Course Descriptions

RHBL 5308 Basic Independent Living Skills for Individuals with Visual Impairments

Introduction to concepts and techniques to teach individuals with visual impairments the skills and knowledge needed to function in diverse environments. Topics related to the expanded core curriculum will include: concept and motor development, spatial organization and orientation, and skills in the areas of basic orientation and mobility, personal management, communication, and recreation & leisure. The course will be offered online with a required one-week hands-on workshop. [Required of RT and TSVI majors; not required for O&M majors]

RHBL 7314 Principles of Rehabilitation Teaching

Principles and philosophies of providing rehabilitation teaching services to adults of all ages with visual impairments; includes conducting needs assessment interviews, writing individualized teaching plans. Pre-requisites: RHBL 7308 Basic IL and RHBL 7310 Methods of Teaching Adaptive Living Skills or RHBL 7311 Methods of Teaching Adaptive Communication Skills.

RHBL 7310 Methods of Teaching Adaptive Living Skills to Persons with Visual Impairments

Methodologies for teaching adaptive skills necessary to perform daily living activities; includes personal management, home management, medical management, and workplace management. Required one week hands-on workshop as part of the online course. Pre-requisites: RHBL 5308 Basic Independent Living Skills and RHBL 7312 Braille.

RHBL 7312 Braille and Relevant Formats

Skills of reading and writing Contracted (Grade II) Standard English Braille, including transcription rules and formats, use of slate and stylus, use of Perkins Braillers. Students taking this course must have the potential ability to tactually or visually discriminate embossed Braille configurations and may use assistive devices as needed. Students who are uncertain of their ability to meet this requirement and who wish to be assessed, should contact the program coordinator.

RHBL 7325 Implications of Low Vision

Principles of visual perception development; implications of visual field losses; introduction to optics; optical, non-optics low-vision aids, procedures for vision screening; vision stimulation activities; low-vision simulation experiences. Pre-requisite: RHBL 7315 Medical Aspects or consent of the instructor

CNSL 7302-999 Techniques for Counseling Interviews

Techniques, procedures for counseling interviews, emphasis on mastery of levels of skills within a microskills hierarchy for counseling interviews, appropriate use of skills in various stages of counseling. Required hands-on on-campus workshop as part of the online course. Prerequisite CNSL 7301-999 or consent of the instructor

COUN 7360 Rehabilitation Foundations

Philosophy of vocational rehabilitation; includes history, legislation, related professional organizations, particularly as they relate to services for visually impaired.

COUN 7362 Psychological Aspects of Disability

Prerequisites: COUN 7360 or consent of the instructor. This course outlines the psychological and sociological aspects of disability, including community attitudes toward individuals with disabilities, strategies to change negative attitudes, adjustment factors in living with disabilities, and methods for supporting successful adjustment to disabilities.

EDFN 7303 Introduction to Research and its Applications

Application of scientific approaches, methodology to problem solving; includes research design, data techniques analysis, their relation to action research, requires a research project.

ELECTIVE [3 credit hours for RT majors; elective courses must be approved in advance by the Program Coordinator]

 

RHBL 7390 Supervised Practice

Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Faculty supervised practice in the use of required skills and competencies in the rehabilitation of individuals with visual impairments in rehabilitation or education settings.

RHBL 7395 Internship

Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Professional rehabilitation work experiences in an appropriate rehabilitation or educational setting with individuals with visual impairments.

Potential Electives

A total of three (3) graduate credit hours of electives are required to complete the RT master's degree. All electives must be approved by the program coordinator. Students may choose to take a course at a local university and transfer the credit hours to UALR (with prior approval from the Program Coordinator). Here is a list of courses that UALR offers online that would be acceptable as electives in the program:

*Graduate standing is required for all graduate courses. Some courses have additional prerequisites.

1. CNSL 7301 Theoretical Approaches to Counseling--Required for Rehabilitation Counseling majors (Required as prerequisite to COUN 7366, COUN 7633, COUN 7364, CNSL 7307, CNSL 7302)
2. COUN 7633 Vocational Counseling Assessment & Placement-Required for Rehabilitation Counseling majors, Consent of Instructor (Prerequisite: CNSL 7301 or consent of instructor)
3. COUN 7364 Rehabilitation Case Management -Required for Rehabilitation Counseling majors, Consent of Instructor (Prerequisite: CNSL 7301 or consent of instructor)
4. CNSL 7307 Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling--Required for Rehabilitation Counseling majors, Consent of Instructor (Prerequisite: CNSL 7301 or consent of instructor)
5. SPED 7343 Disability Law State, federal laws, litigation, policies, and administrative practices relevant to education, employment, treatment of individuals with disabilities; includes historical development, current issues.
6. RHBL7393 Placement Techniques in the 21st Century for People with Visual Disabilities The specific job placement techniques that rehabilitation counselors can use to successfully facilitate the job search process for consumers with visual disabilities are covered in this course. Content modifications for consumers with varying levels of ability are discussed and resources are detailed for use with informational, instructional, and advocacy level rehabilitation clients. In addition, students are exposed to assistive technology and adapted tools that can be used by blind and low vision individuals to competitively perform in the work place.