Its primary goal is to prepare teachers to be highly skilled at working with students with visual impairment and blindness.
The VI Consortium is the only academic program for preparing teachers of students with blindness and vision impairment in Virginia and is comprised of three universities: George Mason University, Old Dominion University, and Radford University. Completion of the VI program meets the Virginia Department of Education’s required competencies for teachers of students who are blind and visually impaired.
01/04/2026
January 4 is Louis Braille's birthday and World Braille Day! The VI Consortium wishes each of you a wonderful World Braille Day!
Image description:
Flier for World Braille Day with blue and teal text reading “World Braille Day – January 4” and the tagline “Touching Lives through Literacy.” Features a child’s hands reading Braille and the text “Virginia Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Blindness and Vision Impairment” at the bottom.
10/04/2025
Live stream with audio described beep ball from the fields of George Mason University
Team Echo vs Team Grit Team Echo vs Team Grit
09/15/2025
Beep Baseball All-Star Weekend is coming to George Mason University! ⚾
Learn to Play Clinic - Friday, Oct 3 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Who’s it for?
- Individuals who are blind or visually impaired
- Family & friends who want to learn the sport
- Local volunteers ready to support
📍 GMU Fields 3 & 4 – 4605 Rapidan River Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
🚙 Accessible Parking and Drop-Off: Accessible parking is available in the lot next to Fields 4 and 5. Passenger drop-off is next to the check-in tent.
🎥 All games will be livestreamed with commentary by MindsEye Radio!
👉 Register now (QR codes) to play, learn, or volunteer.
Alt text:
Flyer for a Beep Baseball Learn to Play Clinic. At the top is a baseball graphic with the words ‘Beep Baseball – Learn to Play Clinic.’ The event is on Friday, October 3, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at George Mason University, between Field 3 and Field 4, located at 4605 Rapidan River Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. At the bottom are two QR codes labeled RSVP: one for adults (18+) and one for minors (under 18).
01/19/2025
Cerebral Visual Impairment Workshop with John Ravenscroft
Professor John Ravenscroft, PhD is the Director of the Scottish Sensory Centre, which provides career Long Professional Development for Teachers of Children with Sensory Impairment. He is based at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh and he is also the current Editor in Chief of the British Journal of Visual Impairment. He is the President of the International Council for Educators of Children with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) Europe and often lectures on cerebral visual impairment, inclusive education as well as research methods.
Professor Ravenscroft will be hosted by the Center for Movement, Health, & Disability at Old Dominion University, and will conduct a two day workshop on February 10th and 11th (2025) focused on CVI. Registration costs are $200.00 per person, lunch will be provided on the first day.
To register, please follow this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUa3sxCPmkadPTCyplVbsWmtDKwYEwIAqkfMQwfJqHo082zA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Contact Justin Haegele at [email protected] for questions.
Cerebral Visual Impairment Workshop: Featuring John Ravenscroft Thank you for your interest in joining the Center for Movement, Health, & Disability for this Cerebral Visual Impairment Workshop featuring John Ravenscroft. Professor Ravenscroft, PhD, is professor in the Moray House School of Education and Sport at the University of Edinburgh. He is also the Direc...
08/15/2024
A great program from our neighbors at George Mason University: BEEP Baseball
Join us for an exciting Beep Baseball Learn to Play event hosted by George Mason Recreation, in collaboration with the Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes, Northern Virginia Community College, George Mason Disability Services, the Philadelphia Fire, and Bayou City Heat. The event is open to all participants over the age of 15, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn and play beep baseball, an adaptive version of America's favorite pastime. The day includes a morning clinic, a provided lunch, and an afternoon scrimmage. Come ready to engage in physical activity on the field, and don't forget your athletic gear and baseball glove if you have one. We have a limited number of slots to ensure everyone gets ample time to play.
Date: Saturday, September 7
Cost: Free
Timeline:
10am - 12pm: Skills Clinic
12pm - 1pm: Lunch
1pm - 3pm: Scrimmage
Location: George Mason University, 4611 Rapidan River Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
For more information and registration, please visit the event webpage: https://mason360.gmu.edu/Recreation/rsvp_boot?id=2267054
07/01/2024
Registration for Beep Baseball Learn to Play Event on September 7 Now Open!
The Metropolitan Washington Association of Blind Athletes is cohosting the event with George Mason University, Nova community college, Philly fire, and Bayou city heat. Please review the information at the below link and register
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Beep Baseball Learn to Play Clinic - Mason Recreation BEEP BASEBALL: LEARN TO PLAY EVENT Date: September 7 Location: George Mason University, Field 4 Address: 4611 Rapidan River Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030 Registration Period: June 10 - August 30 Even...
04/01/2024
VSDB showcased for their amazing work! Congratulations to our colleagues and alumni for reaching national attention!!
Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind prepares students to live independently The Staunton school teaches everything from job skills to independent living.
01/16/2024
The VI Consortium congratulates Dr. Justin Haegele, our faculty liaison at Old Dominion University, for being selected as the SCHEV 2024 Outstanding Faculty Award winner!
Dr. Haegele has contributed to the field of blindness and visual impairment in many ways, including research, athletics, and promoting well-being for our students.
We are thrilled SCHEV has recognized the outstanding efforts of Dr. Haegele and are grateful to have the skills and expertise Dr. Haegele provides to the VI Consortium!
Sincerely,
The VI Consortium Faculty
ODU’s Justin Haegele Earns SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award By Victoria Bourne Professor Justin Haegele, director of the Center for Movement, Health & Disability in the Department of Human Movement Sciences and Special Education at Old Dominion University, has been named a 2024 Outstanding Faculty Award winner by the State Council of Higher Education for Vir...
UMass Boston will host two more O&M virtual informational sessions for the Virginia cohorts:
· Thursday, Oct 19 7:00pm
· Tuesday, Nov 28 7:00pm
If you are interested in attending, please email Darrick Wright [email protected]
03/07/2023
Friendly reminder of the benefits AIMVA provides for our students who are blind/visually impaired and/or impacted by print disabilities. AIMVA is featured at the 3:18 mark by Mason faculty, Dr. Marci Kinas Jerome and Cindy George. Likewise, many may not be aware, but Dr. Michael Behrmann, at the beginning of the video, is the one who completely transformed the VI Consortium when he was awarded the grant about 16 years ago with the guidance and direction of Dr. Kay Ferrell. Highlighted also in the video is our awesome colleague, Dr. Yoosun Chung, who demonstrates the positive impact of AAC.
The Helen Kellar Institute for Human Disabilities at George Mason University For over 20 years, The Helen Kellar Institute for Human Disabilities at George Mason University helps develop and conduct comprehensive research, implement i...
03/07/2022
What do you do when your student just doesn't want to learn a screen reader and only use their vision? We've got some tips for you if you're facing this challenge! Just join us at the MD DC AER Conference to learn more about how to possibly convince your student to use a screen reader. Registration is only $25 for non-members! https://dcmdaer.org/