Association for Education and Rehabilitation

of the Blind and Visually Impaired

1703 N. Beauregard St., Suite 440 ▪ Alexandria, VA 22311-1744 ▪ (703) 671-4500

Fax (703) ▪

What We Do

The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) develops and promotes professional excellence through support of those who provide services to people with visual impairments. We provide our members with opportunities for professional growth and development, timely news and research information, career advancement, education enrichment, a collective voice on Capitol Hill through lobbying efforts to maintain specialized blind services, plus numerous networking opportunities at meetings and conferences. Communication and networking on a local level is achieved through automatic membership inchapters. There are also division membership opportunities for AER members to receive the latest information in their specific area of expertise.

Mission & Work

About AER

The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) is the only international membership organization dedicated to rendering all possible support and assistance to the professionals who work in all phases of education and rehabilitation of blind and visually impaired children and adults. Our membership is comprised of more than 4,100 professionals who provide services to people with visual impairments.

The Associationwas formed in 1984 as the result of a consolidation between the American Association of Workers for the Blind and the Association for Education of the Visually Handicapped.

AER develops and promotes professional excellence through support of those who provide services to people with visual impairments by providing:

Professional Support

Communication and networking on a local levelare achieved through automatic membership inChapters.

Division memberships, available at a modest additional fee, enable members to focus on specific topics of expertise, including

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  • Administration and Leadership
  • Rehabilitation Counseling, Employment & BEP Services
  • Multiple Disabilities & Deafblind
  • Psychosocial Services
  • Information & Technology
  • Low Vision Rehabilitation
  • Infant & Preschool
  • Orientation & Mobility
  • Education Curriculum
  • Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
  • Division on Aging
  • Itinerant Personnel
  • Personnel Preparation

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International and chapter conferences provide the opportunity for professional development and networking.

Publications

We provide our members with opportunities for professional growth and development through continuing education, chapter,interest-specific, and international conferences, andseveral publications. The online interactiveAER Report keeps members informed about Association news, policy, and issues.In 2013, AER began buying a subscription for members to the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness(JVIB) from the American Foundation for the Blind. It is an essential professional resource for information about visual impairment and blindness and is now the official journal of AER. Members may access back issues of AER’s former journal, Insight: Research and Practice in Visual Impairment and Blindness, which was published from 2008-2012, for information on excellent research and informative and helpful practices.AER Books provide members access to a range of topics related to working with those who are blind and visually impaired, including education, orientation & mobility, rehabilitation, and more.

Professional Development

To enhance career development, AER members have access to AER Job Exchange, featuring the field’s largest listing of job openings.

Continuing Education is an important part of AER’s commitment to professional development. Members receive discounts on timely courses offered online and access to articles covering field-specific topics as well as participation in chapter, regional and international conferences. The AER Mangold Distance Education Webinar Series brings the best and brightest experts in the field of vision to the desktops of AER members and other vision professionals. The new AER Knowledge Center( provides access to more than 70 hours of sessions recorded at recent AER international conferences.

Professional recognition through biennial awards includes the C. Warren Bledsoe Award, the Allen, Bauman, McAulay and Shotwell Awards, and the AER Outstanding Chapter Award.

All members have the opportunity to submit bodies of work for presentation at the AER International Conference, meaning greater recognition among your peers and employers.

Scholarships

AERprovidestwo scholarshipsto students who are legally blind and are studying for a career in the field of services tothe blind or visually impaired. The scholarships are named in honor of William andDorothy Ferrell. They are awarded in the even number years.

Advocacy

AERgives professionals in the field a collective voice to support efforts to keep a focus onthe importance ofmaintaining specialized blind services for consumers of all ages.

Benefits & Discounts

Added benefits of membership include professional liability protection at economical group rates, the availability of affordable term life and long-term care insurance. AER members are also entitled to significant discounts oncontinuing education courses, AER publications, AER conferences and on car rentals and hotels.

More Information

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