Frequently Asked Questions

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?

I 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 Printing House for the Blind maintains an excellent listing of services that are available in each state and manages a Connect Center to support professionals, families, and consumers. 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 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 Printing House for the Blind has an excellent listing of services that are available in each state. Additionally, VisionAware 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 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. By signing up for a membership you will need to provide your email address. Please review the privacy policy for how this information is used. I value your privacy as I value my own. There are additional member-only pages that are accessible only to individuals who have purchased the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC Complete Set as my way of saying "Thank You!". These pages provide information to support the activities identified in the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC and also include additional printables to support those activities.

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! While Teaching Students with Visual Impairments is a registered LLC, 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. 

I 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. If you need support regarding purchase of one of the digital downloads available for sale or my handcrafted jewelry, complete the form on the support page.
History of vi
Visual Impairments
Vi organizations & Agencies
VI book resources
VI Professionals
Professionalism
Instructional Planning
Professional Publications
Educational Programming
Individual Learning Differences
referrals
Medical vision exams
fvlma
additional evaluations
service planning
writing goals
compensatory skills
Guiding Principles
​Functional Skills
Community Based Experiences  ​
​​Concepts to Teach ​
Organization & Study Skills ​​
Time Management  ​​
​​​​Virtual Instruction
​Movies & Assemblies
Lectures & Instruction
Board Work (Chalk, White, etc.)
​​Daily Schedule 
Morning Meeting 
Weather Check 
Dramatic Play 
Blocks 
Numbers & Counting
Cranmer Abacus Instruction
Algebra
Geometry & Spatial Sense
Measurement & Data ​
Early Literacy Experiences  ​
​Create Tactual Books
Reading Instruction
​Reading Efficiency ​​
Science Adaptations 
Social Studies Adaptations
​Accessible Educational Materials
​​Individual Schedules & Communication Cards
Adjust Lighting  
Large Print
Optical Devices for Near 
Optical Devices for Distance 
Optical Device Use ​​
​Photocopying
Font Legibility
Increase Contrast
Pictures & Worksheets 
Keyboarding ​Instruction
Word Processing and Shortcuts
​Navigate Computer w/o a Mouse
Braille Code
Braille Instruction 
​Braille Instruction Materials
Writing Braille  
​Summer Reading (braille)
Signature & Handwriting ​​
Nemeth Braille Code
​Tactile Graphics Guidelines
Creating Tactile Graphics
​Tactile Graphics Instruction
​Teacher Made Materials 
​Labeling System
assistive technology
sensory efficiency
independent living
orientation & Mobility
career education
social skills
recreation & Leisure
self determination