Hello and Welcome!

My name is Carmen Willings, and I’m so glad you’ve found your way to Teaching Students with Visual Impairments. I created this website as a comprehensive resource for educators, families, and professionals dedicated to supporting students who are blind or visually impaired. My mission is simple: to empower those involved in a student's education with the tools and strategies they need to help each learner thrive and become confident, capable members of their communities.

A Bit About Me

In addition to managing this website, I work full-time as an itinerant Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI). I’m also a wife and proud mother of two adult sons. When I’m not teaching or writing, you might find me exploring National Parks on road trips (visit itinerantjoy.com, a sister site, for travel resources), baking something savory, diving into a craft project, or enjoying a good British mystery.

​Why I Created This Resource

​There are two main reasons I developed Teaching Students with Visual Impairments:
  1. To support teachers and service providers.
    I found that one of the most challenging aspects of being an itinerant TVI was providing meaningful consultation to general education teachers and therapists, especially when schedules left little time for in-depth collaboration. I wanted a resource I could share with colleagues to guide them in adapting instruction and environments for students with visual impairments.
  2. To organize and preserve my growing collection of resources.
    Over the years, I compiled resource binders filled with notes from conferences, training sessions, and professional readings. These grew too large and cumbersome to manage effectively. After attending a website development session in 2012, I realized I could create a platform to organize these materials and share them with others worldwide.
What started as a tool for local collaboration has since grown into a global resource. I’m incredibly grateful to hear from so many of you who now consider TSVI your go-to source for VI support!

​My Mission

​The mission of Teaching Students with Visual Impairments is to:
  • Provide all individuals involved in educating students with visual impairments—TVIs, general educators, therapists, parents, and administrators—with accessible, easy-to-use resources.
  • Support instruction across the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and beyond.
  • Offer guidance on adapting instruction, materials, and environments to meet each student's unique visual and learning needs.
  • Promote professional growth through ongoing training tools and strategies.
Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned professional, you’ll find information and support designed to help you confidently meet your students' needs.

​How I Can Help You

I’ve worked in a variety of educational settings—including a state school for the blind, an educational service center, and public school systems. I’ve been part of large teams of TVIs, and I’ve also served as the only TVI for a large, countywide program. My experience includes both classroom teaching and itinerant service, and like many of you, I’ve navigated the unique challenges of adapting instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These varied experiences have helped me understand the realities of our field—and fueled my commitment to sharing strategies, materials, and encouragement through this site.
Whether you're:
  • A TVI looking for fresh lesson ideas,
  • A classroom teacher supporting a student with a visual impairment,
  • A parent or caregiver advocating for your child,
  • Or an administrator seeking to understand how best to support inclusive practices,
…I hope you’ll find this website a valuable partner in your journey.

​Let’s Stay Connected

I continue to add new articles, strategies, and activities that address all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome! If there’s a topic you’d like to see covered or a resource you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
It’s an honor to hear from people across the country—and around the world—who are using this site to make a difference. Knowing that this resource is helping you is truly my inspiration. 
All the best,
Carmen Willings

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