PDRIB: Jobs In High Demand

Since the 1970s, there has been a shortage of qualified teachers for the blind and visually-impaired. As more students continue to move from schools for the blind to their local elementary and high schools, this need will only grow.

In addition, parents have resisted allowing their kids to be "labeled" as blind or visually-impaired. In response, schools have given these students larger and larger print, exemptions from certain assignments, and excuses to not compete with their peers. Now, because of assessments like the National Reading Media Assessment (NRMA), we're better at identifying students who are blind or have low vision. These students will need qualified teachers to show them how braille, self-advocacy, and a long white cane are the tickets to their independence.

Your degree will put you into an elite group, distinguished from the competition.

• You will be nationally certified. No matter what field of study you choose, you will have met the pre-requisites for, taken and passed either the National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) or National Certification in Literary Braille (NCLB) exam.

• You will have access to a national network of blind people who will serve as a resource for you and your students. Teachers face constant questions from their students, and when you don't know the answer to how a blind person can do something independently, you can tap into a national network of working, independent blind people. When you find that your students can't get what they need from the local school division, the network can step into help you. And when your blind students are looking for summer programs, the network can direct you to many options.

• You will have the highest expectations for your students. Because you will know how to travel under sleep shades in any environment and read braille at a speed of at least 70 words per minute, you will expect no less from your students. These high expectations have been proven to yield higher confidence, test scores, and true independence for students.

• You will be proficient in the latest technology. Here at Louisiana Tech, you will graduate knowing how to use a braille note-taker, accessible GPS, screen reader, and iOS devices. Whereas other programs spend a few hours on these devices, we at Louisiana Tech believe that you should have a working knowledge so that you can begin teaching your students on day one.

A Case Study

We're based in the city of Ruston, a town in Northern Louisiana of nearly 22,000 people. In 2011, we received a call from a teacher from the local elementary school asking if we could provide cane travel instruction to a student in her building. We had known for years that there were blind students in the community, but not one of them was receiving braille or cane travel lessons.

After just a few weeks of seeing one of our graduates working with this student, we were asked to assess another student. As the weeks went on, we learned of more students. Today, our graduates are serving seven students in the greater-Ruston area.

In counties across the country, as teachers and parents see the benefits for one student who learns braille and to travel with a long white cane, the need for qualified teachers of blind students continues to grow.

Take the next, right step for yourself and your career

This field is for somebody who wants to have a positive impact in others' lives. If you have that desire to be a teacher, then we want to hear from you. Your background is less important than your zeal to help blind people to be independent. Call or e-mail us today to learn more.