Educational Outreach Services
Through its Educational Outreach Services, the RTC on Blindness and Low Vision at Mississippi State University (MSU) is a regional resource for school districts in North Mississippi serving blind and visually impaired students. The Division provides support to students, teachers, and other school district staff on the MSU campus and on-site in the school districts.
Featured Services
- Dedicated Center where teachers can view instructional materials and assistive technology, participate in workshops and individualized continuing education activities, check out materials and equipment through our short-term loaner program, and bring students for specialized assessments and training in using assistive technology.
- Capacity for quick turnaround on smaller brailling projects, such as classroom tests and supplemental instructional materials.
- Assistance in locating or producing braille, large print, and digital books and textbooks.
- Authorized User of the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Center for production of textbooks in Braille, large print and audio formats.
- Specialized staff to provide direct and consultative VI services. Examples of services include providing direct braille instruction; conducting student assessments; selecting, designing and/or modifying specialized curriculum for students; developing individual student goals and objectives for the Individual Education Program; and consulting with teachers and administrators.
Immediate Needs
- External funding for a Teacher of the Visually Impaired to provide direct and consultant services to school districts to supplement part-time staff. MSU can cover approximately half of the salary and operational costs, but an additional $38,000 is needed. The position will become self sustaining as school districts purchase services from the RTC.
- External funding to purchase additional instructional materials and assistive technology.
Our Vision
Educational Outreach Services are needed around the state to adequately serve the growing needs of children and youth with vision impairments. To adequately serve students, we recommend three regional centers, one at the University of Southern Mississippi, one in the Jackson area and one at Mississippi State University. Our focus is adequate funding for the regional center at MSU. For the last 6 years we have been inundated with requests from teachers and parents, and with our current funding levels we are not able to respond adequately.
Long Terms Needs
- Establishment of a Low Vision Clinic to assist students in making the best possible use of their remaining vision. The clinic would provide optical aids and training in their use.
- Additional staffing to have at least three Teachers of the Visually Impaired and one Orientation & Mobility Instructor.
- Program support funds for transportation, instructional materials, access technology, etc.
- Additional Braille production equipment.
- Equipment for enlarging and binding Large Print Textbooks.
- Equipment for duplicating audio materials.
- Funding for Summer Enrichment Activities for students including camps and retreats (Transition Camp, Braille Camp and College Preparation).
For more information, contact:
Dr. Brenda Cavenaugh, Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired
bcavenaugh@colled.msstate.edu 662-325-3728
BJ LeJeune, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu 662-325-2694
Educational Outreach Services
Research & Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision
P. O. Box 6189
Mississippi State, MS 39762