INSITE and VIISA
The Blind/Visually Impaired Division at the SKI-HI Institute includes two projects: INSITE, and VIISA.
INSITE
Project INSITE began in 1981 to meet the needs of young children with vision impairments and multiple disabilities (including hearing loss) and their families. A service delivery model, curriculum manual, and training model were developed to address the needs of this population of children.
VIISA
Project VIISA began in 1990 to meet the needs of young children with blindness or vision impairment without other disabilities and their families. A curriculum manual and training model were developed to address the needs of this population of children.
VIISA has a course that focuses on working with infants and toddlers in early intervention home-based programs and a course on preschoolers in center-based settings.
Trainings
Basic Training
Both the INSITE and VIISA trainings are offered through either an all onsite format (two 2 1/2-3 days with several months between) or a hybrid format which uses some shorter ZOOM sessions with two 2-day onsites. The trainings require some homestudy projects to further participants' learning. The trainings are taught by national as well as state trainers. They usually take place at a central location in the state offering the training and are funded by state agencies such as State Part B and C agencies, State Schools for the Blind and Private Service Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
The trainings are hands-on, practical and include take-make activities. Participants include a variety of professionals in the field working with these young children such as therapists (OT, PT, SLP), TVIs ( Teachers of the Blind and Visually Impaired), O&M instructors (Orientation and Mobility), early intervention specialists and special education teachers in preschool settings.
Trainer Training
Both the VIISA and INSITE projects continue to work with new states to put into place these programs and training models as well as to provide ongoing support to states already using the programs. Keeping a strong network of trainers updated in their skills and refreshed with new, more current training materials makes for better services to children in the long run and programs that are long lasting.
Each year, project staff offer a training session to states wanting to have new state trainers trained. This will be taking place August 4-7, 2025 at the Montana Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Great Falls. For more information on the training, contact Elizabeth Dennison at the SKI-HI Institute, elizabeth.dennison@usu.edu. New trainers are given access to the training materials (guidesheets, powerpoints, short videoclips, course materials for trainees) online.
Materials
Even though the VIISA and INSITE curriculum manuals have older copyright dates, the training materials are being updated each year.
The INSITE checklist was updated in 2024 and is now available on the HOPE publishing website where the curriculum manuals are also available.
Contact
If you are interested in learning more about INSITE and/or VIISA training, contact Bess Dennison at: elizabeth.dennison@usu.edu.
U of U EIBVI Credential
A birth to three credential in vision is being offered through the University of Utah (U of U) in Salt lake City. VIISA staff have been involved in developing some of the courses. Students may register for campus or contract courses. The courses are available using the ZOOM platform and course materials in CANVAS. There are texts, readings, assignments and tests for each course. The four main courses specific to young children who are blind or visually impaired include: Instructional Strategies Birth to Five, Early Literacy, Early Orientation and Mobility and Vision and the Brain/Cortical Visual Impairment.
For more information on the program, the courses and costs, contact Chris Bischke who heads the vision teacher preparation programs at the University of Utah. Her email is chris.bischke@utah.edu.
