VIDBE-Q
Volume 62 Issue 1
Figure 2 Navajo Man who is blind demonstrates his braille reading skills to a U of A student
Other collaborative partnerships occurred through federal funding of grants which included one cohort of
students in Reno, Nevada to take courses parallel to those in campus in Tucson, two cohorts of students in
Las Vegas, and another cohort in Las Cruces, New Mexico to do the same parallel coursework. In our latest
federal grant, five students each from the University of Utah and New Mexico State University students were
invited to the summer specialty workshops. As a result of all of these collaborations, many preservice teachers
received masters or certification in the VI area to work with students who have visual impairment in Arizona,
Nevada, Utah and New Mexico.
Unique Characteristics:
Characteristics of our VISP's can be summarized into strong mentorship and low faculty to student
ratio, excellent and talented faculty members engaged in research and curriculum development activities, a
strong relationship with the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB), the Foundation for Blind
Children (FBC), and additional emphasis of study depending upon personal interests. Cultural diversity of
this unique geographical location may also be counted on this venue.
The UA VISP has forged long lasting relationships with the ASDB on campus and regional
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