Professionalism

By Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated April 9, 2020
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Professional practice should include standards for high-quality instruction as well as ongoing professional development to remain current on best practice and excel in your career as a vision specialist. To be effective in your role as a vision specialist, you must strive to be a professional. Professionals work effectively with teams and have a hunger to continue to learn and grow in their profession. ​Learn strategies to excel in your career and about industry awards and recognition. The following pages will support you as you seek ways to grow in your career.

Professional Ethics

As with all professions, Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments will face ethical dilemmas and need to use personal and professional standards to handle these issues. This page discusses some of those issues.

Professional Development

Part of professional practice is to remain a lifelong learner and stay current with developments in the field of visual impairments. This includes engaging in ongoing professional development to expand and develop your professional knowledge and skills. This page details ways to stay current and develop your career.

Teacher Standards

This page identifies unique knowledge areas and skills that are required by Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments. Use this page to reflect on your current skills and identify areas in which you need to grow.

Professional Organizations

Within the field of visual impairments there are professional membership organizations and certifying bodies that provide professional development opportunities, networking opportunities and awards and incentives for excelling in your career.

Certification Organizations

Certain professions withing the field of visual impairments require initial and ongoing certification. This page provides information and resources on certification organizations specific to the field of visual impairments. 

Awards & Recognition in the Vision Field

There are several awards available to professionals who stand out in the field of visual impairments. Learn more about the leaders in our field. This page identifies national awards.

APH Scholar Program

Each year, since 2003, each of the approximate 155 Ex Officio Trustees (EOT’s) throughout the United States are asked to nominate someone whom they feel provides outstanding service in their area. The scholarships are for first-time attendees to come to Louisville in October for the APH Annual Meeting as guests of APH. Learn more about the APH Scholar program on this page.

AER  Standards for O&M, TVI's, LVT, VRT and AT

The AER Accreditation Program for institutions of higher education is designed to ensure that colleges and universities across the United States and abroad are offering O&M, TVI, LVT, VRT and AT personnel preparation programs that meet high-quality standards. They have identified standards of knowledge for each area of certification. These checklists are excellent tools to assess the areas in which you need to develop or improve as a professional. 

Resources to Support You in Teaching Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

ECC Instructional Resources

On Demand Presentations

Purchase VI Job Posting

Braille Jewelry

Live Presentations & Workshops

Free Membership

Sign up for free membership to access the FREE downloadable handbooks and handouts on the Free Printable pages (Program printables, FVLMA & Service printables, and VI AT printables) 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. ​