Northern Illinois University

Department of Teaching & Learning

Visual Disabilities Program

Overview

Northern Illinois University offers a comprehensive program for training professionals to provide educational and rehabilitation services for persons of all ages who are visually disabled. The program consists of three components. These are:

  • Training teachers for work in the schools with children who have visual disabilities
  • Training orientation and mobility specialists to work with children and/or adults who are visually disabled
  • Training rehabilitation teachers to work with adults who have visual disabilities.

Individuals who are interested in pursuing graduate degrees can choose any one or a combination of the three components. At the undergraduate level, students can major in special education for children who have visual disabilities. The orientation and mobility and rehabilitation components are available only at the graduate level.

The NIU training program is one of the most comprehensive in the nation. The wide array of courses offered in the area of visual disabilities at Northern Illinois University provides a high level of professional competence upon program completion.