Established in January
2000, the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals
(ACVREP) is a private, non-profit 501 (c) (6) organization.
It is an independent and autonomous legal certification body governed by a volunteer
Board of Directors. ACVREP’s mission is to offer professional certification
for vision rehabilitation and education professionals in order to improve service
delivery to persons with vision impairments. It is committed to quality certification
programs that meet rigorous recognized standards. Programs are designed to offer
certificants the means to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and professionalism.
ACVREP offers certification in three disciplines: Orientation
& Mobility, Vision Rehabilitation
Therapy (formerly Rehabilitation Teaching), and Low
Vision Therapy.
ACVREP is a member of the National Organization for Competency
Assurance (NOCA) and strives
to conduct its certification programs according to standards established by
the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
This is achieved by:
- Identifying the standards
common to employees in the vision rehabilitation and education professions,
including the body of knowledge and work experience required by the professions;
- Identifying the standards
across specialized areas of the vision rehabilitation and education professions;
- Supporting employees
and employers in using and applying the skill standards for personnel development;
- Creating a forum for
key stakeholders in the vision rehabilitation and education profession, including
employers, related health professionals, education professionals, and government
groups;
- Identifying relevant
materials and resources to assist in teaching the vision rehabilitation and
education standards;
- Devising and administering
written examinations according to standards developed by the corporation;
- Granting recognition
upon the successful application and completion of the certification examination,
and maintaining a listing of those persons granted such recognition;
- Monitoring and taking
action to revoke, suspend or continue certification based on adherence to
the standards by certificates;
- Establishing programs
that promote and support the reliance on the corporation's credentials by
the general public and by regulatory bodies.
