Certification
To
be eligible for membership with Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic,
a person must have a documented print disability, such as a learning disability,
visual impairment or other physical disability. If you think you or your
child might have a print disability and may benefit from the services of
RFB&D, you need to have certification of the disability.
How Does One Obtain Certification?
A qualified professional in the field of disability services, special education, medicine or psychology must attest to the physical basis of the visual, perceptual or other physical disability that limits the applicant's use of standard print.
Who is a Certifier?
Appropriate certifying experts may differ from disability to disability. The following lists examples of professionals who are qualified to certify an RFB&D applicant. It is in no way a comprehensive list. If you have any questions about who is a qualified certifying professional, please call RFB&D's Member Services Department at 800-221-4792. Or check out some of the resources listed below.
In the case of blindness and visual impairments, an appropriate
certifier may be a:
- Physician
- Ophthalmologist
- Optometrist
- Vocational rehabilitation counselor
In the case of a learning or perceptual disability, an appropriate certifier may be a:
- Neurologist
- Learning disability specialist
- Psychologist with a background in learning disabilities
The following are NOT professionals typically qualified to certify someone for RFB&D membership, unless they have a background in one of the above areas of expertise:
- Principals
- Vice principals
- Guidance counselors
- General education teachers
- Librarians
Note that RFB&D does not offer distribution of RFB&D's AudioPlus® and AudioAccessSM books outside of the United States, except to US citizens who are temporarily residing abroad.
Resources
For more information on the rights of students with disabilities, visit the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services site. You may also call the US Department of Education at 800-872-5327.
For further information about disabilities and certification, you may wish to visit the following organization's websites:
Learning Disabilities Association (LDA)
Website: http://www.ldanatl.orgIf you are a parent, this page on the LDA site has a wonderful
section about the evaluation process for learning disabilities.
http://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/parents/assessment/index.asp
If you are an adult and you think you have a learning disability, this page on the LDA site contains information about screening for adults: http://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/adults/assessment/screening.asp
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)
Website: www.nichcy.orgThis website provides information on special education planning and laws; fact sheets on conditions; and state resource sheets.
The link below will bring you to the section of this organization's
website that offers a listing of resources by state:
http://www.nichcy.org/states.htm
Internet Special Education Resources (ISER)
Website: http://www.iser.com/ISER is a nationwide directory of professionals, organizations, and schools that serve the learning disabilities and special education communities. The site helps parents and caregivers find local special education professionals to help with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder assessment, therapy, advocacy, critical teen issues and other special needs.
This site also gives an overview of the learning assessment process:
http://www.iser.com/assessLD.html
International Dyslexia Association
Website: www.interdys.orgHere you can find fact sheets about dyslexia and other learning
disabilities; testing for dyslexia and getting the best IEP plan
for yourself or your child.
http://www.interdys.org/servlet/compose?section_id=5&page_id=79
SchwabLearning.org
Website: www.schwablearning.orgThis site is dedicated to parents helping children with learning
disabilities, and this page gives an overview of identifying learning
difficulties.
http://www.schwablearning.org/resources.asp?g=1&s=6
National Federation for the Blind
http://www.nfb.orgAmerican Foundation for the Blind
http://www.afb.org/New York Institute for Special Education
This website contains a listing of organizations that serve people who
are blind or visually impaired.
http://www.nyise.org/orgs.htm#usa
