Welcome to Teach Blind Students

"A community of caring and committed teachers of blind and low vision students."

As teachers of blind and low vision students, you work daily to help your students discover the techniques and attitudes that are necessary for long-term independence. You assist students in discovering their own potential at school, at home, and in their communities. The members of the National Federation of the Blind have the life experience of over 50,000 blind and low vision adults, and we want to support you in your efforts. We believe strongly that caring and committed teachers are crucial in preparing blind and low vision students for the opportunities that await them as they develop into confident and productive adults. Our Teach Blind Students initiative is an effort to leverage your knowledge and experience with our own, by developing a professional network of blindness education professionals, preparing the next generation of teachers of blind and low vision students, and providing the quality education necessary for blind and low vision students to live the lives they want.

Professional Networking Opportunities

The Professionals in Blindness Education (PIBE) Division of the National Federation of the Blind is a network of education professionals committed to the sharing of resources, and the exchange of ideas and techniques that integrate the NFB's positive philosophy of blindness into the education of blind students. Please join the Professionals in Blindness Education (PIBE) group on Facebook.

In an effort to link blindness professionals, we encourage teachers, paraprofessionals, orientation and mobility instructors, program administrators, and other blindness education professionals to join our Teach Blind Students group on LinkedIn.

Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness

The mission of the Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness is to prepare highly qualified professionals to educate and rehabilitate individuals who are blind or visually impaired, and to conduct research that broadens and deepens our understanding about blindness and the best methods for increasing independence for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

National Reading Media Assessment

The National Reading Media Assessment (NRMA) is an assessment of the visual reading efficiency of youth, ages Pre-K through 12th grade, that have low vision. The tool is designed to measure the extent to which a student may be able to benefit from instruction in both print and Braille, thereby adding more tools to the student's toolbox. Essays describing successful examples of teaching the dual reader can be found in “Discover Integrating Print and Braille: A Recipe for Literacy” by Sharon Maneki. In addition, teachers of blind students can access the National Reading Media Assessment at: https://www.nfbnrma.org/admin/users/about.php.

Publications

Future Reflections

Future Reflections is a free magazine for parents and teachers of blind children. It is published quarterly by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership with the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children.

The Braille Monitor

The Braille Monitor is a monthly publication that offers a positive philosophy about blindness to both blind readers and the public at large; serves as a vehicle for advocacy and protection of civil rights; addresses social concerns affecting the blind; discusses issues relating to employment, education, legislation, and rehabilitation; and provides news of products and technology used by the blind.

The Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research

The Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research (JBIR) is the first international, interdisciplinary open access journal created by blind people, parents, teachers, administrators, and academic researchers designed to further efforts to address the real problems of blindness.

Quick Links

National Association of Professionals in Blindness Education
Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness
Teach Blind Students on LinkedIn

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

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