Resources

Disclaimer:

The following resources are listed as recommendations for your consideration, curated by Allen Huang, Director of the TN RCVI. However, they are not explicit endorsements of the Tennessee School for the Blind or Tennessee Department of Education.

Professional Development and General Learning Resources for TVIs and COMS

APH - https://www.aph.org/
APH Newsletter - https://www.aph.org/contact-us/newsroom/newsletters/
APH Hive - https://www.aphhive.org/#/home
AER - https://www.aerbvi.org/
Perkins eLearning - https://www.perkinselearning.org/
Paths to Literacy - https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/
Paths to Technology - https://www.perkinselearning.org/technology
Project Inspire - Increasing the STEM Potential of Individuals who Read Braille - Free, on-demand, self-paced courses available to anyone https://www.uscupstate.edu/project-inspire and https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resources/project-inspire-free-self-paced-courses-increase-stem-potential-individuals-who-read
IRIS Center - https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center - https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/
Foundation for Blind Children - Webinars (Recordings and Upcoming Live) - https://seeitourway.org/resources/webinars/
Described and Captioned Media Project - https://dcmp.org/

Transition Resources

TN Department of Human Services Blind & Visually Impaired Services - Be sure your transition age (14+) students are connected with a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor or transition service provider! https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/ds/blind-visually-impaired-services.html
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder - TN-specific disability resources from the beginning on! - https://www.tnpathfinder.org/
Transition TN - Training and resources on preparing students with disabilities for life after high school - https://transitiontn.org/
EMPOWERing VI - Free online resources supporting transition-aged students in rural communities with virtual supports - https://www.empowervi.org/.
APH ConnectCenter Transition Hub - https://aphconnectcenter.org/transitionhub/
National Technical Assistance Center on Blindness and Low Vision - Organization Dedicated to improving employment outcomes for individuals with blindness or low vision - https://www.ntac.blind.msstate.edu/
Computers for the Blind - Highly affordable computers for individuals who are blind or visually impaired - https://www.computersfortheblind.org/

Teaching Resources

Desmos Accessible Online Calculator/Mathematics platform (included on computer TCAP tests) - https://www.desmos.com/
Perkins - Mastering Tech Skills: When and What? - https://www.perkins.org/resource/mastering-tech-skills-when-and-what/?fbclid=IwAR1LB9KC73UpbegeNAGkopCTchmM-HN2GAJ7VA1m_-qaVq5TyRM2PI_Ru_Q
Perkins - Digital Math Summary Page - https://www.perkins.org/resource/digital-math-summary-page/
Perkins - Accessible Math Editor: Word - https://www.perkins.org/resource/accessible-math-editor-word/?fbclid=IwAR0_dL1qqrVqbQ_NKp5htax_6PVKIGlgHQzoPCeYwi4Oxh3puDsndcbDSVQ
Font Size and Style in Educational Materials handout - https://ir.vanderbilt.edu/bitstream/handle/1803/18079/Font%20Size%20and%20Style%20in%20Educational%20Materials.pdf?sequence=4
ECC Annual Needs Assessment form - https://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/uploads/1/4/1/2/14122361/revised_ecc_annual_assessment2.pdf
Essential Assessments (FVLMA) Rubric website - https://earubric.com/
Braille Brain braille literacy learning tool for adults - https://braillebrain.aphtech.org/
UEB Online learning platform - https://uebonline.org/
APH Nemeth Code Tutorial (UEB Math as well) - https://nemeth.aphtech.org/?/
Paths to Literacy - Learning and Teaching the Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts: A Step-by-Step Guide - https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/learning-and-teaching-the-nemeth-code/
Automated Google Sheet checklist for braille skills - https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/automated-google-sheet-braille-checklist/?fbclid=IwAR2nzMYDJs8QTFIax7_8tbGMNe7FTDj6fnwajeVED7lgX866UHXPxVWjR6Y
CA School for the Blind Screen Reader Training Website - https://srt.csb-cde.ca.gov/index.html
Screen Reader Lesson Plans - Many documents for skills involving screen readers - https://www.perkinselearning.org/technology/blog/lesson-plans-jaws-and-ios
APH Tactile Graphic Image Library - https://imagelibrary.aph.org/portals/aphb/#login
Tactile Graphics - https://www.tactilegraphics.org/
Paths to Literacy - Tactile Graphics Overview - https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/tactile-graphics/
Perkins - Teaching Tactile Graphics - https://www.perkins.org/resource/teaching-tactile-graphics/
APH Tactile Skills Matrix - https://www.aph.org/tactile-skills-matrix-helping-students-master-important-skills/
APH Webinar - Setting the Stage for Tactile Understanding - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O62H9DRlgqA
APH Foundations for Tactile Literacy Skills Resource Guide - https://www.aph.org/app/uploads/2023/11/Foundations-for-Tactile-Literacy.pdf
Tactile Working Memory Scale - https://nordicwelfare.org/en/publikationer/tactile-working-memory-scale-a-professional-manual/
Creating Tactile Graphics with Firebird Software - https://www.perkins.org/resource/creating-tactile-graphics-firebird-software/
Teaching Letter & Number ID to Students with CVI - https://aphconnectcenter.org/familyconnect/complex-needs/cvi/teaching-letter-and-number-identification-to-students-with-cvi-2/
AI-Learners educational website for CVI/Complex Needs - https://aphconnectcenter.org/technology/educational-website-for-students-with-cvi-and-complex-needs/
APH Building Your CVI Toolkit - https://www.aph.org/building-your-cvi-toolkit/?fbclid=IwAR2cgBs3qpTb6789kuwtV94t9mT_cbsCjGbJPY7k3FPM5MnJBDC5L_qpGpE
PaTTAN CVI Courses - https://cviscotland.org/mem_portal.php?cat_id=97
NTAC 4to24 resource app - https://www.ntac.blind.msstate.edu/consumers/4-24-app

Accessible Books

Bookshare - https://www.bookshare.org/cms/
Learning Ally - https://learningally.org/
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped - https://www.loc.gov/nls/
TN Library for Accessible Books and Media - https://sos.tn.gov/tsla/labm
NLS BARD - https://nlsbard.loc.gov/login//NLS
Braille Tales - https://www.aph.org/braille-tales/ - FREE print/braille books for children who are blind or visually impaired (up to 6th birthday), provided by APH in partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library
APH/Dolly Parton Imagination Library Audio Books - https://www.aph.org/imagination-library-collaboration/audio-books/
Nashville Talking Library (part of Nashville Public Library) - https://library.nashville.org/services/nashville-talking-library

Useful Websites

CVI Scotland - Among the leading resources for students with CVI - https://cviscotland.org/
Webinar from APH on Conducting Collaborative PsychoEducational Assessments - Highly recommended for TVI's to share with their districts' school psychologists - https://youtu.be/HeECTzgO588
ParentConnect - Weekly, recurring parent support group - https://aphconnectcenter.org/event/parentconnect-a-family-support-group-offered-in-partnership-with-the-virtual-parent-support-group-chicago-lighthouse-for-the-blind-ongoing/#content

Miscellaneous Resources

Braille Institute - Atkinson Hyperlegible Font (free download) - https://brailleinstitute.org/freefont
CAST Recommendations for Improving the Provision and Use of Braille for State-Mandated Assessment - https://aem.cast.org/get-started/resources/2023/improving-the-provision-and-use-of-braille-for-state-mandated-assessment
Braillewriter 3D-Printed finger guide - https://www.youmagine.com/designs/braille-writer-finger-guide
(VENDOR) Freedom Scientific Webinars on Demand - https://www.freedomscientific.com/training/freewebinars/archivedwebinars/
(VENDOR) Humanware Live Webinar Series - https://support.humanware.com/en-usa/support/humanware_live_webinar_series
(VENDOR) HIMS Webinars and Training Videos - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgyB7qzqD1kXLTyDgN4YMdg/videos

Organizations to Know About

American Printing House for the Blind (APH) - https://www.aph.org
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI) - https://www.aerbvi.org/
Center for Assistive Technology Training (CATT) - https://www.aidb.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=3825