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VIDBE - Q Volume 63 Issue 1
opportunities are available through our partnerships with the East Texas Lighthouse for
the Blind, area Blind Children's programs, and SFA's Braille and Cane Club, to name a
few.
Program Size and Faculty
SFA's program is dedicated to providing high - quality instruction for students
with minimal time away from home by using distance education technologies.
Instructional arrangements and schedules are designed with the needs of non -
traditional students (i.e., working adults) in mind.
Our f a c u lty members a re s ea s on e d p ractitio n e rs i n t h e f ie l d o f v is i on who h a v e
s pen t ma n y y ea rs ser v i n g individuals w ith visual impairments in a variety of settings and
who share a de e p c o m m itme n t t o trai n ing h i g h - q ua l i ty professionals . The program
maintains low student/teacher ratios and offers training in a cohort model and through
open enrollment. Faculty members work closely together an d are d e d ica t e d t o
mai n t a i ning f am i l y - l i ke s uppo rt for students.
W e b e l i e v e it is e s s en t i a l f o r o u r s t u d en ts t o b e d e d ica t e d , c re a ti v e a n d pe rs i st en t
a s t he y s e rve children and adults w ith v i s ua l i m pa i rm en ts. We seek to train quality
practitioners with pragmatic skills and to prepare professionals to become future leaders
in the field and provide the highest quality service to individuals with visual impairments.
Financial Aid and Grants
T h e VI and O&M program is supported by federal and state grants t o help
provide funding to st u de n ts. T h e State of Texas G ra n t is p ro v id e d through TSBVI and
provides s up p o rt to Texas residents pu rsuing trai n ing as TVI o r certified O&M
specialists. The federal grant is provided through the Rehabilitation Services
