# What Is "Blindness and Low Vision?"

> "**Visual impairment including blindness means an impairment in vision that, even with correction \[glasses/contacts], adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness."**
>
> Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
>
> [Sec 300.8 (c) (13)](https://sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/a/300.8/c/13)

The phrase "blindness and low vision" suggests a spectrum of varying levels of visual impairment that may be experienced by students:

* Some students do not see at all.
* Some students can tell if a light is on but not where it is located.
* Some students can tell if a light is on and where it is located.
* Some students can see shapes, forms, and colors, but no other details.
* Some students can see very large print but not fine print.
* Some students can see fine print.
* Some students can see with their central vision but not with their side vision.
* Some students can see with their side vision but not with their central vision.
* Some students look off to the side to see better.
* Some students' eyes move rapidly back and forth.
* Some students experience vision that fluctuates throughout the day.
* Some students experience pain or discomfort because of their visual impairment.

Some students also have other disabilities besides just visual impairment, such as those that are sensory-, physical-, and/or cognitive-based.  

Regardless of how they experience the world, most students have the capacity to access digital content that is designed to be accessible and with proper supports in place.

{% hint style="success" %}
Getting to know your student who is blind or has low vision and their learning needs will be a transformative experience for you.
{% endhint %}

***

<p align="center"><i class="fa-copyright">:copyright:</i> 2026 Kerry S. Lueders. All rights reserved.</p>


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