Learning depends on access. For some individuals with disabilities, birth to 26 years, blindness or low vision can affect how they read, move through the classroom, use materials, and participate in everyday school routines. Teachers for the Blind and Visually Impaired, also known as Orientation and Mobility Specialists, play a critical role in the success of these students by making learning accessible. They give students the strategies and confidence to participate more fully in school and daily life.
To become a Michigan Teacher for the Blind and Visually Impaired, you will need to:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree (in education or a related field)
- Complete an ACVREP (Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals) program
- Complete supervised fieldwork
- Apply for and Pass the Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) Certification Exam
How Michigan Teachers for the Blind and Visually Impaired Can Help
The job of a Blind and Visually Impaired Teacher includes a wide range of responsibilities that support both academic access and independence. These teachers help students access the general curriculum, including assessment, planning, intervention, and collaboration.
- Accessible Instruction: Work with classroom teachers to help ensure students with blindness or low vision can access instruction and the regular curriculum.
- Braille and Large Print Support: Transcribe and adapt materials into braille, large print, or tactile formats so individuals can fully engage with lessons and assessments.
- Family and Team Collaboration: Work with families, classroom staff, and other Partners to keep support consistent across school and home environments.
- Building Independence: Help individuals develop the confidence and practical skills they need to take a more active role in school and daily life. This is an inference based on the role’s focus on accessibility, expanded core instruction, and collaboration.
Blind and Visually Impaired Teachers do more than modify assignments. They help remove barriers that can limit participation, communication, and independence. Their work helps individuals engage more fully in school while building skills that carry into life beyond the classroom.
Eastern Upper Peninsula ISD - Teacher Consultant for the Visually/Hearing Impaired
Gary, from the Eastern UP ISD Learning Center, is helping children with disabilities, from Birth to 26, excel in school! Hear his story and explore a rewarding career as a Teacher Consultant for the Visually/Hearing Impaired
Why Teachers for the Blind and Visually Impaired Are Important in Special Education
- Access to Learning: They help ensure individuals can take part in classroom instruction with materials and supports that fit their needs.
- Independence: They teach practical and vision-specific skills that support greater confidence in school and daily routines.
- Stronger School Participation: They help individuals engage more fully in academics, technology use, and school experiences.
- Team-Based Support: They work closely with families and school teams, so supports stay coordinated and effective.
Gary Garn, a teacher consultant from Sault St. Marie, Michigan, explained how teachers for the blind and visually impaired manage layers of support: “With the optometrists and ophthalmologists, and of course, the family, the teachers, and the paraprofessionals– being a teacher consultant is a conduit between all those people to provide the necessary accommodations that a visually impaired person might need.”
About OPTIMISE
OPTIMISE attracts, prepares, and retains diverse and qualified personnel to help advance individuals with disabilities (birth to 26 years).
The OPTIMISE Task Force, Core Team, and Action Teams work with many partners, including Michigan’s leading education organizations and legislature, to reduce barriers and align licensing for special educators. This work also includes working with all levels of education to accomplish this goal.
OPTIMISE promotes ten professions within Michigan’s special education field, their funding options, and steps to jumpstart a career in special education.
Join a great group of dedicated people who help individuals with disabilities excel.
Go to: OPTIMISE.education
