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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Hi everyone:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I am currently a certified teacher of the blind and
visually impaired in New york City. I have initial certification and must take a
profean autism workshop from an approved college and then apply for professional
certification as certified tteacher of the blind and visually impaired as a
professional certificate. The state requires that one takes 175 hours over 5
years of professional development in. I am wondering where tvis can take such
continuing education courses in this area of expeertise? I have been told since
I also hold a pernanent certificate of special education in can be in any area
of secial education. Yet, since I work as certified tvi I would prefer
professional developing corses or continuing education credits in my area of
experience. The aer website coninuing education courses are basically for
certified oandm and rehab instructors and the journal of blind ness and
vvisually impaired has select articles that professionals such as certified
orientation and mobility instructors can read an article and answer question and
get continuing educations umunits beca. These professioanals receive
certification from ACVRep. Does any Certified tvi have ideas for me how to find
courses or continuing education credits in thosis field, rather having a course
on learning disability or other disability since I do not werve this population
anymore. I used to service the population of learning disabilities till 2008,
when I was laid off my job. Thankfully, OI am gainfully employed as a certified
rteacher of the blind and visually impaired as an independent related service
provider. I have another questionregarding my certification, although it lasts
for 5 yars I have only two years experience as a certified teahcher of the blind
and visually impaired and not three. It has been difficult, as a blind person,
to navigate the new york state website to get any imformation about my status of
my certification nd approved providers. I asked someone sighted to email the
information to me. Also, it is impossible to speak to a p[ersonat the new york
state education deopartment since applications are processed and waiting time is
long to get through to thhe coustomer representative. There is no one to even my
query about that this will be my thired year of teaching and altyough my
cetertificate expires and I will be applying for professional certification in
this area , I di not meet the requirements as of now of three years of teaching
experience? Does anyone have any suggestions how one make their needs to new
york state education department. I have already contacted the relevant personnel
in New York City and have been told to speak with the state. Thanks for any
resources and ideas fellow tvis can suggest.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Sara Rooz certified teacherof the blind and
visually impaired</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>independnent related service provider vision
education services innew york city</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>