Special Education

The school provides services for people with disabilities. Services are targeted to students age 7 to 21 from all areas of the state who are blind, deafblind or who have serious visual impairments. Services include residential special schools and special education. There are no geographic restrictions.

The school provides a day educational program for students age 7 to 21 from all areas of the state who are blind, deafblind or who have serious visual impairments. Students are referred by their local school districts and must be able to participate in small class and group settings. Students who require 24 hour custodial or medical support or who are viewed as threats to themselves or others cannot be accepted. This is not an out-of-home placement facility; the residential facilities are for students who live more than a one hour bus ride from the school. Residential students return to their homes on Friday afternoons and travel back to the school on Sunday evenings. The school year is from September through mid-June; the school also offers a 20 day extended year program in July.

The program is individualized, is geared to each student's IEP, and can accommodate both students who are functioning at grade level or higher and those who are not. Junior and senior high age students may be mainstreamed into local district school classes when possible and academic skills are emphasized. Older multi and severely disabled students may also be involved in vocational education programs including courses in computer skills. Students who are deafblind may be mainstreamed onto the campus of California School for the Deaf.

Students may participate in orientation and mobility training, adapted physical education, speech and language therapy, and music, as appropriate. Residential students are involved in recreation and leisure activities as well as independent living skills training. Students age 18 and older who are able to live on their own or with a room-mate may apply for the apartment living program.