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Vision Rehabilitation Therapy Certificate

Offered By: UMassOnline

The graduate certificate in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy is an excellent option for those who want to work in a professional setting assisting adult populations who are visually impaired. The curriculum is aimed to integrate compensatory skills and assistive technology enabling them to live safe, productive, and independent lives.

Individuals who would like to pursue certification only in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and complete a total of 25 credits. Apply all credits earned for the graduate certificate towards a M.Ed. program in Special Education, specialization in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy also offered online through UMassOnline.

Specific areas of instruction taught by Vision Rehabilitation Therapists include:

  • Communication Systems (Braille, handwriting, recording skills, use of electronic reading systems, use of assistive technology and computer access technology, etc.).
  • Personal Management (grooming, hygiene, clothing organization, medical measurement, socialization skills, etc.)
  • Home Management (organization and labeling, repair and home maintenance, budgeting and record keeping, etc.)
  • Activities of Daily Living (cooking, cleaning, shopping, safety, money organization and management, etc.)
  • Leisure and Recreation (hobbies, woodworking, crafts, sports, etc.)
  • Psychosocial Aspects of Blindness and Vision Loss
  • Medical Management (assessment and instruction and training of adaptive medical equipment)
  • Basic Orientation and Mobility Skills (sighted guide, safety techniques, etc.)
  • Vision Rehabilitation Therapists work with a number of special populations among persons who are blind or visually impaired including persons who are deaf-blind, college students, persons over 55 years old, children in transition to adult services, persons who are multiply disabled, and employed persons requiring "on the job training."