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 2024-2025 Meetings

A description of each session can be found on its registration page.

Thursday, September 19, 1:00-2:00 PM CST
Supporting Students with VI & Complex Needs

Presenter: Patience Piesecki
In this session, hear from experienced TVI Patience Piesecki as she shares insights on her approach to working with students with visual impairments who have additional disabilities and complex needs.
Register here to receive webinar instructions

Wednesday, October 16, 2:00-3:00 PM CST
Desmos Demonstration and Accessibility Features

Register here to receive webinar instructions

Friday, October 18, 12:30-2:30 PM CST
Binocular Visual Conditions: How TVIs can Assess and Support Students

Presenters: Rachel Schles and Tabitha Revak
In this session, Dr. Rachel Schles and Tabitha Revak will present information regarding binocular vision conditions, as well as research-based recommendations and strategies for TVIs on assessing and supporting students who have such disorders.
Register here to receive webinar instructions

Friday, January 31, 2025, 12:30-2:30 PM CST
TN COVE (Consortium of Vision Educators) Fall 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, May 2, 12:30-2:30 PM CST
TN COVE (Consortium of Vision Educators) Fall 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

Additional sessions to be announced soon!


Archived Webinars

Click here to view archived sessions from TN VIVA Series, formerly known as the Unity Virtual Academy Series.


For more information on the TN VIVA lecture series, contact Rachel Schles or Allen Huang.