Hello

Hi!  I am a teacher in the US and I am seriously considering moving to the UK for the 2011-2012 school year if I can find a job in my specialty(teaching the blind and visually impaired).  I would like to talk with any other teachers that may be on this board and to anyone who might have some useful advice on looking for jobs and living in the UK.

Thanks!

Welcome to UKY! 

You'll need an appropriate visa, likely a Tier 2, I'd think. I think there isn't a shortage in your area, so a visa may be hard to get. I'd post your situation in the visa section. And the jobs board.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/general/

Unless you have access to citizenship of another EU country. 
http://europa.eu/

http://ww2.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/special_education_needs_teacher_vacancy_sources.jsp

You'd have to be registered with the appropriate teaching council to practice as a qualified teacher. Check the resources in the link above.

http://ww2.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/special_education_needs_teacher_resources.jsp

You may also want to look at the overseas trained teacher programme:
http://www.tda.gov.uk/partners/recruiting/ebr/ottprog.aspx

Or you may wish to come over and do a Masters in Special Education with a student visa:
http://ww2.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Find_courses_and_research_gs/p!eefXfmd?keyword=special+education&selfilter=subject%2F2028&action=addfilter&offset=0&2waynocompress=1

Keep in mind, due to culture differences, this education may not be easily internationally transferable.

Student visas:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/

Keep in mind BSL and Makaton are different to ASL, among other cultural differences in education, communication and adaptations for disabled people.

Best of luck with it!