MS SB2777

Requires blind and visually impaired students to receive educational services from certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and establishes that proficiency in Braille reading and writing is presumed essential for these students.

Mandates Braille instruction unless the IEP Committee determines after evaluation that it is not appropriate, and prohibits denial of Braille instruction solely because a student has some residual vision.

Requires textbook publishers selling to Mississippi school districts to furnish electronically formatted files (NIMAS, ASCII, or Braille-compatible formats) for all adopted textbooks and supplementary materials in literary and nonliterary subjects by December 2008.

Establishes that Braille and Orientation & Mobility are core subject areas for blind students and requires teachers of the blind certified after January 1, 2010 to demonstrate competency in reading and writing Literary Braille and Nemeth Code.

Requires the State Board of Education to adopt regulations and procedures for the Mississippi Instructional Resource Center to ensure timely delivery of Braille and large print textbooks concurrent with regular print textbooks for sighted students by January 1, 2013.