The Family Resource Group Mar 2023

Looking for resources? You're in luck! Keep reading to find out more. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any time. To be sure that you continue to receive all future updates, or information, directly to your email address, sign up on the Family Resource Group mailing list.

Tess Nasehi

Family Resource Group Editor

tnasehi@pattankop.net

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*Each section contains 2-3 topics.

Penn-Del AER is hosting their annual conference in Harrisburg, PA from April 19 - 21, 2023. The focus of this year's conference is "Our Professional Landscape: Cultivating Our Vision for the Future." There will be a variety of sessions offered, in addition to an exhibitor hall, the Penn-Del AER Awards Banquet, a silent auction and more. Find the conference brochure and registration information below.

You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by Chris Clark-Bischke, Ph.D. and Alexis Redford, M.Ed. at the University of Utah.

Given issues experienced by students who are blind or visually impaired, their parents, teachers of students with visual impairments, braille transcriptionists/paraprofessionals and administrators since the 2016 transition to UEB, the study aims to acquire information that has the potential to guide practice and policies. The goal is to acquire an understanding of the impact of the transition and identify supports for states/territories and current TVIs.

For this study, participants will be asked to:

1. Complete an online survey (less than 10 minutes) by April 30th and,
2. if you are willing, participate in one individual interview via phone or Zoom (less than 30 minutes)

To indicate your consent to participate in this study, and to begin the survey, please click the following link: https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_82Gt6zOiZgxrFxs

Please feel free to share this link with others who might be interested.

If you have questions about the study, please contact Dr. Chris Bischke at chris.bischke@utah.edu.

Thank you for your willingness to participate and help us identify areas where support is needed.

-Chris Bischke, Ph.D. and Alexis Redford, M.Ed.

Every student who is eligible for special education has an IEP that describes the programs and services necessary for the student to receive FAPE. One of the issues discussed and decided upon at the IEP team meeting is whether or not the student requires Extended School Year (ESY) services as part of the student’s special education program. ESY must be considered each year for every student with a disability.

Remember - A determination for the Armstrong Target Group of students must be made by February 28.

For more information on ESY, access the Teachers' Desk Reference: Extended School Year (ESY) and Extended School Year Services in Pennsylvania.

Registration is open for these two summer camps designed for youth with vision impairment. Although there are registration costs, they may be worth considering.

This camp offers a weeklong seashore experience for youth with vision impairment and at no cost for families!

Contact

Camp Supervisor: Emily O'Donnell

Phone Number: 610-329-6133

Email: Emily@DillerBlindHome.org

Camp Abilities is an adaptive recreation sports camp for youth with vision impairment.

Contact

Camp Abilities PA @ WCU

Email: CampAbilitiesPA@gmail.com

311 Sturzebecker HSC, West Chester University

West Chester, PA 19383

Camp Abilities Delaware is hosting a weeklong summer camp at Delaware University. It is open to youth from Pennsylvania, as well.

Camp ConnXions provides an 8-day camp experience for students with vision impairment.

Contact

Camp Coordinator: Libby Sarra

Phone Number: 814-542-2511, Ext. 111

Email: blcood@beaconlodge.org

Are you interested in connecting with other parents and families of children who are blind or visually impaired? APH (American Printing House for the Blind) FamilyConnect and the Chicago Lighthouse have partnered together to provide a virtual support group that connects on the first Wednesday of every month from 7:30pm-8:30pm (ET). Visit the FamilyConnect website to view additional details and resources.

Do you or someone you know have a child that qualifies for special education, but doesn't know where to start? This bundle includes several different publications that provide essential, comprehendible information to families who are new to special education.

Topics include procedural safeguards, special education resources, special education evaluation and reevaluation, a glossary of special education terms, and more!