[Ncabs] Money available for TVI or O&M

[Alan A. Chase]

NCCU Visual Impairment Training Program –

Tuition/Stipend Funding for TVI and O&M Candidates



The Visual Impairment Training Program (VITP) in the Department of
Curriculum and Instruction, School of Education, North Carolina
Central University, is pleased to announce the awarding of a federal
grant offered by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), U.S.
Department of Education. This federal grant titled “Equipped for the
Future: Transforming Education of Students with Visual Impairments
through Technology and Personnel Preparation” (Award # H325K130405)
will be used to prepare teachers of students with visual impairments
(TVIs) and Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialists. The program
seeks individuals interested in working with PreK-12th grade students
who are blind or visually impaired.



Candidates will:

•            Learn how to read and write braille and to teach braille reading

•            Learn about eye conditions and their implications for education

•            Learn to perform Functional Vision and Learning Media Assessments

•            Learn about orientation and mobility and access technology

•            Learn about methods of teaching children who are blind or
have low vision

•            Learn to teach the use of optical devices to children
with low vision

•            Learn how to incorporate areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum



The program includes:

•            Full in-state tuition, fees, and stipend available

•            Rolling admissions



In order to be eligible, students must be:

•            Fully admitted to the North Carolina Central University
Graduate School

•            Willing to commit to work with children who are blind or
visually impaired anywhere in the U.S. for twice as long as they
receive financial support

A teaching certificate/experience in education are desirable but not required.



Application deadlines are October 1 for Spring enrollment and March 1
for Summer/Fall enrollment for degree programs and on-going for
licensure add on.



Candidates who accept the OSEP grant funding will agree to a payback
provision which requires two years of work in the field of visual
impairment for each year of funding. Additional requirements of
candidates receiving funding under the federal grant include:

1.         Regular and frequent correspondence with the VITP program coordinator

2.         Completion of the Program of Studies.

3.         Participation in a VI/O&M Mentor program for one year after
completion.



CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION

Dr. Beth Harris

Phone: 919-530-5346

Email: baharris at nccu.edu

-- 
Alan A. Chase, M.Ed.
Special Education Teacher, Wake County Public School System
Program Coordinator, Envisioning Youth Empowerment Retreat
President, North Carolina Association of Blind Students
Secretary, Governor Morehead School Alumni Association