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 2026

In 2026, 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:

• Code like a Kid: A Day of Code Experience for Professionals
  Presented by Allison Mello, Maximo Avendano and Veronica Gunn.
• 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.
  
• Nine to Shine: Tips for Supporting Visually impaired (VI+) Students in the Classroom and Beyond
  Presented by May Nguyen.
• Inside the California School for the Blind: Programs, Process, and Partnership
  Presented by Sarah Blair, Shannon Johns and Cyndi Davis.
  
• It Starts Before Preschool: Building Tech Readiness and Confidence in Families
  Presented by Allison Mello.
  
• Expanding Impact: Advancing the Direct Consult Model for Blind and Low Vision Students
  Presented by Adrian Amandi.
  
• Insights and Strategies: A Live Q&A with CSB Specialists
  Presented by Tamar Solomon, Maximo Avendano and Stephanie Herlich.
  
• Testing, testing...1, 2, 3...Testing, testing..
  Presented by Veronica Gunn
  
• From School to Success: Meaningful Transitions for Students with Visual Impairments
  Presented by Shannon Johns, Sarah Blair and Laura Clark.
  
• The Quest for the Perfect Size: Rethinking the Search for the "Best Font Size"
  Presented by Samantha Peterson.
  
• Right Tool, Right Time: Rethinking Braille Notetakers in Today's Classrooms
  Presented by Allison Mello and John Taylor.
  
• From Stress to Strength, Supporting Students with Worry
  Presented by Marisa Smith.
  
• Game On! Empowering Students Through Blind Sports
  Presented by Sarah Blair and Molly Armstrong.
  
• They Know Drive, But Not Directions: Balancing Tech Skills with the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)
  Presented by Maximo Avendano.
  
• The Gray Areas of O&M: Turning Theory into Responsive Practice
  Presented by Cyndi Davis, Nicholas Casias and Erin Foley.
• What's Available in Assistive Technology (AT): Fresh Tools, Smarter Tech, and Creative Classroom Connections
  Presented by Adrian Amandi, Melissa Quan, April Pair and Tracy Cappelletti.
  
• Connection Counts: Teaching Social Skills and the Hidden Curriculum
  Presented by Adrian Amandi.
  
• Tools for Students with Multisensory Loss
  Presented by Sarah Blair and Maximo Avendano.
  
• Inclusive by Design: Behavior Supports That Work for Every Learner
  Presented by Cyndi Davis and Heather Logan.
  
• CSB Uncovered: Programs, Services, and Supports
  Presented by Gina Oulette and Shannon Johns.
  
• From Assessment to Action: Integrating the Functional Vision Assessment (FVA), Learning Media Assessment (LMA), Tech, and ECC Assessments
  Presented by Adrian Amandi and Ting Siu.
  
• Workloads and Workflows! Tools for Teachers and Students
  Presented by Maria DiBernardo and Maximo Avendano.
• Beyond the Code: Cultivating a Love for Literacy in Every Braille Learner
  Presented by Karen Cedros and Sarah Blair.
• Building Foundations: Bringing the ECC to Life for Elementary Students
  Presented by Holly Hody and Sarah Blair.
  

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

April 2026 CTEBVI Conference

We invite you to join us in supporting the upcoming 2026 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 2026 conference and register, please visit CTEBVI Conference 2026 .

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 Coffee 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.