Students in the WSB Assistive Technology Instructor (ATI) program will learn to teach individuals the functional use of a wide variety of AT hardware and software. Students will also develop an instructional mindset, leaving the program with a toolkit they will be able to use in every teaching role. The Assistive Technology Instructor program has two tracks - CATIS (Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for the blind and visually impaired) and the WSB ATI track. The Prerequisites for both paths are the same.

WSB is honored to partner with ACVREP to provide a path to CATIS certification as a Category 3 applicant. A Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments, ("CATIS"), is a highly trained expert who specializes in working with individuals who are blind, visually impaired or who have functional visual limitations, and empowers them to achieve their life goals for education, employment, avocation and independence through the use of assistive technology.

Earning the CATIS grants eligibility to work for federal and state agencies for the rehabilitation for the blind and visually impaired and k12 institutions. The path to CATIS is 18-24 months.

Individuals seeking CATIS will earn 350 teaching hours during the WSB program and earn an additional 1150 service hours through a post-graduation internship or on the job. Once an individual has earned their CATIS, they must provide proof of continuing education hours every 2 years to recertify.

Students will graduate with competencies in the 4 core domain areas of a CATIS, assessment, instruction, configuration and exploration.

Students will learn to teach individuals the functional use of a wide variety of AT hardware and software. Students also develop an instructional mindset leaving the program with a toolkit they will be able to use in every teaching role.

Students will attain the following skills:

Demonstrate a working understanding of teaching technique and theory. 

Conduct comprehensive assessments on clients for determining their needs based on the client, the context in which the technology will be used, and the client’s skills and abilities. 

Write recommendation reports based on assessment data.

Analyze unfamiliar hardware or software, identify its functions and features, and create lesson plans for the technology.

Pass the JAWS for Windows, NVDA, and ZoomText certification examinations. 

Demonstrate an understanding of assessment frameworks and interview techniques. 

Show a basic understanding of the ocular system and understand the rudiments of reading a student’s visual acuity report.

Pass all Microsoft Instructional Mastery Exams. These exams measure the client’s proficiency with Microsoft applications, as well as the client’s understanding of how access technologies interact with those applications

Participate with other students as part of a team and display networking skills.

Demonstrate professional conduct and exemplify strong ethics.

Read braille at 10 words per minute and exhibit a working understanding of braille displays, literacy, and practical use

Demonstrate an understanding of both hardware and software magnification solutions. Hardware magnifiers include handheld magnifiers, stand magnifiers, and CCTV’s (closed Circuit Televisions. Software-based magnification systems include Windows Magnifier, Zoom Text Magnifier, and magnification applications found on smartphones

Hold a basic understanding of Information Technology systems.

Here is a list of things you’ll need to review if you are interested in becoming an Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist:

1.     The CATIS homepage

2.     The CATIS Handbook

3.     Category 3 Eligibility for CATIS Applicants

4.     CATIS SCOPE OF PRACTICE

5.     Body of Knowledge & Competencies

6.     History of the CATIS

7.     CATIS Code of Ethics

•Assistive technology instructor/trainer (organization-based or field work positions);

•Access Technology consultant

•Assistive technology support technician (remote or office-based positions);

•Independent AT assessment/ instructor trainer as a state vendor 

•Website accessibility consultant (company or independent contractor-based positions).

WSB offers a stand-alone 12 month Assistive Technology Instructor program. Individuals who graduate from this program are not CATIS certified, but still boast strong skills as an assistive technology instructor. Students enrolled in this course must earn 350 teaching hours, pass ZoomText, JAWS, and NVDA certifications, and are evaluated on their understanding of assessment, instruction, configuration, and exploration as an AT instructor. These graduates are not eligible to work with federal or state agencies or k-12 institutions.

•High school diploma or GED

•Successful completion of the AT proficiency test

•Print reading speed of 100 wpm, with 75% comprehension

•Braille reading speed of 30 wpm (if primary Braille user), or 10 wpm (if non-Braille user)

•Keyboarding speed of 30 wpm

•12th-grade spelling and grammar level

•Strong logical reasoning ability and emotional maturity

•Ability to learn and retain information  

•Good interpersonal relationship qualities

•Ability to work in a high-tech environment

•Ability to adapt to constant change

Workforce Development Services are offered at WSB to provide individuals with visual impairments with the tools needed to enhance and sustain their employability. Through our prevocational and vocational training programs, we provide the education and skills training to jobseekers that employers are looking to hire long term. By producing qualified workers, it helps the individual become more marketable and benefits the employer by reducing their cost of on-the-job training and improving turnover rates for their company. WSB’s focus is to provide services of employment assistance for jobseekers with visual impairments which will assist them in getting competitive integrated employment. Through job preparation and job coaching, certain tools and resources will be provided for the client to be successful in their job search, such as assistance in locating local job fairs, employment workshops, and/or participation in online or virtual job fairs.

In the first 30 days, an extensive assessment is completed in order for WSB to meet the client’s needs where they are. An extensive Interpretive Career Report will be provided to the client and their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor on the assessment of their career interests, career training potentials, job satisfaction indicators, career exploration and career recommendations completed with the assistance of our qualified workforce staff and a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. Each client’s program will be individualized based on their needs and level of employability. During the skills evaluation period, students will work on a career readiness program tailored to their personal needs in areas such as, their academic skills in areas they may need improvement, assistive technology and computer literacy, daily living skills, and orientation and mobility skills training. Each individual will learn how to complete a resume or update their current resume, interviewing skills, “dress for success” skills, participate in mock interviews, learn soft skills, independent living skills and essential workplace skills. This will assist in the client’s preparation and future choices of a Pre-Vocational or Vocational program, or their area of interest for employment.

Internships:

WSB offers opportunities for internships, on-the-job training, or work experience training to allow an individual who is blind or visually impaired to acquire the knowledge and skills required for the performance of a specific job.  These work opportunities, when properly planned and monitored, can serve as a valuable service to people who are blind and visually impaired to acquire job skills.  These opportunities may be unpaid, paid or client will receive an agreed upon stipend, depending on the rules of your state agency and your individual plan of employment.  Opportunities are available for graduates of WSB vocational programs, clients trying to build job experience/work history, or professionals needing to learn additional skills in one of our many career tracks.  For more information contact us at Training@wsblind.org.