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(Click here for WORD version)

Our Mission

Advancing professional competency in vision rehabilitation and education to promote service quality.

Call for SME Committee Applications

The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) is seeking applications for membership on Subject Matter Expert (SME) committees for the certified professional domains of low vision therapy (LVT), orientation and mobility (O&M) and vision rehabilitation therapy (VRT).

Responsibilities of the Subject Matter Expert Committees

In accordance with industry standards established for certification organizations, the Subject Matter Expert (SME) committees are responsible for the following:

1. To continuously review and recommend further development of The Academy's professional standards and certification eligibility criteria.

2. To assist The Academy in maintaining requirements for certification that are fair, represent appropriate rigor and serve to establish the minimum level of individual professional competency required to meet the responsibilities of professional service.

3. To assist The Academy in developing items for the applicable certification exam based on The Academy's professional standards.

4. To assist The Academy in the statistical analysis of the applicable certification exam. This activity serves to maintain certification exams that are rigorous and appropriately measure and assess individual professional competency relevant to The Academy's professional standards.

Relevant Materials

To read the ACVREP SME Committee Policy, please select this link.

To learn more about the ACVREP SME Committee Member recruitment process, please select this link to read the SME Committee Member Recruitment Packet.

To read the ACVREP Open SME Committee Position Announcement, please select this link.

To access the ACVREP SME Committee membership Application, please select this link.

All materials are also posted to the ACVREP website at www.acvrep.org. Please click the "About ACVREP" tab and click the "SME Committees" link.

The Academy is an organization that values difference in background, perspective, beliefs, and traditions, in order to assist a diverse constituency in offering exemplary and viable services. ACVREP does not discriminate against any individual because of race, ethnicity, gender, age, creed, disability, or national origin.

Completed application packets must be received no later than January 15, 2010 to be considered for the initial committee membership roster. All nominations and nominees will be notified upon receipt of the application packet submitted to The Academy's headquarters via e-mail. Thank you.

If you have any questions regarding the ACVREP SME Committees after reading the relevant materials, including the application process, please contact Garett Holm, President, at gholm@acvrep.org or 520.887-6816 (ext. 223).

President's Message
As 2009 comes to an end, I find myself reflecting upon the opportunities and challenges we collectively face in 2010. First and foremost, I am excited about the 10th Anniversary of ACVREP. In celebration of this momentous occasion it is import to recognize the contributions of our founders and those who have served ACVREP in the past and their efforts in establishing an independent certification body for the fields of Low Vision Therapy (CLVT), Orientation and Mobility (COMS), and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (CVRT). Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge the responsibility that ACVREP has in facilitating quality certification programs for the professionals in those fields that promote and support professional competency, service quality, and the confidence of individuals seeking and receiving services.

This responsibility cannot be met without organizational transparency and accountability. To this end, ACVREP has worked hard during the past year to improve its policies and procedures in order to improve our communications with stakeholders, not only in terms of providing information, but also to solicit feedback and guidance. This action is best demonstrated with the recently announced proposals submitted to ACVREP stakeholders regarding the termination of the AER Approved University Program and the termination of CVRT Category 3 eligibility criteria. In response, many of our stakeholders provided comment on these proposals. These comments serve to enhance the information provided to the ACVREP Board of Directors as they consider these proposals.

Another key action ACVREP has undertaken is the facilitation of standing Subject Matter Expert (SME) Committees for each of ACVREP's professional certification programs. I cannot stress the importance of the SME committees in terms of guiding the future of ACVREP's certification programs. In a nutshell, the SME Committees are responsible for the ongoing development of ACVREP professional standards, certification exams, certification and recertification eligibility criteria, and Codes of Ethics. The effort of the SME committees will greatly promote ACVREP's ability to maintain certification programs that are consistently relevant and represent the highest standards of quality vision rehabilitation and education services. This is especially crucial in the year of our 10th anniversary, as ACVREP is scheduled to refine the COMS certification examination. I encourage all ACVREP certified professionals to consider applying for membership on the SME Committees. To read more about the purpose of the SME Committees, please visit ACVREP's website at www.acvrep.org and click the "Announcements" link on the top of the home page. Please note, that the application deadline is January 15, 2010.

In addition to improving policies and procedures for organizational communication and transparency, ACVREP has also taken action to improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency, specifically in the areas of certification/recertification tracking and processing. ACVREP has implemented a postcard notification system to inform applicants that application materials have been received by the ACVREP offices during key phases of the certification and recertification process. This measure also helps ACVREP keep current contact information for certified professionals. In addition, ACVREP has recently initiated a new candidate tracking system to monitor the progress of candidates during the certification and recertification processes. This system also allows for the recording of documents and telephone and email contact received by the ACVREP office.

Furthermore, ACVREP will initiate a secure on-line testing platform in the second quarter of 2010. This platform provides candidates for initial certification (or those who choose to take the exam to fulfill recertification requirements) the opportunity to take the applicable ACVREP certification exam on-line at a designated testing center. There are multiple benefits associated with this action. First, it provides those individuals taking the exam greater autonomy in scheduling the examination date, time, and location. Second, it will expedite the certification process for both the applicant and the ACVREP office by limiting the time required to coordinate exam dates with the designated testing center. Distribution of exam-related materials and exam results will also be greatly enhanced for all parties. Third, the candidate will receive results immediately, reducing additional stress to the candidate.

This action also enhances organizational effectiveness and efficiency by providing ACVREP staff more time to respond to stakeholder inquires and requests. In addition, the on-line platform increases the security of exam forms and items. Finally, the platform provides SME Committee members the opportunity to continually develop new exam items in a secure setting in order to maintain exam item relevance.

I am also happy to announce that the ongoing development of the ACVREP website has resulted in a more accessible mode of communication. Recently, the ACVREP website achieved W3C compliance. We will continue the development of the website in the coming year to facilitate a more user-friendly site that provides greater functionality in order to improve stakeholder communication.

In times of challenge, it is important to seek opportunity. ACVREP fully recognizes the importance of seeking opportunities while maintaining strict focus upon our corporate mission and purposes. While it is important that we meet any challenge we collectively face head on, it is important that we also maintain a steady course into the future guided by the vision of our founders when establishing ACVREP 10 years ago.

Thank you for all that you do and my best wishes to you and yours for a great new year.

Garett A. Holm, President

ACVREP Board of Directors Meeting Report (October 3-4, 2009)

Key Actions

1. Approval of "Soliciting Public Review and Comment" Policy
2. Approval of "Subject Matter Expert (SME) Committee" Policy
3. Approval to release application and related materials for SME Committees [website and e-mail list in accordance to Soliciting Public Review and Comment policy]
4. Approval of on-line testing platform (Project Timeline: Second Quarter 2010)
5. Approval to release public announcement (Proposal to Terminate AER University Approval Program - COMS and CVRT Category 1 Certification Eligibility Criteria) [website and e-mail list in accordance to Soliciting Public Review and Comment policy]
6. Approval to release public announcement (Proposal to Terminate CVRT Category 3 Certification Eligibility Criteria) [website and e-mail list in accordance to Soliciting Public Review and Comment policy]
7. Approval to release public announcement (Notification of Termination for CLVT Category 3 Certification Eligibility Criteria) [website and e-mail list in accordance to Soliciting Public Review and Comment policy]

Key Discussion Points

1. International Candidates for ACVREP Certification (engage small committee of ACVREP Board members to examine the requirements of similar certification boards in relation to International Candidate eligibility.
2. Intervener Credentialing Program
3. Future development of exam administration policies in relation to on-line testing platform
4. Organizational Bylaw and policy/procedure review activities

ACVREP Announces New Board Member

ACVREP is proud to announce the selection of Linda K. Merrill, CEO, Envision Inc., to serve as a member of the ACVREP Board of Directors. As a member of the ACVREP Board of Directors, Merrill brings to the organization 30 years of experience and a strong reputation as a leader in the field. Furthermore, Merrill's experience and efforts in the Medicare Low Vision Demonstration Project make her a strong advocate in advancing the professional recognition of ACVREP Certificants.

Linda K. Merrill (Excerpt from Envision Website at www.envisionus.com)

For more than 20 years, Merrill has been President and CEO of Envision. She has established Envision as a leading supplier to the U.S. government; has grown the agency to 350 employees (approximately half are blind, making Envision the largest employer of the blind in the region); has established successful base service stores that provide blind-made goods to military customers; and has moved the agency into a modern 130,000 square foot accessible manufacturing facility.

As Envision has grown as a business, she has guided the establishment of a comprehensive set of vision rehabilitation programs to help individuals who are blind or low vision. These programs include a low vision optometric clinic, orientation and mobility training, computer training, adaptive technology, job coaching and placement, and services for seniors with vision loss. She has also established a public education department at Envision to help raise awareness of vision-related issues.

Merrill has served as a board member for National Industries for the Blind; as President of the General Council of Industries of the Blind; and as Director of the operations committee of the National Association for Employment of Persons Who Are Blind. Merrill currently serves as Chair of the National Vision Rehabilitation Association. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Friends University.

Merrill's selection to the ACVREP Board of Directors fills the seat held by Ken Rosenthal, whose term expires on December 31, 2009.

In welcoming Merrill to the ACVREP Board of Directors, ACVREP would also like to bid a fond farewell to departing Board Member, Kenneth Rosenthal. Mr. Rosenthal came to the Board after a long career that included serving as President of The Seeing Eye. As a member of the ACVREP Board of Directors, Mr. Rosenthal served as a member of the Board of Directors Nominations Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Executive Committee. In addition, he served as Co-Chair of the Presidential Search Committee and was a member of the International Certification Committee.

In his service, Mr. Rosenthal was instrumental in strengthening ACVREP's financial position and enhancing organizational policies and procedures to further promote and support organizational transparency and accountability.

ACVREP benefited greatly from his wisdom, insight, statesmanship, and passion for the field. Please join us in expressing our gratitude and wishing him all the best in his future endeavors.
Please join us as we welcome Linda K. Merrill to the ACVREP Board of Directors.

ACVREP Board of Directors
Judy van Naerssen, M.S., OTRL, CLVT (Chairperson)
John Ford, M.A., COMS, CLVT (Vice-Chairperson)
Jim Kracht, J.D. (Treasurer)
Barbara Hunt, M.A., CVRT (Secretary)
Maureen Duffy, CVRT
Joseph H. Maino, OD, FAAO
June Mansfield
Linda K. Merrill (Term begins January 1, 2010)
Dawn Pickering, OC(C), COMT, CLVT
Ken Rosenthal (Term expires December 31, 2009)
Jay Stiteley, CVRT
Kathleen M. Huebner, Ph.D., COMS

ACVREP Staff

Garett A. Holm, President
520.887.6816 (ext. 223)
gholm@acvrep.org

Jessica Trevino, Certificant Services Unit
520.887.6816 (ext. 222)
jtrevino@acvrep.org

Bill Kuczek, Accounting Unit
520.887.6816 (221)
wkuczek@acvrep.org