AZ AER Fall Conference 2017
"Information Access is for Everyone"
Thursday, 11/2/17
7:30-8:30 Registration
Exhibitors Open
Continental Breakfast
8:30-8:45 Welcome
8:45-9:45Keynote General Session – Dr. Joshua Miele: Information Accessibility From First Principles
Although a host of guidelines, best practices, and legal requirements specify minimum standards of accessibility for everything from buildings to web sites, achieving true accessibility from a purely “check list” oriented approach is rare. This is because good design is still more art than science, and producing a truly accessible experience for a blind or visually-impaired person requires a more intimate understanding of usability and function than can be achieved simply by checking off the boxes. Dr. Miele will discuss his work in accessibility and design, drawing on his experience as a blind scientist and inventor to illustrate the power of creative problem solving in conjunction with first-hand understanding of the blind experience -- accessibility from first principles.
9:45-10:15 Networking and Exhibitor Visits
10:15-11:15 Concurrent Session 1
- Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum - Perspectives of Four Dual Media Learners, Their Teachers, and Their Parents
The presenter will share information from a study that gathered data from students transitioning from print to braille, their teachers, and their parents. Interview topics included instructional strategies, how braille was infused into different settings, role of motivation, and how the educational team supported the students' acquisition of braille literacy skills.
B. Dr. Sunggye Hong and Dr. Irene Topor - Project-Based Learning Opportunities and Exploration of Mentorship for Students with Visual Impairments in STEM
This presentation discusses the importance of STEM education for students with visual impairments and shares the program details of the recently funded research study at the University of Arizona. Program details along with potential participants of the research study will be included.
C. Garrison Tsinajinie - Strangers at the Table: How to Support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students from Family Perspectives
This presentation discusses the importance of parent-educator partnerships from the perspectives of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families. Specifically, this presentation will address the following two questions from a review of literature: 1) What barriers hinder successful partnerships between CLD families and educators? and 2) What positive aspects of parent-educator partnerships have been identified through qualitative research methods? Identified strategiesfor maintaining meaningful relationships with CLD families and ways in which TVIs can facilitate strong partnerships while overcoming potential barriers are reported.
11:30-1:30
Banquet Luncheon
Business Meeting
Margaret Bluhm Award
Mary Jo Martinez Award
1:30-2:00 Networking and Exhibitor Visits
2:00-3:30 Concurrent Session 2
- Dr. Joshua Miele - The Blind Arduino Project: Blind Students and Hobby Robotics
This presentation will provide concrete examples and resources for supporting the participation of blind and visually-impaired students in mainstream environments, such as robotics clubs, electronics labs, maker spaces, and other experiential learning environments involving electronics and microprocessors. Topics will include configuring accessible coding environments, setting up accessible work spaces, working with electronic components, and even supporting accessible soldering.
- William Koehler - National Longitudinal Transition Study 2010- Deep Dive! Unpacking and Analyzing the Dynamics Affecting the Role and Function of the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
In 2011, Dr. Kay Ferrell presented to AZ AER her research: “Expanded Core Curriculum: National Longitudinal Transition Study.” Conference attendees listened and many were observed to be surprised and shocked by the apparent outcomes. Since then, Dr. Ferrell has presented this information in multiple locations. However, her 2016 presentation at the ICEVH conference offered three compelling questions. This presentation will unpack those questions and dynamics associated with educating students with visual impairments, and examine long held, well entrenched thinking in our field. It will challenge that thinking and our field with specific recommendations for immediate action.
- Danielle Cummings – Parent Panel Series: Parent Perspectives of Itinerant Services for Students with Visual Impairments or Blindness
A panel discussion focused on itinerant services with multiple parents who have children with visual impairments. Many parents feel as isolated as the students we serve as itinerant teachers. This discussion will not only bring parents to learn about topics covered at the conference, but also allow them to share their stories, struggles and successes with professionals in the field of visual impairments. This is planned to be the beginning of a series of parent panel discussions. The topic of itinerant services is relevant and important for the teaching of students with visual impairments as the parents play an integral role in the students’ success and the relationships between the teachers who serve them and the school districts they attend. As professionals in the field of visual impairments, having the opportunity to speak to parents, ask questions, and learn from them is vital as our interactions can sometimes be very limited.
3:30-4:00 Networking and Exhibitor Visits
4:00-5:00 Concurrent Session 3
- Megan Mogan - Prompt Independence: Fading Support for Students who are Blind/VI with Multiple Disabilities
This presentation is geared toward educators who work with students described as “prompt-dependent.” Participants will be introduced to a hierarchy to help determine the least-intrusive prompt necessary when teaching a new skill. Discussion will also consider strategies to consider when fading prompting to support skill development and independence.
- Laura Zierer - Using Simulation Software to Teach Students How to Deal with Uncontrolled Crossings
APH is excited to debut a software program that provides instruction and simulations to help you prepare your students for crossings with no traffic control. Come and experience simulation exercises and learn about a process for instruction that you can use with your students!
- Jared Leslie and Chris Hawk - Access to Information for All!
How best can you navigate ensuring that your student has full access to all the information in the classroom? When making sure that your student has all the access to information and resources that are available to them there are a lot of steps that are crucial to your success and your students. We will be covering and discussing alternative formats, federal quota supplies, and access to technology.
J. Sevgi Kirboyun - Effectiveness of Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Impairment
The purpose of this presentation is to discuss how assistive technology impacts the reading, writing, and social skills of visually impaired students by answering the following questions:
1. What impact does assistive technology have on the reading and writing performance of students with visual impairments?
2. How does assistive technology impact the social life of students with visual impairments?
The presentation examines the effectiveness of assistive technology in different areas: improving reading and writing skills, increasing access to the Internet, and developing social skills.
Reception and No Host Bar
Friday, 11/3/17
7:00-7:30 Memorial Service
Share memories of Arizona vision professionals who have passed away in the past year.
7:30-8:30 Breakfast Buffet
Exhibitors Open
8:00-8:30 Business Meeting Part II (Meet the Newly Elected Board and Resolutions)
8:30-9:45 Keynote General Session - Dr. Benjamin Bakall - Genetic Retinal Dystrophies
The presentation will review the different forms of inherited retinal dystrophies and methods for diagnosis. Future treatment options including gene therapy and stem cell therapy will be discussed.
10:00-11:30 Concurrent Session 4
K. Jenny Wheeler - "Survey Says:" Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments and Multiple Disabilities Across the United States Respond
Recently I reached out to teachers across the United States to ask them about their experiences with technology education while they were university students, and how this influences their current experience in the field. The survey questions related specifically to teachers' experiences with students who have visual impairments and multiple disabilities. The response was unexpected, extraordinary, and overwhelming. This session includes a report on the survey results and a discussion on its implications for our work with, and collaborative efforts on behalf of, our students with complex academic needs.
L. Ed Gervasoni - O & M Assessment & Instruction Strategies for Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind or Have Combined Vision & Hearing Losses (CVHL)
The session will initially explore the assessment of different adult individual travelers based on one’s level and type of deaf-blindness, types of travel and communication strategies previously acquired and by assessing which others would be beneficial to have and to use. This includes current level of IT/AT application usage within various community situations. Additionally, participants will be introduced to and explore specific strategies that match the different types of deaf-blind or CVHL travelers that one may be working with. The session will also include teaching communication strategies for successful interaction with others during community outings.
M. Peter Tucic and Kevin Hughes - STEM Paths for the Blind Student
“Using the BrailleNote Touch to Create Visual and Accessible Graphs”
The Educational Toolbox is a critical component to the blind student. One device cannot accommodate all classroom needs. The use of a few tools can result in literacy success for the blind student. The toolbox concept applies directly to the math classroom where much of the content is visual and difficult for a blind student to grasp. With the combination of traditional and modern refreshable braille tools in the STEM toolbox, blind students are set up for increased success in the math classroom. The BrailleNote Touch represents a flexible alternative for the braille student to achieve success in advanced math.
N. Renee Clark - Assessing Assistive Tech Options for Large Print and Braille Readers
Assistive technology options for people who visually impaired or blind are ever increasing. Determining the best option for a particular individual in a specific setting, with specific tasks can be overwhelming. However, asking the right questions, tools can be matched that provide increased independence and optimum access to information for educational or workplace success. This sessions will present multiple scenarios in which individuals who are blind or visually impaired need access to print or electronic materials and discuss challenges and solutions. We will we will review the available large-print and braille options and address the benefits of specific solutions.
11:30-12:00Snack
12:00-1:00 Concurrent Session 5
O. Diane Shifflett, Tiffany Neumann, Tiffany Cook, Angela Christensen, and Christine Moreno - Braille Olympics!
Compete with fellow braille users to hone your skills, show off your UEB knowledge, and win medals and prizes! This fun, interactive, fast-paced session will help spark rusty braille skills, hone current braille knowledge and best practices, and allow for creative interaction with colleagues around the shared topic of braille and braille literacy among vision professionals. A series of competitive "stations" will be set up for participants to participate in: Slate and Stylus, Dictation, Contractions, UEB, Nemeth, Spanish Braille, Music Braille, Charts and Graphs/Illustrations, Reading and Writing.
P. Cody Franklin, Nikki Jeffords and Spencer Churchill - FBC Transition Services
In this presentation, we will take a look at the array of services FBC provides to high school students with visual impairments to successfully transition to that next step in life whether it be to college or work. During this presentation we will take you through the different programs FBC offers to transition age students. In each of the three programs we will discuss the program demographic, the program structure, the objectives and also share some success stories.
Q. Bonnie Gursh and Danette Imafidon - One Way to Adapt the Bureau Of Land Management's Agua Fria Junior Ranger Handbook for Students with Multiple Challenges
The presentation will exhibit an example of an adapted Bureau of Land Management's Agua Fria Junior Ranger Handbook. A power point will show students participating in the program. The students participated in hands-on activities and received certificates and badges to become Junior Rangers. A multi-sensory approach was used to create individualized experience books for each participant. Examples of the modifications will be presented in the Power Point.
R. Tamara Bishop-Amavilah - Highlights from the 2017 AER International Orientation & Mobility Conference
This presentation will give an overview of some exciting new products and topics presented at the 2017 AER International O&M Conference held this summer in Pittsburgh.
THANKS FOR COMING!