"A dynamic group of teachers and rehab specialists work and live in the DC /Maryland area." - Sharon P

Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.

local Chapter DC/MD

Join
DC-MD AER is a chapter of AER (Association of the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually-Impaired). AER is a non-profit professional membership organization dedicated exclusively to professionals who provide services to persons with vision loss. Our aim is to promote and support the professions by advocating for evidence-based practices, high quality standards, value-added resources and giving voice to issues of critical importance. AER provides professional development via face-to-face conferences, virtual offerings and publications to strengthen the knowledge, skills and abilities of professionals within the field. AER provides networking, mentoring, connectivity, awards and scholarships for professionals to advance excellence within the field. Our aim is to ensure that persons with vision loss will have optimal gains and greater independence by giving timely, intentional and value-added support to professionals in the field.

2025 SPRING CONFERENCE

Friday, March 28, 2025
8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Maritime Conference Center -- 692 Maritime Blvd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090

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JOIN OUR MENTOR PROGRAM

If you're new to the field and need someone you don't work with to ask questions to, or if you're a seasoned professional who has wisdom to share, we need you for our Mentor/mentee program. We will link you up with a mentor/mentee you can talk to. Bringing people together; it's what we do.

Click the "Mentorship" link up top, or go here to sign on.

Why should I join?

When you join AER you provide the means for us to:
  • Plan conferences and other learning environments for you
  • Provide a forum for us on a local, state, and federal level to discuss issues as they affect the people of the blind and visually impaired community and those who work with them.
  • Provide professional publications assessing the latest in technologies and instructional methods
  • Provide scholarships, learning opportunities, and leadership opportunities for people to help further the field.
As a member, you will receive:
  • Discounts to conferences and other events.
  • Access to e-learning events
  • Access to listservs that will allow you to interact with others in the field.
  • Discounts on numerous other services, such as auto insurance, hotels, rental cars, and even professional liability insurance
  • Access to various awards and scholarships to help you advance in your field.
  • The opportunity to network with others in the field.
  • Access to help shape the direction you would like AER to move. We rely on our members to tell us what they would like the only professional organization for people who work with the blind and visually-impaired community. Tell us what you would like to see.

CHAPTER COMMITTEES

Are you a DC-MD AER Chapter member in good standing AND looking for a way to get involved with the chapter? Please consider joining one of our committees, get connected, and help continue to move us in a positive direction.

If you have additional questions about any of these committees please reach out to us via e-mail at info@dcmdaer.org.

***MUST BE A CURRENT MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING WITH AER***

Not a member, but want to become one? It’s never too late register!

TELL US WHAT YOU NEED!

Your DC/MD AER Chapter is here to help you with resources, mentorship, and professional development. If you have ideas of how we can help you or for events, please contact us at info@dcmdaer.org. We would love to hear from you!

Board of Directors

Sharon Payne, COMS, CLVT -
 President
Karen Frank -
 Past-President
Joshua Irzyk, Ed.D. -
 President Elect
Matt Spencer, TVI -
 Treasurer
Diane Ducharme -
 Secretary
Aimee Scheib -
 Member-at-Large
Becky Hommer, Ed.D. -
 Member-at-Large
Kinyatti Gakuhi, TVI, COMS, CLVT -
 Member-at-Large
Jacqueline Otwell, TVI -
 Member-at-Large

Apply for Services

To apply for our services and make a referral, contact us. We would love to hear from you!
contact us

SAVE THE DATE!

SAVE THE DATE

2025 DC-MD AER Spring Conference

Friday, March 28, 2025

Maritime Conference Center

Linthicum, MD