PaTTAN BVI Newsletter

• In the News
• It's That Time of Year
• PaTTAN's Desk
• On the Horizon
• Leisurely Learning

*Each section contains approximately four topics.

The agenda includes 12 goals, strategies for achieving goals, research needed, and development needed to promote the inclusion of students with visual impairments in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs.

The website, (housed by The Ohio State University) offers valuable information related to STEM. For example, the resource section offers valuable tools that are divided into three categories:

Classroom Resources/Courses, Research Resources, Conferences and Organizations.

Looking for resources for ECC: ILS? The Michigan Department of Education has created Independent Living Skills Modules. The website includes an ILS Checklist for progress and ILS guides that outline appropriate skills by grade.

• Module 1: Handwashing and Making Lunch [PDF]
• Module 2: Morning Routine [PDF]
• Module 3: Trays, Cutting, and Spreading [PDF]
• Module 4: Dressing Skills [PDF]
• Module 5: Clothing and Organizational Skill [PDF]
• Module 6: Laundry Skills [PDF]
• Module 7: Evening Routine [PDF]
• Module 8: Basic Maintenance Skills [PDF]
• Module 9: Virtual ILS Workshop [PDF]

APH description "Need a tactile map, graph, or diagram for class? Download or request one using APH’s free online Tactile Graphics Image Library (TGIL). Vector images are available in PDF format, along with .png and .stl files. Before class starts, have your graphic ready to go by downloading and using it with swell paper, high-resolution graphic embossers, the collage method, or with a 3D printer (.stl files only)." To learn how to access the library visit the APH Website.

*You may need to edit the graphics to meet your student's individualvneeds.

American Printing House (APH) has moved its Federal Quota (FQ) spending deadline. In order to process your orders in a timely manner, all FQ requests must be submitted prior to September 5th. Any orders submitted after September 5th will be processed the following cycle year which would begin on October 1st.

• Orders must be needs-based to support the education of FQ students.

• Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will use the remaining money to purchase and store commonly requested FQ products over $1,000. These products can be requested if a FQ student does not have allotted money available. If approved, requested products will be shipped to your organization and will not count against your FQ allotment.

• Please consider not spending your remaining allotment unless a student need is identified in support of this initiative.

When adding new students to Federal Quota, Parental permission is required in order for a student’s information to be reported to the census. Students are not eligible to use these funds unless they are included in the census. If you have questions or concerns regarding the Annual Federal Quota Registration Process, please contact Julie Breneman, Accessible Instructional Material (AIM) center manager at 717-901-2238, by phone or email jbreneman@pattan.net

Below are the typical dates that have been used in previous years as deadlines for enrollment and accommodations:

• Winter Keystone is second week of September

• Spring PSSA is last week of September

• Spring Keystone is last week of November

• Summer Keystone is the first week April

This issue of Teachers' Desk Reference focuses on what teachers need to know about educating students with visual impairments in the general education classroom. Located on the PaTTAN website - Publications - Visual Impairment (filter).

Vision is an essential aspect of development and learning. This document provides an overview of vision therapy and visual impairment and describes how vision therapy is different from educational visual impairment services. Located on the PaTTAN website - Publications - Visual Impairment (filter).

You're familiar with the VISSIT's for vision and O&M. Well, get ready for the VISSPA! It is a new workload analysis tool that accounts for all those "other" duties. This tool was unveiled at the AER international conference. The creators are looking to test the VISSPA nationally for validity and reliability starting in 2023. If you are interested in being a PA tester, please contact Jennifer Edgar (jedgar@pattan.net).

A vacancy exists for a PaTTAN - East! Family Support Specialist for Blindness and Visual Impairment (BVI)!

The Family Support Specialist will provide technical assistance and training related to blindness and visual impairment. They will:

• Be responsible for assisting and providing leadership in communication with families and educators on improving services to students who are blind or visually impaired.
• Design and develop family engagement training materials and resources in collaboration with educational consultants and other family support specialists that will be used across statewide BSE/PaTTAN initiative areas.
• Provide training and technical assistance and professional development to families and educational professionals.
• Work collaboratively with statewide family organizations.

Please pass this information on to any family member of students with visual impairments you believe would be great in this position!

• Register through the PaTTAN training calendar
• Filter: Visual Impairment/Blind
• Code: contact Jennifer Edgar (jedgar@pattan.net)

Meeting for New BVI Supervisors

At this meeting, we will concentrate on content for new supervisors.

• August 10, 2022
• 9:00-11:00 am

Fall BVI Supervisor Meeting

At this meeting, we will concentrate on content for all supervisors.

• October 27, 2022
• 9:00-11:00 am

Spring BVI Supervisor Meeting

At this meeting, we will concentrate on content for all supervisors.

• April 4, 2023
• 9:00-11:00 am

• October 12, 2022; 3-4 pm
• December 8, 2020; 3-4 pm
• February 2, 2023; 3-4 pm
• April 12, 2023; 3-4

*Registration coming soon through the PaTTAN Calendar, filter by visual impairment/blindness.

• February 7-9, 2023
• Blindness/Visual Impairment Day on the 7th
• Deaf-Blind Day on the 8th
• Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Day on the 9th

*More details coming soon!

• November 14-16, 2022

*Registration and session details coming this fall!

• April 19-21, 2023

*Call for papers coming in December!

Two Pennsylvania professionals recieved awards in July at the 2022 International AER Conference held in St. Louis, Missouri! To learn more see the Penn-Del AER website.

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.

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.

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.

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
• Paths to Literacy
• Paths to Transition
• Paths to Technology

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.

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

PaTTAN Central - 6340 Flank Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112

• Greg Gerhart - ggerhart@pattan.net

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

• Greg Lazur - glazur@pattan.net