1. PROFILE OF PERSONNEL PREPARATION PROGRAMS AND THEIR FACULTY IN BLINDNESS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT 2007-2008 by Grace Ambrose-Zaken, Ed.D. Hunter College CUNY and Laura Bozeman, Ph.D. University of Massachusetts at Boston

2. Surveyed University VI Programs US / Canada 2007-2008 Demographics Demographics Instructional Models Instructional Models Funding Formulae Funding Formulae

3. Background VI Professionals Require Unique, Specific Preparation VI Professionals Require Unique, Specific Preparation Graduate/Undergraduate University Programs Graduate/Undergraduate University Programs Need Continues to Grow with the Increase in Numbers of Individuals with VI Need Continues to Grow with the Increase in Numbers of Individuals with VI

4. National VI Data Numbers: Severe VI Increasing (all ages) Numbers: Severe VI Increasing (all ages) Children, Baby Boomers, Veterans Shortage of Qualified VI Personnel Shortage of Qualified VI PersonnelContinues

5. Life Impact Visual Impairment Affects Across the Lifespan Congenital: delayed developmental milestones Congenital: delayed developmental milestones Acquired: linked to increased unemployment Acquired: linked to increased unemployment

6. University-Prepared Professionals Lessen Impact of VI: Congenital/Acquired VI Improved Overall Skills Improved Independence Than those who received services from paraprofessionals

7. University VI Programs Growth has been slow Growth has been slow Difficulties recruiting into low incidence Difficulties recruiting into low incidence Lack of access in rural areas Lack of access in rural areas

8. Federal, State, Private Funding Grant monies help initiate VI programs Grant monies help initiate VI programs Challenge Challenge sustain low incidence program sustain low incidence program foster university ‘buy in’ foster university ‘buy in’

9. 5 th in a Series of Studies Evaluate Status of University VI Programs Evaluate Status of University VI Programs 2007-2008 2007-2008 Improvements Improvements Challenges Challenges

10. Method Contact information on each university (n=52) was obtained: Contact information on each university (n=52) was obtained: previous study databases previous study databases public websites (e.g., American Foundation for the Blind and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired) public websites (e.g., American Foundation for the Blind and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired) Word of mouth Word of mouth

11. Method A request to complete the Personnel Preparation Program (PPP) Survey was emailed to 52 coordinators. A request to complete the Personnel Preparation Program (PPP) Survey was emailed to 52 coordinators. The 52 Coordinators completed the 7 part survey and provided contact information full-time faculty (n=43). The 52 Coordinators completed the 7 part survey and provided contact information full-time faculty (n=43).

12. Method Subjects were contacted Subjects were contacted email request to complete the on-line, accessible surveys. email request to complete the on-line, accessible surveys. email included letter of consent and URL link to the surveys. email included letter of consent and URL link to the surveys. Subjects who did not respond to the initial email received follow-up phone contacts. Subjects who did not respond to the initial email received follow-up phone contacts. Often resulted in updated contact information. Often resulted in updated contact information.

13. Method Personnel Preparation Programs (PPP) Survey Part I – Demographic Information (Faculty Survey) Part I – Demographic Information (Faculty Survey) Part II – Program Demographics; Part II – Program Demographics; Part III – Availability of Programs; Part III – Availability of Programs; Part IV – Instructional Model; Part IV – Instructional Model; Part V – Funding; Part V – Funding; Part VI -- Doctoral Students and Part VI -- Doctoral Students and Part VII -- Open-ended Questions. Part VII -- Open-ended Questions.

14. Results Types of Programs 47 of 52 programs in the US (including Puerto Rico) and Canada responded with a completed survey or confirmation that the program had closed (response rate = 90.4%). 47 of 52 programs in the US (including Puerto Rico) and Canada responded with a completed survey or confirmation that the program had closed (response rate = 90.4%).

15. Results Types of Programs Seven programs (3 Canadian) completed the survey for the first time in 2008. Seven programs (3 Canadian) completed the survey for the first time in 2008. Five programs did not complete surveys confirmed active at the time of data collection. Five programs did not complete surveys confirmed active at the time of data collection.

16. Results As of 2008: 48 active university programs in 31 states, Puerto Rico and Canada with at least one program in VI specialization. 48 active university programs in 31 states, Puerto Rico and Canada with at least one program in VI specialization. 19 states and DC had no university prep programs in VI 19 states and DC had no university prep programs in VI AlaskaDelaware HawaiiConnecticut Idaho Kansas Maryland Maine GeorgiaMinnesota Montana Rhode Island IowaNevada Virginia New Hampshire Washington WyomingVermont

17. Results

19. Ten Greatest Challenges Number Number CitedTen Greatest Challenges to Personnel Preparation Programs in VI CitedTen Greatest Challenges to Personnel Preparation Programs in VI--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19Funding 19Funding 13Consequences of Low Enrollment 13Consequences of Low Enrollment 12Recruiting Candidates 12Recruiting Candidates 7Recruiting Qualified Leadership 7Recruiting Qualified Leadership 5Distance Learning 5Distance Learning 4Collaboration with Local Education Agencies (LEA) 4Collaboration with Local Education Agencies (LEA) 4Need for Balance: Scholarship, Teaching, Service 4Need for Balance: Scholarship, Teaching, Service 3Certification versus Masters Degree Programs 3Certification versus Masters Degree Programs 2Need for More VI Programs 2Need for More VI Programs 2Adjustment to Program Content to Reflect Advances 2Adjustment to Program Content to Reflect Advances

20. Trends Across the Five Studies Decrease in new programs: although increase in numbers of people with VI Decrease in new programs: although increase in numbers of people with VI Over 80% use some form of distance learning Over 80% use some form of distance learning Increase in grants: decrease in those paid from hard money Increase in grants: decrease in those paid from hard money Number of doctoral students remained constant- still unable to meet current/future need Number of doctoral students remained constant- still unable to meet current/future need FTE: nation-wide trend of understaffing in VI FTE: nation-wide trend of understaffing in VI Faculty Demographics: increase in women faculty; decrease in tenure/tenure track Faculty Demographics: increase in women faculty; decrease in tenure/tenure track