Updated as of September 20, 2024.
Scenario: Students who need braille instruction are homeschooled. What supports/resources are available?
Strategy: Public school instruction
Responsibilities of the Home Public School (LEA – Local Education Agency)
The responsibilities of a homeschooled student’s local public school (LEA) in Maryland (and most states) are limited.
A few states provide additional educational rights to homeschooled students, but Maryland is not one of them.
Federal law defers to state law regarding the special education rights of homeschooled students
Federal law states that students who are in private school due solely to their parents’ choices (parentally placed in private school) have the right to SOME special education services (called equitable services) from their LEA
Federal law allows each state to decide if home schools are private schools
If the state does NOT consider home schools private schools, the homeschooled student has NO right to special education services from the LEA
Maryland law does NOT treat homeschooled students like students in private school
Maryland does not recognize home schools as private schools, so homeschooled students cannot force their LEAs to provide special education services
However, LEAs in Maryland ARE allowed to provide these services to homeschooled students
Thus, the student’s LEA makes the decision regarding whether to provide special education services to the homeschooled student
Local public school district policy
Each school system/district has its own policies regarding special education services for homeschooled students. Please reach out to the Free Bridges Helpdesk for assistance, if needed.
Strategy: Support available from the Maryland School for the Blind (MSB)
While MSB does not seem offer instructional services for homeschooled students, some of their programs might be meaningful to your homeschooling families. Please reach out to MSB and/or the Free Bridges Helpdesk for assistance.
This year, MSB is offering “The 2024-2025 ECC Challenge”
- While it appears set up for student/family/school teams, homeschooled students might be eligible.
- “Reach out to the MSB Outreach Team (OutreachECC@mdschblind.org) if you need support, resources, or just a little help along the way.”
Strategy: Eligibility for APH Materials Through Federal Quota
Students whose homeschool meets Maryland requirements ARE eligible for Federal Quota funds.
“Home Schooled Students—In order for students who are blind and low vision and are home schooled to prove eligible for registration, the home school program should meet the guidelines and/or procedures in effect within each individual state. Students must have a written education plan and parent permission.” From APH’s Who Is Eligible for Federal Quota? web page.
Strategy: Free Materials for Any Blind/Low Vision Student Braille Reader – please feel free to share with anyone
Bridges Technical Assistance Center flyers (downloadable and printable)
- Free Braille eReader from the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
- Resources from the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
- Sources of Free Braille Books Bridges flyer
- Sources of Low-cost Braille Books Bridges flyer
Information in the Bridges Resource Library
- Free Materials and Resources from the National Federation of the Blind
- Top 5 Accessible OCR Options
- Meeting Braille Music Needs
- Low-Tech and No-Tech Materials from APH for Building Skills in Braille, Nemeth Code, Physical Education, and Art
- Much more
Strategy: Check out state and local homeschooling resources
Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
LBPD has a dedicated Youth Services Librarian, LaShawn Myles. She is dedicated to helping individuals, families, and educators access the tools and information they need to engage in a lifetime of reading and learning. Additionally, throughout the year, the LBPD offers periodic in-person and online programs. Check the current offerings on the Youth Services @ LBPD website.
Check out this downloadable Resources from the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled Bridges Technical Assistance Center flyer.
Your local library
Many county library systems in Maryland provide programs and events for homeschooling families. Please invite families to reach out to us at the Free Bridges Helpdesk with any questions, concerns, or accessibility needs.
Facebook Groups for homeschooling families and parents of blind/low vision students
Maryland Parents of Blind Children
Maryland Special Needs Homeschool Support
Maryland homeschooling groups and associations (not blind/low vision specific)
List of local/regional homeschooling groups in Maryland from “The Homeschool Mom” website
Maryland Homeschool Association
Maryland Home Education Association
Strategy: Accessing public transportation and paratransit
Many blind/low vision students will not be drivers as adults. Even young children can benefit from becoming familiar with (and occasionally using) local and regional public transportation and paratransit options. Please reach out to us at the Free Bridges Helpdesk for assistance.
Public transportation in Maryland (Bridges Resource Library entries)
Public Transportation Services in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area of Maryland
Public Transportation Services in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area of Maryland
Public Transportation Services in Central Maryland
Public Transportation Services in Western Maryland
Public Transportation Services in Southern Maryland
Paratransit in Maryland (Bridges Resource Library entries)
Paratransit in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area of Maryland
Paratransit in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area of Maryland
Paratransit in Central Maryland
Paratransit in Western Maryland
Paratransit in Southern Maryland
Paratransit on the Eastern Shore of Maryland
Contact the Bridges Helpdesk for More Information
- Our Accessible web form
- Email: Helpdesk@imagemd.org
- Text: Send to: (410) 357-1546
- Voice mail: Call (410) 357-1546, leave a voice mail message, and we will return your call
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.