Click to see the MEd and MA Program Requirements for Visual Impairments

The Graduate Program in Education of Students with Visual Impairments is designed to prepare teachers to work with children and youth who are blind or visually impaired.  Students are accepted into this program in cohort groups and progress through the program in the same courses at the same time. The program is offered through a combination of on-campus summer coursework and part-time, on-line study that allows students to remain in their home communities and maintain work during the school year. Students will be required to attend on-campus courses during the months of July and August for three successive summers, while the remaining program specialty courses will be offered in an online format during the school year.

This program is built on current professional beliefs that specialist teachers must be involved in adapting and modifying the general education classroom core curriculum to meet the needs of children with visual impairments as well as designing unique instruction in areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum.  The Expanded Core Curriculum for students with visual impairments includes the following topics which are all covered in the content of courses in this program: 

• Compensatory or functional academic skills
• Orientation and mobility
• Social interaction skills
• Independent living skills
• Recreation and leisure skills
• Career education
• Use of assistive technology
• Sensory efficiency skills
• Self-determination

Coursework is based on knowledge and skills identified by the Council for Exceptional Children and include topics that prepare teachers in the following: 

• Knowledge of eye conditions associated with blindness and low vision,
• Assessment of visual functioning,
• A curriculum designed to meet the unique needs of visually impaired learners,
• Mastery of braille and skill in teaching braille reading and writing,
• Knowledge of basic Nemeth Code of Mathematics and Scientific Notation,
• Knowledge of basic orientation and mobility techniques,Knowledge of daily living and recreation skills as well as vocational skills needed for visually impaired students.

For further information about the visual impairment program please contact: VI.Program@ubc.ca

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Web Resources: Visual Impairment

ELVI - Early Literacy Program for Children With Visual Impairments

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