Surviving and Thriving with Progressive Vision Loss While Becoming a Vision Professional: A Collaborative Approach

Abstract This article reflects the experiences of an instructor in a personnel preparation program training a student with low vision in becoming the instructor in the basic human guide technique and other indoor basic skills. In university programs, instructors are often puzzled when teacher candidates who are blind or low vision (BLV) enter their classes and accommodations beyond accessible MS Word documents or books need to be considered. Actively seeking student input and preferences to ensure that learning may take place allows for cocreation of knowledge. This article, through reflection, highlights an approach of the sighted instructor while also providing specific accommodations or modifications for techniques that may add to the safety of both the traveler and the guide from the teacher candidate’s perspective. The techniques offered can provide a possible solution for BLV travelers, instructors in teacher preparation programs, or to travelers with visual impairments.