[Pibe-division] reP ti training

[Marianne Denning]

In many statess you do not need any type of education degree before
obtaining your certification in TVI.  In Ohio and PA no education
degree is required before obtaining your certification and license.
Many schools will pay for at least half of your education to become a
TVI or CVRT (certified vision rehabilitation therapist) formerly
rehabilitation teacher.  I would seriously reconsider becoming a
rehabilitation counselor.  Many states are cutting the number of
rehabilitation counselors and people who do the job are primarily
paper pushers.  If you want to work directly with people who are blind
and visually impaired I would look into becoming a TVI, CVRT or O&M.

Do you have to attend all of the classes in the Louisiana program or
are some of them offered online?

I have been a TVI for three years and am now becoming self-employed.
School districts and coops are not willing to provide transportation
assistance at this point so if you can't drive finding a job as a TVI
may be more challenging.  I encourage you to go for it though.

On 7/29/12, Sara Rooz <sararooz at gmail.com> wrote:
> HI Gloria:
>  if one wants to pursue a tvi degree one needs some type of masters degree
> in education l aleast this is true in new York state. I am a blind certified
> tvi in new York state and received my training via Dominican college. Many
> university programs are listed on the following websites www.aerbvi.org and
> www.afb.org IN addition, many tvi programs are offered via online model
> which means you must be fluent in using a pc with a screen reader with or
> without a Braille display. Many of the texts universitiesrequire students to
> read  to be a tvi  are available from afb press in an accessible format
> which means you can read or listen to the desired chapter via one's
> computer. The courses in any tvi program follow the following sequence, Four
> dations of blindness,i learning both the literary and nemeth Braille code,
> anatomy of the eye, teaching acadeci subjects and skills within the expanded
> core curriculum, teaching students who  are blind and visually impaired with
> multiple disabilities, learning how to teach assistive technology and at
> least one semester of student teaching. You also learn how to complete a
> functional vision assessment and a learning media assessment and to be quite
> honest will need sighted assistance with completing a functional visual
> assessmentYOu are taught how to use a braille writer and slate and stylus as
> well as the abacus. The expandded corecurriculum consistsof the following
> skill included but not linmited to: siganture writing, listening skills,
> social skills, independent living skills, organizational skills, self
> advocacy, social skills, career development, assistive technology,
> independent living skills, communication skills including braille and visual
> efficiency skills eorientation and mobility skills limited to teaching a
> student how to use sighted guide andnot to teach the use of a cane etc. .
> Each state has its own criteria for someone to become a tvi and if one moves
> from one state to another state one needs to meet the state one moves to the
> tvi requirements. You mentioned about considering becoming a rehab teacher
> in passing and the websites that Iindicated  above offer programs in this
> area. The differences a tvi serves infants toddlers, preschool students nd
> school age students. A rehab teacher teaches independent living skills to
> both kids and adults and the rt program is rigorous and depenending what
> state you reside in the individual you serve will be receiving rehab
> training for a fee  weeks or  sometimes for up to a yearYou need to also
> pass a exam by the organizationacvrrep.org to bbecome a rt.
> . The advantage being a tvi in my opinion is that students are on a
> continuous basis. Good luck with your career choice. I hope my advice is
> useful and helpful.
> Sara Rooz
> Certified teacher the blind and visually imp[ppaired in new York