Braille Training Grant

Exciting Braille Teaching Professional Development Opportunity

Are you a teacher of students with visual impairments (TVIs) who wants to “level up” your braille instruction?

The University of Massachusetts Boston Vision Studies and the Northeast Resource Center for Vision Education (NERCVE) are excited to announce a fantastic year-long professional development opportunity for TVIs! Funded by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), this project aims to enhance braille access for all learners.  

Am I eligible?

Do you think a refresher in the braille code and pedagogy would enhance your ability to teach braille? We are looking to recruit 20 TVIs currently working in the field who have at least 5 years of experience.  . 

We will give preference to TVIs who have the greatest potential to impact students with the least access to quality braille instruction, including (but not limited to) rural communities, high poverty schools, tribal communities, and schools with state improvement plans. 

What is required of me if I join?  

By joining the cohort, you will: 

  • commit to a 10-month long training from September 2025 through June 2026
  • complete work asynchronously online with 1–3 hours of total content per week, and may be asked to meet synchronously up to once per month
  • assist us with ongoing annual data collection about how this professional development opportunity impacts your work (approximately 1–2 hours per year commitment until the grant ends in 2029
  • receive a $2,000 stipend upon completion of the yearlong training to help offset costs of participation,  such as childcare, internet connection, or technology 

What topics does this professional development opportunity cover? 

  • Refresher in the Unified English Braille Code
  • Braille in Math Contexts
  • Embedding Braille in the Core Curriculum (including STEM)
  • Braille Instructional Strategies
  • Braille for Dual/Media Learners
  • Braille Technology
  • Braille Instruction for Learners with Additional Disabilities
  • Early Childhood
  • Braille and Multilingual Learners
  • Partnering with Families of all Backgrounds

Apply Now!

Questions? Email Allie at Alexandra.futty [at] umb.edu (Alexandra[dot]futty[at]umb[dot]edu).