Braille Monitor               October 2024

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National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals Annual Division Meeting: A Summary

by Amy Porterfield

Amy PorterfieldFrom the Editor: These are the division reports we plead for after each convention. Here is a really good one from Amy:

On Friday, July 5, 2024, the National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals held its annual division meeting at the National Federation of the Blind convention in Orlando, Florida. The gathering was an opportunity for members to reinforce their positive philosophy of blindness and support each other in maintaining high expectations for both them and their blind consumers.

The meeting began with a networking session, where over eighty attendees reconnected with old friends and made new connections. This was a great opportunity for networking on job openings as well as the latest happenings in the blindness rehabilitation field. Attendees were reminded to check in with the division secretary and treasurer to join or renew their membership, with annual dues set at $5. It is suggested to pay ahead to remain current with the December 31 membership year-end.

Becoming NBPCB Certified Instructors

Joni Martinez, a member of the National Blindness Professionals Certification Board, provided valuable information on obtaining various certifications, such as the National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC), Rehabilitation Teacher National Certification (NCRTB), and Access Technology Instructor (NCATB). Martinez outlined several pathways to certification:

  1. Master’s Degree Programs: Earn a master’s degree in guidance and counseling with specializations in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) or Rehabilitation Teaching (RT) from Louisiana Tech University. After completing the degree, candidates can sit for the certification exams.

  2. Graduate Certificates: Obtain a graduate certificate from Louisiana Tech University, targeting the certification areas directly. Upon completion, candidates can take the certification exams.

    Both routes require a three-month immersion program at an NBPCB training center, required coursework at Louisiana Tech University, and an internship at an approved training center.
  1. Apprenticeship Programs: These do not require a degree but involve completing a full immersion program at an NBPCB training center, followed by a four-month apprenticeship at a different NBPCB training center. Afterward, candidates can sit for the NOMC, NCRTB, or NCATB exams.

Additionally, one may earn a National Certification in Unified English Braille (NCUEB) by passing an exam consisting of proofreading, writing, and multiple-choice questions.

Business Enterprise Program Insights

Michael Colbrunn, Vice President of the National Association of Blind Merchants, shared his journey to becoming a BEP operator. He emphasized that quality operators are typically self-starters with strong core blindness skills, such as good travel, access technology, and independent living skills. Colbrunn addressed common misconceptions about the program, noting that some rehabilitation counselors mistakenly suggest it for consumers lacking other career goals. To combat this, NABRP and the Blind Merchants division will offer combined webinars to provide professional development on the Business Enterprise Program, its governing laws and policies, and how to best support blind consumers choosing BEP as a career.

Consumer Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Training

Anil Lewis, Executive Director of the Jernigan Institute, National Federation of the Blind, gave an update on a new consumer-driven training initiative for rehabilitation counselors. This collaboration between the Jernigan Institute and NABRP aims to offer authentic, lived-experience-based training to counselors. The modules are nearly complete, with several states expressing interest in implementing the training by fall 2024. Lewis highlighted the lack of direct blindness training in typical Rehabilitation Counseling master’s degree programs and the need for authentic, consumer-driven education to better support blind consumers.

Collaborating with the NFB Employment Committee

Lia Stone, Co-Chair of the NFB Employment Committee, led an interactive discussion on partnering with rehabilitation counselors. Key outcomes included plans for a joint meeting to set collaborative goals, developing webinars on making a career out of gig work, and creating a database of successfully employed consumers. This collaboration aims to enhance support for blind consumers and vocational rehabilitation counselors.

Advances in AI for the Workplace

Ryan Jones (Vispero), Bryan Bashin (Be My Eyes), and Everette Bacon (Aira) discussed recent advancements in AI technologies for visual interpretation. Highlights included:

Presenters emphasized the importance of safe and effective nonvisual travel skills and environmental knowledge to maximize the benefits of these AI services.

Accessible Job Seekers Toolkit

Richard Rueda from the APH ConnectCenter introduced an online job seekers toolkit developed by the American Printing House for the Blind. This free resource, available through the NSITE learning platform, provides comprehensive training for blind individuals seeking employment. It consists of five courses, each taking approximately one hour to complete. The National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals Division will host a joint webinar to provide an overview of the training and how to access the course.

Division Business Meeting and Elections

The meeting concluded with the Division business meeting and elections. The following individuals were elected to leadership positions:

As the meeting adjourned, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to advancing opportunities and support for blind rehabilitation professionals and the individuals they serve. We look forward to another year of progress and collaboration.

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