SUMMARY: The "Blind Persons' Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act"

• refines blind or visually impaired
• evaluation of the student must be made by a teacher certified as a special education visual impairments program teacher
• requires provisions be made in the IEP for blind/visually impaired students for instruction in Braille
• such instruction must be sufficient to enable the student to communicate effectively and efficiently with the same level of proficiency expected of the child's peers of comparable ability and grade level
• publishers of textbooks and other instructional materials shall be required to furnish an electronic version
• effective July 1, 2015 the PSC shall not issue or renew a license to teach academic instruction to blind/visually impaired students unless the educator has:
• completed an approved course in the teaching of Braille
• demonstrated competence in reading and writing Braille by holding a PSC approved nationally certified certificate in Braille
• passed a PSC approved test in Braille

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon approval by the General Assembly and Governor; if approved, then July 1, 2015 for certain provisions.