CTEBVI

Supporting CTEBVI: A Partnership for Excellence in Education

At the California School for the Blind (CSB), we are proud to support and collaborate with the California Transcribers and Educators for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CTEBVI). CTEBVI is a vital organization dedicated to advancing education and accessibility for students who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. Through professional development, networking opportunities, and the promotion of best practices in braille transcription, assistive technology, and specialized educational services, CTEBVI empowers educators, Teacher for the Visually Impaired (TVI) and professionals to enhance the learning experiences of all students.

Our partnership with CTEBVI reflects our shared commitment to ensuring every student has access to the highest quality education and resources. Together, we advocate for inclusive practices, cutting-edge tools, and an equitable learning environment where all students can thrive.

CSB Presentations at CTEBVI 2025

In 2025, CSB educators, including members of our Statewide Outreach Services team, in partnership with other specialists and agencies across the field, are presenting a series of impactful sessions at the CTEBVI conference. These collaborations highlighted expertise in areas such as comprehensive assessments, educational strategies, assistive technology, and supporting students with complex needs. Below are the highlighted sessions and presenters associated with CSB:

• Shining Light on Hidden Abilities: Assessing and Understanding Sensory Loss
  Presented by May Nguyen, Darlene Norman, and Katie Pettersen.
  
• Revolutionizing Support: The Direct Consult Model for Blind and Low Vision Students
  Presented by Adrian Amandi.
• Leveling the Field: Empowering TVIs to Tech-Up for Student Success
  Presented by Allison Mello.
  
• It's new! What do I do? Using the Johns Basic Reading Inventory (BRI) 12th Ed. in a Learning Media Assessment
  Presented by Shelby Zimmerman and Stephanie Herlich.
  
• Bridging the Gap: Collaborative Strategies for Supporting Students with Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)
  Presented by Adrian Amandi, Emma Kutscher, and Staff of The Bridge School.
  
• 1 Game Meets 10 Goals!
  Presented by Maximo Avendano.
  
• Pathways to becoming an Orientation and mobility (O&M) and Curriculum Updates from Cal State Los Angeles (LA) & San Francisco (SF) State
  Presented by Erin Foley, Nicholas Casias, and Cyndi Davis
  
• Unlocking access: Effective strategies for supporting deafblind students
  Presented by Stacey Colley, Julie Maier, and Shelby Zimmerman.
  
• Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and English Language Proficiency Assessments (ELPAC) and California Alternate Assessments (CAA), oh my!
  Presented by Veronica Gunn.
  
• Advocating for Adapted Physical Education
  Presented by Molly Armstrong and Patrick Nino.
  
• Touch, Read, And Learn: A Full Spectrum Braille Curriculum
  Presented by Stephanie Herlich.
  
• Social Interaction Skills: The Cornerstone of Student Success at Every Stage
  Presented by Adrian Amandi and Sharon Sacks.
  
• Community and Inclusion for Blind Students: Key Insights from Blind Adults
  Presented by Gina Ouellette.
  
• Building Inclusive Environments through Accessible Behavior Supports
  Presented by Heather Logan, Meghan Berry, and Cyndi Davis.
  
• Empowering Vision: Innovations in Low Vision Technology for Enhanced Learning
  Presented by Samantha Peterson, Rebecca Rosenberg, and Adrian Amandi.
  
• Day of Code: from Our Campus into Your Classrooms
  Presented by Allison Mello and Jenny Wheeler.
  
• Eye Insights: Connecting Anatomy, Diagnosis, and Support Strategies
  Presented by Samantha Peterson and Emily Gorski.
  
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Assessment and Design Options for Students with CVI
  Presented by Rebecka Henry and Samantha Peterson.
  
• What's Available in Assistive Technology (AT): Building Skills and Connections
  Presented by Tracy Cappelletti, Jessica McDowell, Adrian Amandi and Cyndi Davis.
  
• From Busy to Balance
  Presented by Cyndi Davis and Erica Hogle.
  
• Tick Tock! Tech off the Clock
  Presented by Maximo Avendano, Crystal Hurst, and Allison Mello.

For more information on the schedule and summary of these workshops please visit CTEBVI Workshop Schedule

April 2025 CTEBVI Conference

We invite you to join us in supporting the upcoming 2025 CTEBVI conference! This event is an incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and share best practices with professionals dedicated to improving education for students who are blind or have low vision. To learn more about the 2025 conference and register, please visit CTEBVI Conference 2025 .

Katie Sibert Memorial Scholarship

The Katie Sibert Memorial Scholarship is designed to support transcribers and educators by fostering the acquisition and improvement of skills needed to provide high-quality educational opportunities for blind and visually impaired students. The Katie Sibert Committee typically awards $6,000, which is divided among qualified applicants. The scholarship funds can be used for attending CTEBVI conferences, training, books, materials, and equipment.
Apply for the Katie Sibert Memorial Scholarship

Donna Coffee Youth Scholarship

The Donna Coffee Youth Scholarship is an annual award of up to $1,000 aimed at promoting the academic and social development of K-12 students who are blind or visually impaired. The scholarship is awarded based on criteria set by the CTEBVI Board of Directors and is intended to support the recipient's personal growth.
Apply for the Donna Coffe Youth Scholarship

Special Recognition Award

In 2024, CSB's own Adrian Amandi was honored with the Special Recognition award from CTEBVI for his outstanding contributions to the field of blindness and visual impairment. This award is presented to individuals who bring exceptional talent or skill to CTEBVI or the field. Adrian has been a dedicated leader at the California School for the Blind and currently serves as the Director of the Education Resource Center and Statewide Outreach Services for Blind and Low Vision students and their teams. In this role, he leads a team of specialists providing educational outreach services throughout the state.

Adrian's career spans a variety of impactful roles, including work as an itinerant TVI, preschool teacher, deafblind K/1 classroom teacher, and lead program teacher for an infant and early learners home care program. He has also served as an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University since 2006 and at California State University Los Angeles for a time. His dedication to advancing technology in the field is demonstrated through his founding of the Assistive Technology Forum, the National Coding Symposium, and the Day of Code, along with his contributions to developing technology assessments, teaching tools, and methods that enhance the educational experiences of students with visual impairments. Adrian's leadership also extends to various boards for non-profits and corporations, where he drives positive change across organizations.

Adrian has been a board member of CTEBVI since 2018, contributing significantly through dozens of workshops on assistive technology and access to the core and expanded core curriculum. He also played a key role in developing the Youth Institute and the Paraprofessional Institute, both of which aim to support students and professionals in the field. Adrian has consistently presented at CTEBVI conferences, sharing his extensive knowledge and innovative approaches. In recognition of his remarkable dedication and lasting impact on the field, CTEBVI proudly awarded Adrian Amandi the Special Recognition plaque.