PaTTAN BVI Newsletter

This newsletter is not an endorsement of any organiaztion that may appear.

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."

"The RTF recognizes the very real “digital divide” between rural and non-rural areas. For rural communities to remain economically viable and appealing as a home to new industry, technology-based or not, these communities need to fully understand the potential that technology can provide, and encourage growth of those skills in local youth." Learn more on the RTF's website.

Salus Universities' Blindness and Low Vision Studies Program is looking to fill two half time recruiter positions with the goal of expanding the applicant pool for their Low Vision Rehabilitation, Orientation & Mobility, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy programs.

• Funded through a two-year grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind as part of a pilot study to test if recruiters with personal experience in the field are better suited than general admissions officers to attract applicants to blindness and low vision professions.
• Available to work 20 hours a week for this project
• Positions are remote
• Require travel for presentations and recruitment events during as well as periodic in person meetings with the Salus team.
• Position one: Recruitment of potential applicants interested in working in school-based settings (TVI & O&M)
• Position two: Recruitment of potential applicants interested in working in rehabilitation or clinical settings (VRT & LVR)

To learn more or to apply, visit the Salus University Employment Opportunity Webpage.

The Overbrook AmeriCorps Program will enroll 16 AmeriCorps members to provide virtual workforce readiness training and mentoring to 16–24-year-olds who are blind or visually impaired across Pennsylvania. The AmeriCorps members improve the workforce readiness of 45 blind or visually impaired Pennsylvanians. They are currently recruiting for two positions. Learn more by viewing the flyers in our Google Drive for Professionals Serving Students with VI. (If you do not access register with the link at the bottom of the newsletter.)

"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.

"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.

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

• Get Organized
• Schedules & Appointments
• Planned Weekly Schedule

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

This research article from JVIB "...gathered information on their views of the position, the challenges they face, and ways to improve the training of future itinerant teachers. The results offer insights into the positive and negative aspects of itinerant teaching, detail essential skills for successful itinerant teaching, and provide recommendations for improving the preparation of future itinerant teachers." Get access on the Sage Journal website.

We are pleased to announce the Request for Posters for the 2023 HELIX: High Expectations for Low Incidence Disabilities Conference. The Poster session for the conference will be held in person on Thursday, November 15, 2023, from 4:30 – 5:30 PM at the Lancaster County Convention Center and Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square in Lancaster, PA.

Poster presentations will highlight evidence-based techniques and best practices used in low incidence classrooms and/or services, school improvement, staff development, administrative initiatives, student achievements, and/or curricular materials. Special consideration will be given to posters that highlight attracting, preparing, and retaining low incidence professionals.

Poster presentations will be accepted in any of the following formats:

• Standard scientific poster
• Interactive poster
• Demonstration
• Multi-modal posters

Learn more and access the application on the HELIX webpage. All poster applications must be submitted by Friday, September 29, 2023. If your poster proposal is accepted you will be contacted by October 6, 2023. Questions may be directed to Jennifer Edgar at jedgar@pattan.net.

This TDR: Deaf-Blindness 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.

The Pennsylvania Deaf-Blind Project is required to conduct the National Deaf-Blind Child Count on an annual basis regarding the children and youth they serve who are deaf-blind. This publication gives additional information and answers commonly asked questions on the Pennsylvania Deaf-Blind Child Count.

The purpose of this framework is to help school teams assess a student's ability to visually access a communication system/display and to address the impact of environmental issues

Pennsylvania students who are unable to use textbooks and instructional materials in the traditional way may need accessible instructional materials (AIM) in order to have meaningful and equal access to the general education curriculum. Such access is guaranteed federal education statutes, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education act (IDEA) as well as in the Pennsylvania Special Education Regulations: Chapter 14 for school districts and chapter 711 charter schools.

Locate the AIM Request Form and Federal Quota Order Form on the PaTTAN AIM Center webpage.

Join us at HELIX 2023 in Lancaster, PA from November 15th through the17th. We will be brining in state and national speakers on the following topics:

• O&M for students with physical disabilities
• Make n 'takes: Tactile graphics and Tools for students with multiple disabilities
• Communicating with the public as someone with deaf-blindness
• CVI: Protocol, O&M, Auditory Processing, Vision Plans
• Essential Tools of the Trade for Deaf-Blindness
• Active learning
• O&M and AT
• General education sessions on visual impairment and deaf-blindness

More details coming soon!

Connect with Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) from across Pennsylvania for engaging discussions that bring together professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. During these virtual sessions, guest presenters will share their knowledge, real-world insights, and practical tips from the field. Whether you're an experienced COMS or just starting out in the profession, this networking series will help you empower individuals with visual impairments to navigate their environment confidently and independently.

• October 11, 2023; 3:00 - 4:00 pm - Public Transit
  
• January 10, 2024; 3:00 - 4:00 pm - Assistive Technology
  
• April 10, 2024; 3:00 - 4:00 pm - Intersection Analysis
• Credits: ACT 48 & ACVREP
• 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.)
  

Register for each session on the PaTTAN Training Calendar (filter by Visual Impairment/Blindness). Registration Code: COMS2023

TVI Time brings together professionals for a unique chance to connect. Delve into the world of supporting visually impaired students and enhance your daily practice through dynamic discussions. Uncover strategies to overcome obstacles faced by itinerant teachers and forge connections with colleagues who share your role across the commonwealth. Guest presenters will enrich the conversation by sharing their expertise on specific topics with opportunities for Q & A.

• September 13, 2023; 3:00-4:00 pm - Empowering Literacy
  
• December 13, 2023; 3:00-4:00 pm - Post-Secondary Transition
  
• March 13, 2024; 3:00-4:00 pm - Assistive Technology
• Credits: ACT 48 & ACVREP
• 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.)

Register for each session on the PaTTAN Training Calendar (filter by Visual Impairment/Blindness). Registration Code: TVINET2023

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.

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.

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
• College Success
• 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 - 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