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In many states, including Connecticut,
local school districts are experiencing difficulties obtaining the services
of qualified teachers of the visually impaired. In Connecticut, teacher
caseloads are high and some districts report vacancies are becoming harder
to fill. The shortage of teachers of the visually impaired is a nationally
recognized problem. Recent studies predict it will become critical in
the next few years, as many of the current teachers are close to retirement
age and enrollment in teacher preparation programs has been declining.
In response to the shortage of qualified TVI applicants, the National
Federation of the Blind of Connecticut established the Brian Cummins Memorial
Scholarship. This scholarship offers generous funding to students pursuing
TVI certification. Response to the scholarship has been somewhat disappointing
and the NFBCT has begun a recruitment project to encourage education majors
to consider a career as a TVI. Additionally, the NFBCT wants high school
and college students, who are blind or visually impaired, to be aware
of the shortage and the opportunities in this field.
Teaching is a calling, and the NFBCT realizes that not all blind or visually
impaired persons have such a calling, but with an overwhelming 70% unemployment
rate amongst the blind, choosing a field with wide-spread openings is
not only smart, it's essential for success.
In addition to the Brian Cummins Memorial Scholarship, the Connecticut
Department of Education offers incentive grants to students pursuing special
education and/or TVI certification. BESB, along with the Lions Club, is
offering a number of substantial scholarships to meet this shortage as
well.
Teachers of the visually impaired work in a number of capacities. Some
work with preschool children, while others work in elementary and secondary
levels of education. Some TVI specialize in deaf/blind children or gain
dual certification in teaching the visually impaired and providing orientation
and mobility.
The NFBCT encourages those of you who are curious, or have that calling,
to check out our TVI informational pages at our web site, www.nfbct.org.
Links to incentive grants, scholarships, and distance, as well as on-campus,
programs are available on these pages.
In addition, the NFBCT will be represented at various education and career
fairs throughout the state, encouraging education majors or college bound
high school students to consider a career as a TVI. The NFBCT maintains
that with the proper education, skills, and tools, our blind children
can and will live up to their potential. The foundation begins with securing
quality education in our public schools.
Please help spread the word about these opportunities and help us meet
the challenge.
For more information regarding opportunities in the field of teaching
the visually impaired, visit our web pages at www.nfbct.org or call our
outreach office at 860-289-1971.
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