ACVREP was contacted about developing a certification for Canadian intervenors by key agencies in Canada that provide lifelong intervenor services for Canadian individuals who are Deafblind. 

After a meeting was convened in Canada that involved a broad group of stakeholders and service providers, ACVREP was chosen to develop the Certified Deafblind Intervenor Specialist certification (“CDBIS”).

 ACVREP's commitment to quality, builds confidence and trust in both employers and individuals seeking and receiving services. With certified credentials, a standard, consistent level of service knowledge is able to be maintained. It is a way for qualified persons who have worked, studied, and developed in the field of deafblindness to receive professional recognition.

ACVREP's certified professionals possess a level of quality and care that is unmatched in the fields such as Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists (COMS), Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT), Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT), Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS).

The first step in developing the certification was to establish a Subject Matter Expert Committee of individuals in Canada that are recognized internationally as leaders and experts in the field.  Much work had already been done in Canada to establish common standards and that provided a strong base for the certification to build on.

The ACVREP Certified Deafblind Intervenor Specialists (CDBIS) certification is designed to offer Intervenors the means to demonstrate to both employers and clients that they have the critical knowledge and skills that promote the provision of quality services and ethical practice in their field.

The certification criteria was developed by the Subject Matter Expert Committee and accepted by the ACVREP Board of Directors to be posted for a 30-day public comment period.

Click here to download the document:

• CDBIS Certification Criteria March 15 2020

The Board and the SME Committee welcome your comments. Once all comments have been reviewed and discussed with the SME Committee, the documents may be approved by the Board as presented or revised.

ACVREP has established an email address comments@acvrep.org in order to receive your comments. It is important that you place the word CDBIS in the subject line of your email. We will not be directly answering your emails, but each email will be reviewed by the SME Committee before making a final recommendation to the ACVREP Board of Directors on the final certification criteria.

The comment period will remain open until March 15 2020.