National Blindness Professional Certification Board The Authority on Structured Discovery Instruction Over the past few months, the National Blindness Professional Certification Board has received numerous inquiries on what the term Structured Discovery, certified Structured Discovery Training Center, and Structured Discovery Instructor/Professional mean. The NBPCB believes and advocates that Structured Discovery is the best form of instruction and methodology to empower blind people when learning non-visual skills for independence. In celebration of blindness achievement month and white cane awareness day that passed on October 15th, the NBPCB is publishing a white paper/position paper on what defines Structured Discovery, which is attached here and can be freely distributed. For individuals who have graduated from a certified Structured Discovery Training Center or who have worked with a Structured Discovery certified instructor, one can be confident that they have had the best form of instruction possible and have achieved a significant accomplishment; as Structured Discovery Training is both challenging and rewarding due to the new pathways, expectations, skills, and philosophy on blindness that they have developed throughout their training. At present, NBPCB oversees three certifications which are based on Structured Discovery Training -- the National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC), National Certification in Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind (NCRTB), and the National Certification in Access Technology for the Blind (NCATB). Additionally, the board oversees one credential that measures braille proficiency -- the National Certification in Unified English Braille (NCUEB). NBPCB also credentials Community-based Rehabilitation training Programs which conduct immersion and training of Structured Discovery Professionals and provide adjustment training for those experiencing significant sight loss - Certified Structured Discovery Training Centers (CSDTC) The National Blindness Professional Certification Board wants to thank all the professionals, instructors, and educators who have obtained their NOMC, NCRTB, NCATB, and NCUEB. These instructors have been certified to teach using the Structured Discovery model and continue to uphold the high expectations that the NBPCB expects out of their certified instructors. To find out if someone is certified by the NBPCB, go to this link. https://nbpcb.org/pages/lookup.php In addition, we want to thank our certified Structured Discovery Training Centers for providing an environment and culture that embodies and represents the teachings of Structured Discovery. Structured Discovery Training Centers transform lives, redefines expectations for blind people, and are the epitome of quality blindness training across the world. To see the7 certified Structured Discovery Training Centers who have met the rigor, quality, and standards set by the NBPCB, follow the below link. https://nbpcb.org/pages/NBPCBcenterapproval.php To learn more about what defines Structured Discovery, please read the attached white paper/position statement or visit our website. https://nbpcb.org/ If you are looking for a career in changing the lives of blind people, please reach out to the NBPCB as obtaining a certification is the first step to a fulfilling career in blindness. Happy blindness achievement month and white cane awareness day, National Blindness Professional Certification Board NBPCB Office PO Box 2373 Ruston LA 71273 318 299-7340 <mailto:admin@nbpcb.org> admin@nbpcb.org <http://www.nbpcb.org/> www.nbpcb.org <https://www.nbpcb.org/pages/lookup.php> Click here to verify the status of NBPCB certified professionals Sign up for the Structured Discovery Announcement mailing list <https://lists.nbpcb.org/mailman3/lists/sdteaching.lists.nbpcb.org/> here.