Vision Rehabilitation SpecialistsBy: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Revised April 9, 2020 Vision Rehabilitation Specialists, also called Independent Living Specialists, Living Skills Instructor, or Blind Rehabilitation Specialist, help adults who are blind or visually impaired in living independently in all of their environments and cope with the demands of everyday life. Vision Rehabilitation Specialists focus on teaching clients in the following areas:
Rehabilitation specialists work with individuals in their homes, on college campuses, or in rehabilitation centers. When rehabilitation specialists work with individuals who have had a visual impairment from birth or childhood, they provide instruction as a teacher teaching new skills. When they work with individuals who have had recent vision loss, the goal is to help the individual regain the level of independence in performing tasks they had previously done using their vision.
Each state has an agency that oversees vision rehabilitation services. The agencies provide adult services and rehabilitation programs in the communities they serve. Certified instructors build custom plans of service based on the needs of each individual client who range in age from high school students to the elderly. Rehabilitation specialists should be invited to IEP meetings when the student is a Junior or Senior to assist the team in developing a transition plan for the student. The Vision Rehabilitation Specialist can assist in developing collaborative plans for the student. They can provide resources, support, and sometimes funding options for students and assist in helping the student meet post-school goals. They may offer or be aware of weekend programs or summer camps to help student's develop independent living skills.
You can learn more about VRT's at the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education professionals (ACVREP). |
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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
Overview of Assistive Technology VI AT Resources Non-Optical Low Vision Devices Video Magnifiers Video Magnifier Instruction Screen Enlargement & Readers Low/Med. Tech Tactual Devices Notetaker Instruction Braillewriter Repair Tactile Graphics Technology Braille Technology Auditory Access Devices Accessing Audio Books iPads as Instructional Tools Making iOS Device Accessible iOS Accessibility Resources VoiceOver Apps for VI Note Taking apps Apps for Accessing Books Identification Apps Navigation & Location Apps Braille Apps Magnifier Apps Sound Making Apps Cause & Effect Apps Vision Skills Apps Apps for Early Learning Read to Me Story Apps Apps for Communication Android Apps for VI sensory efficiency
Sensory Input Encourage Use of Vision Sensory Area & Rooms Lightbox Use Sensory Activities for Students with Multiple Disabilities Sensory Tables Visual Efficiency Skills Visual Attend and Scan Activities Visual Tracking Activities Visual Discrimination Activities Visual Motor Activities Tactual Readiness Developing Skillful Hands Auditory Readiness Listening Skill Instruction independent living
orientation & Mobility
career education
recreation & Leisure
self determination
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