Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired
Visual Field Newsletter
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The 2022-2023 FIMC-VI Annual Survey has Launched! |
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FIMC-VI is conducting its annual survey in order to get feedback on all of the services we provide, including webinars, Working with the Experts-Visually Impaired, the loan library, the annual census, the Scholastic books program, braille/large print/digital textbooks, American Printing House ordering, and anything else we forgot to mention! Here is your chance to provide feedback and suggestions on what we can change, improve, and add for next year. We are seeking input from all of you; parents, teachers, administrators, agency staff, paraprofessionals, braille transcribers and anyone else who has used our services.
Hurry, the survey will close at 11:59pm EST on April 7, 2023! We count on this information to write the upcoming year's grant, which is shared with the Florida Department of Education.
Please share this email with anyone else who may be able to provide feedback on FIMC-VI services. We look forward to hearing from you and learning how we can even better serve you and all students who are visually impaired throughout the state!
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FIMC-VI's offices will be closed during the week of March 13 for spring break. We will return on March 20. |
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Register Now for Upcoming FIMC-VI Events |
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Working with the Experts - Visually Impaired
Technology Walkabout
March 30-31, 2023 | Tallahassee, FL
Join experts from the Center for Assistive Technology Training (CATT), American Printing House for the Blind (APH), and Vispero to learn about current and new technologies and practices. For questions, contact Andrea Wallace or Tiffany Conrad.
Webinars
FIMC-VI Info and Updates Webinar Series
Part 3 | March 28, 2023 | 2:00pm-3:30pm EST
Join this session to learn about end-of-year procedures, including returning textbooks to FIMC-VI and ordering materials and textbooks for the next school year.
Student and Family Events
Florida Festival of Families
April 14-15, 2023 | Jacksonville, FL
Join us for "Game Day" at this family-focused event for students with visual impairments or dual sensory impairments of all ages throughout Florida. A Friday evening "tail gate" reception will kick off the weekend. Saturday, guest speakers will present to parents and guardians on various topics related to self-advocacy, literacy, assistive technology, etc. while students and their siblings participate in fun, educational sessions with teachers and volunteers. Resource and service-providers will share information throughout the day. Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be served for pre-registered guests. Register by March 24.
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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.
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Visual Aid Volunteers of Florida (VAVF) Conference |
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The 2023 VAVF Virtual Conference is coming soon! Mark your calendars for April 5, 12, and 19 (see agenda). This training opportunity is for braille transcribers, teachers of students who are blind or have low vision, and others who want to learn more about the production of tactile, auditory and digital instructional materials.
Eighteen sessions will be available, with topics such as:
- Braille2000 tips and V3
- Textbook formatting
- BrailleBlaster V2
- Duxbury
- CorelDRAW for tactile graphics
- Nemeth
- UEB Math/Science
- and more!
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a variety of expert transcribers! For more information and to register, visit the VAVF website. |
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Florida Low Vision Initiative Updates |
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The Florida Low Vision Initiative is excited to welcome our new Research Specialist, Meredith Grace Kerr. Meredith Grace is both a certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and an ACVREP Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. She has prior experience working with students, families, and professionals in both the school district and with the Lighthouse. She may be reached directly at mkerr@fsu.edu.
Florida Low Vision Initiative enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is winding down. Please reach out to Kim Roberts (kmroberts@fsu.edu) if you have a student with an immediate need. Information about referring for the 2023-2024 school year will be shared in early April.
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Paraeducator Training at the CTEBVI Conference |
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The California Transcribers and Educators for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CTEBVI) is proud to introduce Paraeducator Training, specific to support professionals working with students who are visually impaired, at our 63rd annual CTEBVI conference!
TRAINING SPECIFICS: A two-day training with eight modules led by nationally renowned presenters, covering the following topics (you must select all eight sessions);
- Introduction to Paraeducator Training
- Students with Multiple Disabilities including Deafblind
- Literacy and Access Technology
- Material Preparation including the Use of Technology
- Socialization
- Orientation and Mobility
- Transition and Career Readiness
- Promoting Professionalism
Each module includes objectives and participants will learn several key skills required in order to best serve students who are blind or whose vision is impaired. All of the modules will cover assistive technology as it applies to the module topic. A certificate of completion will be given at the conclusion of the course.
WHEN AND WHERE:
Costs vary based on when you register and whether or not you are a CTEBVI member.
Registration includes full access to all conference events, workshops, Exhibit Hall, and General Sessions. Space is limited to 40 participants. Register as soon as possible to guarantee a seat in the training as well as to receive discounts for early registration.
QUESTIONS:
Register now, less than 20 spaces available! Choose Paraeducator member or non-member, then proceed with all eight modules in the training. (You can also attend workshops on Saturday at no extra charge.
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Survey Opportunities and Requests |
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Expanded Core Curriculum IEP Goal Survey
Robbin Clark of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind is conducting a needs assessment research project to support itinerant teachers with developing Expanded Core IEP goals with instruction to support the goals.
Thank you for your help with this project!
Contact info:
Robbin Clark, MA (she/her/hers)
Assistant Director/Principal for
Expanded Core Curriculum & Instruction and
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CVI Research Opportunity
My name is Dr. Mindy Ely, and I am an Assistant Professor in the area of Low Vision and Blindness at Illinois State University. We are conducting a research study examining the effectiveness of visually stimulating activities to increase visual awareness in infants and toddlers between 9 to 36 months of age diagnosed with cerebral visual impairment. Those invited to participate include children and their parent. Children who score 1-2 on the CVI Range are eligible to participate.
Please consider forwarding this participation invitation to parents that you know.
As participants, parents will be asked to record the visual behaviors of their child before and after completing a specified visual play activity. Participation in the study will last 3 to 5 weeks.
Participation in the study is voluntary. The identities of children and parents will remain confidential during and after the study unless participants choose to allow recordings including their likeness to be used in professional development trainings.
If you have questions or would like to participate, please text me at 217-899-1193 or email msely@ilstu.edu.
This work is being conducted by Ashley Strausbaugh (a doctoral student) Elijah Eiler (a master's student) and Mindy Ely.
Thank you for your consideration.
Mindy S. Ely, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Low Vision/Blindness Master's Program Coordinator
LIMITLESS Principal Investigator
Low Vision/Blindness Programs
Department of Special Education
Illinois State University
Phone: 217-899-1193
Check out our available programs:
LIMITLESS is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education (H325K190003).
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Research Study for Itinerant Teachers
Hello,
My name is Lacey Long, and I am a doctoral student from the University of North Dakota. I am conducting a research study to explore the shared knowledge and collaboration between special education teachers and itinerant teachers working with students with sensory disabilities (i.e., teachers of students with visual impairments, teachers of the deaf/hard of hearing, and teachers of students who are deaf-blind).
You will be asked to answer 10 questions on an online survey using Qualtrics. It will take about 10 minutes to complete the survey questions. Participation in the survey is voluntary. The survey does not ask for any information that would identify who the responses belong to. Therefore, your responses are recorded anonymously. There are no known risks involved in this research. If you have any questions, you may reach the investigators, Dr. Shannon Grave and Lacey Long, at shannon.grave@und.edu or lacey.long@und.edu.
Thank you,
Lacey Long
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Accessible STEM Video Game |
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A few weeks ago the Bridge Multimedia/WNET Group’s accessible educational video game, Cyberchase: Duck Dash, received a 2023 Kidscreen “Best Learning App” Award. Judged by highly respected industry professionals, the Kidscreen awards celebrate the year’s top achievements in children’s television and digital media.
Duck Dash, a STEM video game based on the wildly popular Cyberchase franchise was the culmination of a powerful collaboration between the WNET Group, PBS KIDS, Bridge, and Relish Studios. According to Wendy Sapp, Ph.D., Bridge’s Senior Project Director, “We play-tested the game with children with disabilities and worked with Relish Studios (who wrote the game’s code) to ensure that Duck Dash incorporated comprehensive features for children with physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments. Bridge’s goal is to show digital developers how to utilize principles of Universal Design to make the gaming industry accessible to the 61 million Americans with a disability.”
Bridge’s accessible gaming initiative began in 2018 with funding support from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Bridge CEO Matt Kaplowitz said, “Our OSEP grant really helped us establish the foundation that Bridge is building upon to this day.”
Congratulations to all of Bridge’s accessibility partners. We look forward to more award-winning collaborations in accessible gaming!
Matt Kaplowitz & The Bridge Team
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Summer Camp Opportunity for High School Students with Visual Impairments |
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The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is hosting a free cybersecurity camp for high school students with visual impairments. Camp will be held at the UAH campus in Huntsville, AL, on Sunday, June 4, through Friday, June 9, 2023.
Students will learn cybersecurity skills and concepts through hands-on activities. No previous cybersecurity experience is needed, but basic computer skills are required. Camp is designed to be accessible for students with visual impairments. Campers are encouraged to bring assistive technology.
Space is limited and you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible!
- No cybersecurity experience needed
- Free for all students with visual impairments
- All meals and lodging provided
- Transportation assistance
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APH Product for Eye Pressing |
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HabitAware Product - Your Help Needed!
In 2019, The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) started receiving questions from the field, wanting to know if an existing product could help detect eye pressing. Eye pressing is a common stimming behavior exhibited by those born blind, occurring as early as six months of age. In 2020, APH put out a survey regarding eye pressing in the hopes of gathering data around the topic from the field. The survey yielded over 350 respondents consisting of blind or low vision individuals, teachers, parents, and O&M specialists. Ninety-four percent of respondents said they would be interested in finding a solution that would identify eye pressing and assist with modifying the behavior.
The survey results showed a clear need for a product of this kind, and APH decided to pursue its development. This technology project aims to create a solution that casually notifies the user that they are about to press on their eyes and does not cause them to stand out to their classmates, family members, or colleagues. Enter HabitAware.
HabitAware makes Keen, a patented smart bracelet designed to bring awareness of subconscious behaviors that are physical, repetitive movements, or gestures of the hands. The bracelet sends a gentle vibration when the wearer is about to perform their unwanted behavior, bringing awareness, so a person can begin to choose and practice healthier behaviors.
After reviewing HabitAware’s technology, APH signed a partnership contract to work with them on designing a modified version of the Keen bracelet focused on eye pressing behavior. This eye pressing bracelet will be available to both Quota and non-Quota customers.
How can you help?
To help with the continued development of this product, HabitAware is looking for children ages 10-17 to participate in a study that will gather data on how they perform eye pressing behaviors. This information is needed to create the bracelet’s algorithm.
The process would entail the HabitAware team capturing video of your child in their natural habitat, such as at home. HabitAware will not disclose any names or identifying information about your child. The only data collected will be the movements children make with their arms, hands, and fingers.
Gathering this information will help APH and HabitAware ensure that the product they develop will be helpful to the audience for which it is designed. We hope you will consider having your child participate in this important research process.
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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.
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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.
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Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) Informational Session |
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Date: Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Time: 10:30am-11:20am EST
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.
This session will have live American Sign Language interpreting and captioning.
Questions?
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Grow Your Own TVIs and O&M Specialists |
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ONLINE TVI PROGRAM (Master of Science Program)
- Next cohort begins August 2023 (application deadline July 1st)
- Designed for general and special educators, paraprofessionals, and alt 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
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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)
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https://education.fsu.edu/visual-disabilities-grad
ON CAMPUS TVI PROGRAM (Combined Bachelor/Master of Science Program)
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Florida Instructional Materials Center
for the Visually Impaired
1208 Wishing Well Way
Tampa, FL 33619
813-837-7826
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