Search Our Site

Become a Program Member!

LIGHTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL

Organization Directory Page

• Organization description

• Source of official student records

• Titles of all evaluated learning experiences

• Descriptions and credit recommendations

Lighthouse International is a leading resource worldwide on vision  impairment and vision rehabilitation. Through its pioneering work in vision rehabilitation services, education, research and advocacy, Lighthouse International enables people of all ages who are blind or partially sighted to lead independent and productive lives. Founded in 1905 and headquartered in New York, Lighthouse International is a not-for-profit organization.

The Lighthouse offers numerous educational opportunities including the Vision Rehabilitation Assistant (VRA) program. The VRA program trains persons to assist rehabilitation teachers, orientation and mobility specialists and low vision therapists in the provision of services to persons who are visually impaired.

Source of official student records: Director of Continuing Education, Lighthouse International, 111 East 59th Street, New York, New York 10022-1202.

Titles of all evaluated learning experiences
Vision Rehabilitation Assistant Training Program

Descriptions and credit recommendations

Vision Rehabilitation Assistant Training Program
Location: 111 East 59th Street, New York, NY.
Length: 380 hours (18 weeks); in addition, students complete a 16 week (28 hours per week) supervised internship in a school or agency setting.
Dates: July 1997 - Present.
Objectives: Under the direction of a vision rehabilitation professional in a school or agency setting, reinforce the skills of child, youth, and adult consumers in the following areas: orientation and mobility in controlled, protected environments; use of prescribed low vision devices; adaptive techniques for daily living and communication.
Instruction: Rehabilitation teaching, including telephone usage, money differentiation, household chores, child care, use of large print, Grade I Braille, telling time, clothing/dressing, stove and oven usage, personal grooming, and personal management; orientation and mobility, including orientation process, protective techniques, indoor travel, and touch technique in controlled, protected environments; low vision, including explaining the low vision examination procedure to a consumer, and how to handle and reinforce the use of optical devices with a consumer. The course emphasizes three additional competency areas for vision rehabilitation assistants, which are integrated with the preceding topics: effective communication with consumers and colleagues; professionalism and ethical standards; and instructional strategies. Instruction in these competencies is designed to ease the transition of the students into a structured vision rehabilitation work environment.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/ associate degree category, 8 semester hours in Vision Rehabilitation Assisting, and 3 semester hours as a practicum in Vision Rehabilitation Assisting (6/00) (4/06 revalidation).

Updated 5/29/07

Return to all CCR Online  listings