Summer | May | 2023
Textbook Shuffle: Time to return the used and order for next year!
2022-2023 Textbook Returns
Between now and August 31, FIMC-VI will receive as many as 15 mail crates a day or approximately 3,000 books in 23,000 volumes. That's 6,000 volumes a MONTH. Package and send your books to FIMC-VI or use the L/C/D (Lost/Consumed/Damaged) feature to report materials in the Online System. Below is a summary of the procedures, but we suggest watching the FIMC-VI Info and Updates Part 3 webinar recording for even more details.

Packing Up the Books
  • Try to keep the volumes of one book together in the same box. If packing more than one book in a box, please insert a piece of paper separating the two books.
  • If you need more than one box for a book, put a piece of paper in each box listing which volumes are present.
  • Number the outside of boxes 1 of 16, 2 of 16, …
  • Put your name/district on the outside of the box: Anderson/Hillsborough 1 of 16.
  • FIMC-VI, Attn: Denise/Shipping –Textbooks,1208 Wishing Well Way, Tampa, FL 33619
  • Write Free Matter for the Blind where the postage would normally go, and ship for free!

Damaged/Missing Braille and Large Print Books
  • Recycle damaged volumes at your location.
  • If a volume is missing or damaged (moldy, torn, bugs, etc.):
  • Return the other volumes and in the box, include a note about the missing volume.
  • Send Kathee Cagle an email with the access number, title, and volume that is being destroyed or is missing.

What About Workbooks?
  • Large print workbooks do not need to be returned. 
  • Please return braille workbooks.
  • Email Kathee Cagle the access number and title from the barcode label to let her know which workbooks have been used.
  • OR use the L/C/D feature in the Online System.

Ordering Textbooks for 2023-2024 Checklist
  • Ensure student is in the Online System (has an FIMC-VI ID).
  • Specific location to where the books should be sent (include building name and your name).
  • Let secretaries and custodians know! Keep the boxes for returning.
  • Book ISBN from inside cover.
  • Your log-in for the Online System.
  • Use forgot user ID/password link on Online System home page if needed.
  • Use Staff Authorization form if you do not have an account yet.
  • Use the Order History section in the Online System to track progress of order.
  • Visit FIMC-VI's Accessible Instructional Materials page for reminders.
APH and Loan Library Returns
Loan Library Returns
Summer is the time for FIMC-VI to collect and inventory items in the Loan Library to get them ready for next school year. Help us by returning items that you have borrowed.

Please email Colleen Mulcahey with any questions and to receive a FedEx label as soon as you are ready to ship the equipment back. If we have not heard from you by the end of the school year, Colleen will contact you directly.

Do NOT Return APH Materials to FIMC-VI
  • Check with other teachers in your district to see if they can use the materials.
  • Use the APH Swap-Meet in Canvas to send materials to someone else.
  • Discard any incomplete, dirty, or unusable kits or materials.
  • Contact Colleen with any questions.
  • Reminder: APH technology that has been borrowed from our Loan Library must be returned.
Upcoming FIMC-VI Events
Student and Family Events
Florida APH Abacus Math Bee
September 15, 2023 | Melbourne, FL

Mark your calendars for the 2023 Florida APH Abacus Math Bee on September 15! Students with visual impairments can compete using an abacus, finger math, or mental math. Families are invited to join the morning activities and guest speakers for the day. If students are too young or not ready to compete, they are still invited with parents to learn together. Everyone is welcome! 

Check out this introduction to the Cranmer Abacus on YouTube. 


Webinar Coming Soon
Get Ready with the Practice2Master Abacus App
Get your students ready for life by getting them ready for math – and the Florida APH Abacus Math Bee! APH will be hosting a webinar this summer on how to use their new Practice2Master abacus app. 

An abacus is a tool used to perform mathematical calculations and is widely accepted as a helpful learning aid for students. The Practice2Master Abacus app can be used as a supplement to classroom instructions in which teachers can assign practice tasks or drills to students. It may also be used as a self-learning tool that includes systematic instructions and practice to help students start from the basics and become proficient abacus users. Not only is this app a great tool for students, but it can also be used as a reliable reference for teachers and parents who need to refresh themselves on abacus calculations.

Practice2Master Abacus is available with Quota Funds here.
If you are not purchasing this app with Quota funds, then please download and pay for the Practice2Master Abacus app through the App Store or the Google Play store.

Stay tuned for more information on how to register for the Practice2Master Abacus app training.

Save the Date
Florida Cane Quest
November 4, 2023 | Tampa, FL

West Florida Braille Challenge
January 19, 2024 | Tampa, FL

East Florida Braille Challenge
February 2, 2024 | Orlando, FL

South Florida Braille Challenge
February 16, 2024 | Ft. Lauderdale, FL

North Florida Braille Challenge - TBD
March 1, 2024 | Tallahassee, FL
Dates, locations, and registration details for all FIMC-VI trainings are distributed via email and posted on our website. Past webinars and recordings can be found on the Past Events page.
Products for Young Children with Visual Impairment
Do you ever get asked by parents or providers what toys are best for young children with visual impairments?

A wonderful list of resource was recently compiled from multiple visually impaired preschool agencies, by the Director of AIM Center Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The list is available for you below:

 
 
 
 
FAVI Book Buddies
The Florida & Virgin Islands (FAVI) Deaf-Blind Collaborative has created a Book Buddies program. They are looking for emerging braille readers who are interested in participating in a concept development-based reading group that will meet together to read books, create crafts, and participate in other active caregiver/child fun! If you are interested or would like to learn more, please have your families complete the Book Buddy Interest Survey and view the Book Buddy Flyer.
Communication Matrix Course



The Communication Matrix is an online assessment tool created to help professionals and family members support people with severe communication disorders in their journey toward greater self-expression. The Florida and Virgin Islands Deaf-Blind Collaborative is offering this free course on assessing children/students with deafblindness and additional disabilities. Once enrolled, participants have 6 weeks to complete this self-paced, flexible course.
Free Workshop on the Expanded Core Curriculum
It's not too late to start using the Expanded Core High School Readiness Checklist! Come to the free workshop on May 19th from 11:00am-1:00pm MST and learn how to use the checklist, design instruction and determine priority areas for IEP goals. Invite your related service providers and general education teachers and special education teachers to learn too!
Project INSPIRE Summer Courses
Once again, Project INSPIRE is offering all six of their free, on-demand, self-paced courses focused on Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts and methods and materials for math instruction. Courses begin June 5 and end July 14. See the flyer with the pertinent information and a link to the sign-up form.

L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D.
Owner, Vision for Independence, LLC
Consultant for Project INSPIRE
Research Professor Emerita, University of Arizona
 
For more information: Flyer
Survey Opportunities and Requests
UEB Survey: The Transition to UEB and its Impact Across the United States

You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by Chris Clark-Bischke, Ph.D. and Alexis Redford, M.Ed. at the University of Utah. The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of the transition to Unified English Braille (UEB) from the perspectives of all involved individuals (i.e. Teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs), administrators, parents, university personnel preparation program faculty, and braille transcriptionists/ paraprofessionals). 

The goal is to acquire an understanding of the impact of the transition, identify supports for states/territories and current TVIs.
For this study, participants will be asked to:
  1. Complete an online survey (less than 10 minutes) and,
  2.  if you are willing, participate in one individual interview via phone or Zoom (less than 30 minutes) 
To indicate your consent to participate in this study, and to begin the survey, please click one of the following links: 

 
 
 
 
 
If you have questions about the study, please contact Dr. Chris Bischke at chris.bischke@utah.edu
APH Product Idea Survey: Music Braille Stickers

APH wants to know what products you need out there in the field. How about braille stickers related to musical content? Complete this survey to provide your feedback to Laura Zierer, APH's Independent Living and O&M Product Manager.

Thank you for participating!

Laura Zierer, MA, CPACC
Independent Living and O&M Product Manager
American Printing House
1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
Job Opportunities
Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches is Hiring

The Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches is hiring for a Youth Services Specialist position. Please see Job Description for more information.

Elizabeth Prus is the supervising manager for this position. Interested applicants can contact Elizabeth Prus at eprus@lhpb.org or Mary Allen at mallen@lhpb.org.





Florida Department of Education’s Division of Blind Services (DBS) Announces First in the Nation Job Apprenticeship Program

Daytona Beach, Fla., March 2, 2023 – Today, the Florida Department of Education’s Division of Blind Services (DBS) announced a first in the nation, state agency led registered apprenticeship program to create employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired individuals, training them to enhance website accessibility for internet users for all disabilities. The Department’s new Web Accessibility Specialist Registered Apprenticeship Program combines on-the-job training with educational instruction to progressively increase workers’ skill levels, wages and career options. Graduates will also receive internationally recognized portable credentials, and their training may be applied toward further post-secondary education.
 
“We are proud of the work DBS is doing every day for the blind and visually impaired community,” said Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “Today’s announcement doubles down on their daily efforts by creating the first internship of its kind in the nation. I look forward to seeing the new apprentices in action!”
 
“This is a significant advancement for DBS clients,” said Senior Chancellor Henry Mack. “It provides the benefit of being employed while also allowing participants to gain valuable skills that will enable them to make the web more accessible for themselves and their peers. We are very excited to launch this program.”
 
The Web Accessibility Specialist Registered Apprenticeship Program was created to provide another pathway into the Information Technology arena for blind and visually impaired clients served by DBS. Web Accessibility Specialists will review and evaluate websites to actively enhance or improve user accessibility and end-user experience, with specialization in accessibility for blind or visually impaired individuals. Web Accessibility Specialists may also contribute to the website design process, recommend user flows, collaboratively work with a larger team to troubleshoot accessibility errors, and fix accessibility compliance issues.
 
Apprentices selected into the program will serve as DBS employees and receive training at the DBS Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The competency-based apprenticeship is approximately 12-months.
 
Interested applicants should contact their DBS counselor and must:
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Be a proficient reader of Braille or large print.
  • Have proficient computer skills.
  • Use a keyboard proficiently.
  • Be able to use the NonVisual Desktop Access screen reader.
  • Have the ability to use the Google Chrome Browser and Chrome extensions.
  • Have the ability to adapt to difficult challenges.
  • Meet eligibility requirements for entry into to the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
 
The Division of Blind Services is committed to ensuring that blind and visually impaired Floridians have the tools, support and opportunities to achieve their goals and live productive and independent lives. DBS oversees 15 district offices throughout the state of Florida including the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Daytona Beach. The Center is a residential facility where visually impaired students temporarily reside to gain skills, education, and/or training that enables and empowers them to lead productive, self-sufficient lives. 
 
Dancing Dots: How Music Tech is Making Performing and Composing Easier for Musicians Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
Latest Episode of Podcast “On Tech and Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts” Explores Transformative Technologies in Music
 
The producers of the "On Tech and Vision" podcast recently invited Dancing Dots’ founder to zoom in a bit about his company and its accessible music technology and also to zoom out to discuss the bigger picture of the intersection of technology with musicians who are blind or who have low vision.

Musicians who are blind or visually impaired have made profound impacts on our musical landscape. However, to get their work to us, they often need to develop complex workarounds, like relying on sighted musicians to demonstrate scores, memorizing long pieces, or only performing when they can have a Braille score in front of them. Now, new technologies in music composition and production are bringing musicians and composers who are blind or visually impaired to centerstage to share their sound and song.

A Celebration of Sound and Song: Music Tech Shines the Spotlight on Musicians with Vision Loss, is the latest episode of the podcast, On Tech and Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts.
Helen Keller National Center (HKNC)




SAVE THE DATE
Helen Keller National Center Mental Health Training Series
When: Weekly in May 2023
Time: Wednesdays 6:00 PM-8:00 PM EST
Where: Zoom
 
Helen Keller National Center is excited to announce a webinar series on Mental Health services for individuals who are DeafBlind. The goal is to increase access to mental health resources, overall awareness and understanding of the success and struggles within the diverse DeafBlind population. Interpreting support will be available. CEUs will be offered.
Weekly webinar topics will address areas of interest for mental health professionals, community rehabilitation providers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, individuals who are DeafBlind, family members, sign language interpreters, etc.

If you are interested and would like further information, please fill out the form below. Questions? Email us at pld@hknc.org

Curious about the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC)?
Learn about HKNC’s comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services for individuals who are DeafBlind at its headquarters in Sands Point, NY through its onsite and virtual assessment and training opportunities.

Expanded HKNC field services provide inclusive options for local services including:
  • DeafBlind Employment Specialists (DBES)
  • Youth Services Coordinators (YSC)

HKNC’s network of regional representatives connects DeafBlind individuals, their families and service providers with all that HKNC has to offer.

Check out the Helen Keller National Center website to learn more about its mission, services, programs and how to connect! https://www.helenkeller.org/hknc/
 
Questions?
Contact David Volper at dvolper@helenkeller.org  
or Janice Hanvey at jhanvey@helenkeller.org
Freedom Scientific K-12 Student of the Month
Freedom Scientific’s Student of the Month Program is excited to feature K-12 students in the U.S. who are blind or low vision and have shown a conscientious commitment to their educational objectives. Nominees must be students who are blind or low vision and who use Freedom Scientific technology in pursuit of educational goals.

A student can either self-nominate or be nominated by someone else. Any student under the age of 18 must have parental consent to participate. Every month a student will be selected as the Freedom Scientific Student of the Month.

To accept the award, the student must provide a short video that includes:
  • First name
  • One way they use Freedom Scientific technology for school
  • Their favorite thing about the software or device

The selected Freedom Scientific Student of the Month will receive a $300 Amazon gift card, and a five-year license of JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion. Also, their story will be featured by Freedom Scientific on our blog and social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

In partnership with Computers for the Blind, each winner is eligible to receive a free, refurbished computer along with a free Home Annual license of JAWS or ZoomText. Together, Freedom Scientific and Computers for the Blind are empowering independence and bridging the digital divide.
Tips for Accessible Educational Materials
CAST, the Center for Applied Special Technology has put out a new Tip Sheet for Accessible Educational Materials to help educators when selecting appropriate accessible materials for learners.

Accessibility is an important part of Universal Design for Learning, but how do you get started? What do you need to know to make and select materials that work for all learners?

Tips for Accessible Educational Materials:
  1. Don't assume digital means accessible.
  2. Add "alt text" to images.
  3. Add closed captions to videos.
  4. Use styles for document structure.
  5. Use high contrast colors for text and background.
  6. Use more than just color and styling to highlight features.
  7. Use descriptive hyperlinks.
  8. Use plain language.
  9. Use built-in accessibility checkers.
  10. Adopt principles for developing accessible educational materials.

CAST (2023). Tips for Accessible Educational Materials. Wakefield, MA: Author. Retrieved from https://www.cast.org/products-services/resources/2023/udl-tips-accessible-educational-materials-aem.
Making Large Meetings and Trainings More Accessible for All
How to Make Scientific Meeting and Conferences Accessible

This toolkit provides guidelines for making scientific conferences more inclusive and accessible for people with visual impairments or who are blind. Developed by researchers with visual impairments, this toolkit is based on principles of universal design and includes information for meeting planners, conference staff, presenters, and attendees, regardless of familiarity with accessibility.    
 
Bonnielin Swenor, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor | Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Director | Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center

For more information: Flyer | Full Toolkit
Scholarships
Kimberly Dawn Owens Campership Fund
Florida Lions Foundation for Blind, INC.

Lion Geoff Wade shares that while the Lions may not have their own summer camp, they do have a scholarship program to sponsor children's attendance at local camps in their area. See details and eligibility requirements at the application link below.
FAER Scholarships

The FAER Awards Committee is pleased to provide two scholarships annually to students pursuing degrees in visual disabilities. The application deadline is November 1, 2023. By accepting an FAER Scholarship, a recipient pledges to be employed, following graduation, in a program or agency serving individuals with visual impairments in the State of Florida. This employment will be required for the duration of the funding that was received.
FAER scholarships are limited to upper class undergraduate (junior and senior) and graduate students who have been admitted as degree seeking students enrolled for at least 3 hours in a qualifying program at an institution of higher education that prepares professionals to provide services to individuals with visual impairments. Applicants can be preparing to provide services as teachers of students with visual impairments, assistive technology instructional specialists, vocational rehabilitation therapists, or low vision therapists.
Additionally, the Purvis Ponder Memorial Honorarium is available to graduate students who have been admitted as degree seeking students enrolled for at least 3 hours in a qualifying program at an institution of higher education that prepares professionals to provide orientation and mobility services to individuals with visual impairments.
2023 AER Scholarship

AER is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2023 AER Scholarship! We are proudly offering this opportunity to graduate-level students studying for a career in the field of Teacher of the Visually Impaired or Orientation & Mobility.
 
Three scholarships will be offered in the amount of $2,000 each. The deadline for submitting the application is May 15, 2023 and the three recipients will be announced on our website in the summer of 2023.
 
Please refer to the application for the specific eligibility criteria and for further details.
 
The deadline to submit the application is May 15, 2023.
 
Visit the AER website for more information or click here to view the scholarship application. 
Grow Your Own TVIs and O&M Specialists
ONLINE TVI PROGRAM (Master of Science Program) 
  • Next cohort begins August 2023 (application deadline July 1st) 
  • Designed for general and special educators, paraprofessionals, and alternatively certified TVIs who want to refine or learn the specialized skills necessary to effectively teach children with visual impairments 
  • Tuition support may be available for eligible students
  • https://education.fsu.edu/visual-disabilities-grad 
 
O&M SPECIALIZATION (Master of Science Program) 
  • Next cohort begins August 2023 (application deadline July 1st) 
  • Now offered in hybrid format 
  • Grant money, tuition support, and books available for eligible students
  • Designed for anyone with a BS degree (with or without TVI or related experience) 
  • https://education.fsu.edu/visual-disabilities-grad 
  
ON CAMPUS TVI PROGRAM (Combined Bachelor/Master of Science Program) 
 
Questions? Contact Eileen Bischof at bischof@fsu.edu 
Thank you for reading!