Watch the recording for “Services for Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired – What can VABVI provide for My Child?” here.

In this workshop, parents and professionals will learn about Vermont Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (VABVI) services for children ages birth through high school graduation. VABVI staff includes Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI), Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS) for Individuals with Visually Impairments and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS). Learn about the 9 areas of the “Expanded Core Curriculum” specific to students with a visual impairment, the updated July 2022 VT AOE qualifications for a visual impairment and the variety of assessments, consultation, and direct instruction options available through VABVI.

Presenter:

• Stephanie Bissonette is the VABVI Director of Children Services, a licensed Teacher of the Visually Impaired and a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. In addition to overseeing the children services department, she supervises the 15 TVI’s, COMS and CATIS for children with visual impairments. She received her undergraduate degree as a TVI from Dominican College and her master’s degree from Boston College as a COMS. She has glaucoma resulting from a childhood accident and has 37 years of experience in the field at VABVI. Stephanie is the Vermont state liaison for the UMass Boston teacher training programs in the field of visual impairments and the Vermont Ex-Officio Trustee for the American Printing House for the Blind.
• Taya Tarr – Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the VT Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired