Professional Preparation General Overview

Professional Preparation or How Do I Become a VI Professional?

Updated January 2022

Why Become a VI Professional? – Fact Sheets

Click below to view the full-size fact sheet or right-click to save to your computer.

Professional Preparation

• VI and O&M Preparation in Texas (Updated January 2022)
• Typical Roles and Responsibilities of VI Professionals
• Process for Obtaining the Emergency Permit for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (Word) (PDF)

Texas Fellows

• Texas Fellows are recruiters! Texas Fellows have helped people find out about the field of visual impairments and become a VI professional. Texas Fellows and their candidates are recognized for a year. Becoming a Texas Fellow is easy.
  • Texas SenseAbilities newsletter (formerly See/Hear),
  • At all statewide TSBVI functions
  • and receive either one of TSBVI’s most popular publications or free registration to a TSBVI-sponsored training event.
• Texas Fellows Application (Word)
• Texas Fellows Application (PDF)
• Get additional information about Texas Fellows

Mentoring

Individuals are assigned a mentor when they are hired by a school district as a TVI or COMS. The mentor relationship continues through the protégé’s practicum/internship period and extends one year beyond certification as a VI professional in Texas schools.

PPAG Materials (Professional Preparation Advisory Group)

• PPAG is 15! (PDF 617k)
• Collaborative Professional Preparation in Visual Impairments (white paper) (DOC)
  • TVI Brochure (PDF)
    • TVI Brochure (DOC)
  • O&M Brochure (PDF)
    • O&M Brochure (DOC)
  • Sources for VI Professionals (DOC)

Statement of Need

2022

• 2022 Summary of Need for VI Professionals in Texas (PDF)

2020

• 2020 Summary of Need for VI Professionals in Texas (DOCX)
• 2020 Summary of Need for VI Professionals in Texas (PDF)

2019

• 2019 Summary of Need for VI Professionals in Texas (DOCX)
• 2019 Summary of Need for VI Professionals in Texas (PDF)

2018

• 2018 Summary of Need for VI Professionals in Texas (DOCX)
• 2018 Summary of Need for VI Professionals in Texas (PDF)

2017

• 2017 Summary of Need for VI Professionals in Texas (DOCX)
• 2017 Summary of Need for VI Professionals in Texas (PDF)

Other

• Cultural Diversity and Professionals in Visual Impairments: A review of activities in Texas (DOC)

Products

• The Activities Checklist for O&M Mentor/Protege Teams
• The Activities Checklist for VI Mentor/Protege Teams

For more information about any of these programs, contact:

Quick Links

• Financial Aid Information Page
• Becoming a Teacher in Texas
• VIP Home Page – SFA – Visually Impaired Program Information from Stephen F. Austin State University
• Reach Across Texas Home Page – TTU  – Visually Impaired Program Information from Texas Tech University.
• Virginia Sowell Center Home Page – The Virginia Murray Sowell Center for Research and Education in Visual Impairment is an opportunity to continue the work begun by Dr. Virginia Sowell at Texas Tech University in Visual Impairment. It is designed to include an annual Distinguished Lecturer Series on the topic of visual impairment. The Center will eventually offer scholarships to students participating in the Visual Impairment, Orientation and Mobility, and Dual Sensory degree and certification programs. The Center is also designed to support faculty research and public service. Still in its infancy, the Center is evolving on a daily basis.