Distance Learning for Paraprofessionals
Flex VRA: Flexible Vision Rehabilitation Assistant Training
Flex VRA is a unique online and mentored training course designed to prepare paraprofessionals to assist vision rehabilitation professionals in the areas of vision rehabilitation therapy, orientation and mobility and low vision care.
Easy-to-Use Courseware
Innovative technology and an easy reading level make the Flex VRA program accessible to everyone, even people with minimal computer experience.
Flex VRA includes 38 easy-to-follow interactive lessons. A flexible learning tool, it features helpful graphics, directed mentor activities, a glossary, and online and offline activities that reinforce skill development. And the courseware is compatible with screen reader software, making it accessible to users with impaired vision.
Benefits of Flex VRA
- Saves Training Time: The same comprehensive curriculum, if taught face-to-face, could take your professional staff over 380 hours, reducing the time they have to serve consumers.
- Increases Return on Your Investment: Online training is cost-efficient, and maximizes staff effectiveness. Having a Flex-trained, multi-skilled VRA on your staff extends the reach of your professionals.
- Has Built-in Flexibility: VRA students can learn from home -- or anywhere they have access to a computer. Mentors can follow student progress easily. And built-in prompts alert mentors when students are ready for assistance.
- Provides a Generous Timeframe for Course Completion: Registrants have access to Flex VRA courseware and mentor utilities for 300 days. During this time, course materials may be downloaded and printed in alternate formats as needed.
Hardware requirements:
Regular user:
Pentium III 500 Mhz
Sound card
At least a 56k modem with Internet connection (broadband preferred)
Internet Explorer 5 or greater
Latest Flash player (a free download)
Screen size: 800 x 600
WindowEyes/JAWS user:
Pentium III 500 Mhz
Multi-channel sound card
At least a 56k modem with Internet connection (broadband preferred)
Internet Explorer 5 or greater
Latest Flash player (a free download)
Screen size: 800 x 600
Tuition: $1500 per student with a mentor
Availability: On demand for 10 months from registration Participants will receive a certificate of completion upon successful completion of the online course and mentor activities.
Here's What Users Are Saying About Flex VRA
"It was so much easier to access training from the computer; tests were great and having a supervisor on-site was great." -- student
"There is a definite need for more people in this profession and (there are) not enough schools that offer this course." -- mentor,Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired
Flex VRA "helped prepare me for, and reinforce, the areas that I needed to work on, so that I could work with a client ... more professionally." -- student
"I found the program to be comprehensive and informative, and a good training tool." -- mentor, ABVI Goodwill
Flex VRA is "... cost-effective.The student can learn from home, doesn't have to expend travel time and has time-of-day flexibility, so it's also time-effective." -- mentor, Glens Falls Association for the Blind
"One of our students developed 'teaching' skills, that she originally thought were beyond her capabilities." -- mentor, Lighthouse International
The development of Flex VRA has been funded by: The New York Community Trust, The Allene Reuss Memorial Trust, the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Inc., and NEC Foundation of America.
E-mail education@lighthouse.org
Call (212) 821-9470 - (800) 829-0500 - Fax (212) 821-9705
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