Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments (CATIS) Eligibility

Critera for Eligibility

Category 1

University/College Degree Program in Assistive Technology for the Blind/Visually Impaired

1. University/college bachelors or higher degree in Assistive Technology for the Blind/Visually Impaired (or equivalent foreign degree or diploma as verified by a NACES organization)
2. 350 hour internship (See Internship Requirements on page 19) (may include Off-Site CATIS Supervision)

Documentation required:

1. Original transcript from your educational institution(s)
2. ACVREP CATIS Clinical Competency Evaluation Form signed by a CATIS
3. Offsite Supervision Form if applicable

University Certificate Program in Assistive Technology for the Blind/Visually Impaired

1. Education Requirement (any of the following)
   1. University/college bachelors in any field combined with a graduate degree in vision studies (or equivalent foreign degree or diploma as verified by a NACES organization)
   2. A licensed or certified TVI
   3. Certification in COMS, CVRT or CLVT
2. University Certificate Program in Assistive Technology for the Blind/Visually Impaired
3. 350 hour internship (See Internship Requirements on page 19) (may include Off-Site CATIS Supervision)

Documentation required:

1. Original transcripts from your educational institution(s) for the bachelors or equivalent and proof of completion of the Certificate program
2. Core Domain Education Checklist
3. ACVREP CATIS Clinical Competency Evaluation Form signed by a CATIS
4. Offsite Supervision form if applicable

Category 2

1. In this Category candidates MUST meet both the educational and work experience requirements for ONE of the combinations listed below. You are eligible if you meet any one of the combined requirements below.
2. Additionally you must complete a 350 hour internship. This may be done at the place of your current employment [with Off-Site CATIS Supervision if needed]. This internship may be completed as the last 350 hours of your required work experience requirement. (See Internship Requirements on page 19)
   
   

Category 2 Educational and Work Experience Requirement:

Degree	AT Education/Technical Training in Assistive Technology for individuals who are blind/visually impaired (1)	General Technical Training (2)	Direct work experience providing assistive technology evaluation and training to individuals who are blind/visually impaired (3)
Master's degree with an emphasis in vision studies including TVI, VRT, LVT, O&M	Post-secondary credit hours of AT education or technical training equal of no less than 30 contact hours	15 post-secondary contact hours	1,000 hours in the most recent 3 years
Master's degree in Special Education or Rehabilitation with no emphasis in vision studies	Post-secondary credit hours of AT education or technical training equal to no less than 45 contact hours	15 post-secondary contact hours	1,500 hours in the most recent 3 years
Bachelor's degree or higher in any other field	Post-secondary credit hours of AT education or technical training equal to no less than 60 contact hours	15 post -secondary contact hours	2,000 hours in the most recent 3 years
For a limited time until closed by ACVREP Associates Degree or 2 or 3 year post secondary diploma	Post-secondary credit hours of AT education or technical training equal to no less than 90 contact hours	15 post-secondary contact hours	9,000 hours in the most recent 8 years
For a limited time until closed by ACVREP High School diploma	Post-secondary credit hours of AT education or technical training equal to no less than 120 contact hours	15 post -secondary contact hours	12,000 hours in the most recent 10 years

Category 2 Eligibility Criteria Definitions:

1. AT Education/Technical Training in Assistive Technology for individuals who are blind/visually impaired:
   
   This consists of education, courses, or classes that are focused on a blindness related assistive technology such as a specific screen reader, screen magnification, refreshable braille device, or blindness specific OCR software, as well as any speech, refreshable braille or large print dedicated standalone device, or similar software for desktop, laptop or mobile solution, including braille translation software and embossing devices.
   
   This education and training may be completed within your degree program or outside of your degree program as additional education and training.
   
   Contact hours are computed as follows:
   1. 1 semester credit hour = 15 contact hours
   2. 1 trimester credit hour = 14 contact hours
   3. 1 quarter credit hour = 10 contact hours
   
   
2. General Technical Training
   Technical training consists of post-secondary education, courses, or classes specific to mainstream hardware and/or software such as a word processing course or any CompTIA (Computer Technology Industry Association) certification.
   
   Contact hours are computed as follows:
   
   1. 1 semester credit hour = 15 contact hours
   2. 1 trimester credit hour = 14 contact hours
   3. 1 quarter credit hour = 10 contact hours
      
      
3. Direct work experience providing assistive technology evaluation and training to individuals who are visually impaired  
   Direct consumer related services in Assistive Technology are defined as those services that are provided in-person to consumers and others related to or working with consumers. Work must be remunerated (does not include pre-professional training) and the total time required must have been gained within most recent applicable years based on the degree under which you are applying.
   
   It may include the following:
   
   1. Evaluations, assessments, and other direct-to-consumer/student services
   2. Implementation and training for consumers and/or students
   3. Limited training provided to caregivers, support personnel, teacher's aides, TVIs, etc. in some instances as reinforcement of training being provided by CATIS (not to exceed 5% of total time)
   4. Time spent preparing and writing assessment/instructional reports not to exceed 10% of total time
   5. Time spent in staffing and interdisciplinary meetings not to exceed 5% of total time
      
      
   Expressly excluded from Direct Service include the following:
   1. Administrative tasks and paperwork processing such as scheduling, ordering technology, billing and collection related tasks.
   2. Instruction and Research that does not include consumer contact

Category 2 Documentation Required:

1. Official transcripts documenting all education and technical training - documentation will be reviewed for conformity to guidelines
2. Core Domain Area Education Checklist
3. Work experience verification
   1. For employees a letter(s) in the form provided as [Appendix] from your place of employment (s) on their letterhead stating the cumulative hours of direct professional service while in their employment. Total hours verified must equal the hours required based on your educational background, and reflect the appropriate approved percentages of services provided
   2. For Independent Contractors either copies of contracts that verify hours supplied, invoices paid or letter(s) from the contract parties verifying direct service hours provided to their clients
4. ACVREP CATIS Clinical Competency Evaluation Form signed by a CATIS
5. Offsite CATIS Supervision form, if applicable. This form must be submitted to ACVREP for approval prior to the start of the internship.

Internship Requirements for both Category 1 and 2:

Internship must be supervised by a CATIS either onsite or off-site. Off-site Supervision form must be submitted to ACVREP for approval prior to the start of the internship.

1. Total Internship hours of 350
2. 280 hours of the Internship must be Direct Service that may include the following:
1. Evaluations, assessments, and other direct-to-consumer/student services
2. Implementation and training for consumers and/or students
3. Limited training provided to caregivers, support personnel, teacher's aides, TVIs, etc. in some instances as reinforcement of training being provided by CATIS (not to exceed 5% of total time)
4. Time spent preparing and writing assessment/instructional reports not to exceed 10% of total time
5. Time spent in staffing and interdisciplinary meetings not to exceed 5% of total time
   
   
Expressly excluded from Direct Service include the following:

1. Administrative tasks and paperwork processing such as scheduling, ordering technology, billing and collection related tasks.
2. Instruction and Research that does not include consumer contact