WMU’s orientation and mobility and vision rehabilitation therapy personnel preparation programs are the longest-running programs of their kind in the U.S. Over the past 58 years, in close collaboration with state vocational rehabilitation agencies and Veterans Administration Hospitals, our program has been the nation’s largest preparer of VRTs and O&M specialists. Our department has also spent decades preparing Teachers of Children with Visual Impairments and has recently begun training professionals in Assistive Technology.
We welcome you to explore studies in this exciting field that promotes productive and independent lifestyles and helps:
- Adults and children to travel independently around the house and around the world.
- Adults to gain skills to compete for professional positions.
- Children to succeed in educational programs and learn academic curriculum and expanded core curriculum skills.
- Adults and children to gain proficiency in using modern assistive technologies.
Our programs
Master's Degrees:
Meet our faculty
Learn a little more about the Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies, and a little bit about our instructors in a #FacultyFeature video with Dr. Elyse Connors.
Jobs in the Field of Vision
100%
of Blindness and Low Vision Studies graduates reported that they had a mentor in the college that encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams
94%
of Blindness and Low Vision Studies graduates are working full-time or continuing their education
100%
of Blindness and Low Vision Studies graduates participated in an experiential-driven learning experience
News and Updates
Outcomes
Graduation, Employment, and Certification Stats - Fall 2019 – Summer II 2024
| One year retention rate | Graduation rate | Average time to completion (years) | % of graduates who are employed | % of graduates who are ACVREP certified in the area of training | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-person | online | |||||
| Orientation and Mobility | 97% | 92% | 1.58 | 1.88 | 98% | 83% |
| Vision Rehabilitation Therapy | 97% | 94% | 1.96 | 2.38 | 100% | 87% |
| Assistive Technology | 86% | 71% | NA | 1.59 | 100% | 60% |
Note: The average time to completion indicated above was inflated since some of the students simultaneously pursued multiple degrees, and as a result, it took longer for them to complete each degree.