Volunteering at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The last orientations of the semester are scheduled for Thursday, February 7th at 5:30 PM and Saturday, February 9th at 10:00 AM

MISSION

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) will be a leading center of educational expertise in Texas for students with visual impairments, their families, and the local and regional providers who work with them. TSBVI will provide opportunities for children and youth who are visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities or deafblindness, to develop the skills necessary to lead vocationally, personally, and socially satisfying and productive lives.

What is TSBVI:

TSBVI is a partner with independent school districts in Texas to provide instructional and related services to students who are blind, deaf-blind, or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities. We are a special public school established by the Texas Legislature as one of several alternative educational placements guaranteed to students to ensure that learning occurs in an environment appropriate to meet their individual needs. There is no cost to students or their families for the instructional and residential services of the School.

Who Can Be Served:

Students, ages 6 through 21, who are blind deaf-blind, or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities, are eligible for consideration for services at TSBVI.

Volunteer Requirements and Opportunities:

A Volunteer is required to fill out an application, pass a criminal records check, and attend a one-hour orientation.

Applications will be accepted at the beginning of fall and spring semesters for placement for the duration of the semester. Volunteers may request to continue their placement for the next semester. The volunteer program is not active during the summer months. When volunteering with students, in order to maintain consistency in our very structured environment, we request volunteers sign up for at least 1 hour per week for an entire semester. Opportunities include: tutoring, special activities or events, clerical, scanning printed text to computer to edit and translate into Braille, and providing assistance to instructional, recreation, or residential staff at their request. To volunteer at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, download and return the applications below.

Court Ordered Community Service Volunteers -

The process for fulfilling Court Ordered Community Service differs from that of other volunteers. Applications will be accepted throughout the year, including summer. Community service activities must be done between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on Monday-Friday and will include clerical duties or working in the Learning Resource Center on various duties that might involve lifting, organizing, or computer scanning and editing. To qualify to fulfill your Court Ordered Community Service hours at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, download and return the applications below.

Disclosure to Volunteer Applicant Regarding Procurement of a Consumer Report

In connection with your application for volunteering, we may procure, or cause to be procured, a consumer report (excluding credit information, but including public record information), on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy or status as an employee or volunteer with the School. The School will use sources including, but not limited to, the National Criminal Tracking Center, P.O. Box 3790, Lubbock, TX 79452-3790, and the Texas Department of Public Safety to procure criminal history information. In the event that information from a report is utilized in whole or in part in making an adverse decision with regard to your status as an employee or volunteer, the School will provide you with a copy of the consumer report as allowed by law, and a written description of your right under law.

You must complete both of the following in order to volunteer at TSBVI :

Download Volunteer Application return by fax or email
Download the Criminal History Authorization form 129k; fill out, print and sign. Fax to (512) 206-9453 or mail to Volunteer Services, 1100 W. 45th Street, Austin, TX 78756.

Contact Information:

Gloria Bennett , Community Resources Director
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
1100 W. 45th Street
Austin, Texas 78756-3494
Volunteer Office #: (512) 206-9234 (Please leave a voice mail message).
Fax #:(512) 206-9453
E-mail address: volunteer@tsbvi.edu

Agency Contact Information | Texas State Homepage | Texas State Wide Search

Please complete the comment form or send comments and suggestions to: Jim Allan (Webmaster-Jim Allan)

Last Revision: January 29, 2008