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Winter 2002 Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)
June 7-9, 2002
Austin, TX
Usher Syndrome is a leading cause of deafblindness. People with Usher Syndrome are usually born with a hearing impairment, then begin losing vision later as a result of retinitis pigmentosa. This pattern of deafblindness creates some unique issues for children with Usher Syndrome and their families.
Families from all over Texas come to this event year after year. The experience of meeting other families and adult mentors with Usher Syndrome, and simply having time together, makes this a very special weekend. Topics of this year's retreat will include recreation and leisure, planning for college and post-secondary life, and strategies for living a rich full life while coping with the challenges of Usher Syndrome. Information will also be shared about the supports and resources available to school-aged children with Usher Syndrome, their siblings, and their parents.
Travel assistance from Texas Deafblind Outreach is available for families interested in attending.
Registration deadline is May 21, 2002.
Registration flyers will be available in March.
A special day of training for Counselors, Teachers, Rehabilitation Professionals and Parents
June 7, 2002
TSBVI Conference Center - Austin, TX
Michael Brenner, currently the Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative for the Helen Keller National Center, will be the featured speaker at this one-day training. Michael brings a unique perspective to this topic. He has Usher Syndrome (Type II). After completing his Masters Degree from Gallaudet University, he established the Mental Health Counseling Program at Deaf Community Services of San Diego, California. Michael was also Coordinator of Research and Training on Mental Health and Deaf-Blindness, under a grant at Alliant University. He is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), has extensive knowledge and experience in the field of psychosocial issues and deafblindness, and is well-versed in the challenging emotional adjustments caused by dual hearing and vision loss.
The registration fee of $50 includes the cost of lunch and materials.
Checks or agency purchase orders should be made out to Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired.
Registration deadline is May 21, 2002.
Registration flyers will be available in March.
For more information about the retreat or one-day training, or to request a registration flyer,contact Beth Bible
Phone: (512) 206-9103 or E-mail: bethbible@tsbvi.edu
Coming in June to various locations around Texas!
Movement and exploration of the environment play important roles in the development of concepts, strategies for interacting with objects, and body awareness. Vision loss can significantly impact these areas. This workshop will share fun ideas for working on orientation and mobility, motor and sensory skills. The importance of teamwork will be emphasized, and roles of the OT, PT and O&M Specialist will be discussed.
This workshop (still in the planning stages) will be offered to families and professionals at a variety of locations around Texas. Look for information on dates and locations in the Spring Edition of SEE/HEAR.
For information, contact Karen Brown
Phone: (512) 206-9314 or
E-mail: karenbrown@tsbvi.edu
April 4-6, 2002
Harvey Hotel in Richardson, TX
"Taking Charge of Our Future" is this year's theme for the annual conference of TAER (Texas Chapter of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired).
This conference is for educators, orientation and mobility specialists, rehabilitation teachers and counselors, parents, and consumers. Session topics will include the use of technology, writing IEPs for employment, social skills, orientation and mobility, personnel preparation, and much more.
For more information, contact Neva FairchildPhone: (214) 688-7007 or
E-mail: nevaf@dars.state.tx.us
INSITE is a 6-day training for school and ECI professionals
working with families who have children (birth to 5) with
multiple impairments, including sensory impairment.
June 13-14, 2002
Renaissance Hotel, Houston, TX
This conference is for people involved in the education of children with visual impairments, including multiple impairments and deafblindness.
This year's theme, "Looking At Access," will draw our attention to ways students with visual impairments can be given more and better access to the school curriculum, their community, and the world in general.
For more information, contact Jim DurkelPhone: (512) 206-9270 or
E-mail: JimDurkel@tsbvi.edu
Sharon Nichols and Holly Cooper of TSBVI Outreach continue to
offer a number of video conference workshops for the 2001-2002
school year. All broadcasts will be held from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m.
(CST). From 10:30 - 11:00 a.m., participants will be able to ask
questions about the specific technology discussed that day, as
well as any questions about any piece of technology. If possible,
participants should bring to the training the piece of technology
being discussed.
These workshops can be accessed by anyone who is part of the TxED network (formerly known as ESCONETT), and up to five sites that are not part of that network. To get connected, please contact Scott Wimpress at ScottWimpress@tsbvi.edu. Questions can be sent to SharonNichols@tsbvi.edu, HollyCooper@tsbvi.edu or JimDurkel@tsbvi.edu.
March 27, 2002
Braille Lite, Braille `n Speak & Type `n Speak
April 10, 2002
Home Page Reader and Internet Access
May 9, 2002
Matching Technology to the Student
Washington, DC - Marriott Hotel
Sponsored by American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
The 2002 JLTLI will explore how current and prospective leaders can learn from the experiences of those who became legends. JLTLI 2002 will address: personnel shortages; enhancing skills through the train-the-trainer model; mentoring; accountability; competency standards; and the promotion of new and longstanding professions in the field of services for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Contact: Gabriella Smith-CoventryPhone: (212) 502-7654 or E-mail: gsmith@afb.net Website: http://www.afb.org
April 5-7, 2002
(Pre-conference day April 4)
Philadelphia, PA
Sponsored by Parent to Parent of PennsylvaniaContact: Kathy Brill
Phone: (717) 540-4722
E-mail: ksbrill@aol.com
Early Bird Conference Fees: $225; $75 (one-day rate)
Division on Visual Impairments
The Council for Exceptional Children
(888) 232-7733 or www.cec.sped.org
April 8, 2002
Region X ESC, Richardson, TX
Contact: Kitra Gray, (972) 348-1580 or
E-mail: grayk@esc10.net
Handouts from this presenter's session at AER 2000 can be found on the TSBVI website at
http://www.tsbvi.edu/Education/vmi/index.htm.
May 29-31, 2002
Helen Keller National Center - Sands Point, NY
For information and an application, please contact
Dr. Therese Madden Rose at (516) 944-8900 or
E-mail: theresentt@aol.com
July 3 (Seminars)
July 4 through July 9 (Formal Convention)Location: The Galt House Hotel, Louisville, KY
For information, visit the NFB website at
Phone: (410) 659-9314
E-mail: nfb@nfb.org
BRAILLE FUNdamentals is a comprehensive program for teaching the Braille code. The sequence for introducing the Braille configurations has been organized into fifty-six clusters of letters, numerals, contractions, short forms, punctuation and special signs, with specific clusters devoted to the reading and writing practice of previously learned contractions. Also included in this curriculum are a Pre-Braille Assessment, Braille Checklists and ideas for games.
This program can be used with beginning Braille readers, as well as those readers who need to learn Braille when they are older. In an effort to incorporate current best practices in teaching reading and writing, a wide variety of age-appropriate activities are included at each level. Within each cluster an extensive set of instructional materials is included, in order to provide an adequate amount of ready-made materials.
BRAILLE FUNdamentals is organized into four volumes:
written at four levels:
BRAILLE FUNdamentals can be ordered as a complete set including all levels, or in individual levels. Braille FUNdamentals is available through the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
For ordering information, please contactTrudy Ross at (512) 206-9215 or
E-mail: TrudyRoss@tsbvi.edu
Calendars for Students with Multiple Impairments Including Deafblindness, by Robbie Blaha with the Texas Deafblind Project, is now available.
This book is written for use with students who need help structuring and organizing their time and activities. It includes information about:
Trudy Ross at (512) 206-9215 or
E-mail: TrudyRoss@tsbvi.edu
Two new publications may be downloaded from the DB-LINK website at http://www.tr.wosc.osshe.edu/DBLINK/products.htm. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view these documents online.
Research to Real Life - This publication, produced by DB-LINK, demonstrates how current research is making a difference in the lives of children who are deafblind. Contact DB-LINK for a free CD-ROM.
Sexuality Education for Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind and Significantly Developmentally Delayed - This book is for parents and professionals. It offers information and instructional guidance for teaching sex education to deafblind students who also have cognitive disabilities. Issues of self-expression related to gender identity, modesty, and appropriate touch are discussed. Specific information is included about menstruation, masturbation, hygiene, health, and sexual abuse. Check with DB-LINK for available hard copies.
Voice: (800) 438.9376, TTY: (800) 854-7013
E-mail: dblink@tr.wou.edu
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Last Revision: July 30, 2002