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Introductory Courses

  1. Adjustment and Acceptance of Blindness and Low Vision
  2. An Overview of Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye
  3. Basics of Blindness and Low Vision
  4. How to Read an Eye Report
  5. Introduction to Blindness and Low Vision

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Enhancing Employment Outcomes for Persons with Blindness or Low Vision

These courses share information about employment-related research and the implications for professionals who work with people who are blind or have low vision.

  1. Advice for VR Professionals: Evidence for Effective Meetings with Employers
  2. Career Advancement and Job Retention: Information Concerning Persons with Vision Loss
  3. Employer Attitudes: VR Professionals' Perspectives and Recommendations
  4. Employment Mentoring for College Students with Visual Impairment
  5. Employment Outcomes of SSDI Beneficiaries
  6. Exploring Self-Employment Beyond the Business Enterprise Program
  7. Job Search Skills Training for Transition-Age Youth
  8. Understanding and Overcoming Transportation Barriers
  9. Vocational Rehabilitation Service Models for Consumers who are Deaf-Blind
  10. Working with Employers: Why it is Important and What Successful Agencies Do

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Improving Business Development Skills: A Training for Rehabilitation Professionals

Most VR counselors work with businesses, but many are uncomfortable with this part of their job. This multimodule course addresses counselors’ knowledge and skills related to engaging with employers to help them learn how to be successful at it.

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Working with Adults who are Blind

The following courses were developed by the NRTC’s Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance and Training Center (OIB-TAC), which provides training and technical assistance to professionals who serve older individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Some of these courses are appropriate for professional serving adults of any age, such as:

  1. Adaptive Blind and Low Vision Skills for Everyday Living
  2. Basics in Program Evaluation
  3. Basics of Blindness and Low Vision
  4. Braille: What it is, and Why it is Important
  5. Case Management Documentation
  6. Cultural Diversity and Competence
  7. Diabetes & Visual Impairment
  8. Identifying Mental Health Impairments in Adults
  9. Orientation and Mobility for Those Who Have Multiple Health Impairments
  10. Strategies for Teaching Older Adults with Vision Loss
  11. Vision and Hearing Loss

Other courses are specific to older adults or the OIB program: 

  1. An Overview of Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind
  2. Best Practices in the Administration of the OIB Program
  3. Cardiovascular Disease and Aging
  4. Community Outreach: An Overview
  5. Community Outreach: Creating Targeted and Accessible Presentations
  6. Fall Prevention: Interventions for Older Individuals who are Visually Impaired
  7. How Social Determinants of Health Relate to Vision and Aging
  8. Introduction to Best Practices for Older Individuals who are Blind Programs
  9. Mobility Impairments: Implications for Service Providers
  10. Pulmonary Conditions Affecting Older Persons
  11. Social Isolation, Aging, and Vision Loss
  12. Understanding Data Collection and the 7-OB Report for OIB Programs
  13. Understanding People Living with Dementia and Vision Loss
  14. Vision Loss and the Role of the Family

For a list of other courses related to working with older individuals who are blind, visit the OIB-TAC Community of Practice website.

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Special Topics

These courses provide basic information on special topics for rehabilitation professionals.

  1. Accessing Textbooks and Reading Material
  2. Assistive Technology for Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired in the Workplace
  3. Ethics 1: Ethics for Professionals Working with People who are Blind or Visually Impaired
  4. Ethics 2: Ethics for Professionals Working with People who are Blind or Visually Impaired
  5. Neuropsychological Evaluation of Individuals with Visual Impairment or Blindness
  6. Overview of Assistive Technology for Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired
  7. The Basics of Brain Injury and Vision Loss
  8. The Low Down on Low Vision
  9. The Process of Teaching Art
  10. Understanding Social Security Work Incentives: It's Easier Than You Think

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Common Eye Conditions

These courses are taught by a nonphysician and offer a basic overview of eye conditions from a rehabilitation professional. Questions concerning specific individuals should be directed to a qualified personal eye care physician.

  1. Common Adult Eye Conditions
  2. Common Children's Eye Conditions

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Randolph-Sheppard Staff Training

This course is designed to orient new staff to the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program; anyone, including blind entrepreneurs and VR staff, are welcome to take this course. Note: No continuing education credits are offered for this course.

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