The Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI or AER) is a professional membership organization "dedicated exclusively to professionals who provide services to persons with vision loss." The organization provides networking and mentoring to members, and a variety of tools and training options to enhance professional development. Its ultimate aim is "to ensure that persons with vision loss will have optimal gains and greater independence" through being served by professionals with the highest levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities.
"to ensure that persons with vision loss will have optimal gains and greater independence"
Membership is open to individuals (Regular or International), students, and organizations. Each membership category can access a "membership toolkit" with specific materials and benefits. Membership benefits may include:
- Easy and affordable access to best practices & resources
- Professional Development & CE Hours
- Discounts on professional liability, auto, homeowners, pet, life and so many other types of insurance
- ID Shield (protection against identity theft)
- Legal Shield
- Access to online discussion groups
- Discounts on car rentals and hotels
- Networking opportunities
- Discounts on conference registration fees
- And, so much more! Learn More:All for Members
Professional development is promoted by face-to-face conferences, and via an online-learning partnership with the Perkins School for the Blind. Members can also earn Continuing Education hours by studying selected articles from the organization's Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness. Other publications include books, position papers, and, most recently, a comprehensive "Bill of Rights for All Children with Visual Impairment and Their Families."
ATTENTION STUDENTS: AER offers a variety ofscholarship opportunities. Three $2000 scholarships will be awarded in October to graduate students pursuing a career in Orientation and Mobility, or as teachers of the visually impaired. Applications are due by August 31, 2020. Additionally, two scholarships are offered every other even year (available again in 2022) to legally-blind applicants studying for a career in providing services to people who are visually impaired.
Further information about all of these resources, and downloads of important documents and this year's scholarship application, can be found by visiting the AERBVI website.