Frequently Asked Questions

​I'm interested in becoming a vision professional. Where can I learn more?

That’s wonderful to hear—there is currently a nationwide shortage of vision professionals! Careers in this field include Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs), Orientation & Mobility Specialists, Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists, Low Vision Therapists, and Braille Transcribers or paraprofessionals supporting students with visual impairments.
You can learn more about these roles and find a list of university training programs here. Many programs offer online, in-person, or hybrid options. Because coursework and admissions requirements vary, please contact each university directly for the most current information.

My child is blind or visually impaired. Where can I find support?

I hope the pages on this site provide helpful guidance for you and your child’s educational team. For additional support, I recommend the following:
  • American Printing House for the Blind (APH) – Offers a comprehensive state-by-state listing of services and manages the Connect Center, which provides support for families and professionals.
  • State Departments of Education – You may wish to contact the vision specialist within your state’s Department of Education for guidelines and services.
  • FamilyConnect – A supportive online community for families of children who are blind or visually impaired.
  • American Council of the Blind (ACB) – May assist in locating advocates or connecting you with local support networks.
  • Diagnosis-specific support groups can also provide valuable connections with families going through similar experiences.

My adult family member or friend is visually impaired. Where can I find help

Although my expertise is in educating children and young adults (birth through age 22), I recommend the following resources for adult support:
  • VisionAware – A site specifically designed for adults experiencing vision loss, offering practical advice and emotional support.
  • APH’s State Resource Directory – A useful tool for identifying services available in your state.
You may also find some helpful strategies throughout this site that can be adapted to support adults, especially in the areas of assistive technology, independent living, and sensory efficiency.

Our program has a vacancy for a vision professional. How can I post our job

​You can post vacancies directly on your program’s website, but for better visibility within the VI community, I recommend:
  • Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) – Offers a job board known to vision professionals.
  • Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Job Board – I offer job postings here at a rate of $50 for the first month and $25 for subsequent months. This fee helps ensure listings are current and supports the maintenance of this website.

How can I become a member and access Members-Only pages

To join, simply click on the "Log In | Register" tab at the top of the page. You’ll be prompted to create a password and will gain access to free members-only content, including: printable resources, goal bank pages, and presentationsYour email address is required to sign up. Please refer to the Privacy Policy to learn how your information is used—I value your privacy as much as my own. Additional member-only pages are available to individuals who have purchased the TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC Complete Set. These pages include expanded resources and companion printables aligned with the guide. Finally, I now offer over 300 new ECC resource pages in the Basic Subscription as well as an All Access Subscription that includes all resources on this website.

Is TSVI an organization?

​Teaching Students with Visual Impairments is a web-based resource created and maintained by me, Carmen Willings, a full-time Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments. While it is a registered LLC, it is not a nonprofit organization or agency. The site is funded through job postings, affiliate links, and sales of digital downloads and memberships. My goal is to connect you with reputable organizations, programs, and services that support individuals with visual impairments. If you know of a resource that should be included, please submit it via the forms available throughout the site. I welcome your input!

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Subscribe today to unlock premium resources & printables. Choose the subscription level that best fits your needs and get immediate access to additional printable resources, ECC tools, and more. Subscription plans are individual and non-transferable. Your membership helps sustain and grow this resource for the vision community. ​​Thank you for your support!

Article Pages

VI Basics
History of VI ​Vision Professionals​ ​Professional Publications ​​Program Tools & Templates ​Policy & Advocacy ​​Professional Support AT Resources​
Service Planning
VI Referrals​ ​Medical Vision Exam ​Visual DiagnosisFVLMALow Vision EvaluationsOther Evaluations​Service PlansGoals & Objectives
Consultation
​Unique Visual Needs
​Collaboration​​Instructional Adaptations​Environmental Adaptations​​Material Adaptations​Access ClassesFamily Resources
Teaching Strategies
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development​Alternative Communication​Emergent Literacy​Beginning Braille​​Braille Code​Braille Fluency & Comprehension​Braillewriter​​​​​Slate & Stylus Basics *S
​​​Nemeth Code Instruction *S
​​​Tactile Graphics​Print Concepts​​Abacus ​​Organize​​​Study Skills​​Time Management
Sensory Efficiency
​Auditory Efficiency​​​​​Listening Skills​​Visual Efficiency Skills​​Optical Device Use​Tactile Readiness
Assistive Technology
AT Assessment ​AT Instruction​
AT Basic Use ​​AT Problem Solving ​Braille Notetaker ​iOS/Tablet Instruction Audio Skills ​Video Magnifiers ​​Basic Computer Use Access Productivity
Social Skills
​Non-Verbal Skills​​​​​CommunicateCooperativeIdentity & Self-Awareness​Interactions & RelationshipsManaging Challenges & Safety
Self-Determination
Independent Living Skills
Personal Care ​Hygiene  ​Personal Health Mealtime Skills ​​​ Food Preparation​Household SkillsClothing Management​Money & BudgetShopping & ConsumerismPhone Use​Safety & Emergency Preparedness​​Services & Community Resources
Orientation & Mobility
Recreation & Leisure Skills
Career & Vocational
Interactive Activities
Recorded Presentations
Lesson Planning 
Thematic Units
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