Blind Task Force (BTF)
Quick Links
- Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)
- American Council of the Blind
- American Foundation for the Blind
- Blindness Literacy Reports
- Career Education Special Needs (CESN)
- Federation of the Blind of Missouri
- Mailing Free Matter for Blind and Visually Impaired
- Missouri Assistive Technology (MoAT)
- Missouri School for the Blind (MSB)
- Missouri Sunshine Law
Purpose
According to Article 3 of the BTF Bylaws, the purpose of the Blind Task Force shall be the development of goals and objectives to guide the improvement of special education, related services, vocational training, transition from school to work, rehabilitation services, independent living and the employment outcomes for eligible blind or visually impaired students.
Meetings
The Blind Task Force meet at least quarterly. Currently, members meet on Tuesdays during the second full week of February, May, August, and November. Chairperson determines if the meeting will be held virtually or in-person. All meetings of the Blind Task Force shall be open to the public except as provided in Chapter 610 RSMo.
- Summary of House Bill
Summary of House Bill
Requires an annual report from DESE to the State Legislature about the literacy of blind and visually impaired children; requires DESE and Rehabilitation Services for the Blind to develop a joint referral system; creates the Blindness Skills Specialist Fund; requires school districts to give preference in purchasing textbook materials to textbook vendors that make materials available in Braille, or an electronic format approved by DESE.
- 162.1130 Definitions
- 162.1133 Blindness Skills Specialist available at each regional professional development center, duties - task force established
- 162.1136 Annual study conducted, educational status of eligible students report to the general assembly, contents.
- 162.1139 Joint referral service developed, rehabilitation services
- 162.1142 Blindness skills specialist fund created
- Membership
162.1133.3. A task force on blind student academic and vocational performance is hereby established and shall be comprised of members appointed by the commissioner of education, in cooperation with the director of the department of social services, to represent consumer organizations, parents, teachers, public school special education administrators, school building principals, rehabilitation services for the blind, the Missouri school for the blind, employers, and others interested in quality services for blind students. This task force shall develop goals and objectives to guide the improvement of special education, related services, vocational training, transition from school to work, rehabilitation services, independent living and employment outcomes for eligible students.
- Acronym List: Acronym word.docx Acronymn.rtf Acronymn.pdf
- Becoming a Member (Q&A)
- Blindness Literacy Reports
- Bylaws: Bylaws word.docx Bylaws.rtf Bylaws.pdf
- Meeting Dates/Agenda/Minutes (2024)
- 2024-25 Members [pdf]
- Missouri Sunshine Law
- Nomination Form: Nominationform word.docx Nominationform.rtf Nominationform.pdf [fillable]
If you are using the pdf. fillable option for this form, once you have clicked on the link above, you will need to download the form. If you should require braille, large print, or text file versions of this form, please call 573-751-0187. - Subcommittees [pdf]
- Workshops/Events/Educational Opportunities
- Blindness Skills Specialist Program
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has contracted for three Blindness Skills Specialists. Specialists will consult with public schools in the identification and service planning for students who are blind.
- House Bill Summary Chapter 162.1133
- MSB Outreach Services/Blind Skills Specialists Service Delivery Areas
- Overview of Blindness Skills Specialist (BSS) [Reporting Period - July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022]
- Vision Supervisor (Outreach MSB) [Reporting Period - July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022]
- MSB Outreach Services Staff
- MO Deafblind Technical Assistance Project
Missouri School for the Blind - Outreach Services
Rebecca Romine
Phone: 314-633-3945
Email: rebecca.romine@msb.dese.mo.gov
Website: https://msb.dese.mo.gov/Truman State University - Northeast RPDC
Jessica Hall, Blindness Skills Specialist
100 East Normal Avenue
Kirksville, Missouri 63501
Phone: 573-289-9441
Email: jhall@truman.edu
Website: https://rpdc.truman.edu/programs/blind-skills/Missouri State University - PCOB 1207 - Southwest RPDC
DJ Butcher, Blindness Skills Specialist
901 S. National Ave.
Springfield, Missouri 65897
Phone: 417-836-8872
Fax: 417-836-5997
Email: butcher2@missouristate.edu
Website: https://education.missouristate.edu/bss/Missouri State University - PCOB 207 - Southwest RPDC
Anthony Blades, Blindness Skills Specialist
Missouri State University - PCOB 207
901 S. National Ave.
Springfield, Missouri 65897
Phone: 417-836-8872
Fax: 417-836-5997
Email: janthonyblades@missouristate.edu
Website: https://www.missouristate.edu/- Resources
- Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults
- Instructional Resources
- Lighthouse for the Blind St. Louis
- Live Binders: Professional development tool for access to various trainings provided by the Missouri Blind Skills Specialists
- Missouri School for the Blind Outreach Services: Professional Development
- Missouri Statewide Parent Involvement Network (MoSpin)
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
- National Resources
- Parent Education Materials and Resources
- Postsecondary Transition
- State Resources