Tennessee Visual Impairments Virtual Academy (TN VIVA)
Formerly known as the Unity Virtual Academy, TN VIVA is a professional development learning series for all school educators, community stakeholders, and families looking to learn about best practices, supports, and resources for students with visual impairments (blindness, low vision, and deafblindness). Attendees can earn ACVREP credits or a general certificate of attendance to use towards renewal of their teaching license.
TN VIVA is collaboratively coordinated by the Tennessee School for the Blind, Peabody College’s Program in Visual Disabilities, and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
Target audience:
- Teachers of students with visual impairments (TVI)
- Orientation & mobility (O&M) specialists
- Parents of a child with a visual impairment
- Students with a visual impairment
- Classroom teachers
- Related service providers
- Vocational rehabilitation counselors
- Early intervention providers
- School administrators
- Medical professionals
Upcoming 2025-2026 Meetings
A description of each session can be found on its registration page.
Thursday, November 13, 11:00 a.m.-12 noon CT
CSB's Screen Reader Training (SRT) Website
In this session, hear from Max Avendano, an assistive technology specialist at the California School for the Blind, describe their free online SRT Screen Reader Training website. The SRT is a tremendous platform with several different functionalities that support learning to use all common screen reading software. It can be accessed by individuals seeking to use both mobile devices and computers.
Register here to receive webinar instructions
Monday, December 8, 11:00 a.m.-12 noon CT
Collaborative Assessment: How Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Orientation & Mobility Specialists Work Together
Presenters: Anita Henderson, M.Ed., CTVI, COMS and Virginia Burkhart, M.Ed., CTVI, & CLVT
This session will highlight how Vision Specialists/Teachers of the Visually Impaired (CTVIs) and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) collaborate to assess the unique needs of students with visual impairments. Participants will learn how the combined expertise of both professionals provides a comprehensive understanding of each student’s functional vision, mobility, and learning needs, leading to more accurate evaluations and individualized educational planning.
Register here to receive webinar instructions
Friday, January 16, 12:30-2:30 PM CT
TN COVE (Consortium of Vision Educators) Winter Meeting
Topics for Discussion: To be announced!
Register here to receive webinar instructions
January (Date TBD)
TSB INSPIRE Academy Summer Program for College and Career Readiness
Tennessee School for the Blind (TSB) just held a highly successful inaugural INSPIRE Academy summer program in June 2025. Join us for an evening session to learn about the program that is designed to support students' College and Career Readiness. INSPIRE instructors will share about big picture educational priorities for high school students preparing to transition to college and the workplace as well as how INSPIRE is designed to provide specific experiences that address Expanded Core Curriculum skills our students need to enjoy success in those pursuits.
Register here to receive webinar instructions
Archived Webinars
Click here to view archived sessions from TN VIVA Series, formerly known as the Unity Virtual Academy Series.