TX SenseAbilities – Fall Winter 2018 issue
Featured Article
Kersten’s Story: Relationship-Based Instructional Programming
In this article, Matt Schultz explores the journey of one student who, as a result of her instructional team’s use of of a relationship-based educational approach, had a life-changing breakthrough. This approach is an example of the work of Dr. Suzanne Zeedyk, a Developmental Psychologist who presented at the December 2017 Studies in DeafBlindness for the Advanced Practitioner. For this year’s Advanced Practitioner Day, TSBVI will host Barbara Miles on December 11, 2018. Please see the News and Views section of this newsletter for more information.
Download Article (PDF)Family Wisdom
Choosing Our Own Adventure
Mother and new TSBVI Outreach Director describes her experience of moving to Texas with her family.
Two BFFs for Back-to-School
In this article, the authors share information about two tools and related tips you can use to support success in the classroom for your child with albinism.
A Mom on the Road to COMS
In this article, a parent describes her life journey, her experience being the mother of a child who is DeafBlind, and her studies in the field of education and orientation and mobility.
Low Vision Conference: Supporting Students with Albinism
The Low Vision Conference: Supporting Students with Albinism took place at the TSBVI Conference Center on Friday, May 4, 2018. This article summarizes highlights of the conference and provides links to resources shared with attendees. This event is the fourth in a series of conferences focusing on students with low vision. The fifth annual Low Vision Conference: Literacy for Students Who Rely on Print will be held on May 3, 2019 at the James C. Durkel Conference Center on campus at TSBVI in Austin.
Am I a Member of the Sandwich Generation?
This article describes the Sandwich Generation and offers tips for thriving during this time of life.
TSBVI Students Honor Fellow Student
This article shares some of the activities taken by TSBVI students to honor the passing of a fellow student. Dorm Manager Tammy Reed helped her students find ways to honor their friend and deal with their grief.
Effective Practices
Low Vision on the Road
“Low Vision on the Road” is a program offered through the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and coordinated by Cindy Bachofer. In this article, Dr. Bachofer explains the rationale for the program and its benefits to students. This example illustrates a sample of activities that might be provided during the program.
What’s Happening with Active Learning?
Ongoing efforts by TSBVI, Perkins School for the Blind and the Penrickton Center to connect with other advanced practitioners or trainers in Active Learning have resulted in connecting a group of professionals from around the globe. Texas has also been continuing to support Active Learning with support from online learning, regional education service centers (ESCs), and TSBVI’s Outreach Program.
There’s An App for That!
Chris Tabb provides an update on recent apps that provide access for users with visual impairment and blindness.
News & Views
“Your Vision, Your Path” Conference
The Blind Children’s Program provides quality services for families and their children and opportunities to network. This article describes a statewide conference they sponsored in Bastrop, TX in August 2018.
Emergency Planning and Preparation
Preparing for an emergency or disaster is important. This article provides specific information for families of children with special needs in order to know how to be ready for emergencies.
Active Learning Space
This article provides information on Active Learning Space, a website with information on Lilli Nielsen’s Active Learning approach to education for students who are blind and visually impaired with additional disabilities, including students with DeafBlindness. This website is also mentioned in “What’s Happening with Active Learning?”, an article in the Effective Practices section of this newsletter. Additional information on Active Learning will be provided in each issue of TX SenseAbilities this year.