Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired

What Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired does

The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) is a US-based professional membership organization founded in 1984 through the merger of the American Association of Workers for the Blind and the Association for Education of the Visually Handicapped. AER serves more than 2,800 vision rehabilitation and education professionals across all 50 US states, 13 colonial jurisdictions, and Canada, including Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI), Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS), Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT), Low Vision Therapists (LVT), and Assistive Technology Specialists. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and operates with a small core staff of approximately five professionals based primarily in Alexandria, VA, with a Lubbock, TX mailing address.

AER's core offerings include the eLearning Center (200+ courses, 2,300+ registered users, ACVREP and CRCC continuing education credits), two peer-reviewed journals (JVIB and the newly launched The New RE:View in 2025), the AER Book & Lounge specialty bookstore, the Career Connection job board, scholarships, and the biennial AER International Conference. The organization also operates two accreditation programs — one for colleges and universities offering personnel preparation programs, and another for schools and agencies providing direct services — both recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Members access 30+ regional chapters and 16 professional divisions as part of standard membership.

AER's revenue model combines individual and organizational membership dues with diversified recurring streams: year-round partnership sponsorships ($9,000-$12,000), eLearning sponsorships ($1,000-$2,500/month), Career Connection job postings ($49-$149/month), newsletter and eblast advertising, biennial conference registration, accreditation fees, and bookstore sales. The organization maintains strategic alliances with ACVREP, CHEA, VisionServe Alliance, and Success Beyond Sight, and operates as a private nonprofit association without equity investors or parent-company ownership.

Name

Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired

Legal name

Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired

Website

https://aerbvi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AER is a US-based nonprofit professional membership organization serving 2,800+ vision rehabilitation and education specialists through continuing education, peer-reviewed journals, accreditation programs, a biennial international conference, and a network of 30+ chapters and 16 divisions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Educational Services (611), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDADACAF

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Accreditation Bodies (Institutional & Programmatic)

SECONDARYEDANAIAL

Education & Teaching Credential Exam Prep (Praxis, teacher certification, school leadership)

Education/Tutoring & Test Preparation/Professional Certification & Licensure Exam Prep

SECONDARYEDADACAK

Online/Distance Education Quality & Accreditation Bodies

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Accreditation Bodies (Institutional & Programmatic)

Keywords

• Professional membership association
• Vision rehabilitation education
• Continuing education courses
• Specialized accreditation services
• Blindness professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Individual professional membership dues provide primary recurring revenue stream. Corporate/organizational membership tiers available at discounted rates for job postings and sponsorships.
2. Sponsorships and Advertising: Year-round partnership sponsorships ($9,000-$12,000), eLearning sponsorships ($1,000-$2,500), Career Connection job postings ($49-$149/month), newsletter spotlight ads ($250-$1,250), and targeted email campaigns ($500-$1,800) provide significant revenue.
3. Conference and Events: Biennial international conferences and chapter conferences generate revenue through registration fees. International Conference 2026 in Louisville, KY.
4. Bookstore (AER Reads): AER Book & Lounge sells specialized education, teaching, and training manuals for vision professionals including orientation and mobility and low vision rehabilitation resources.
5. Accreditation Services: Accreditation program for organizations, schools, and higher education institutions generates revenue through application fees and annual reports.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AER is a professional membership organization that sells individual and corporate memberships, online continuing education courses through the AER eLearning Center, subscriptions to peer-reviewed journals (JVIB and The New RE:View), accreditation services for higher education institutions and schools/agencies serving the blind, the Career Connection job board, biennial International Conference registration, advertising/sponsorship placements, and specialized books through the AER Book & Lounge. Its customers are vision rehabilitation professionals (TVIs, O&M specialists, vision rehabilitation therapists, low vision therapists) and the schools, agencies, and higher education programs that train or employ them.

Product overview

AER is a professional membership organization offering a comprehensive ecosystem of products and services for professionals serving individuals who are blind or have low vision. The core offerings include the AER eLearning Center (online professional development with CE credits), two peer-reviewed journals (The Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness and The New RE:View), AER Book & Lounge (specialized bookstore for training materials), Career Connection (job board), and the AER International Conference (biennial global gathering). Additionally, AER operates two accreditation programs: one for higher education institutions offering personnel preparation programs and another for schools and agencies providing direct services. Members receive access to 30+ local chapters and 16 professional divisions, monthly newsletter (The Voice), scholarships, and regional chapter conferences throughout the year.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Membership Annual professional membership for individuals (vision rehabilitation professionals — TVIs, O&M specialists, VRTs, LVTs, assistive technology specialists) and corporate/organizational members, providing access to chapter membership (30+ chapters), divisions (16), eLearning Center, JVIB journal subscription, and The Voice newsletter. Corporate tier offers discounted rates on job postings and sponsorships.
• AER eLearning Center Online professional development platform offering 200+ courses for vision professionals, with continuing education (CE) credits. ACVREP CE credits are included with AER membership, and CRCC credits are available for select courses. Includes 2,300+ registered users.
• Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness (JVIB) International peer-reviewed journal of record in the blindness field and the official journal of AER, provided as a subscription benefit to members.
• The New RE:View (TNR) AER's new online journal launched in 2025, providing peer-reviewed content for the visual impairment and blindness field.
• AER Book & Lounge (AER Reads) Specialized online bookstore offering education, teaching, and training manuals for vision professionals, supporting development of skills in orientation and mobility, low vision rehabilitation, and vision education.
• Career Connection Online job board connecting employers with qualified professionals in the blindness and low vision field, with job posting features on the AER website and The Voice newsletter, plus LinkedIn sharing. Corporate/organizational members receive discounted job posting rates ($49/month member vs. $149/month non-member).
• AER International Conference Biennial international conference serving as a leading global gathering for professionals in visual impairment and blindness, providing forums for sharing innovations, best practices, and emerging research. Registration fees generate revenue.
• Higher Education Accreditation Program Accreditation program for colleges and universities offering personnel preparation programs in Orientation & Mobility (O&M), Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI), Low Vision Therapists (LVT), Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT), and Assistive Technology (AT). Operates under CHEA recognition.
• Organizations and Schools Accreditation Program Accreditation program for schools and agencies providing direct services to individuals who are blind or have low vision, evaluating against quality standards for management and program delivery. Generates revenue through application fees and annual report fees.
• Year-Round Official Partnership (Corporate Sponsorship) Year-round annual partnership sponsorship providing website logo recognition, exclusive bi-annual The Voice Newsletter Spotlight, and quarterly social media promotion. Priced at $9,000/year for AER members and $12,000/year for non-members.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,800+ members served through membership and professional development programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Success Beyond SightminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Dr. Elly du Pré has served on the board of Success Beyond Sight, connecting her work to AER's accreditation program and commitment to quality services in the blindness field.
• ACVREP (Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACVREP is the national certification body providing multiple types of professional certification in the field of blindness. AER has collaborated with ACVREP on development and implementation of certification standards. AER's Dr. Euclid J. Herie is mentioned in context of ACVREP development. AER's eLearning platform provides ACVREP CE credits for select courses.
• CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAER's Higher Education Accreditation Commission (HEAC) operates under CHEA recognition, ensuring that institutions of higher education prepare professionals for quality services to individuals who are blind and those who have low vision.
• VisionServe AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAER members actively participate in VisionServe Alliance committees. The organization collaborates on issues affecting the blindness field and shares the common theme of building quality services for people who are blind or have low vision.
• National Accreditation Council (NAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2017, the AER Board accepted NAC's proposal to transfer its accreditation program for private agencies and schools to AER. AER elevated its longstanding University Review Program to an accreditation process and established the AER Accreditation Council.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Printing House for the Blind (APH): Long-established nonprofit providing educational materials and technology for blind learners. Comparable as a mission-aligned blindness-field organization with overlapping educator customers and content/publishing assets that partially overlap with AER's AER Reads and journals.
• Lighthouse Guild: Nonprofit providing vision services, behavioral health, and professional training. Comparable as a blindness-field organization with overlapping customer base (vision professionals, agencies) and direct services that interact with AER's accredited programs.

Regional players

• Perkins School for the Blind: Historic school for the blind now operating internationally with teacher training and PD programs. Comparable in serving TVIs and vision professionals through training, though operating primarily as a school rather than a membership association.

Direct peers

• National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET): Professional membership organization for special education teachers with similar subscription, CE, and publication offerings. Closest like-for-like competitor in business model, scale, and target audience (special educators, including TVIs).
• American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): National nonprofit serving people with vision loss through advocacy, research, and professional resources. Comparable to AER as a blindness-field convening organization with overlapping professional audiences (educators, rehab specialists) and complementary content/publication assets.
• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC): The largest international professional organization for special educators, with membership, conventions, divisions, journals (TEACHING Exceptional Children, Exceptional Children), and CE offerings. Closest large-scale analog to AER's professional membership/PD model in an adjacent special education vertical.
• National Federation of the Blind (NFB): Largest US membership organization of blind Americans, with parallel convention, division, and chapter structure to AER. Comparable as a blindness-field membership association, though consumer-rather than professional-facing.
• American Council of the Blind (ACB): National consumer membership organization in the blindness field with affiliated state chapters and annual conventions. Comparable to AER in membership/chapter model and field-convening role, with overlapping professional and consumer audiences.
• VisionServe Alliance: Consortium of agencies serving people who are blind or have low vision. Comparable to AER as a blindness-field convening body and core strategic partner; members and audiences substantially overlap with AER's agency/school accreditation customers.

Emerging players

• ACVREP (Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals): The national certification body for vision rehabilitation professionals. AER has a strategic partnership with ACVREP and credits ACVREP CEUs through its eLearning platform; they are closely allied but cover complementary (certification vs. membership/PD) functions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AERBVI
• Facebookfacebook.com/AERBVI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aerbvi
• Instagraminstagram.com/aerbvi
• Xx.com/AERBVI

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired