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.
Friday, August 22, 12:30-2 PM CT
VIVA 25-26 Kick Off and RCVI Welcome Back to School!
Kick off the school year with colleagues from the field and learn about the year ahead with TN VIVA and Consortium of Vision Educators (COVE) gatherings. Dr. Allen Huang will provide updates regarding all things new with the Tennessee School for the Blind and Resource Center for the Visually Impaired.
Register here to receive webinar instructions
Friday, September 12, 12:30-2:30 PM CT
TN COVE (Consortium of Vision Educators) Fall Meeting
Topics for Discussion: Testing Accommodations for Students with VI and What's in your FVLMA/ECC assessment kit?
Gather with colleagues from the field to discuss a variety of topics. Select topics will be prepared for discussion, but attendees should feel free to bring their own questions and topics.
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Tuesday, September 23, 11 AM-12 noon CT
Identity and Developmental Considerations When Assisting Individuals with Visual Impairments
Presenter: Ayctivia Palmer, CRC, CVE, LAC
This presentation aims to explore the unique factors that impact the development of individuals with VI's. Through a professional and personal lens, this presentation discusses the need for professionals assisting individuals with visual impairments to consider the disability, identity, and various biopsychosocial factors. The goal of this presentation is for professionals to walk away with a deeper understanding of how they can best relate, support, and assist individuals with visual impairments as they transition through life's many stages.
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Friday, October 3, 12:30-2:30 PM CT
Access for All: Differentiated Instruction for Complex Learners with Visual Impairments
Presenter: Melissa Hawkins, M.Ed, CTVI
This seminar explores effective, research-based strategies for differentiating instruction to meet the needs of students with visual impairments and additional disabilities. Participants will view hands-on examples, adaptive tools, and flexible lesson frameworks that promote access, engagement, and independence. Whether you're a classroom teacher, specialist, or paraprofessional, you’ll leave with practical approaches to immediately implement in your learning environment.
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Tuesday, October 21, 6:00-7:30 PM CT
College Student & Vocational Rehabilitation Discussion Panel
Join TN VIVA for this evening session panel discussion in which two college students who are blind and low vision share about their experiences attending Lipscomb University and Middle Tennessee State University. Vocational Rehabilitation will also be present to share how their services are delivered to college students.
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Wednesday, October 22, 12:15-1:15 PM CT
Learned Helplessness
Presenter: Jay Humphreys Ed.S. CTVI
Learned helplessness is a common challenge amongst students with visual impairments and is intensified by professionals and caregivers who provide excessive support and prompting. Intentional practices can increase student independence and strengthen post-secondary outcomes.
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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.
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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.
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Friday, January 16, 12:30-2:30 PM CT
TN COVE (Consortium of Vision Educators) Winter Meeting
Topics for Discussion: To be announced!
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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.
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Archived Webinars
Click here to view archived sessions from TN VIVA Series, formerly known as the Unity Virtual Academy Series.