TheApple

I'm currently in my internship to become a TVI (teacher of the visually impaired) and I was just curious if there were any teachers here who work with the blind?  I'm also getting an additional certification in Orientation and Mobility. 

Jill

A Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (or COMS) is someone who works with visually impaired individuals to address their travel needs.  They teach the low-vision or blind to navigate buildings, cross streets, use a white cane, and basically understand where they are in space.  I spent 160 hours this summer blindfolded to get the experience of being blind and I had to use a white cane to travel in a building, in a residential area, then in a big city and then on to a very large city (we had 3 days in Kansas City - what a scary place when you can't see!!)  Then in September we were in NYC for a week and spent 3 days in NJ at The Seeing Eye - a very prestigious dog guide school.  It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen and we even got to walk with 3 dogs under the blindfold.  So cool. 

A TVI teaches low-vision or blind students and assists them with Braille if needed and also helps teach concept development and how to use remaining vision, if appropriate.  They also help determine whether Braille or large print is necessary and is in charge of getting textbooks in either medium to the students.

Jill