1. Dr. Nicole Johnson, Dr. Kathleen Stanfa, & Julia Stitch
Best Practices for Conducting the Learning Media Assessment: Tips from the Trenches
Dr. Nicole Johnson, Dr. Kathleen Stanfa, & Julia Stitch
Kutztown University

2. What The Law Says
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that Braille be considered for all students with a visual impairment. This can not be determined unless a proper and thorough learning media assessment takes place.

3. What is the Learning Media Assessment
A framework for selecting appropriate literacy media for students who are visually impaired. The LMA determines the best instructional medium for each student including:
Braille
Print/Large Print
Dual Media
Auditory
Tactile
Combination

4. Assessment
Ongoing Assessment along with Progress Monitoring should be done on a regular basis. Legally Written Every 2 Years.
FVLMA is critical!
Determine
How are they using their functional Vision?
What is the best learning modes? Tactile, Auditory, or Visual
Is the condition progressive?
Is their Vision Stable?
What types of Assessment do you utilize to assess students with visual impairments including those with additional disabilities?

5. What should the LMA Include?
Observations/Interviews
Current visual Functioning (Overview of FVA)
How the student accesses their environment when provided various materials (Visual, Tactual, Auditory)
How the student utilizes their senses to access the curriculum
Reading Rates (when able): Utilize various print sizes if a print reader and/or Braille reading rates when applicable

6. Technology Assessment/Overview Brailling ability
Writing ability: Difference with fine point marker, pencil, etc. Writing legibility in both math and literary
Technology Assessment/Overview
Brailling ability
If student is not a Braille reader a statement on Braille being considered is required under IDEA.
Include if there is a future need for Braille depending if the visual impairment is progressive.
Braille needs to be considered in the case of low vision. Include reading rates and if they are comparable to grade level peers.
Braille should be considered for students with multiple disabilities and if determined a tactual learner pre-braille activities should be implemented.

7. Resources for Learning Media Assessments
Paths to Literacy
Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
National Reading Assessment (NRMA)
Basic Reading Inventory
Assistive Technology Assessments
Teacher Made Assessments/Various Methods

8. PATHS TO LITERACY Multiple Disabilities Sample LMA Overview of LMA
Various Resources

9. Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
Various Resources for Teachers of the Visually Impaired
Free Printables to conduct the LMA and use for progress monitoring
Website

10. American Printing House for the Blind
Guides, Assessments, Materials, and Resources
FVLMA Kit

11. NRMA and Basic Reading Inventory
NRMA-NFB Assessment
Basic Reading Inventory
Available in regular print, large print, and Braille
Reliable Reading Rates

12. Assistive Technology & Teacher Made Assessments
AT Assessment Forms
Foundations Book
What Resources do you use for AT and LMA Assessments? What struggles do you have when completing assessments?

13. Guiding Braille Instruction Questions
Adapting to your own version.
IDEA states Braille has to be considered for ALL students (even students with multiple disabilities)
Your student would be a Braille reader, but isn’t ready for Braille..now what???
PRE-BRAILLE SKILLS

15. Books on the Light Box
“Book Bags”
“Tactual Books”
Teaching Left to Right Pattern
Tracking Lines
Isolating Fingers (messy play)

17. Adapting Books and Activities to Promote Literacy

18. AH, HB

19. Ongoing Assessment Print Size/Level Reading Materials
Continually Keep Progress and adjust as needed
Can conduct LMA more then every 3 years!

20. Sample Assessment Overview
Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) Assessments
Ongoing Assessment Critical as move through Phases/ranges
Informaton
Other Sample Learning Media Assessments
How often do you update the LMA? Participate in Ongoing Assessment? What documents do you use?