[visionrehabtherapist] Re: TVIs as VRTs
- From: Coby Livingstone <coby.livingstone@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "B.J. LeJeune" <BJLejeune@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 14:14:04 -0600
BJ
Thank you for your insight and comments regarding OT and VRT.
I'm wondering what the next step should be for the CVRT. Should we
advocate for our own professional organization...now? Should we advocate
and agitate AERBVI and ACVREP for help:
1. In increasing the recognition of CVRT by other professionals,
2. To increase the number and quality of training programs,
3. To collaborate effectively with COMS, CLVT, TVI, OT, Vocational
Counselors in Vision Rehab, Consumer Groups (NFB certification) etc.
Coby Livingstone
On Mon, Sep 30, 2013 at 8:59 AM, B.J. LeJeune
<BJLejeune@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> Hi Coby,
>
> It is good to meet you and learn of the AERBVI Licensure Task Force. With
> the shortage of VRTs I think licensure in many places will be unrealistic
> and perhaps a little premature. Will a state go through the expense and
> processes necessary to set up a licensure program when they only have
> 5-10-20 certified professionals in the state? I agree that licensure is
> probably a very positive thing in states that have a good number of
> professionals, but we need to get our numbers up first. Requiring another
> "hoop" for people to go through to practice doesn't make sense as we try to
> recruit people into the field and encourage certification. If
> certification is required to be licensed, there will be a lot of states
> that will be in big trouble because many of their agency trained staff are
> not certified. Do we think these practitioners are a danger to the clients
> they serve? It seems like that would be part of the issue (see definition
> below). We also work under many different titles - braille
> teacher, independent living specialist, rehabilitation teacher, assistive
> technology instructor, Occupational Therapists, etc. We need to do some
> work within our profession before we are ready for licensure. Just my
> opinion.
>
> See this defining of licensure from Wikipedia (I know that is not the best
> source but I think they state it well).
> *Licensure* means a restricted practice requiring a
> license<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/License>,
> which gives a "permission to practice." Such licenses are usually issued in
> order to regulate some activity that is deemed to be dangerous or a threat
> to the person or the public or which involves a high level of specialized
> skill. The danger and skill elements inspire governments not to allow a
> free-for-all, but to regulate the activity, and licensing is a
> well-established and convenient method of regulation. Licensing includes
> such things as pilot and driving licenses, licenses to play professional
> sports, etc. In the case of certain occupations and professions, licensing
> is often granted through a professional
> body<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_body>or a licensing board
> composed of advanced practitioners who oversee the
> applications for licenses. This often involves accredited training and
> examinations, but varies a great deal for different activities and in
> different countries. Practicing without a
> license<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Practicing_without_a_license>may carry
> civil or criminal penalties.
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> BJ
>
>
> *B. J. LeJeune, M.Ed., CRC, CVRT
> *NRTC on Blindness and Low Vision
> Mississippi State University
> P. O. Box 6189
> Mississippi State, Ms 39762
> bjlejeune@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 662-325-2694
> FAX 662-325-8989
>
> >>> Coby Livingstone <coby.livingstone@xxxxxxxxx> 9/28/2013 7:07 AM >>>
> Good Morning
> AERBVI has a Licensure Task Force, convened by the Board earlier this
> year. Would state licensure and certification of VRT's assist in
> maintaining and developing the profession of VRT? Vision Rehabilitation
> Teachers (Therapists) are the foundation of Vision Rehabilitation since the
> very beginning!
>
> How successful are OT's, with no training in Vision Rehabilitation Frame
> of Reference, in school systems and agencies? Are university Training
> programs addressing this issue with classes, research or other mechanisms?
> Coby Livingstone, OTR/L, CVRT
> Low Vision Solutions for Adults
>
>
> On Fri, Sep 27, 2013 at 3:57 PM, <l.mowerson@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>>
>> Again Not to harp on the issue, it is not duct the fact that OT's can
>> bill medicaid but the fact that OTs training programs and tearily graduates
>> out number VRTs 100 to 1! The sheer percentage of available personnel in
>> VRT just does not exist.
>> Lisa-Anne
>>
>>
>
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