Access and Technology Professional Division
Statement of Purpose
The Access and Technology Professional Division builds a community to promote collective action towards low vision and non-visual accessibility of information, media, digital tools, and computing technology. We exchange resources to support the professional development of division members. Our community of practice supports and empowers members in providing innovative assistive technology and accessibility solutions that foster independence, inclusion, and equity in education, employment, and daily life.
Statement of Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Advance Professional Competence in Access and Technology
Objectives:
- Disseminate professional resources, research opportunities, and best practices for access and technology service delivery.
- Offer continuing education, webinars, and conference programming aligned with ACVREP, and other credentials.
- Promote best practices in access and technology in all areas of the expanded core curriculum and lifespan.
Goal 2: Enhance Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Objective:
- Create collaborations across AER divisions on issues of intersecting access and technology needs.
Goal 3: Promote Student, Trainee, and Emerging Professional Engagement
Objectives:
- Provide networking spaces, leadership opportunities, and opportunities for students to be engaged in webinars and conference programming.
- Encourage university programs to engage with the division for curriculum relevance and fieldwork placement opportunities.
- Develop a scholarship for university or vocational students who are enrolled in assistive technology programs focused on preparing incoming professionals for careers in teaching AT to people who are blind or who have low vision.
Membership Criteria and Acceptable Documentation
To become a Fellow of the AER Access and Technology Professional Division, one (1) of the following pathways are required to meet membership criteria.
Pathway 1: A university degree or graduate certificate in AT for people who are blind, deafblind, or who have low vision; as evidenced by diploma, graduate certificate, or transcript (official/unofficial)
Pathway 2: Certification by an appropriate certifying body in the area of AT for people who are blind, deafblind, or who have low vision, including CATIS or NCATB; as evidenced by CATIS or NCATB certificate or credential number
Pathway 3: Actively employed in a professional role teaching AT to people who are blind, deafblind, or who have low vision, as demonstrated by a resume, CV, or signed letter from an employer; As evidenced by an employer letter, CV or resume
Members may participate in this Professional Division as either a Fellow or an Associate Member.
- Fellow: Fellows are voting members of the Professional Division. To be considered for Fellow status, members must submit acceptable documentation showing that they meet the approved membership criteria for this division.
- Associate Member: Associate Members are non-voting members of the Professional Division. Documentation is not required. Associate Members will receive division-specific communications and may be invited to division webinars, meetings, and events.
To join the Access and Technology Professional Division, please email [email protected] and clearly indicate whether you are requesting to participate as a Fellow or as an Associate Member.
If requesting Fellow status, please attach acceptable documentation for review. Notification of review status will be provided within one week of email receipt.