2015 Illinois AER Vision Conference
“At a Glance”
(as of 11/21/14)
NOTE: Session dates and times are subject to change.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Keynote Address
George Abbott – “What is Your Impact? Making a Difference in the
Lives of Others”
Breakout Sessions 10:45-11:45
Gaylen Kapperman, Stacy Kelly, Kimberly Dotseth – “STIs:
Accessible Information for Learners who are Blind”
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are rampant. Sexually active
teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable. The
presenters will give an overview of the array of STIs with diagnosis,
treatment, and prognosis. Most importantly, they will provide an array
of accessible resources and methods for instruction appropriate for
blind learners. Terminology will be used that adequately describes
the presentation topic. Those who find these terms and this topic to
be offensive should be cautioned not to attend the presentation.
Polly Abbott – “Tightening the Apron Strings”
What are your tried and true techniques for ensuring your student’s
success in the kitchen? What has changed in your instructional
approach over the course of your years of experience? Share your
expertice and passion for teaching cooking to adults with vision loss.
You are invited to participate in a detailed discussion with other direct
service practitioners.
Echolocation Topic – TBD
Marla Garska, Michelle Clyne – “Get the Toy Bag Monkey Off Your
Back!”
Supporting families in early intervention includes fading use of our
materials and helping them discover what they have. In this session
we will explore reasons we may still use toy bags and other materials,
and share resources that help us shift to practices that empower
families and save our backs!
David Flament – “A Hands-On Approach to teaching Touch Screens”
iPads, iPhones and iPods have become an integral piece of any
technology plan for students with vision loss. In this session, the
presenter will discuss and demonstrate various methods for teaching
people with vision loss how to use Apple touch screen devices
including gestures, apps, OCR, SIRI and more. Feel free to bring
your favorite iDevice and follow along.
Amy Lund – “Transition Units of Instruction Made Manageable”
Addressing the Expanded Core Curriculum skills of middle and high
school students are so important but often overshadowed by
academic demands. Units of instruction (budget, holiday specials,
cooking, career, and post-secondary education), options for
differentiation, and implementation strategies will be discussed at this
session.
Breakout Session 1:45-2:45
Samantha Voll – “What I Wish I Knew My First Year Teaching”
Earn the respect of your co-workers, supervisors, and parents to get
them to trust your professional judgments as a first year teacher.
Discuss different types of service logs; present a variety of data tools
to monitor IEP goals for consult and direct students. Address
strategies to make your schedule.
Dawn Turco, Polly Abbott, Jennifer Ottowitz – “Girl Talk: Managing
Personal Care”
Girl Talk covers personal care tips and techniques useful to women
whether new to visions loss or visually impaired throughout life.
Panelists will discuss hair, nails and make up, in addition to clothing
care, organizing techniques, instructional strategies, and more. Bring
questions or your own proven tip/product to share!
Echolocation Topic - TBD
Mindy Ely – “Using Daily Routines to Address Learning Objectives”
We will explore the importance of integrating learning goals into the
everyday activities of toddlers and their families. Tips will be given for
involving parents in a way that promotes follow through. This
workshop will be practical and interactive.
Lisa Tabaka, Megan Edgcomb - “Be Google Chrome Accessible”
Is a Chromebook right for you? With the advancement of one-to-one
devices, learn how the Google Chrome Environment can best meet
the needs of students who are blind or have low vision. This
presentation will explore the use of ChromeVox and ChromeVis
within the Google Drive interface.
Michelle Clyne, Ingrid Halvorsen, Veramarie Baldoza – “Intervener,
SSP, and VASP – Alike and Different to Support Individuals with
Deafblindness”
Individuals with deafblindness can accomplish equally when given
access to information, sometimes through others trained to provide
real-time support in a variety of environments. Join us as we explore
how Deafblind Interveners, Support Service Providers (SSPs) , and
Vocational Access Service Providers (VASPs) help provide equity for
individuals with deafblindness.
Breakout Session 3:30-4:30
Mary Furbush, Diane Finn, Jean Deptolla, Diane Costas, Jan Harrell,
Molly Dunne - “Navigating the System”
Members of the IL Vision Leadership Council will lead a discussion
on current issues facing teachers of students receiving vision
services. Topics will include PARCC, student growth measures, 1:1
initiatives and professional development. Participants are asked to
bring questions along with information to share.
Stacy Kelly, Sean Tikkun – “Preparing the USA for the UEB:
Introducing the UEBOT (Unified English Braille Online Training)”
What is a UEBOT? This session will include information about the
new UEB code and a sneak peak of the upcoming UEBOT (Unified
English Braille Online Training). The UEBOT is part of a Braille
Training Grant recently funded by the U.S. Department of Education
to address the immediate demand for professional training in UEB.
The UEBOT is a soon-to-be released free online course for UEB
training.
ADA Topic – TBD
Sara Edwards, Julia Bowman – “Not the Same Old Routine:
Embedding Skills into A Family’s Daily Schedule”
Using natural interaction times is an efficient and effective way for
families to assist their children with visual impairments in terms of skill
development. Using the daily schedule as a framework, we as DTVs
(developmental therapists/vision) can embed skills that align with the
family’s IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan) outcomes. Practical
strategies to encourage skill development in all 5 essential areas will
be discussed for both academic and multiply disabled children.
Bryan Moles, Gianna Guskey, Melissa Collela – “iOS 8: What you
need to know as a TVI/COMS/RS”
In 45 minutes, the primary changes and new features in iOS 8 as
relevant to professionals working with individuals with visual
impairments.
Open Session - TBD
Friday, February 20, 2014
Medical Keynote – Steven T. Tichy, M.D. and Gregg C. Pusateri, OD,
MDiv
Understanding Macular diseases: from Stargardt’s to age related
macular degeneration. Research and new treatments, the functional
impact of these diseases on daily life, and the affect rehabilitation can
have on independence and quality of life.
Breakout Session 10:00-11:00
Gaylen Kapperman, Jodi Sticken – “A Web-based Nemeth Code
Tutorial”
The presenters will describe the development of a web-based
Nemeth Code tutorial which they developed with their partners from
the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). The tutorial is
available on the APH website where both sighted and blind
individuals can have access to it using any type of technology.
Content and methods for gaining access to it will be described. This
one-of-a-kind tool promises to be a valuable resource for teachers
and students alike.
Jennifer Ottowitz – “The Nuts & Bolts of Teaching Basic Home
Maintenance Skills”
Developing basic knowledge and skills on how to perform a variety of
home maintenance tasks can lead to greater independence whether
living in an apartment or in one's own home. Teaching these skills
fits well into a vision rehabilitation program and reinforces tactual
skills as well as problem solving and feelings of self-worth. Even the
not-so-handy handy man/woman can benefit and be successful!
Stephen Nicholls, Miranda Brown – “1 Touch Self Defense”
The confidence to travel, work, and socialize is frequently poorly
addressed and few programs have been developed specifically to
address this gap. 1Touch is based in its integration of physical activity
which is inextricably entwined with the concept of self-defense and
self-development. Instructors use 1Touch as a means to enhance the
underlying principles of independence and the confidence to engage
the world in everyday activity.
Mindy Ely, Olaya Landa-Vialard – “The State of EI in Illinois”
Participants will learn about the prevalence of vision loss in early
intervention including a discussion about how those needs are being
met in Illinois. Description of the EL VISTA project will be explored as
a potential solution for helping Illinois meet its current need for
services. In addition, participants will gain insight into the unique and
vital role of the DTV and DTO&M. The landscape of service is
changing and it is critical that vision professionals know and be able
to articulate the value of their role on the team of service providers.
Daniel Smith, Emily Bajalis – “The best of both worlds: Accessible
Mac and Windows on the same PC”
The presenters will discuss and demonstrate options for use of
accessible MS Windows on a Macintosh computer running Voice
Over. The presenters will discuss the installation process, three
options for access to Windows, and advantages and disadvantages
of the differing virtual machine options. Resource and reference lists
will be provided.
Michelle Clyne – “Learning Maps Testing: How TVIs Can Support
Access for our Students with the Most Significant Disabilities”
In the development of its online testing, Dynamic Learning Maps
(DLM) has considered the needs of students with the most significant
disabilities, including those with sensory impairments. This session
will provide a forum for sharing DLM and other resources that help us
work together to support our most challenging students.
Breakout Session 12:00-1:00
Sammi Zauner, Tracy Parent, Charyn Beaumont – “EnVISION a
Collaborative Approach to Service a Student with Vision and
Complex/Comprehensive Need”
Have a child with complex or comprehensive needs on your vision
caseload? Do you find yourself working in a bubble as the vision
specialist? Do you have to retrofit in vision recommendations to the
case manager? If this is you, come learn some strategies on how to
increase collaboration and implementation of interventions using a
team approach. The presenters will discuss ways to increase
collaboration to improve the outcomes for students with complex
needs.
Jennifer Ottowitz – “Myths and Miracles of Medical Marijuana”
With an increasing number of states legalizing the use of marijuana
for medical as well as recreational purposes, it is important to
understand fact versus fiction regarding the use of marijuana to treat
glaucoma and other health impairments. This presentation will
discuss some of the facts regarding the legal use of marijuana.
Legal, efficacy and ethical issues related to the use of marijuana by
clients will also be discussed.
(Repeated Session) Stephen Nicholls, Miranda Brown – “1 Touch
Self Defense”
The confidence to travel, work, and socialize is frequently poorly
addressed and few programs have been developed specifically to
address this gap. 1Touch is based in its integration of physical activity
which is inextricably entwined with the concept of self-defense and
self-development. Instructors use 1Touch as a means to enhance the
underlying principles of independence and the confidence to engage
the world in everyday activity.
Karen Epley – “CVI and the Wonderful World of Switches”
Come explore some different ways of using a variety of switches and
switch activities with students with CVI or multiple disabilities!
Bryan Moles – “Google Drive to Track Minutes and Interactions”
We’ve heard about these people that paperless track their student
info and interactions on iPads. Some even mention they use Google
Docs/Forms. Here you’ll learn how to create forms to track daily
interactions and have them compiled into a handy Google
Spreadsheet so you can look back and see what you did when.
Melissa Ebbole – “Student Programming Using the Sensory Learning
Profile for Students with Multiple Disabilities”
Common Core and student performance based teacher evaluations
has brought with it a new challenge for teachers of students with CVI
along with multiple other disabilities. This presentation will review the
Sensory Learning Profile and strategies for implementation in a
meaningful, student driven and measurable way.
Breakout Session 1:15-2:15
Mary Furbush, Rachel DuFresne, Sumer Porter – “Making Evaluation
Matter – A Rubric Designed for Itinerant Teachers”
This workshop will walk participants through the process that two
special education cooperatives (CASE and NTDSE) went through to
develop rubrics for low-incidence teaching staff based on the
Charlotte Danielson “Frameworks for Teaching” teacher rubric. Two
itinerant vision rubrics will be presented.
Rosanne Hoffmann – “Step-by-Step: A Comprehensive Text and
Interactive Video Tool to Learn Mobility Techniques and How to
Teach Them”
Discover how Dr. Sandra Rosen’s Step-by-Step, a complete
curriculum of mobility techniques, helps graduate students, O&M
instructors, TVIs, and VRTs learn, teach, and/or support mobility
techniques within their scope of practice. Study Guides, Review
Guides and interactive videos explain and demonstrate techniques,
errors, consequences of errors, and corrections.
IAMOS Meeting and Session: Jodi Sticken, Jenna Sticken – “Stick’n
to the Goal v.2.0”
If you struggle with developing measurable O&M goals that are
aligned to Illinois Learning Standards, join us as we apply a tried-andtrue formula to rewrite actual O&M goals. Participants are
encouraged to submit goals during this session for presenters and
participants to (collaboratively and creatively!) attempt to align with
ILS and…gasp!…perhaps even the Common Core.
Michelle Clyne – “I Signed Up to Teach Babies and Toddlers:
Shifting to a Parent -Coaching Practice”
Most DT-V/O&Ms come to early intervention from schools, used to
teaching children directly. However, early intervention is designed so
families become the teachers of their infants and toddlers. Let’s
explore simple ways you can change your practice from childcentered to parent-centered, so that you empower parents to be great
teachers.
Lisa Tabaka, Megan Edgcomb – “Map Your Drive”
Is Google Drive right for you? Users will understand the benefits of
using Google Drive to benefit their caseload, communicate with
teachers and students, and to keep materials organized for future
use. Accessibility features will be demonstrated to further understand
if Google Drive is right for student use. Teacher and student
testimonies will be provided.
Illinois Vision Leadership Council Meeting – Pam Duda, Diane Finn
Various agencies will provide a brief synopsis of current happenings
in their agency. IVLC will also report on some of the projects they
have been working on as well as council updates.