Blindness Experience: Foundations in Blindness and Low Vision Rehabilitation Training
This 3-part training equips new vocational rehabilitation counselors, case coordinators, and support staff who work with individuals who are blind or have low vision with essential knowledge and practical skills to effectively support clients in achieving independence and employment. Participants will develop an understanding of eye conditions, their functional impacts, how to read an eye report, and assessment considerations, to promote independence and employment. The sessions emphasize practical approaches, disability awareness, and collaboration with specialized service providers. If you are a new vocational rehabilitation counselor, please join us each fall, September through November, for this new staff free training!
Registration will open each August. This training is available for up to 4.5 CRC credit hours! For more information or questions about registration, email our Training and Outreach Coordinator, Stephanie Welch-Grenier, at swelchgrenier@colled.msstate.edu
More about Blindness Experience Training
The Blindness Experience Training is designed specifically for individuals who have little or no prior experience, training, or knowledge in working with people who are blind or have low vision (B/LV). This interactive program helps participants recognize and overcome common misconceptions, gain a foundational understanding of how individuals who are B/LV live and work independently, and appreciate the importance of training and advocacy in promoting inclusion and accessibility.
This training is ideal for new rehabilitation professionals, staff in related fields, and family members who are beginning to work with individuals who are B/LV. It offers a valuable introduction for those who have not yet had hands-on exposure or formal learning in this area. Please note that completion of this training does not qualify participants to provide instruction in techniques or assistive devices for people who are B/LV.
The 8-hour program can be delivered in one or two days and customized to meet an agency’s specific needs. It can be conducted onsite upon request or offered periodically as a “Train the Trainer” session on the campus of Mississippi State University (MSU). The Train the Trainer option equips agency staff to integrate the Blindness Experience Training into their own onboarding or staff development programs.
Participants will explore the impact of vision loss, gain an introduction to blindness and common causes, engage in hands-on learning activities, and reflect on how to apply their new understanding in real-world contexts.
Sample Agenda (Note: training can be customized)
Downloadable version of the agenda: Sample BET Agenda
Day 1: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Note: At MSU, lunch will be provided and incorporated into training activities. For implementation with agencies, the content of this day could also be customized over two days.
- Objectives: Increase knowledge about blindness and low vision to include common causes, adjustment to blindness and myths and misconceptions. Provide experiential learning activities in braille, orientation and mobility, human guide techniques and independent living skills.
- Impact of Vision Loss
- Statistics about B/LV in general
- Statistics about B/LV and employment
- Panel/” Lived Experience” Discussion and Overview
- Internal and external factors impacting independence & employment.
- Attitudes about blindness
- Transportation barriers
- Adjustment to blindness – why is work important?
- Overview of causes of blindness and low vision
- Introduction to Blindness Experience
- Discuss possible benefits and drawbacks of the activities.
- Experiential Learning Activities (Note: blindfold/sleep shade will be used for some activities)
- Braille overview
- Human guide overview
- Orientation and mobility (O&M) overview
- Preparing and eating a meal
- Other household chores
- Personal care
- On the job tasks
- Debriefing – Exploring your feelings about the training.
- Evaluation and conclusion
Day 2: 8:00 am to 12:30 pm (optional Train the Trainer component)
- Objectives: Participants will practice aspects of the Day 1 training to build capacity to take the knowledge and activities back to their own agencies.
- Overview of training materials
- Resource materials for information
- Supply list
- Logistics of activities
- Suggestions for panel/” lived experience” discussion.
- Experiential Learning Activities
- Participants will lead activities presented in Day 1
- Debriefing and Conclusion
The NRTC periodically offers the Blindness Experience Training on the campus of Mississippi State University. If you have additional questions or would like to discuss bringing Blindness Experience Training to your agency, please contact the NRTC at nrtc@colled.msstate.edu or call 662-325-2001.