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impaired.
To further support this longstanding shortage of expertise in the area of
AT for people who are visually impaired and the launch of the CATIS, there is
a new university specialization in this area. Northern Illinois University (NIU)
is the first university that is offering a course of study toward this new
credential as part of Project Visually Impaired and Assistive Technology for
ALL (VITALL). NIU's Project VITALL includes programs of study in AT for
both existing vision professionals (i.e., "Camp VITALL") and those who are
entirely new to the field. Thus, NIU offers a standards-based program of
courses in AT for existing vision professionals (i.e., teachers of students with
visual impairments [TVIs], Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists
[COMS], and/or Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists [CVRTs]) leading
toward a Certificate of Graduate Study in assistive technology instruction.
"Camp VITALL" is an abbreviated program of courses that presumes and
requires extensive knowledge pertaining to instruction of individuals who are
visually impaired. The "Camp VITALL" program is comprised of a series of
four courses in assistive technology instruction for people with visual
impairments and an assistive technology internship that results in eligibility for
the CATIS certification exam.
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