NC-APVI Parent Education Session
for Families of Children with Visual Impairments
Saturday, January 30 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Register by Friday January 29 at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/parent-education-session-for-families-of-children-with-visual-impairments-tickets-19979321689
NC-APVI is hosting a FREE parent education day with 3 concurrent sessions for parents to learn about services and interventions for their children with visual impairments, as well as a vendor fair and goal ball demonstration (courtesy of the EYE Retreat). Childcare is not provided at this event. However, families are welcome to supervise their younger children in the goal ball demonstration and vendor fair.
AGENDA
8:00-8:30 Set up
8:30-9:00 Registration
8:30-11:30 Vendor Fair
8:45-12:30 Goal Ball Demonstration – John E. Ray Gymnasium
9:00-10:00 Education Session One
- Braille Boot camp 2016
- Adaptive Technology Toolbox
- Do you need an IEP to understand your child's IEP?
10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-11:15 Education Session Two
- Braille Boot camp 2016
- Adaptive Technology Toolbox
- Do you need an IEP to understand your child's IEP?
- Inclusive Art
11:30-12:30 Education Session Three
- Orientation and Mobility
- Older Kids’ Panel
- Division of Services for the Blind (DSB)
Vendor Fair Participants (see descriptions below)
- ELSSP/VI, formerly Governor Morehead Preschool
- GMS PTA
- WCPSS Preschool Services
- WCPSS Special Education Services
- Durham Public Schools Preschool Services
- Durham Public Schools Exceptional Children
- Invision Services
- Equal Eyes Vision Services
- NC Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
- EYE Retreat
- Arts Access
- The Bryce Martin Foundation
- Ainsley’s Angels
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Braille Bootcamp 2016
It’s time to get familiar with the braille code-it’s fun and much easier than you think. You will learn about how braille was developed and why it is the way it is today.
o Braille Basics-A hands on learning experience for parents and families getting started with reading and writing braille. Write something meaningful on a braille writer! Walk away from this experience able to read the braille alphabet!
o Ready to Increase Your Braille Skills? We're ready for you! More contractions, more ways to write.
o UEB is here! UEB is a braille code that uses many of the components of the old familiar braille code but can do so much more. Learn about it today.
o Who Should be Learning Braille and How Do You Know? A brief conversation about when to start braille instruction, who should be reading braille-including children with multiple disabilities and those who are “dual media” readers, and who teaches braille.
Adaptive Technology Toolbox
You will have an opportunity to see a variety of adaptive technology tools and talk to people who are using them. Discover advantages and disadvantages to some of these tools. Begin to think about questions to ask to determine which tools are appropriate and useful for your child.
o Screen readers including differences between screen reading software on a computer and on a tablet
o Refreshable Braille Displays
o Writing Tools
o Hand held magnifiers
o Braille translation programs and Braille embossers
o 3-D printing
Division of Services for the Blind
Did you know that Transition Services become part of your child’s IEP when (s)he turns 14 years of age? Transition Services are a coordinated set of activities for a student, designed within an outcome-oriented process that promotes movement from school to post-school activities including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing & adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation, based upon your child’s need, preferences, and includes instruction, community experiences, development of employment & other post-school adult living objectives. Learn what services are available through your local DSB office.
Orientation & Mobility
What is orientation? What is mobility? How do these relate to your visually impaired child? Come to this session to learn that orientation refers to the ability to know where you are and where you want to go, whether from one room to another or across town. Learn how O & M instructors teach your child how to move safely, efficiently, and effectively from one place to another, with or without cane. Learn, too, about the latest in GPS and Blindsquare for O & M, as well as other basic assistive technologies for travel. Did you know that O & M can be part of your child’s IEP, act as its own special education service, OR be part of a 504 plan ???
Do you need an IEP to understand your child's IEP?
Individualized Education Programs are legal documents that can be confusing and overwhelming. In the field of visual impairment, advocates do a good job of telling parents about IEPs, but don't so such a good job of explaining the nuts and bolts of them. In this presentation, you will learn what a quality IEP should look like, not just a legally compliant IEP. You will walk away with more than just the procedural aspects of the IEP, but how each part is interconnected and together lays the foundation for a quality plan to educate your child.
Inclusive Arts!
There are MANY ways children and youth with disabilities can participate in a variety of visual and performing arts. Join Betsy Ludwig, the Executive Director of Arts Access and Alice Zincone, the art teacher from Governor Morehead School for the Blind in this stimulating workshop. You will be provided with resources for community arts participation and ideas for creative art experiences.
Older Students’ Panel
Come to this session to hear from older students (9 years +) about their school, social, and life experiences. What works for them, what doesn’t. What types of technology they use. What they wished you knew about them and their visual impairments. What advice they can share.
Goalball Demonstration
Are you interesting in learning to play goal ball? Goal Ball is a sport designed for the visually impaired, but anyone can play by simply wearing a blindfold. If you are interested in joining a local team with visually impaired athletes or volunteering come check us out. Here is a short demo of goal ball https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmhL_YzzeFg
NCABS "It's All About the Money!"
On January 30, 2016, the North Carolina Association of Blind Students will host a seminar on financial planning and social security benefits. That's right! The entire day is about money and how you can plan for the future. The session will start at 12:30pm and end at 2:30pm. It will be held in Fisher Building on the Governor Morehead School campus. Parents and students are welcome.
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Meet the Vendors
Descriptions are being added as received. Please check back for updated information.
GMS PTA
The Governor Morehead School (GMS) PTA is committed to supporting teachers and families in educating the blind and visually impaired. It does this through supporting activities, financial support for special programs, placing refurbished computers with students that don't have one at home, and otherwise advocating on behalf of GMS in a myriad of ways.
WCPSS Special Education Services Family and Community Connections
Family and Community Connections is a part of Special Education Services with Wake County Public School System. This team answers questions from parents about the special education process. The team is a point contact for families who have a child with special needs. Additional information can be located on www.wcpss.net/special-eduation.
Durham Public Schools Office of Early Education
The Office of Early Education provides special education services to children who are found eligible for special education services in one of more of the fourteen disabling categories via the preschool assessment team. Upon determining eligibility, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed for each child outlining the services required to meet their special education support from a teacher, speech language therapy, occupational therapy or physical therapy. We also support preschool services for 4 year old students who are at-risk via our Title 1 and NC PreK (pre-kindergarten) programs. Eligibility and placement are determined through an application and screening process conducted in the spring. The office also is in charge of transition services for preschool students entering kindergarten.
Invision Services
Families who visit with Invision’s team members may ask and learn how Invision serves people of all ages with vision loss and other disabilities that impact learning, activities of daily living, and mobility through Invision’s contract educational and rehabilitation services and how Invision helps clients to build skills, achieve their defined goals, and move toward greater independence. It’s mission is to help children and adults with vision loss learn, function, and move as successfully and independently as possible in their homes, schools and communities. To learn more visit: www.invisionservicesinc.com
NC Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
The NC Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is the FREE public library for all North Carolinians who can’t see to read or can’t manipulate regular print books. We offer over 55,000 audio books, print/braille books, and over 8000 braille books. We can help your child discover the love of reading by providing books in an accessible format, all for free. Check out our website for more information at http://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/lbph/
EYE Retreat
The EYE Retreat is committed to preparing visually impaired youth for higher education opportunities. We do this through peer mentoring, disseminating available resources, and serving on statewide committees to advocate on behalf of students with visual impairments. In 2015, we served 51 students from 8 states and 2 countries. The 2016 EYE Retreat will be July 22 to July 30. Check us out online at eyeretreat.org.
The Bryce Martin Foundation
The Bryce Martin Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 2014 that provides early intervention support and education for visually impaired children. Come learn more about our new Exploration Learning Center which will help toddlers learn to socialize through child play using exploration and experience. You can also register for our Kids Helping Kids Walk & Festival that strives to educate and inspire others about the world of blindness and visual impairment. through activities like writing your name in braille to taking a stroll around the lake stopping at different sensory stations.
Equal Eyes Vision Services
Equal Eyes Vision Services is a contract company serving the unique educational needs of children and adults with vision loss across all areas of North Carolina. Our highly-qualified and passionate Team Members provide Teacher of the Visually Impaired services, Orientation and Mobility Services, Assistive Technology training and in-home training and support for Independent Living Skills and more. To learn more about how Equal Eyes Vision Services can help support you and your child, visit us at www.equaleyesvisionservices.com or call 919-480-8800.
Arts Access Inclusive Arts!
There are MANY ways children and youth with disabilities can participate in a variety of visual and performing arts. Stop by our table to learn about resources for community arts participation and ideas for creative art experiences.
More descriptions to come. Check back...
ELSSP/VI, formerly Governor Morehead Preschool
WCPSS Preschool Services
Durham Public Schools Exception Children
Ainsley’s Angels
Parent Education Session for Families of Children with Visual Impairments
Saturday, Jan 30, 2016, 08:30 AM
Governor Morehead School, Ashe Avenue, Raleigh, NC, United States
8:00-8:30 Set up
8:30-9:00 Registration
8:30-12:30 Vendor Fair
8:45-12:30 Goal Ball Demonstration – John E. Ray Gymnasium
9:00-10:00 Education Session One
- Braille Boot camp 2016
- Adaptive Technology Toolbox
- Do you need an IEP to understand your child's IEP?
10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-11:15 Education Session Two
- Braille Boot camp 2016
- Adaptive Technology Toolbox
- Do you need an IEP to understand your child's IEP?
- Inclusive Art
11:30-12:30 Education Session Three
- Orientation and Mobility
- Older Kids’ Panel