This newsletter is not an endorsement of any organization or product that may appear.

The purpose of this document is to provide IEP teams with information and guiding questions to help them make decisions about which code a student should use, based in individual needs.

Juvenile diabetes is on the rise, thus raising the risk of students to develop Diabetic Retinopathy. Automated Retinal Disease Assessment, or ARDA, uses artificial intelligence to help healthcare workers detect diabetic retinopathy, with future possibilities of AI algorithms to assist clinicians in identifying other diseases.

"Sound Recognition is a feature located within your iPhone’s Accessibility settings. Once enabled, your iPhone can alert your student to a number of critical sounds the student may not notice. Apple built quite a few into the operating system. These include smoke detector alarms, dogs barking, car horns, doorbells and much more."

Sam Dooley from Lake Pines Braille has developed an Accessible Equation Editor which is available free online. Take some time to check it out and explore the features.

Google has developed an Android Application called “Lookout-Assisted Vision” which operates similarly to the iPhone App SeeingAI. This YouTube video provides a demo on how it works.

By the visually impaired community, for the visually impaired community. The ReBokeh app is portable, customizable and designed for ease of use. Available for iPhone; Android waitlist.

ReBokeh Free includes:

• Exposure/Brightness Adjustment
• Contrast Adjustment
• Color Overlay Options
• Extended Zoom Capabilities with Enhanced Image Stabilization
• 1 Preset - Save your filter preferences for quick access
  

ReBokeh +Plus includes access to all free features and:

• Save Adjusted Images to Your Camera Roll (highly requested!)
• 3 Presets
• Upload images to ReBokeh Enhanced inversion options

Watch APH's webinar ReBoken: Enhancing Vision Instead of Replacing It on YouTube.

The Braille Challenge is the only academic competition of its kind held in January through March each year in North America for students who are blind or visually impaired. The Braille Institute developed the Braille Challenge to motivate students to practice and hone their braille literacy skills, which are essential to academic and employment success.

• Hosted by: The Veering Cane
• When: Saturday, February 10, 2024
• Where: PaTTAN Central in Harrisburg

Register your student for this event and keep up to date on coming details.

"The digital world is ever-changing. New devices, software, operating system upgrades, and apps are emerging daily. Here is a list of apps for Android and Apple products that you or your student may find helpful in day-to-day activities." Read more on the Family Connect website.

In this section of their website, you will find a comprehensive listing of assistive technology products used by people who are blind or visually impaired organized by category. Don't miss "Using Technology" (right side of the page), and it's section on specific types of AT Products

"Low-vision non-optical devices can include a number of adaptations, such as reading stands, supplemental lighting, absorptive sunglasses, typoscopes, and tactile locator dots. They are often recommended as part of a low vision examination. Low vision optical devices include a variety of devices, such as stand and hand-held magnifiers, strong magnifying reading glasses, loupes, and small telescopes. Because these devices can provide greatly increased magnification powers, prescription strengths, and higher-quality optics (i.e., the way the lens bends or refracts light), they differ from regular glasses and commercially available magnifiers." Both types can be used in combination with one another. Read more on the VisonAware website.

Access Technology for Blind and Low Vision Accessibility emphasizes opportunities for independence, leadership, and timely access to information for people who are blind or visually impaired. This follow up to the 2008 edition gives an overview of currently available technologies and tools, and presents a new process for technology evaluation that ensures every student is supported to build the toolbox they need to break down barriers to access. Check out resources in the appendix, such as:

• Access Technology Evaluation Checklist For Blind and Low Vision Needs
• Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (GPAT) AT Consideration Process Guide
• Digital Workflow Planning Tool
• Accessibility Tip Sheet
• Computer-Based Assessment Planning Checklist
• And more...

The Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education (BSE), in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) is sponsoring a year-long opportunity for early career (three years or less) special education teachers, teachers of the deaf, teachers of the visually impaired, special education administrators, and school psychologists to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of special education professionals with five or more years of experience. The application for mentees is currently open.

Student Led IEPs (SLIEP) are a great way for students to develop self-advocacy skills, and learn how to speaks to others about their visual impairment. PaTTAN's SLIEP Resource Hub has topics and resources for youth, families, and school/educators. To get started checkout the "SLIEP Assessment of Practices" to determine baseline data and create an action plan for future goals.

We have added the following Clover products to Short Term Loan.

• Clover10
• Clover 6
• CloverBook Pro w/ Additional Screen
• Actilino
• Hable One
• Lyriq Reader
• Explore 8
• Explore 5

Check them out, then check them out!

This guide was developed to give families and educators in Pennsylvania an understanding of the language of special education so they can more easily participate in educational decision-making.

Join us in person at PaTTAN Central (Harrisburg, Pa) to discuss caseloads and job descriptions. In addition, hear from our special guest speakers Rebecca Sheffield & Eric Caruso from the US Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

Target Audience: Pa Supervisors of programs for the visually impaired and lead teachers

When: February 6-8, 2024

Type of event: In person only; workgroup activities

Registration and more details coming soon!

The Penn-Del AER Chapter invites you to submit a proposal for their annual conference which will be held in-person in Harrisburg. The theme for the 2024 conference is “Shared Stories: Magnifying Our Impact.” Download the call for papers on the Penn-Del AER website. Deadline December 1, 2023.

Each year Penn-Del AER recognizes achievements of its members and others dedicated to the field of visual impairment in education and rehabilitation. The 2023 Awards Committee seeks nominations for this year’s awards that highlight professionals who are committed to providing quality services for children or adults with visual impairments.

• The Penn-Del AER Richard L. Welsh Service (Welsh) Award was established to recognize a professional who serves the education or rehabilitation needs of individuals with visual impairment in Pennsylvania or Delaware and who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the chapter or to the field. To be eligible for the Welsh Award, an individual must be a current member of AER and not a current member of the AER Board of Directors. Nominees do not have to be direct service providers.
  
• The Elinor Long Educator of the Year (ELEY) Award was established to recognize an outstanding professional in the field of education of students with visual impairment. The awardee is encouraged to be an AER member, but it is not a requirement. Nominations for the 2023 ELEY Award target educators of children with visual impairment (birth-21 years of age).

Find the nomination form on the Penn-Del AER Website. Nominations must be received by February 1, 2024.

The 2024 InSights Art Contest is Officially Open! Since 1992, The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) has hosted the InSights Art Competition, an international art contest open to artists of all ages with vision loss. This popular program reflects APH’s mission to promote the independence of people who are blind and low vision by encouraging artists to create original works, in addition to improving arts education and arts opportunities for individuals who are blind and low vision.

• Students from preschool through high school can download the Student Entry Form 2024
• Only one artwork per artist can be submitted each year.
• Lean more on their website page.
• Deadline is March 29, 2024

Encourage your students to submit an entry!

The 2024 Mobility Matters Summit is being held virtually on Leap Day, February, 29th, 2024! This year's theme, Navigating Knowledge, brings together themes of literacy, technology, transportation, and AI as a part of their ongoing quest to build more inclusive communities. Don't wait to register to reserve your spot and join in on these rich discussions! Save the date, and leap into Mobility Matters with us!

• 2023 Mobility Matters website includes the recordings page
• Visit their website to learn more.

Did you know that PaTTAN has a monthly BVI Family Newsletter? The BVI Family Newsletter for March includes information about the Parent UEB survey, ESY Determinations, summer camp options (more to come in future newsletters), and a family special education quick start guide. We encourage you to share this resource with families and check it out yourself!

• Sign up

All families of children who are blind or visually impaired (BVI), deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), or deaf-blind (DB) are invited to sign up for the PaTTAN Family Resource Group.

The goal of this group is to send out resources, event information, and contacts that can benefit your family and child. It is an easy way for you to get updates and take advantage of any available opportunities.

For more information:

• Watch our 2-minute video
• Contact us by email: FamilyResourceGroup@pattankop.net
• Check out the PaTTAN website for additional information!
• Sign up today: Blind-Visual Impairment Initiative and Family Resource Group Sign up

Resources to share with families:

• Family Resource Group Information
  
• Family Resource Group Poster
  
• Family Resource Group Flyer
  

Do you know families who may be interested in connecting with other 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 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm (ET). Visit the FamilyConnect website to view additional details and resources.

AER continues with synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities, with a discount if you are an AER member. AER is releasing has a slew of exciting upcoming live opportunities , which can be viewed on their events page. They also created an extensive library of recorded courses, presented by experts in the field. Complete your continuing education from anywhere: home, work, even at the park! Every webinar on this site is approved for ACVREP credits and will provide a certificate upon completion.

The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Hive offers a variety of free online courses for vision professionals and educators to increase their ability to respond to the needs of students with visual impairments. This “one-stop” for professional development offers ACVREP continuing education units upon successful completion of a course.

The APH ConnectCenter includes FamilyConnect, CareerConnect, and VisionAware – a hub of websites that offer curated advice and resources to assist children, parents, adults, job seekers who are blind or visually impaired, and their associated professionals, leading to greater independence and success in their lives.

Access Academy is your one-stop resource for the meaningful education and training webinars you need to get the most out of APH products and services. From tutorials on new products and hacks on how to get the most from your beloved tech, to information on resources, services, and programs: our goal is to give you the info you need for home, the classroom, and the workplace.

APH is also hosting many live events, including a focus on transition. Visit the APH Connect Event page to register for live online learning opportunities and earn ACVREP credits.

Eschenbach Academy is a "new online educational platform designed to supplement the knowledge and training they currently provide via in-person and webinar formats. Eschenbach Academy’s educational content ranges from interactive low vision courses, low vision training modules and general business courses useful for practice managers and owners.

This new eLearning platform provides training content that will help you and your staff become more efficient and effective in providing low vision care to your patients who have a vision impairment. In so doing, it will allow your low vision care service to deliver even more successful outcomes for both your patients and your practice."

This resource will be added to future newsletters under "Leisurely Learning."

Hadley offers a variety of free online learning opportunities in the following categories:

• Daily Living
• Recreation
• Braille
• Adjusting to vision loss
• Technology
• Vision loss

*Sign-up/log-in to get access to the entire training.

Perkins School for the Blind has a number of offerings for those working with students with visual impairments to increase their knowledge and skills. Visit the following sites to learn more:

• Perkins eLearning - Professional Development
• Accessible Science
• College Success
• Paths to Literacy
• Paths to Transition
• Paths to Technology

We encourage all supervisors and professionals in the field of visual impairment to sign up for access to our drives. We will be posting recorded presentations, resources and much more! Sign up today! Select your group below to request access.

• Supervisor Access Request Form
• Professional Access Request Form

PaTTAN East - 333 Technology Drive Malvern, PA 19355

• Jenifer Edgar - jedgar@pattan.net - Educational Consultant
• Tess Nasehi - tnasehi@pattan.net - BVI Family Consultant

PaTTAN Central - 6340 Flank Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112

• Greg Gerhart - ggerhart@pattan.net - Educational Consultant

PaTTAN West - 3190 William Pitt Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15238

• Tim Knight - tknight@pattan.net - Educational Consultant
• Greg Lazur - glazur@pattan.net - Educational Consultant