Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Awareness Week: How a VRT’s Lived Experiences Helped Shape Her Practice

In recognition of Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (VRT) Awareness Week, we spoke with Jennifer Ratliffe, a Rehabilitation of the Blind Specialist, to find out more about how much her role impacts those with blindness or low vision. Working under the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired at the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, Jennifer works with individuals to help them regain their independence after vision loss.  

Becoming a VRT to help others who were struggling with losing their vision, Jennifer teaches daily life skills from a nonvisual perspective. She works with vocational rehabilitation (VR) clients as well as individuals aged 55 and older, who are considered legally blind. She teaches anything and everything from managing a home, to the basics of assistive technology (AT).  

Adopted at a young age, Jennifer attended her local public school like any other child. When she began to struggle in third grade due to her vision loss, the decision was made to transfer her to the Oklahoma School for the Blind in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where she lived and attended until she graduated high school. Upon graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University, Jennifer moved to Tulsa to serve with the AmeriCorps program, City Year, which works with students in the Tulsa public school system. She currently works as a Carol Albert Fellow VRT while pursuing her master’s in Vision Rehabilitation Teaching from Western Michigan University, after which she will study for her national certification.  

Jennifer says she can relate to her clients in a special way. “As someone who has never been sighted, I still have the emotions, questions, and discouragement that can come with vision loss. I want to help people with the emotions, but also give them tips on how to do everyday tasks which help bring their confidence back.” She says the most rewarding aspect of being a VRT is watching someone who is extremely discouraged blossom and regain their confidence and independence. “You can just see their happiness and how proud they are of what they have accomplished.”  

One of the biggest challenges Jennifer says she faces on a daily basis is communication, especially when she is trying to teach something specific. “You have to work with the client closely and be willing to have a hands-on approach to be sure they are doing it right. The fact that they are grieving the loss of a major sense they are used to having can affect how you work with them. It is important to approach them with kindness and understanding.” Jennifer hopes to continue growing as a VRT so that she can impact more lives for the better.  

Desiring to improve others’ understanding about blindness and low vision, Jennifer wants to debunk common misconceptions. “Vision rehabilitation teachers do this job to help people who are blind or low vision regain their independence and go after their dreams.”  She wants to broaden her skillset within the field in order to be a more well-rounded teacher. “Eventually, I would like to get my certification in Assistive Technology (AT), Orientation & Mobility (O&M), and something to do with Counseling. I love to hear others’ stories.” 

Jennifer wants everyone to know that those who are blind or low vision can lead full, productive lives with the right support and resources. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys walking, swimming, biking, bowling, goalball, and hanging out with her friends and family. Last, but not least, she is a guide dog user – her ‘four-legged partner in blindness’ is a female black lab named Nyssa.