AACPS has revised the definition of a visual impairment in the Parent eHandbook and on the Public Website.  The definition has been revised to clarify that convergence deficiencies and binocular disorders are considered when determining the presence of an educational disability affecting a student’s access to curriculum.  The revisions can be found at the following locations:

Parent eHandbook, Appendix marked Disabilities

"Visual impairment" refers to a visual impairment, which, even with correction, adversely affects a student's educational performance. The term includes but is not limited to diagnoses of:

§ "Legal blindness" - visual acuity is 20/200 or less, in the better eye, after correction, or a field restriction of less than 20^; and

§ "Partial sight" - visual acuity is 20/70 or less, in the better eye, after correction.

§ Other visual impairments that adversely affect educational performance (e.g. convergence insufficiency

AACPS Website:  http://www.aacps.org/specialed/blind.asp

Anne Arundel County Public Schools has recently updated its definition of students under the disability category of Visual Impairment, Including Blindness.  In accordance with COMAR 13A.05.01.03B(84), a Visual Impairment is defined as an impairment in vision, which, even with correction, adversely affects a student's educational performance and includes both partial sight and blindness.   Any impairment in vision, regardless of severity, is covered, provided that such impairment, even with correction, adversely affects a student's educational performance.  Convergence Insufficiency, and other binocular visual disorders, are not excluded from the definition of Visual Impairment.