 2
* Section 1. AS 14.30.278 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 3
(d) When developing an individua lized education program for a student with 4
visual impairment, the school dis trict shall presume that profi ciency in literacy is 5
essential for the student to m eet the student's annual educatio n goals. An 6
individualized education program for a student with visual impa irment must include 7
braille instruction unless it is determined while developing th e individualized 8
education plan that other special education services are more a ppropriate to the 9
student's educational needs; how ever, the provision of other ap propriate services does 10
not preclude the provision of braille instruction. 11
* Sec. 2. AS 14.30.630 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 12
(c) The agency, in cooperation with the department and school districts, shall 13
administer a program of special education services, in addition to the special education 14
services provided by the public school system, that is designed to meet the educational 15
34-LS0138\A
SB 127 -2- SB0127A
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

needs of visually impaired children who are at least three year s of age but less than 22 1
years of age. The program may provide special materials or serv ices and employ 2
teachers who are not assigned to a specific classroom or specia l education teachers for 3
visually impaired students. The a gency shall assist the departm ent and school districts 4
with in-person training in braille for currently employed teach ers of students who are 5
visually impaired. 6
* Sec. 3. AS 14.60.010 is amended by adding a new paragraph to read: 7
(11) "braille" means the system of reading and writing through touch, 8
which is commonly known as Standard English Braille, Grade 2. 9