PaTTAN BVI Newsletter

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

Join us for the PaTTAN Technology Adventure for Students with Vision & Hearing Needs -- connecting students, families, education professionals, and assistive technology (AT) representatives at your local PaTTAN office. No need to travel! Are you wondering how to find and pay for assistive technology after graduation? Come explore new technology and chat with vendors, learn about new trends, and ask any questions you may have. Try out the latest assistive technology tools and find what works best for each student. Join our "Q&A" sessions to get the answers to your questions about assistive technology and secondary transition; participate in round table discussions with local transition professionals so you can learn about the supports available for students after graduation, including assistive technology. Don't miss this chance to embark on this adventure, grow your skills, learn, and explore together right in your community. See you there!

Location:

• PaTTAN West September 25th; 9:00 am- 3:45 pm
• PaTTAN East October 22nd; 9:00 am- 3:45 pm
• PaTTAN Central October 23rd; 9:00 am- 3:45 pm

Register on the PaTTAN Calendar (filter by deaf-blind).

This YouTube series has 19 videos on the best of science accessibility at the lab according to Emril and Caroline. Topics include:

• Measuring Liquids in the Lab Using Nonvisual and Low-Vision Techniques
• Labeling Lab Supplies using Nonvisual Method

• Using the Sci-Voice Talking LabQuest 2 to Nonvisually Record the Temperature of Aquarium Tanks
  

• Do Blind People Need to Wear Lab Goggles? Options for Wearing Glasses With Goggles

• Lab Accessibility for Wheelchair Users

In this article learn how Google Maps has "released a new update focusing on keeping users updated with potential accessibility disruptions, such as malfunctioning elevators or escalators." Learn more on The Tom's Guide: Tech Product Reviews website.

Are you ready to enhance your accessibility skills? The Technology Committee of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania is excited to announce a 7-week virtual training on NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access). Whether you're new to screen reading or looking to sharpen your skills, this course is perfect for you. Throughout this course, you'll learn how to effectively navigate and utilize NVDA, a powerful and free screen reader, which is essential for anyone who needs or wants to improve their digital accessibility skills.

When: Every Tuesday, starting September 17, 2024 from 7 PM to 8 PM ET for 7 consecutive weeks.
Where: Virtually on Zoom
Price: Free; Register Here

For more information: Email Chris Westbrook at westbchris@gmail.com

Accommodations to the Physical Environment: Setting Up a Classroom for Students with Visual Disabilities This module from the Iris Center provides helpful tips for general education teachers on setting up the physical aspects of their classroom and will introduce types of equipment used by students with visual disabilities (est. completion time: 1 hour).

Information for TVIs to Share with General Education Teachers This article from Perkins highlights information to share with general education teachers who will have a student with a visual impairment in their classroom. Tips include:

• Creating a student video
  
• How to create accessible materials
  
• Paths to Technology resources
  
• Co-teaching responsibilities
  

Tips for Classroom Teachers

Perkins provides tips for general education teachers who have a new student with a visual impairment in their classroom. Read more on Perkins website.

PaTTAN Publications to Share with Classroom Teachers

• Teachers' Desk Reference: Visual Impairment This issue of Teachers' Desk Reference focuses on what teachers need to know about educating students with visual impairments in the general education classroom.

• Teachers' Desk Reference: Deaf-Blindness This issue of Teachers' Desk Reference focuses on what teachers need to know about educating students with deaf-blindness in the general education classroom, including the impact of deaf-blindness on a student's learning and best practices in programs for students with deaf-blindness.
• Digital Eye Strain: Symptoms and Solutions After using digital media all day, are your students making comments related to their vision? This publication describes some of the symptoms of, and solutions for, digital eye strain.

Encouraging Collaboration: Beginning of the School Year Advice for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVIs) "We have all been there—it’s prep week for a new school year and your student’s teachers are all too busy to talk to you about your student. Besides, does it really matter? After all, you too are scrambling to get your student’s equipment and materials ready for the first day of school. But we all know it does matter..." Read more on Texas School for the Blind website.

20 Tips for New Itinerant TVIs & COMS "Tips for new vision professionals, including Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists." Read more on the Paths to Literacy website.

Organizational Strategies

Looking for organizational strategies? This Teaching Students with Visual Impairment website page has topics such as:

• Get Organized
• Schedules & Appointments
• Planned Weekly Schedule

PaTTAN will not be offering the HELIX conference this fall. We are working on something new for next summer, but can't spill the beans just yet. Look for more details later in this school year.

At this meeting, we will concentrate on content for new supervisors. However, all supervisors are welcome

• September 19, 2024; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
• Register through the PaTTAN training calendar
• Filter: Visual Impairment/Blind
• For more information, including registration code, contact Jennifer Edgar (jedgar@pattan.net)

Join us for this virtual discussion series tailored specifically for Orientation & Mobility Specialists. We'll dive into a range of topics, from navigating complex intersections and roundabouts to understanding ADA Guidelines and tactile warning surface indicators. Join us as we delve into these often overlooked subjects.

• Series Guest Speaker: Bonnie Dodson-Burk
• Time of Each Session: 2:30-4:00pm

Session Dates and Topics:

• October 9, 2024 - Signal Savvy: Addressing Actuation and Signals
  
• November 13, 2024 - Clear Paths: Demystifying Complex Intersections for Better Mobility
• December 11, 2024 - It’s Going Around: A Discussion on Roundabouts & Channelized Turn Lanes (CTLs)
  
• January 8, 2024 - Urban Navigators: Empowering O&M on Public Transportation
  
• February 12, 2025 - Addressing ADA: Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines
• March 12, 2025 - Safe Surfaces: Essential Training for Tactile Navigation
  
• April 9, 2025 - Clear Signals: Navigating with Accessible Pedestrian Signals
  

View the flyers in our Google Drive for Professionals Serving Students with VI. (If you do not have access register with the link at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Registration Coming Soon! Register for each session on the PaTTAN Training Calendar (filter by Visual Impairment/Blindness or Blindness/Visual Impairment). No registration code.

Delve into the world of supporting students with visual impairment, with a special focus on CVI a brain-based visual impairment for the 2024-25 school year. Enhance your daily practice through dynamic discussions and uncover strategies to overcome obstacles faced by itinerant teachers. Forge connections with colleagues who share your role across the commonwealth.

• Series Guest Speakers: Karen Whitiker (TVI/MCIU23) Lisha Yochimowitz (TVI/MCIU23), Dr. Kathy Alstrin (TVI/Salus at Drexel University), Dr. Beth Ramella (TVI/OSB)
• Time of Each Session: 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Series Dates and Topics:

• October 29, 2024 - CVI: Myths and Misconceptions
• November 21, 2024 - CVI: Setting Yourself up for Success
• December 19, 2024 - CVI: Assessment Part 1
• January 30, 2025 - CVI: Assessment Part 2
• February 27, 2025 - CVI: Environmental Considerations and Presentation of Lessons
• March 27, 2025 - CVI: Collaboration and Teaming
• April 24, 2025 - CVI: Practical Applications

Registration Coming Soon! Register for each session on the PaTTAN Training Calendar (filter by Visual Impairment/Blindness or Blindness/Visual Impairment). Registration Code: CVI24

Join us for the PAMS Network series, a dynamic and engaging virtual event designed to bring Pennsylvania’s material specialists together. Each session focuses on starting the year right and ensuring proper formatting when producing braille. Expect rapid-fire presentations, lively discussions, and innovative idea exchanges, all packed into a power hour that fits perfectly into your midday break.

Whether you’re looking to network with peers, troubleshoot challenges, or spark new collaborations, our PAMS Network series provides the perfect platform. Connect with fellow professionals, share your expertise, and gain fresh insights in a vibrant and interactive environment.

Don’t miss out on this electrifying opportunity to recharge your professional connections and fuel your passion for materials science. Grab your lunch, log in, and get ready to be enlightened!

Act 48 and ACVREP Credits Available!

Dates:

• October 16, 2024​
• November 20, 2024​
• January 15, 2025​
• February 19, 2025​
• April 16, 2025

Registration Code: “PAMS2425”

PaTTAN Training Calendar: PaTTAN - Session-40215

The content in this section remains the same in each newsletter.

The BVI Family Resource Group Newsletter includes information about upcoming events, seasonal topics (such as summer camps), the expanded core curriculum, family organizations, and a family feedback form. We encourage you to share this resource with families!

• 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.

The content in this sections remains the same in each newsletter.

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; BVI Initiative Lead

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

PaTTAN Statewide

• Tess Nasehi - tnasehi@pattan.net - Statewide BVI Family Support Specialist