OIB-TAC is excited to announce the release of two new professional development courses designed to expand the toolkit of vision rehabilitation professionals: Teaching Adaptive Techniques to Woodworkers and Carpenters and Sew Independent: Teaching Sewing to Individuals with Vision Impairment. 

These courses provide professionals with specialized, hands-on strategies to help clients develop both functional woodworking skills and basic hand-sewing techniques. By focusing on tactile adaptations and safety protocols, these courses ensure that vision loss does not mean an end to craftsmanship or leisure activity. 

What You’ll Learn 

Both courses are structured to move from foundational safety to practical application, ensuring participants can immediately implement these techniques in the field. 

In the Woodworking course, participants will: 

• Identify key safety and organizational practices to reduce risk in a shop. 
• Explore adaptive techniques for measuring, marking, and tool operation. 
• Develop individualized strategies to support clients in maintaining woodworking as a hobby or vocational skill. 

In the Sew Independent course, participants will: 

• Identify common barriers to sewing and strategies to overcome them. 
• Master adaptive techniques for threading needles and performing essential stitches. 
• Develop instructional strategies to promote learner confidence and integrate sewing into independent living training. 

Course Credit 

Each course, Teaching Adaptive Woodworking and Sew Independent, is available for 2 ACVREP credits. 

Explore more courses and resources from OIB-TAC and the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision. Visit our course catalog to discover the variety of courses we offer on blindness and low vision for professionals.