KU Awarded $2.2 Million in Grants from U.S. Dept. of Education to Prepare Future Educators and Expand Access to Braille Instruction

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – For children who are blind or visually impaired, access to a highly qualified teacher can be life changing. Thanks to two new grants from the U.S. Department of Education totaling $2.2 million, Kutztown University's nationally recognized Visual Impairment program will help prepare more specialized educators, expand innovative braille instruction and create new opportunities for students across the country.

The two five-year grants will support projects designed to address critical shortages in the field of visual impairment education while improving learning outcomes for children and young adults with visual impairments. The awards reflect Kutztown University's long-standing commitment to preparing highly qualified educators and advancing innovative practices that increase access, independence, and opportunity for learners nationwide. 

"This is exciting because the impact reaches far beyond our campus," said Dr. Nicole Johnson, professor of Special Education and principal investigator on both grants. "These projects allow us to prepare future teachers, support practicing educators, expand access to innovative braille mathematics instruction and ultimately improve outcomes for children and young adults with visual impairments. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and pursue their goals, and these grants help make that possible."

One grant, a five-year $1 million U.S. Department of Education Braille Training Program award, will support the project Advancing Access through Braille: Transforming Unified English Braille (UEB) Math Learning Nationwide. The initiative will strengthen UEB Math instruction in PreK-6 classrooms, enhance teacher preparation and support transition-age students as they develop practical mathematics skills that contribute to independent living and future career success.

The second grant, a five-year $1.2 million award, will support Promoting the Education of the Vision Impaired (PEVI), a project designed to increase the number of trained and certified educators serving school-age students with visual impairments. PEVI Scholars will complete extensive field experiences, specialized coursework aligned with national standards, artificial intelligence certificate programs and professional development opportunities that prepare them to meet the evolving needs of today's learners.

As the nation's largest postsecondary preparation program for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI), Kutztown University is uniquely positioned to lead this work. The grants will expand educator preparation, develop innovative instructional resources and strengthen services available to students with visual impairments, their families and the schools that serve them.

"Our Visual Impairment program is one of the true gems of Kutztown University," said Dr. Rebecca West Burns, dean of the College of Education. "What makes these grants especially meaningful is that they invest in both the educators we are preparing and the children they will serve. Through this work, our teacher candidates will help create resources, expand access and open doors for learners with visual impairments across the country. That connection between educator preparation and student success is at the very heart of our mission."

The grants also reinforce Kutztown University's growing reputation as a leader in addressing workforce needs through innovative educator preparation. Graduates of KU's Visual Impairment program are in high demand, with the program reporting a 100% job placement rate among recent graduates. Teachers of students with visual impairments receive specialized preparation in braille, assistive technology, individualized instruction and strategies that help learners thrive in school and beyond.

For students pursuing careers in special education, for children and families seeking greater opportunity and for schools working to meet the needs of diverse learners, these grants represent an investment in a future where access to high-quality instruction is available to every child.

For more information about the projects, contact Johnson at njohnson@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4297.