Enrollment: Is ISBVI the Right Fit for Your Student?
Is ISBVI the Right Fit for Your Student?
Every child who is blind or visually impaired has the potential to succeed. Sometimes, however, that success requires an environment specifically designed to remove barriers, build confidence, and unlock a student’s full potential. The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI) exists to do just that for Indiana students from preschool through high school.
The students who thrive at ISBVI are not defined by a diagnosis alone. Rather, they are students whose current educational setting may not be fully meeting their academic, social, or independence needs.
Students Who May Be a Good Candidate for ISBVI
A student who is a strong candidate for ISBVI may demonstrate one or more of the following:
Academic Indicators
- Struggling to keep pace with classroom expectations despite appropriate effort
- Not performing at a level that reflects their true abilities or potential
- Appearing disengaged or disinterested in schoolwork due to access barriers rather than lack of ability
- Difficulty accessing instructional materials, technology, or visual information efficiently
Independence and Access Challenges
- Struggling to navigate school assignments, schedules, or routines independently
- Limited access to or inconsistent instruction in compensatory skills such as:
Assistive technology
Braille Literacy
Organization and study skills Difficulty navigating school or community environments safely and confidently
Social and Emotional Considerations
- Feeling socially isolated from peers
- Limited ability to participate fully in extracurricular activities, clubs, or sports
- Reduced confidence or self-advocacy skills related to vision loss
- Increased frustration or withdrawal stemming from ongoing access challenges
Observations from Educators and Families
- Teachers recognize that the student is working harder than peers just to access instruction
- Families observe that school requires excessive effort with limited progress or engagement
- Educators see a growing gap between potential and performance
- The school team identifies a need for more specialized instruction related to visual impairment
What Makes ISBVI Different
ISBVI is designed specifically for students who are blind or visually impaired. Our program provides:
- Instruction delivered by licensed Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs)
- Comprehensive instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), including:
Access to the most up-to-date Assistive technology
Orientation and mobility
Social skills and self-advocacy
Independent living skills - Accessible materials and technology built into daily instruction
- Opportunities for full participation in academics, extracurricular activities, and social experiences
- Full continuum of Sports; Track, Goalball, Wrestling, Cheerleading, Bowling, Swimming and Forensics.
- Biweekly Clubs such as: Dance, Cooking, Arts and Crafts, Sign Language, Guitar, Video Gaming, and Tech related clubs to name just a few.
- A community of peers who share similar experiences and challenges
At ISBVI, students are not defined by what they cannot do. Instead, they are supported, challenged, and empowered to discover what is possible.
Our Goal for Every Student
A successful ISBVI student is one who:
- Regains confidence in their abilities
- Actively participates in school and community life
- Develops strong academic, independence, and technology skills
- Learns to advocate for their needs
- Is prepared for transition to higher education, employment, and independent adult life
Often times, children and adolescents who are coping with vision loss feel they are different from their sighted peers. At ISBVI, students recognize that they are not so different, they just have to do things in a different way.
Learn More
If you believe a student may benefit from a more specialized, accessible learning environment, we invite you to learn more about ISBVI. Please contact Principal Wilson at (317) 253-1481, ext. 140, or jwilson@isbvik12.org to find out more information or schedule a tour.
Together, we can ensure every student has the tools, skills, and confidence needed to succeed.