[Trainer-Talk] Becoming an assistive technology trainer

[Scott Davert]

Hi Kelsey.
I suppose that depends on how serious you are about wanting to get
formal training and to what extent you wish to practice teaching
adaptive tech. Generally, the certifications out there can increase
your likelihood of getting hired, and also an increase in pay. This
has been something I've seen happen both for contractors and full time
positions. Whether we agree with requiring a certification or any kind
of formal training, our society is often set up to where a
certification or degree in a related field will land you more job
opportunities. I've witnessed people without degrees who have a knack
for teaching excel in the field, and I've come across some people who
have a related degree but who clearly missed something in the transfer
of knowledge between the textbook and real life. Sadly, though, that
piece of paper or certification will open doors that a lack of one
can't. I agree with many of the things Enrique has written, there is
certainly value for the student when they get someone who knows their
stuff and is an everyday user of the same technology. Passion is
important, but of equal importance in my view is the ability to
actively assess whether the person you are teaching is learning, and
if they're not, to adjust on the fly to meet their vocabulary and
communications needs.
That said, if you decide to pursue more employment, schooling in a
related field will help you get a higher paying job, or if you are
planning to be a paid contractor, it will give you more contract
assignments in most cases. In some instances, it can be the difference
between being qualified for a higher paying job or not. Some agencies,
for example, will offer a significant raise for certification. So as
not to breach confidentiality, I will not disclose the agency or
person, but I know someone who was originally hired and later became a
certified CATIS. This individual received a 10% raise and a
congratulatory bonus of $500. Ultimately, it will depend on how much
you want to earn, how many operating systems and different types of
configurations you are able to teach effectively, and of course to
some extent who you know.
These aren't facts, just my perspective. You can get JAWS certified
without even requiring a degree, but you would need to Google for the
details on pricing and all that. Same with the CATIS, which I am
hoping to take later this year. The CATIS has a lot of requirements,
though, some of them academic. That would definitely need a degree in
a related field along with experience to be eligible to take the exam.
In sum, the more you put into it, the more you can get out of it.
That, at least for me, is true of the reward one gets from teaching
others to the financial. The larger your skill set, the more people's
lives you have the chance to positively impact.

Wishing you luck on your career path!,
Scott
Scott Davert, MA, VRT
Coordinator, Technology Research and Innovation Center
Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults
141 Middle Neck RD.
Sands Point NY, 11050
Text: (646) 470-8587
Scott.davert at hknc.org <mailto:Scott.davert at hknc.org>




On 5/17/21, Enrique Mejia via Trainer-Talk <trainer-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I do not believe that there is any actual training that is neither necessary
> nor useful when it comes to training. I have a BA in history, and have
> learned most of what I know from others in the field.
> I am an instructor in Iowa and have been in the field for over 10 years. For
> the most part you just need to teach technology with the understanding that
> teaching tech to blind people is not much different than teaching sighted
> people.
> In my experience those who have advanced degrees don't necessarily become
> good teachers. In fact I have met many who are great at using technology,
> problem solving and are able to learn things quickly but often are not good
> at teaching. IN my opinion what you need is passion for teaching, and the
> ability to teach individuals from all walks of life.
> I would often rather have someone who can build themselves to be able to
> teach the students in an agency and  address a student's individual needs
> rather than having some generic way of teaching.
>
> I do think that there a lot of people in this email list who have been in
> the field much longer than me and can teach you more than any degree can. .
> Just be willing to reach out and ask questions.
> Hope this helps
>
> Enrique.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Trainer-Talk <trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Kelsey
> Nicolay via Trainer-Talk
> Sent: Monday, May 17, 2021 7:13
> To: trainer-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Kelsey Nicolay <piano.girl0299 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Trainer-Talk] Becoming an assistive technology trainer
>
> Hello,
> I teach iOS to beginners on a volunteer basis (it’s fun because I also learn
> new tricks). Because of this, I am considering going back to school to
> become an assistive technology trainer To work with blind or visually
> impaired children and adults. I was wondering what type of schooling would
> be involved since my undergraduate degree is not in education. Do I have to
> go back to get a teaching degree or is there a certification course I must
> pass in order to become certified? Are there any good programs in the US
> that offer the needed courses and exams?
>
> Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone
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