Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS)

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated June 12, 2025
A Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments (CATIS) is a highly trained professional who specializes in empowering individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve their personal, academic, vocational, and independent living goals using assistive technology. This certification is offered through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP).

​What Does a CATIS Do?

According to ACVREP, a CATIS is:
“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 professionals apply a comprehensive, person-centered approach to vision rehabilitation, which includes:
  • Assessment of the individual's visual, physical, cognitive, and psycho-social needs.
  • Instruction in existing and emerging assistive technologies.
  • Visual, auditory, and tactual techniques tailored to the individual’s abilities.
  • Problem-solving strategies that enhance access, independence, and success in daily activities, school, and work.

​Areas of Instruction

CATIS specialists teach individuals to effectively use a variety of Assistive Technology (AT) tools, such as:
  • Screen readers (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver)
  • Screen magnifiers (e.g., ZoomText, Fusion)
  • Refreshable braille displays
  • Accessible note-taking tools
  • Optical character recognition (OCR) software
  • Portable and desktop video magnifiers
  • Mobile accessibility apps
  • Computer and smartphone accessibility features
  • Alternative input devices, including adaptive keyboards and switches

​Certification and Re-Certification

Because the field of assistive technology is constantly evolving, CATIS professionals must stay current with cutting-edge tools and practices. Unlike other certifications in vision rehabilitation, CATIS must be renewed every two years, ensuring professionals remain current with:
  • New assistive technology solutions
  • Best practices in instruction
  • Accessibility standards and innovations

Learn More

To learn more about the CATIS certification and requirements, or to find a certified CATIS professional, visit: https://www.acvrep.org