VIDBE-Q Volume 69 Issue 4
it was imperative that the field formalize standards for teaching students and adults
who are blind or have low vision the technological skills they needed to succeed
across the lifespan (ACVREP, 2016). The Academy for Certification of Vision
Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP), the certifying body in the
profession of visual impairments, convened a subject matter expert committee to
develop the criteria and scope of practice within the four core domains of
exploration, assessment, configuration, and instruction for Certified Assistive
Technology Instructional Specialists for Individuals with Visual Impairments
(CATIS). The CATIS certification launched May 1
st
, 2016 (ACVREP, 2016).
As technological capabilities have continued to evolve quickly, and will
likely continue to do so (Bhowmick & Hazarika, 2017; Kelly & Kapperman,
2018), a need persists for highly skilled AT instructors (Kelly & Kapperman,
2018). Through a recent survey by the Assistive Technology Industry Association
(ATiA, 2022), it is evident that there is a high interest for flexible and affordable
AT training for those in pre-professional and continuing education programs which
focus on a variety of topics related to the provision of AT services for people who
are blind or who have low vision.
ATVI Track at UMass Boston
The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) was the first to
offer a fully online graduate level program to prepare AT specialists who work
