Welcome to the West Virginia School for the Blind!

The West Virginia School for the Blind holds high expectations for all students who are blind/low vision and assures that each student is sufficiently prepared to develop age-appropriate skills for academic success, independence, self-determination, and autonomy. WVSB promotes expectations of students who are blind/low vision based on the same criteria as those for their sighted peers, and not on their ability or inability to see.

WVSB understands and applies a “skills approach” to blindness/low vision, which consists of the use of alternative skills and tools in addition to, or instead of eyesight to accomplish various tasks. Unless otherwise deemed inappropriate, all students will have knowledge of the braille provisions in the IDEA and of the research supporting the use of braille as the pathway to literacy, academic success, and employment for individuals who are blind, including those who have residual vision.

WVSB promotes expectations for independent movement and travel for their students as a pathway to independence, autonomy, and full engagement in all aspects of life, and promotes the use of the long white cane as a tool and symbol of competence and independence. WVSB has respect for and understanding of assistive technology as a vehicle for access and independence for students who are blind/low vision, while also understanding that technology does not replace literacy.

WVSB follows all instructional standards established through WV Board of Education policy. All teachers are licensed through the WV Department of Education in grade level or content and visual impairment. WVSDB participates in the state assessment program but uses other assessments, as well, designed for students who are blind/low vision.

All students have access to related services through their IEPs: speech/language development, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, orientation and mobility, and audiology support.

The School for the Blind provides 21st century technology appropriate to meet the unique learning and visual needs of individual students. Each student is carefully assessed and a determination made about which technology tools are most appropriate to access instructional materials. Many students require a combination of these tools depending on their unique visual needs and the task to be accomplished.   Some examples of technology are: laptops with various screen reading/enlargement software, iPads and iPods (with or without refreshable braille display), Book ports, and Braillenotes.

Co-curricular activities are offered to all students. These include organized athletics, clubs and general recreation. This past year 60% of all students at the School for the Blind participated in sports. Available extracurricular activities include: Cheerleading, Goalball, Swimming, Track and Field, Wrestling, Future Farmers of America, Student Council, and Mountaineer Melodies choirs.