CVI Ally: An Academic Access Companion for Students with Brain-based Visual Impairments and Their Teams

Matt Tietjen is an education consultant and teacher of students with visual impairments. Matt earned his undergraduate degree at Cornell University. He became certified in special education certification at Southern Connecticut State University. He received his certification in teaching students with visual impairments from UMASS Boston, where he also earned his Master’s in Education. Matt specializes in working with children who have cortical/cerebral visual impairment (CVI). He developed the What’s the Complexity Framework (APH Press) out of his conviction that children with CVI deserve a visually accessible school day. Matt is passionate about teaching families and educators about CVI and partnering with them to create person-centered educational programs. Matt’s What’s the Complexity Framework appears as Chapter 4 in “Cortical Visual Impairment: Advanced Principles,” edited by Christine Roman-Lantzy. Matt presents internationally on CVI and teaches CVI graduate courses through UMASS Boston, Perkins School for the Blind, and Fitchburg State University. Matt, along with two co-authors, is currently writing a book on academic accommodations for students with CVI (Perkins Publications).