University of Kentucky Visual Impairment Program

We are incredibly proud of our graduates and faculty for representing our program and the blind community in such meaningful ways!
This past weekend, Rhonda Triplett, a graduate of our Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) program, and Bethany Shearer, a graduate of our TVI program and soon-to-be graduate of our Orientation & Mobility (O&M) program, joined Professor Dr. Amanda Lannan at the Envision Blind Sports Rock Climbing event at Red River Gorge.
The weekend provided an amazing opportunity for students and adults who are blind or visually impaired to come together for hiking, rock climbing, and outdoor adventure. Events like these showcase the importance of recreation, independence, confidence, and community for individuals with visual impairments.
We are so proud to see our graduates and faculty supporting inclusive opportunities and helping make outdoor adventures accessible to all. What a fantastic weekend of exploration, challenge, and connection!

Our VI faculty is not just making a positive impact in Kentucky but also internationally. At the end of May, Dr. Justin Kaiser had the privilege of teaching a five-day intensive O&M course in collaboration with the Latvian Blind Society and the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation. It was an enriching experience, offering the opportunity to work with a diverse group of professionals while gaining insight into the local culture.

Our Cohort 13 students spent an incredible weekend learning about the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and preparing for their summer practicum placements! The weekend concluded with one of our favorite hands-on activities—cooking under sleep shades—giving students valuable insight into teaching nonvisual skills and fostering independence.
A huge thank you to Maranda and Barry from the Fayette County Cooperative Extension Office for graciously allowing us to use their wonderful facility and for supporting our students throughout the cooking experience.
This summer, our students will travel across Kentucky gaining invaluable experience while making a positive impact in the lives of children and youth who are blind, low vision, and DeafBlind. They will be working with students ranging from preschool through high school at a variety of outstanding programs, including Winsight, Camp Abilities at Clovernook, the KSB Summer Program, KSB Summer Work Program, PATH, ECC Week, and VIPS.
We are incredibly grateful for the collaboration and partnership of these programs. Through these experiences, our students gain practical skills, professional insight, and meaningful opportunities to support the next generation of individuals with visual impairments. We can't wait to see all they accomplish this summer!

Congratulations to our wonderful instructor, Misty Epperson, on her nomination for an Excellence in Teaching award. We are honored to have you as a faculty member and appreciate all you do for our students.

Thank you to the UK College of Education for documenting yesterday’s graduation. Misty, Dr. Lee, and Dr. Kaiser were all smiles as they celebrated their students’ big day!

The TVI and O&M programs warmly congratulate our 2026 graduates, five of whom participated in the commencement ceremony today, and we were delighted to attend and capture a moment with the graduates afterwards. Congratulations class of 2026!

Michelle Patton, a student in our TVI program, volunteered at the Envision Blind Sports Kentucky Kickoff Clinic over the weekend. During the event, participants took part in Blind Soccer, Home Run Derby, and tandem bike riding. Envision Blind Sports provides specialized sports clinics, summer camps, and outdoor adventures tailored to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Michelle we are so proud of your commitment to students and community.
Envision Blind Sports

Our TVI Cohort 12 had their last in-person weekend, where they modeled their abacus skills and learned Braille music. On Saturday evening, our TVIs gathered for the second annual graduation party. We love how our TVIs become like family as they complete their degrees. We are so proud of our graduates! We missed those who were unable to attend the party.

A collaborative presentation was led by KSB Outreach Consultant Gina Quaid, SouthEast SouthCentral Educational Coop Consultant Annie Connor, and UK TVI instructor Misty Epperson for teachers of students with complex needs. The session covered effective strategies for supporting students with Cortical Visual Impairments, including the implementation of Hand-under-hand techniques. Thank you SouthEast SouthCentral for inviting us to share this information and providing your teachers a CVI Kit where they can immediately implement strategies learned from this training.