I'm very sorry to hear this as well. Personally I would not wait a year. You have to be very nice about this. I would be appealing not just with his "vision problems" but explain why he deserves to be in that program. Absolutely CAN NOT district push in this. You will be applying next year.
I know your teacher is supportive and such, but she may have to write a letter. It always helps to provide teacher with the outline (or entire text). Meaning you need to create an outline of DS achievements. There is still some time to score the points.
It is not necessary what he did, it is how he looks on papers.
