Coffee Hour Archive
View past recordings of our weekly webinar series, Coffee Hour. This free, award-winning webinar series supports educators, service providers, and families of students who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. Join us on Mondays from 3:00–4:00 PM CT for strategies you can use right away! TSBVI Outreach Coffee Hour recordings are not eligible for delayed viewing credits. To earn CEUs for participating in upcoming sessions, please visit the current events page.
Standardized Infant Functional Vision Screening Using NAVEG
Open captioned. This training provides an overview of the processes and guidelines for requesting American Printing House (APH) products using Federal Quota Funds in the state of Texas. Participants will learn how to navigate the ordering system, understand eligibility requirements, and learn new procedures for product returns. The session is designed for educators, administrators, and staff responsible for managing or supporting services for students who are blind or visually impaired.
Requesting American Printing House (APH) Products In Texas Using Federal Quota Funds
Open captioned. This training provides an overview of the processes and guidelines for requesting American Printing House (APH) products using Federal Quota Funds in the state of Texas. Participants will learn how to navigate the ordering system, understand eligibility requirements, and learn new procedures for product returns. The session is designed for educators, administrators, and staff responsible for managing or supporting services for students who are blind or visually impaired.
Communication and Complex Learners: Before the Device
Open captioned. Infants learn to communicate with adults first through body to body contact, movement and facial expressions. Through experience, children learn to use signaling and objects to communicate to more people. Direct, person-to-person interactions are foundational and show that a child understands that communication happens between people. Once these skills are mastered, an electronic device can be introduced to make communication more efficient and effective.
Calendars in Action
Open captioned. This interactive, one-hour session will guide participants through the essential steps of designing and implementing effective calendar systems for students with deafblindness and other complex needs. We will begin by exploring key considerations before getting started, including assessing student readiness and identifying team priorities. Using the Guide to Selecting Time Frames for Calendar Systems, we’ll discuss how to select an appropriate timepiece tailored to each student’s developmental level. Participants will also learn important factors to consider when choosing symbols to represent activities in the calendar system. Finally, we will watch video examples that demonstrate how “calendar conversations” can promote communication, support transitions, and foster independence.
Supporting Symbol Use Through Symbols & Meaning (SAM)
Open captioned. This Coffee Hour introduces Symbols and Meaning (SAM), an instructional and game-based approach designed to support students with visual and multiple impairments who are beginning to explore and use symbols. The program emphasizes building a robust sensory foundation for concepts related to people, objects, actions, and places, ensuring that the symbols used become truly meaningful and functional for students. (Note: Due to a software update, captions aren't formatted as they normally are on this episode.)
Assistive Technology Assessment to Implementation
Open captioned. Have you ever asked, "What do I do when addressing Assistive Technology (AT) in an assessment?" If so, this session is for you! Join Coffee Hour for an introductory look at the AT assessment process—from first steps to full implementation. We’ll explore resources for conducting assessments, discuss documentation and data collection strategies, and examine the process of feature matching for effective device selection. We’ll conclude by bridging assessment data into meaningful Present Levels and IEP goals and objectives, ensuring a smooth transition from evaluation to implementation.
Partnering for Empowerment – TSBVI Outreach is Here for YOU!
Open captioned. Join us for an informative overview of how TSBVI Outreach supports students, families, and educational teams. We'll explore our range of services—including specialized resources, professional development, and individualized consultations—all designed to empower you in fostering independence and achievement for every student.
Step by Step – Orientation to New Environments for Students with Visual Impairment
Open captioned. This session will focus on strategies and the development of orientation skills for independent travel in school and community settings.
Setting the Stage for a Successful School Year
Open captioned. This session offers tips for personal organization, communication and collaboration with team members, and planning for the first week of school.
Somatic Experiencing Along the Spectrum of Ability
Open captioned. This session will discuss somatics, stored trauma, and the nervous system as they relate to neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities or heightened abilities.