Florida Vision Program Contacts

Dear Florida Vision Program Contacts,

In response to survey responses collected for the 2025-2026 school year, we have identified the following supports for you in the coming year. Additional details are included in this newsletter:

• 3 virtual meetings
• 1 in-person meeting
• Ability to request additional support from the FIMC-VI team

• Continued access to Microsoft Team for all district and local education agency (LEA) vision contacts to stay connected and share information
• Webinars: Elevate VI Services Series, FIMC-VI Info and Updates Series, Monthly Book Study on Sensing and Learning for Students with Visual Impairments
• Self-paced courses to support learning for all VI and district personnel:
• Transfer of trainings to Moodle, due to Canvas Free for Teachers being discontinued
• Find more information about FIMC-VI Moodle Courses and register as courses are released

We hope that this plan will address your needs and help each of you stay connected when you have questions or need to share information.

If you will not be a Vision Program Contact this year or are aware of a newly assigned contact, please provide the name and contact information of the correct person for your district/LEA to Tiffany Conrad.

We thank you for the work you do for students and teachers in our state, and we appreciate your feedback!

District/LEA vision contacts are the individuals responsible for the programs that serve students with visual impairments.

We have found that with the rapid rate of change in education, one opportunity to get contacts together is just not enough. Three meetings will be held virtually, unrecorded, and include content that is selected by you and your colleagues. Bring questions or pose them prior to each meeting. This is a time to discuss things that are in-the-moment, on your plate, and related to this very unique population.

Register for Virtual Vision Contacts Meet-Ups 2026-2027

September 1, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

In-Person District/LEA Vision Contacts Meeting 2026-2027

The Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS), hosts this annual in-person meeting specifically for district/LEA contacts responsible for the programs for students with visual impairments (VI). It is recommended that the district/LEA contact person for the vision program or their designee attend this meeting. Attendees will review individual district/LEA VI Program data, meet with size alike groups and participate in problem solving discussions.

See our Trainings page to learn more and find registration information.

Florida district/LEA vision contacts will continue to be able to connect via a Microsoft 365 Team. This Team is a private communication platform for Florida District/LEA vision contacts only. The Team allows for sharing of thoughts or questions via a 'Chat Board' and easy sharing of documents and resources in 'Files'.

If you are not already a member of the team, please contact Tiffany Conrad for an invite.

You can join with an existing Microsoft account or create a new free account. *You will need to use your work email to join the Vision Contacts Team or to set up your Microsoft account if necessary.

Here are some helpful guided directions on how to sign in, access, and utilize this resource. Please contact Tiffany Conrad if you have any trouble signing in the first time with your personalized link.

Part 1: Use of Program Data | January 14, 2027

Part 2: Building Caseloads | January 21, 2027
Part 3: Time and Intensity of Services | January 28, 2027

All sessions 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM EST

This three-part webinar series is designed to improve services for students with visual impairments by strengthening participants’ understanding of effective program design and implementation. The series explores the components of high-quality vision programs and provides strategies for using data to inform programmatic decision-making. Participants will also examine approaches to developing balanced caseloads and ensuring consistent application of best practices. In addition, the webinars focus on supporting professionals in making informed determinations regarding the appropriate time, frequency, and intensity of services for students with visual impairments.

Register for Elevate VI Services Series

See our Training Webpage for the most up to date information.

Print/download: FIMC-VI Calendar of Trainings and Events (Updated 7/9/26; dates, times, and events are subject to change.)