About Us : Newsletters : VITP Visionaire Fall 1998
Please Note: As this is an archive of a previous newsletter, information may no longer be applicable. At time of original publication, however, all information was verified as accurate. The format of this publication may differ from what was originally published, and may include ommissions such as no longer-relavent contact information.
New O&M Training Program Start-Up
With the recent appointment of Dr. Laura Bozeman as the Coordinator of the Orientation & Mobility Training Program, the latest professional training sequence within the NCCU-VITP has been established. The NCCU O&M Training Program will be a graduate-level program plan designed to prepare Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists (COMS) in the assessment, evaluation, and training of travel skills used by persons with visual impairments. The faculty of the VITP has already started the necessary application procedures for certification through the AERBVI Division 9 University Certification Committee. It is anticipated that a favorable AERBVI review will occur within the first year of the program start-up.
In preparation for the O&M certification program, four new courses have been introduced into the VITP: Sensory & Motor Development for the Visually Impaired Learner; Orientation & Mobility Praxis I; Orientation & Mobility Praxis II; and Orientation & Mobility for Special Populations. Two additional courses were also created to identify Orientation & Mobility Practice Teaching and Internship placements.
Program participants may take a sequence of study which leads to a graduate degree in Special Education (M.Ed.) concurrent with certification in O&M or, dependent upon an individual's academic background, take only those courses necessary to obtain AERBVI Certification.
The NCCU O&M Training Program has already begun accepting applications from around North Carolina and the surrounding areas. The high demand for this specialized training is evident: inquiries and applications are being received daily. Despite its recent beginnings, six students have already been accepted into the training program and four students have already begun their advanced sequence of study. Because the AERBVI Division 9 Certification University Standards Committee establishes specific enrollment limits on some O&M classes, it is recommended that persons interested in this program submit their applications as soon as possible. For further information, please contact Dr. Laura Bozeman at 919.560.5179 or at 1.800.532.3937.
New VITP Faculty and Staff Appointments
Dr. Brad R. Walker, VITP Director, announced the recent appointment of Dr. Laura Bozeman as the newest program faculty member. With this appointment, Dr. Bozeman will become the coordinator for the Orientation & Mobility (O&M) training component that began in the Fall Semester of 1998. In addition to her duties as O&M Program Coordinator, Dr. Bozeman will be responsible for the instruction of the O&M course work as well as the advising of O&M Certification students.
Dr. Bozeman, who recently earned her doctorate from The University of Texas at Austin, comes to us from the Outreach Program of the Governor Morehead School for the Blind. In addition to her 25 years of experience and expertise in Orientation & Mobility, Dr. Bozeman brings with her a background in low vision, multi-handicap, and rehabilitation services. Dr. Bozeman has a Black Belt in Karate and is nationally noted for her presentations on self-defense for persons with visual impairments.
We would also like to welcome the recent appointment of Mrs. Carolyn Hedgepeth as the new Office Assistant for the Visual Impairment Training Program. Mrs. Hedgepeth comes to us from the Office of Human Resources/Personnel at NCCU and possesses more than 15 years of experience with the North Carolina Central University system. Mrs. Hedgepeth has already proven herself an invaluable resource to VITP faculty and students alike. Mrs. Hedgepeth may be reached at 919.530.5179.
VITP/GMS PDS Partnership
NCATE recently announced their development of National Standards and Review Criteria for Professional Development Schools. From more than 200 applications, the NCCU-VITP/GMS PDS partnership was one of the 20 sites selected by NCATE to pilot these new standards. The VITP/GMS Partnership is very proud of this award and believes that this process will keep the partnership on the cutting edge of the new NCATE standards as they are finalized.