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 Meetings
Wednesday, December 6, 11 AM-12 PM CST
Overview of O&M Skills & Expectations for Students with VI & Complex Support Needs
Presenter: Suzanne Dinwiddie, CTVI, COMS
All students with VI should have access to appropriate orientation & mobility services. Presentation & discussion will include key sources of data and appropriate scope and services/skills for students with VI or DB with multiple or complex disabilities.
Register here to receive webinar instructions
Tuesday, January 23, 6-7:30 PM CST (RESCHEDULED FROM NOVEMBER 6, 2023)
Parent Panel: Advice & Lessons Learned from Parents of Children with VI
Presenters: Jenna Kauffman, more to be announced.
Join us to have a conversation with three parents of children/teens with visual impairments or deafblindness. Discussion will include maintaining high expectations, engaging with school teams, safety and community engagement/inclusion. This session is specifically for parents, with educators and others welcome to attend.
Register here to receive webinar instructions
Wednesday, January 24, 11 AM-12 PM CST
The KEYs to Success: Strategies for Developing Strong Typing Skills
Presenter: Dr. Allen Huang
In this session, the fundamental skills involved with high-quality typing skills will be discussed. Examples of lessons to conduct with students will be shared, and typing software that accommodate the needs of individuals who are blind or visually impaired will be explored.
Register here to receive webinar instructions
Friday, February 2, 12:30-2:30 PM CST (RESCHEDULED FROM JANUARY 19)
TN COVE Winter Meeting
Quarterly Consortium of Vision Educators meeting to discuss timely issues and news; focused on TVIs and O&M specialists, all educators supporting students with VI are welcome.
Register here to receive webinar instructions
Friday, February 16, 12:30-2:30 PM CST
Getting Started with Tangible Symbol Communication Systems for Students with Visual Impairments Who Have Complex Communication Needs
Join us in this session to hear from TSB’s Speech & Language Pathologists as they talk about how to collaboratively develop and implement tangible symbol systems for students with VI and complex communication needs. Discussion will include strategies for identifying appropriate tangible symbols and prioritizing what tangible symbols to begin with given each student’s individual needs. Register here to receive webinar instructions
Wednesday, February 28, 11 AM-12 PM CST
Topic TBA
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Friday, May 3, 12:30-2:30 PM CST
TN COVE Spring Meeting
Quarterly Consortium of Vision Educators meeting to discuss timely issues and news; focused on TVIs and O&M specialists, all educators supporting students with VI are welcome.
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.