Vision professionals have the opportunity to make positive changes in another person's life. There is a variety of professions in the vision community, a number of different types of working environments and employment options. Vision professionals work with public or private organizations, with children and adults, and with educational, medical, and rehabilitation professionals.

For a full listing of jobs in the vision field, visit AER's Job Exchange, the best place to find vision jobs!

Vision professionals include:

Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments help children explore the world by learning how to interpret what they hear, feel, and smell.

Orientation and Mobility Specialists are travel specialists who show children and adults how to travel independently, safely, and efficiently.

Vision Rehabilitation Therapists, who were formerly known as Rehabilitation Teachers, are specialists in independent living.  They help people with limited vision create new approaches to familiar routines so they can live on their own terms.

Rehabilitation Counselors are employment specialists that connect people who are blind or visually impaired with technology, employment training and the support they need to gain employment.

Low Vision Therapists use tools and techniques to maximize vision and make everyday activities easier.

Steps to Becoming a Professional in the Vision Community:

All of the professions require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree; some in a discipline-specific area, such as education, some in a related field, such as rehabilitation teaching.

·         For the teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI), many states only have post-baccalaureate programs.  Depending on the individual's educational background, some people may be able to complete the certification-only requirements, while some are required to get a master’s degree.  One must be certified to be hired as a TVI.

·         For Orientation & Mobility Specialists (O&M), the requirements are the same as they are for the TVI.  O&M professionals may hold a bachelor’s, attend a post-baccalaureate certification-only program or a master’s program.  One must be certified to be hired as a O&M specialist.

·         The certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists must obtain a master's degree. However, not all VRTs are certified, nor are they required to have a Master’s degree to be hired.

·         To be a Rehabilitation Counselor one is required to have a Master’s degree.  However, a hiring agency may or may not require a Master’s degree or certification.

·         Low Vision Therapists (LVTs) may be either a bachelors or post-bac program.

University Programs to Become a Vision Professional: 

There are many colleges and universities around the world that offer programs of study to become a professional in the vision community.