Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS)

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
March 11, 2018

A Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments, ("CATIS"), is a new area of certification in the field of visual impairments. A CATIS is defined by the Academy of Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) as "a highly trained expert who specializes in working with individuals who are blind, visually impaired or who have functional visual limitations, and empowers them to achieve their life goals for education, employment, avocation and independence through the use of assistive technology.​"
CATIS engage in a "comprehensive approach to vision rehabilitation addressing visual, physical, cognitive, and psycho-social aspects related to training and integration of existing and emerging technologies. Methods and strategies include the use of visual techniques, non-visual techniques (auditory and tactual), strategies and problem-solving skills through the use of various Assistive Technology ("AT") devices and solutions."

Because the assistive technology in the field of visual impairments is rapidly changing, this area of certification requires more frequent re-certification than other areas. A CATIS must recertify every two years.​ You can learn more about CATIS and the requirements for certification at the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP).