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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Thanks to everyone who assisted me
in my query as to how to apply for my certification as teacher of the blind and
visually impaired reissuance of initial license and professional certification.
I was told by the BOCES certification officer, to apply online for both a
reissuance of my initial license and apply online for my professional license as
teacher of the blind and visually impaired. I was told to include the letter
that I faxed to the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:State> state education department along with
my application for professional certification. Due to budget cuts in my state,
since I provide vision education services as a related service, as an
independent related service provider providing vision education services,
related service providers are deliberately discouraged in delivering their
related services. Who knows if I will be approved to work with my students who
are blind and visually impaired with additional disabilities? One parent will
push for me to provide vision education services for the child. It is terrible
that blind and visually impaired children even those with additional
disabilities, will have to advocate via parents and teachers of the blind to be
allowed to get these services. Unfortunately, these students will not learn
valuable skills outlined in the core curriculum and expanded core curriculum.
How will these students function as adults if the children do not get vision
education services and orientation and mobility services? I can only say, as a
blind student, <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>that I benefitted
greatly by the services I received in high school from a certified teacher of
the blind and a certified orientation and mobility instructor, since the
services were provided on a continuous basis at my home. The commission for the
blind and visually handicapped cannot be depended on to teach students valuable
orientation and mobility skills, this is because instructors see clients for 12
weeks for a few hours a week. These are my thoughts. </SPAN><?xml:namespace
prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Sara Rooz </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Certified teacher of the blind and
visually impaired in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New
York</st1:place></st1:State></SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Independent related service provider
vision education services in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York
City</st1:place></st1:City></SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
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