Family Resource Group- February '25
Blind/Visually Impaired Edition
Well, the weather outside may be frightful...
...but the opportunities February brings are quite delightful! This edition of the newsletter features new resources, tips and upcoming events.
As always, if you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact me at any time. We also ask you to provide feedback by completing the survey at the end of the newsletter.
We invite the teachers, therapists and school staff who work with your child to register to receive a copy of this newsletter as well. There is a question on the registration page for professionals so that we can contact them. Please pass this on to everyone that supports your child.
Tess Nasehi
Family Resource Group BVI Editor
This newsletter is not an endorsement of any organization or product that may appear.
FAMILIES TO THE MAX
- F2MAX Foundational Courses: Please join us Wednesdays at Noon or Thursdays at 7:00pm for the FAMILIES TO THE MAX Foundational Courses. Contact f2max@pattan.net or call 800-441-3215, ext. 3262 to schedule or find out more about our training opportunities.
- 2024 Virtual Village Series: It takes a village! As parents of children with disabilities, often times we are left feeling alone. Well, not anymore! F2MAX is your village. Join us for an hour of networking and sharing on February 3 at 7:00pm and/or February 26 at 12:00pm.
- Insights Needed to Enhance PA Early Transition & Family Engagement: We need your help! You have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can truly make a difference. By taking a few moments to complete a brief survey, you can help us refine the transition process for children who receive preschool early intervention services, making it as seamless and effective as possible.
Scholarship Program: Each year, NFB awards thirty $8,000 merit-based scholarships, and additional scholarship opportunities, to blind students across the country. The application opens December 1, 2024.
Career Quest offers pre-employment transition services to blind students through educational seminars, advocacy, training and more. Apply for the program now, which takes place in Washington DC from February 2-5, 2025, or next year.
Future Reflections: Future Reflections is a quarterly magazine for parents and teachers of blind children that encompasses NFB's positive philosophy of blindness with resources, success stories, access to a national network of parents, guidance for teachers, and more.
Parent Scholarships for PDE Conference 2025
The Bureau of Special Education and PaTTAN are pleased to offer a limited number of parent scholarships to the Pennsylvania Department of Education Annual Conference: "Making A Difference: Educational Practices That Work!" Pennsylvania residents who have school-age children with a current IEP are eligible to apply.
Conference Dates: February 5 - February 7, 2025
Conference Location: Hershey Lodge & Convention Center
These scholarships allow parents an opportunity to learn about recent research and best practices in special education, alongside educators and service providers who teach our children. In addition, you will be able to network with other families and service organizations from across the state.
Scholarship applications are now closed. If you missed the chance to apply, please do so next year. Scholarship applications typically close in early January.
2025 Winter Family Camp CANJRU
Camp Abilities NJ @ Rowan University (CANJRU) is an educational sports camp for children ages 6-17 who have visual impairments. The goal of CANJRU is to empower youth with visual impairments through sport, physical activity, and wellness education.
When: Saturday, February 1, 2025 (day only) 10am- 4pm
Where: Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ
Winter Camp Abilities Delaware
Camp Abilities Delaware is an overnight educational sports camp for children ages 5-17 who are blind or have low vision. The camp introduces children to a variety of sports, including cross-country running, orienteering, swimming, and much more.
When: February 15-17, 2025
Where: University of Delaware's Virden Retreat Center in Lewes, DE
2025 Summer Academy Program
The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation/Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) Summer Academy Program is designed to offer high school age students with visual impairments an opportunity to develop their knowledge, experiences, and awareness as it relates to their future academic and employment goals. Students will participate in a 7-day program on a college campus, where they will receive assessments, information, and educational experiences in various curriculum areas.
Location: Penn State University Park Campus
Time: Monday, June 16, 2025, to Monday, June 23, 2025 (7 Days).
Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
Link to Apply: 2025 BBVS Student Application
For assistance or further information, please contact Kiley Foley at: Email: kifoley@pa.gov Phone: (814)-949-7960
Internships with NASA
Did you know NASA offers internships for students interested in a range of STEM areas? NASA's summer internships run from early June until early August for college students and from late June until early August for high school students. All student interns get paid. Contact Dr. Craig Moore (craig.e.moore@nasa.gov) or Dr. Robert Shelton (robert.o.shelton@nasa.gov) for information on internships for students with visual impairments.
The deadline to apply for Summer 2025 internships is February 28, 2025.
You can also find information about the Science Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students online.
Early Connections Conference from Perkins
The Early Connections Conference is designed to support families and educators in building community, making connections and accessing the resources they need to help kids. Learn, connect, and ask in a supportive environment made up of experts and families like yours—with children from birth to age 7 who are blind, deafblind, or low-vision, including those who have multiple complex disabilities.
When: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Where: In-person at Perkins School for the Blind or virtually
Cost: $35 virtual, $40-$50 in-person
Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference: Empowering Educators and Partners
We are excited to announce a new networking and learning opportunity for youth, families, school teams, and community partners. This conference will highlight best practices, research, and practical strategies for autism, sensory and other low incidence disabilities (including visual impairment), and secondary transition.
Save the dates, July 28 -31, 2025 and look for more information to come on the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Pennsylvania Educators and Partners conference.
Parent scholarships may be available!
PA Training & Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
PaTTAN shares several AT resources including:
- The Technology Adventure for Students with Vision and Hearing Needs event and Guidebook: this annual event takes place around the state and gives students, families and educators a chance to interact with AT and community agencies that provide support. 2025 dates will be announced soon!
- Short-Term Loan and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Center: The Short-Term Loan (STL) Program provides school teams with devices to assess the assistive technology needs of students with disabilities. The AEM Center produces and acquires AEM for students with qualifying print disabilities.
- Publications
- Matching Assistive Technology (AT) Features to Low Vision Needs
- Assistive Technology in the IEP: A Guide for IEP Teams
- Teachers' Desk Reference: Assistive Technology
- Assistive Technology for Students With Disabilities: A Closer Look at Acquisition and Funding
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): Visual and Environmental Considerations
American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) offers many resources to learn more about the importance and ways of teaching AT skills to your child.
- Some APH AT devices can be ordered for qualifying students using Federal Quota funds.
- FamilyConnect shares related resources, such as "Tools for Children Who Are Blind or Low Vision to Access Electronic Information" and more.
- APH Access Academy shares related videos on their YouTube channel, including "Living with Low Vision: An overview of available services, assistive technologies, and funding" and more.
- The Hive offers online courses on assistive technology for blind children.
Perkins School for the Blind
The Perkins School for the Blind houses a vast library of articles and videos on compensatory and academic skills. Anyone can visit the Perkins website and search for assistive technology. Below are a few examples of what Perkins has to offer in this area.
- Paths to Technology houses tons of AT resources and information.
- "Ways to get accessibility support for virtual learning" guide from Veronica Lewis/Veronica With Four Eyes
- NEW: Paths to Literacy shares a new "ECC Monthly Challenge Introduction" for families and educators, as well as "A Moment of Outreach with Expanded Core Curriculum Videos."
- Perkins also shares information on CVI and the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)
Pennsylvania Organization of Parents of Blind Children
provides resources, advocacy, and connections for parents with blind and low vision children.
Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students
shares details on scholarships, workshops, conventions, and internship possibilities.
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC)
helps families and blind children maximize their skills, independence, and opportunities, while holding high expectations.
Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services (BBVS)
assists Pennsylvanians who are blind or visually impaired gain the skills necessary to live and work independently in their communities.
TSBVI Family Recharge Zone
serves as a virtual space for families to collaborate on the first Thursday of each month.
ParentConnect: A Family Support Group
offers a virtual support group for families on the first Wednesday of every month.
NUEVO: Charlando con Conchita
Estoy iniciando un grupo de apoyo mensual para padres hispanohablantes de estudiantes ciegos y con baja visión. Este será un lugar para hablar en español, hacer preguntas y construir una comunidad. Será el último martes de cada mes. Nuestra primera sesión será el 28 de enero a las 4:00pm EST. No es necesario registrarse. Enlace de Zoom aquí.
This is a support group for Spanish-speaking families of blind/low vision children.
NEW: Telesupport Group for Parents of Blind/Visually Impaired Children
Announcing a virtual support group for families of blind/visually impaired children in the Philadelphia region. This group, sponsored by Educating Communities for Parenting, connects every-other Thursday from 6:30-7:30pm via Zoom. Families share resources, information, and encouragement with other families in the Philadelphia region. Contact Maria Ceferatti at mcef869@gmail.com or 610-212-5566
for more information.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)
NLS provides a free braille and talking book library service. Follow the steps shown on the National Library Service website to enroll and receive:
- books and magazines, including bestsellers, biographies, fiction, how-to books, music scores and instructional materials
- in braille or audio formats
- instantly downloadable or mailed to your door for free
FAMILIES TO THE MAX: Statewide Network of Families
leads change by building awareness, empowering families, presuming competence, and fostering high expectations of students with disabilities.
PEAL Center
works with families, youth and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs to help them understand their rights and advocate for themselves.
HUNE
offers free bilingual (English and Spanish) programs, supports, and services on all aspects of special education. HUNE also offers an after-school and summer program.
Parent to Parent of PA
aims to connect and empower families by building a supportive community. Families can connect with others who have had similar journeys so that no parent feels alone.
PaTTAN Library
PaTTAN hosts a collection of publications, videos, podcasts, and websites to help families and educators better understand special education information. Listed below are a few popular resources, but you can also search PaTTAN's website and PaTTAN's YouTube channel to find more. Many of our publications are also available in other languages.
- Family's Quick Start Guide to Special Education Bundle
- Blind-Visual Impairment page
- Blind/Visual impairment publications
- Family Information
- Student-Led IEP Process
- IEP Information
This newsletter is not an endorsement of any organization or product that may appear.