UMass Boston's School for Global Inclusion and Social Development is New England's only academic center for preparing teachers of students with visual impairment, orientation and mobility specialists, vision rehabilitation therapists, and assistive technology instructional specialists. These are four key focus areas that assist people with visual impairment to achieve their goals of high-quality education, fulfilling employment, safe independent travel, and access to technology.<br>The philosophical, historical, and legal foundations of special education and rehabilitation services for individuals with visual impairment.<br>Anatomy and physiology of the eye, refraction, clinical testing procedures, and major visual disorders.<br>Low vision concepts and methods for integrating visual needs and adapted equipment within an educational/rehabilitation environment.<br>Environmental and attitudinal barriers that people with disabilities face, and the influence of multicultural differences and gender on people with disabilities, specifically those with visual impairment.<br>Psychosocial aspects of vision loss, e.g., coping techniques and issues of self-esteem, as well as principles of self-determination.<br>Teachers of students with visual impairments are in great demand throughout the United States. There are jobs available at local school districts, regional collaborative districts, state agencies, and schools for the blind.<br>Orientation and mobility graduates may work in school districts, collaboratives, adult rehabilitation programs, and the Veterans Administration.<br>Vision rehabilitation therapists work in state vocational services for the blind, rehabilitation units of Veterans Administration hospitals, programs for elders with visual impairments, private nonprofit organizations, rehabilitation agencies, low vision clinics, or in private practice.