Dear Colleagues - We would appreciate your considering participating in the research study identified below. You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by Chris Clark-Bischke, Ph.D. and Alexis Redford, M.Ed. at the University of Utah. The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of the transition to Unified English Braille (UEB) from the perspectives of all involved individuals (i.e. Teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs), administrators, parents, university personnel preparation program faculty, and braille transcriptionists/ paraprofessionals). The goal is to acquire an understanding of the impact of the transition, identify supports for states/territories and current TVIs. For this study, participants will be asked to: 1. Complete an online survey (less than 10 minutes) and, 2. if you are willing, participate in one individual interview via phone or Zoom (less than 30 minutes) To indicate your consent to participate in this study, and to begin the survey, please click the following link: University Personnel Preparation Program Faculty Member Survey: https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5nGyMIWiLk2RAVw Please feel free to share this e-mail and the corresponding e-mail link with other relevant individuals. This e-mail includes only the University faculty/Personnel Preparation survey. If you do not receive the other surveys but would like access to them, please let us know. If you have questions about the study, please contact Dr. Chris Bischke at chris.bischke@utah.edu<mailto:chris.bischke@utah.edu>. Given issues experienced by students who are blind or visually impaired, their parents, teachers of students with visual impairments, braille transcriptionists/paraprofessionals and administrators since the 2016 transition to UEB, the surveys aim to acquire information that has the potential to guide practice and policies. Though not affiliated with any formal entity, the UEB Coalition was created several years ago with the goal of better supporting all students who are braille readers, while specifically supporting students learning the Unified English Braille Math/Science code. Members of the Unified English Braille (UEB) Coalition, have identified a need for information from the above noted individuals from across the United States so that better supports could be identified. The UEB Coalition includes: - Teachers of Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired (TVIs), including learners with deafblindness - Representatives from Local and State Educational Agencies (LEAs and SEAs) - Representatives from Instructional Material Centers and state agencies who serve individuals who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind - Faculty from Blindness/Visual Impairment/Deafblindness personnel preparation programs and - other stakeholders. Thank you for your willingness to participate and help us identify areas where support is needed. Chris Bischke, Ph.D. Alexis Redford, M.Ed. Chris Bischke, Ph.D. TVI, DT/V Director, Multi-University Consortium Teacher Preparation Program Sensory Impairments Professor and Program Coordinator, Visual Impairments Program The University of Utah Department of Special Education 1721 Campus Center Drive, SAEC 2280, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 801-585-3925<tel:801-585-3925> office 801-589-2449<tel:801-589-2449> cell 801-585-6476 fax [LOGO Multi Consortium]