Certification Organizations

By Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
April 9, 2020

As a vision professional, you will want to participate in professional development opportunities to stay abreast of current trends and best practice. While most states require teachers to obtain a certain number of continuing education credits, some professionals will need to seek national certification specific credits to maintain professional certification in the field as such certification is not offered at the state level. These included Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS), Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT), Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT), and Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS).

Each certification discipline has guidelines and standards for gaining initial certification that includes a national examination. ACVREP is the sole certifying body for O&M specialists, rehabiitation teachers and low vision therapists. ​

​*Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC's) will also need to obtain CRC credits. These credits are applicable to the field of rehabilitation counseling and not specific to the field of visual impairments which is why some Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors will need to obtain certification credits from both organizations. 

Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP)

ACVREP was founded in 2000 with the belief that all people who are blind or have low vision should receive services from highly qualified professionals. Its mission is to advance professional competency to realize that goal through certification. ACVREP's certification programs are designed to offer professionals the means to demonstrate critical knowledge and skills that promote the provision of quality services and ethical practice. Vision Impairment Specialist certifications that ACVREP currently offers are Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS), Certified Vision Rehabilitatio Therapists (CVRT), Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT) and Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS). All certifications are international. 
ACVREP's certification programs are designed to offer Vision Impairment Specialists the means to demonstrate critical knowledge and skills that promote the provision of quality services and ethical practice. ACVREP's commitment to quality builds confidence and trust in both employers and individuals seeking and receiving services from Vision Impairment ACVREP is governed by a board of directors that includes professionals, individuals who are blind or visually impaired employers and representatives of AER.

Program Printables

Sign up for free membership to access the FREE downloadable handbooks and handouts on the Free Program Printables page along with access to the Goal Bank pages. Simply click on the Log In | Register link in the navigation bar. If you haven't joined yet, you will be prompted to create a password. ​​Below are just a few examples of the many free printable resources.

Tips to Being a "Physically Fit" TVI Webinar

Cover slide for Tips for Being a Physically Fit TVI
Itinerant teaching is very rewarding, but it can present many challenges as well. TVI’s must be able to work well with a variety of personalities to best support students and their teams. It is just as essential to be organized, flexible, reliable, and a team player as it is to be knowledgeable in your field. ​​This hour-long presentation is packed full of tips and strategies from Carmen Willings who has been a full time Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments for over 20 years. This webinar is perfect for TVI's just entering the field and for all TVI's as they start the new school year! 

Free Membership

Sign up for free membership to access the FREE downloadable handbooks and handouts on the Free Printables page along with access to the Goal Bank pages. Simply click on the Log In | Register link in the navigation bar. If you haven't joined yet, you will be prompted to create a password. ​

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Purchase the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC Complete Set and immediately unlock the pages within the ECC Complete Set Bonus including bonus printables, interactive sensory stories, interactive matching activities, interactive choice making activities, job task box activities and MORE! This is my way of continuing to support you and say "Thank you!" for choosing to purchase the Complete Set. 

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