Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you are a vision professional, have a student with a visual impairment in your classroom, or have a family member or friend with a visual impairment, you may have questions about where to find resources or where to find professionals that can help support you. I compiled many of the questions I'm commonly asked as a means to connect you with the support you need.
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I'm interested in becoming a vision professional. Where can I learn more?
How wonderful that you're thinking of joining the field of visual impairments! There is currently a nationwide shortage of vision professionals! You can learn more about the different careers in the vision field: Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, Orientation & Mobility Specialists, Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists, Low Vision Specialists and braillists/paraprofessionals. You can find a list of professional preparation programs here. Some universities offer online coursework, while others require you to attend traditional on campus courses, while still others offer a combination. As university coursework changes, you will need to contact the universities directly. You can follow the link to their program sites to learn more detailed information.
My child is blind or visually impaired. Where can I find support?
It is my hope that the pages throughout this website can provide you with the information to support your child and your child's educational team. If you aren't sure of resources in your state, the American Foundation for the Blind maintains an excellent listing of services that are available in each state. For information about educational guidelines in your state you may find it helpful to contact the vision specialist at the Department of Education in your state. Are you in need of a vision advocate? The American Council of the Blind may be able to help or point you in the right direction. Additionally, you may want to join a support network, such as the American Foundation for the Blind's Family Connect and/or a support network specific to your child's visual diagnosis.
My adult family member (or friend) is blind or visually impaired. Where can I find help?
The American Foundation for the Blind has an excellent listing of services that are available in each state. Additionally, they have a sister site, VisionAware, that is specifically designed for adults who are losing their site. As a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, my expertise is in the education of children ages birth through 22 who are blind or visually impaired. My expertise is not with serving adults, that being said, you may find information throughout this website that can provide you with strategies and suggestions in supporting your adult loved one.
Our program has a vacancy for a visual impairment professional. How can I post our vacancy?
You can and should post your vacancy on your program's website, but how do you guarantee vision professionals find your posting? You could post your vacancy on traditional job posting boards that are available for all jobs, but I suggest you post on a website that is frequented by vision professionals. AER offers a job posting board that is known to and used by many vision professionals. I offer job postings here at a rate of $50 for the first month and at a reduced price ($25) for subsequent months as I know that it can take longer than usual to fill vacancies in the field of visual impairments. I charge a fee to ensure the postings are real and current as well as to recuperate the costs of maintaining this web resource. Additionally, you may want to reference the presentation I gave at the Council of Schools for the Blind on strategies for recruitment and career growth.
How can I become a member and access the Members Only pages?
You can become a member by clicking on the "Log In | Register" tab at the top of the page. You will be prompted to create a password. You will then be able to access members only pages including Printables and Presentations. These are FREE resources available to members.
Is Teaching Students with Visual Impairments an organization?
The web resource Teaching Students with Visual Impairments was created and continues to be maintained by Carmen Willings, a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments. The job postings, ads, and affiliate links throughout the website cover the cost of operation of the website. Thank you for your support! Although I am not an organization, my goal is to direct you to organizations and resources that can help you throughout the pages of this website. If there are vision specific programs or resources you know of that you feel should be listed within the pages, please let me know so I can add them! There are submissions forms throughout the website for your convenience. If you'd like to learn more about my background, visit the About page.
Where is your contact information? I'd like to connect with you.
It is my hope that the above Q&A will help answer any questions you may have. Although I do not display my email on the website, you can connect with me via LinkedIn, via the Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Facebook page, or complete the form on my contact page. There is also a form you may complete if you have job posting questions. There are also forms throughout the site where you are encouraged to provide suggestions on resources to add. Additionally, I will periodically seek specific feedback from members via surveys.
Behind the Scenes
What have I been up to behind the scenes? I am currently in the process of developing new VI resources. It is my goal to create resources that will help me as a TVI and in turn, help you support you and your students! If you'd like to be one of the first to learn about any new products (printables, ebooks or presentations), you can sign up to receive my periodic newsletter. Don't worry about me stuffing your inbox! I will only send newsletters when I have information that is new or information that I think can help you! Learn more on the Newsletter page.
