AERWAVES SPRING 2013
A publication of the Northern Rockies AER
(Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind
and Visually Impaired)
 Fall conference will be held in Jackson in conjunction
with the WERIC Conference in June.
 By-Laws changes
 New Outreach Director in Montana
WRIEC.AER Conference: June 19-21 in Jackson at Snow King Resort. A
limit is being placed on the number of participants that can attend. SIGN UP
NOW!
 Registration Website: http://wde.memberlodge com/
SAVE THE DATE!!
Western Regional Early Intervention Confer
On Sensory Disabilities
in collaboration with
Northern Rockies AER Conference
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
June 19 – 21, 2013
“Assessment and Strategies for Infants, Toddlers, Students,
And Adults with Sensory Loss”
Registration Website:
http://wde.memberlodge.com/
FULL DAY PRE-CONFERENCE PROGRAMS JUNE 19, 2013
Cost $35.00
The Van Dijk Assessment – Dr. Jan Van Dijk and Dr. Cathy Nelson will be
presenting; New Research on Brain Development and Child Guided Strategies,
Utilizing the Van Dijk Approach for Students who are Sensory Impaired. It has been
scientifically proven that “The Van Dijk Approach to Assessment” brings out the best in a
child. It was initially considered a “Van Dijk thing” that only he could conduct, based on his
experience, knowledge and personality. The research of Nelson, Janssen, Oster &
Jayaraman (2010) has convincingly shown, however, that after a rather limited period of
training, practitioners are able to implement the assessment with fidelity in order to develop
appropriate goals for their students.
Normal Emissions and Normal Audiograms Don’t ALWAYS Mean Normal Hearing:
How to Tell CAPD from ANSD - Dr. Charles Berlin - Simon and Garfunkel sang of the
joys found in the sounds of silence. But children's silence--either due to a hearing problem
or an inability to process in their brains what they do hear--leads to difficulties in
understanding language that, without intervention, can affect kids their entire lives. Charles
Berlin, Ph.D., the Kenneth and Frances Barnes Bullington Professor of Hearing Science
and the director of the Kresge Hearing Research Laboratory at Louisiana State University
Medical School in New Orleans, is renowned for his skill in diagnosing rare hearing
problems in children and for identifying genes that cause deafness.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM June 20 – 21, 2013
Cost $125.00
Keynotes:
Bio-behavioral States for those with disabilities, Millie Smith
Research on Children who have Multiple Involvements, Christie Yoshianaha, Itano
Breakout Sessions:
Instructional Strategies for the Student with Dual Sensory Loss / Multiple
Impairments, Kathee Scoggin & Callie Spotted Elk
Language & Brain Development, Jill Morford
Creating Literacy Materials Together: Engagement for Learners who are Deaf-Blind /
Autistic or who have Multiple Disabilities, Megan Mogan
Integrating the Expanded Core Curriculum Into Everyday Routines for Students with
Multiple Impairments, Robin Keating
SAM: Symbols and Meaning Kit, a Kit for Students with Visual Impairments / Multiple
Disabilities, Millie Smith
Understanding and Nurturing Communication Development for Individuals with
Sensory and Multiple Disabilities, Phillip Schweigert
Addressing the Educational Needs of Young Children with Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive
Head Trauma, Phillip Schweigert
Working with Children Who Have Multiple Needs, Paula Pittman
Co-Hear: Strategies for the Development of Pragmatics, Dianah Beams and Dr.
Christine Yoshinaga-Itano
Ski-Hi & Beyond the Big Books, SKI-HI & Paula Pitman
Transition for Individuals who are Visually Impaired, Penny Rosenblum
Visual Conditions that Affect Adults and Appropriate Accommodations, Carol Baron
Key Issues in the Success of Transition (School to Work) Programs for the Visually
Impaired, Al Farias
Pragmatics: Language Development in Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing,
Dr. Christine Yoshinaga-Itano
Yoga and Movement for Individuals with Visual Impairments, Caroline Gonzalez
Professional Development for TVIs / COMS through eLearning Opportunities,
Charlotte Cushman
Research on Spanish Speaking Families and Progressive Loss, Dr. Christine
Yoshinaga-Itano
Contact Joanne Whitson, joanne.whitson@wyo.gov with any questions
 SCHOLARSHIPS: The chapter will very likely offer at least three
scholarships from each state to the WRIEC.AER conference. The
scholarships pay the registration cost (not room and board). These
scholarships are open to anyone although usually awarded to members or
non-members who don’t have agency support to attend. Nonprofessionals, especially classroom aides, are highly encouraged to apply.
Send your request for a scholarship with a short statement of need to Pam
Boespflug at pboespflug@msdb.mt.gov.
 SILENT AUCTION: The Northern Rockies Chapter will hold a silent
auction at the conference to fund scholarships to the next conference. Our
silent auction items are displayed with sign-up sheets for participants to
bid against each other. The auction will conclude during the chapter
banquet or business meeting. If you are interested contack Kerri Norick,
past president NRAER, knorick@msdb.mt.gov.
BY-LAWS CHANGES AND BALLOT
In Seattle, there was a proposal to make the secretary and treasurer two
separate officers. There was another proposal to make the treasurer a 4-year
term rather than a two-year term. PROPOSED BY-LAWS
The proposals were approved to be sent to the membership for a vote. The
board will decide if this will be a mail ballot or direct vote from the
membership at the business meeting in June.
Proposed wording and by-laws changes for proposition one...
"Shall the Northern Rockies AER make the office of
Secretary/Treasurer two separate officers and make the following bylaws changes?
Article 4 Section 6.4 would be changed to read:
The treasurer shall manage a chapter checking and/or savings account, shall
pay all the bills of the chapter, and shall keep an accurate record of all
income and expenses. The treasurer shall also prepare a detailed financial
statement for each yearly business meeting of the board and chapter and
shall file the annual report to the national office. The treasurer shall be
bonded or the signature of president or president-elect must also appear on
all written checks of this chapter.
(A new 6.5 section would be added and the subsequent numbers corrected...)
6.5 The secretary shall be responsible for the records of the Chapter and
shall have the minutes of the meetings prepared in proper order. The
secretary shall conduct routine correspondence as directed by the president
and/or Chapter Board and shall see that records are transmitted to his/her
successor at the completion of their term of office. He/she shall publish a
minimum of two newsletters per year to Chapter membership, shall submit
updates to the website, and shall keep up-to-date records of the membership.
The secretary will mail an official proxy form to all members at least one
week prior to an annual meeting.
Article III Membership shall now read
1. Officers: The officers of the chapter shall be president, president-elect,
past-president, secretary, treasurer, state representative, and parliamentarian.
Article VII Elections shall now read
1. The purpose of elections shall be to determine by a majority vote the
following officers of the Chapter: president, president-elect, secretary,
treasurer, state representatives, and parliamentarian."
Article X Budget and Fiscal
3. Regular expenditures would be delete the word "secretary" and say
"Regular expenditures of the Chapter shall bee with the approval of the
Treaurer"
Proposed wording and by-laws changes for proposition two...
"Should the first by-law change separating the office of secretary and
treasurer be approved, should the Chapter change the term of treasurer
from 2 years to 4 years and approve the following by-law changes?
Article III Membership
Section 4
Terms: The terms of office shall be two years except for treasurer, who
serves for a four year term and shall commence..."
Also, I notice there is a "goof" in Article V - Chapter Board Section 2 nw
reads "Board members may serve more than one term on the next election"
should be changed to read "No board member other than parliamentarian
may serve more than one term in the same office. Board members may....
Already membership approved has been the addition of a third civic award
that can optionally be given every two years along with the Frank Smith
award and the H. Smith Shumway award. This is not an official by-law but a
suggested "procedure". I think this could generally be rewritten by me, Dana,
or Pam and simply submitted to the board business meeting for approval and
included in the official by-laws?
WYOMING NEWS
By Leslie Bechtel VanOrman
Wyoming SVI Welcomes Laura Ozios-Townsend
SVI is pleased to have Laura Ozios-Townsend join their team as a regional
consultant. Laura is a COMS from Michigan. She is based out of Casper
and will be supporting preschools, schools and clients in Central
Wyoming. Laura brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team!
Web-based Training on the Basics of Accessible Instructional Materials
The Wyoming Department of Education, through a contract with the
Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, has created a series of web based
trainings focused on provision of accessible materials. These power points
can be used to train staff or as a resource and are located
at http://www.uwyo.edu/wind/nimas/modules.html
There are currently 6 modules available:
- Introduction and Legal Context - This module focuses on the legal
foundation of Accessible Instructional Material (AIM): the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act (currently called NCLB) and the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004).
- Navigating the Decision Making Process - The decision making process
related to accessible instructional materials is the topic of this module.
- AIM Support at Your Fingertips - This module provides an overview of the
National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM Center) web site
and the products that are available to support everyone in the use of
accessible instructional materials.
- Introduction to Bookshare - Reviews the services offered through this
Authorized Medial Producer.
- Introduction to Learning Ally - Reviews the services offered through this
Authorized Medial Producer.
- Accessible Microsoft Word Document Design - Provides an overview of
accessible Microsoft Word document design, how to create an accessible
Word document and check documents with Microsoft's Accessibility
Checker.
Six additional modules, with a greater focus on specific technologies, are in
production at this time. The WDE anticipates they will be available this
summer or early next fall.
MONTANA NEWS
I am so excited to be here in Montana! I am the recently-hired Outreach
Director for the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind (MSDB). My first
day of work was December 10, 2012 and I am finally feeling a bit settled
here in Great Falls. I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the state
meeting students, families, and staff. Overall, I am impressed with the work
that is happening in Montana and I am excited to be a small part of it.
I grew up in Alabama (and my accent comes back when I call home). I earn
a Bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education from the University of Montevallo. I
did my graduate studies at Gallaudet University in Washington DC earning a
Master’s in Parent-Infant Education. I am a strong believer that early
intervention and education is the most important aspect of working with
children who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, and
deafblind. Families are a child’s first teacher and are the experts of their
child in ways that professionals are not.
I taught in a Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) mainstreamed program just
north of Seattle for nine years. During that time, I taught DHH preschool for
6 years which included monthly family nights, ASL classes, home visits, and
community outings on the weekends. I volunteered with Deafblind
individuals as an interpreter and guide. One of the most enjoyable
experiences was volunteering as an interpreter and lead/side-walker at Little
Bit Therapeutic Riding Center for both hippotherapy and riding classes.
After 6 years of preschool, I moved to the elementary program and taught
DHH elementary for 2 years, and DHH middle school for one year. While
teaching here, I went through the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards (NBPTS) certification process and became a National Board
Certified Teacher. This is one of the best professional development
endeavors I have ever done. This process forced me to examine my teaching
practice and think about how to improve each time. Because of this process,
I am consistently reflective about my work, my interactions, my leadership,
and my learning.
In 2003, I joined the US Peace Corps and taught deaf and hard of hearing
children in Webuye, Kenya for 2 years. This experience tried my patience to
the breaking point; expanded my skills in areas I didn’t know existed; and
shattered my heart when my service was complete and I returned to the US.
When I returned, I worked at the Washington School for the Deaf in
Vancouver, WA for 6 years. I had a myriad of jobs, duties, and titles ranging
from teaching to distance learning to administration work.
In all of my experiences, I strive to expand and stretch in uncomfortable
ways. I am a life-long learner (currently trying to tackle Braille). I am an
artist in how I see the world and those around me. I am a comedienne in how
I approach my past and future attempting to see the humor in life. I am a
traveler seeing things with new eyes because going to new places and
learning about others helps me learn about myself.
I look forward to our journey!
Donna Sorensen
3911 Central Ave
Great Falls, MT 59405
Phone: 406-771-6091
Cell: 406-581-3798
Videophone: 406-760-1068
Email: dsorensen@msdb.mt.gov
MONTANA SUMMER ORIENTATION PROGRAM
The Montana Summer Orientation Program for the low vision and blind will
again be held on the campus of Carroll College in Helena this summer. This
marks the 65th year for the program sponsored by the Montana Association
for the Blind. Instructors in such cl
asses as Braille, ADL, mobility, computer, low vision, sewing, etc. are
wanted. The dates are June 7 – July 6. For an application contact the MAB
office at (406) 442-9411 or lglueckert@milp.us
Note: The director will usually work with those needing to attend the
conference in Jackson.
Montana Blind and Low Vision Services
AER Newsletter
March 19, 2013
Spring officially starts tomorrow and there is about an inch of snow on the
ground here in Helena. Spring always makes me hopeful and I search the
edges of snow banks to find new sprouts coming up. Spring is a time for
renewal and growing.
BLVS is growing! We were able to obtain an extra FTE (full time position)
which is being used to put a VRT or O&M in Kalispell. If all goes well we
will be doing interviews the last week of March or early in April. This is the
first new position in about ten years. We are very about getting a person for
Kalispell.
The Montana Legislature is meeting this year. During the first half the
session bills are introduced in either the House or the Senate, and those that
pass are transmitted to the other side for a second vote. Some of the bills
that pertain to us or our consumers are
 Prevents provision of services to aliens who are not in the country
legally.
 Several laws related to the public employees retirement plans and
making them actuarially sound.
 The appropriations (budget) bill
 The employee pay plan bill
 A bill for state identification cards to expire after 8 years instead of 4
In addition, through submittal of a bill, the rules to Medicaid are in the
process of being changed to allow for Medicaid payment for Orientation and
Mobility training for children. The process may take a few months as the
rule changes must be published for public comment.
How did Congress come up with a word like sequestration? This will affect
our programs some. We are not anticipating much change in the vocational
rehabilitation program. Because vocational rehabilitation gets an automatic
cost of living increase each year, the anticipated change in federal funding is
around 1%. Montana has received close to $1 million in Social Security
reimbursement money and that money should fill in what is lost in federal
funding. The Older Blind program, however, may lose 5% of the federal
funding, which is significant as there is a 90/10 match. The independent
living programs are also expecting the 5% cut in funding.
The annual All-Staff meeting for Blind and Low Vision Services and
vocational rehabilitation is coming up in April. Mike May, developer of
Sendero will be speaking to the full group about Orientation and Mobility
and then work with the smaller group of BLVS O&M and VRT’s doing
hands on with the Sendero Maps and GPS. We have some room if O&M
specialists would like to attend. The meeting is mid-April in Bozeman.
Beverly Berg, Program Administrator
AERWAVES is published (at least) twice yearly by Claire Perrin
(perrin@silverstar.com) and Ken McCulloch (krmac6@msn.com).
Want to join AER? Please contact their website at: aerbvi.org