COVID-19 TSBVI General Information
Anyone seeking authoritative information about COVID-19 in accessible formats may find useful the resources produced by the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI) at Georgia Tech.
- TSBVI’s Quick Reference Guide: What to Do for Staff and Students Who May Be Ill with COVID-19 Symptoms
- TSBVI’s Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan
- TSBVI’s ESSER III Use of Funds Plan
- TSBVI’s How to Prepare Your Student to Return to School During COVID
- TSBVI’s BinaxNOW Rapid COVID-19 Testing Plan (Word Doc)
- TSBVI’s Student Consent Form for “Optional” COVID-19 Testing (Word Doc)
- TSBVI’s Employee & Volunteer Consent Form for “Optional” COVID-19 Testing (Word Doc)
CDC & City of Austin Resources
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- City of Austin’s “Physical Distancing Infographic” (English PDF Spanish PDF)
- Austin Public Health’s Recommended Uses of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests for Schools in Austin/Travis County (PDF)
- Austin Public Health’s Interim Guidance for Schools Administering Rapid Antigen Tests Flowchart (PDF)
- CDC Update: “I wear a mask because…” (video)
- CDC About COVID-19
- When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated…
Health & Wellness at Home
Recommendations for health and safety can be found at tea.texas.gov/staywell.
TSBVI strongly recommends everyone monitor the unfolding COVID-19 news via the Centers for Disease Control’s website, taking care to follow health tips and guidance from these expert health professionals.
We also recommend the Region 13 COVID SPED Resources for Parents.
Family Resources
To help TSBVI families during this time, the TSBVI Social Work staff have put together “Family Resources: COVID-19“, a Google Document with a list of resources for families.
Texas Health and Human Services has established a COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, help is available. Call the toll-free COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line at 833-986-1919.
Download the COVID Mental Health PDF
National Caregiver Help Desk offers free support to family caregivers across the country. It is staffed by caregiving experts who can help you find the information you need to navigate your caregiving challenges and support you on your caregiving journey.
Visit the National Caregiver Help Desk
The Texas Education Agency has compiled a resource list for mental and behavioral health, grief and trauma, and virtual support lines.
For Families of English Learners
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has release a set of COVID-19 tips for families of English learners. You can download the PDF in English (PDF), Spanish (PDF), Vietnamese (PDF). Families can visit the Parents and Families page on txel.org for resources and support for their child during school closures caused by COVID-19 in eight different languages.
Learn how to help your child with school in a few easy steps from home. English (PDF), Vietnamese (PDF).
Aprenda cómo ayudar a su hijo(a) con la escuela con unos sencillos pasos desde su hogar. Español (PDF)
Working with your Child at Home
Remote Engagement with TSBVI Teachers
TSBVI will be communicating with students and families via Zoom Video Conferencing, email, and the Remind App. For more information about Zoom Video Conferencing, check out the TSBVI Zoom Quick Start Guide.
To continue working with your child, we recommend downloading two free curriculum books from TSBVI:
- Paths to Literacy: Virtual ECC Academy – Perkins, TSBVI, APH, and CalState University are teaming up to provide 3 weeks of free online lessons covering the different areas of the ECC, each day for one hour. We’re in the middle of the 2nd week right now and several of our own TSBVI staff are leading lessons! It’s free for anyone to join!
- TSBVI/Perkins Paths to Literacy: Stay at Home Activities for Children with Visual Impairments describes fun activities to do at home to keep your children engaged.
- Bingo Home Activity is a BINGO activity for families of younger students and students with multiple disabilities; it was designed by an LS teacher at the Ohio State School for the Blind.
- TSBVI’s physical education teachers recommend the video resources on MyPhysicalEducator.com, a site for adapted physical activities.
- NFB has a page dedicated to weekly lessons and engaging activities for families and children to do at home.
Information for School Year Students & Families
Comprehensive Programs Students & Families
Details forthcoming; in the meantime, please fill out the family survey:
Returning to School Parent Survey 2020-2021
Encuesta para Padres que Regresan a la Escuela 2020-2021
We still need to know who plans to return to Austin when we’re ready and it’s possible. This will help us plan for when on-campus instruction can occur. We look forward to hearing from you.
Information for TVIs, O&Ms, and Other Professionals
Districts Working with TSBVI
For local districts with students currently attending the school year Comprehensive Programs:
TSBVI will remain in partnership with local districts to continue assisting in providing IEP services to their students with visual impairments. While students are not able to receive instruction on our campus, TSBVI staff will be actively engaged with local districts in communicating with families, identifying supportive family resources and developing temporary distance learning plans for each student.