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7th Annual Kansas Vision Symposium

Theme: Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future 

Date: November 8, 2024

Location: Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview Wichita

Cost:  FREE with lunch provided the day of the event

Who: Vision professionals (TSVIs, COMS, Braille Transcribers, Instructional Assistants, Early Intervention Providers) along with general and special education professionals, administrators & agencies who work with students with a visual impairment are encouraged to attend.

2024 Vision Symposium Speakers: Donna McNear, Chris Tabb, Kathee Scoggin, Vince Cianfrone, Stephanie Mundinac, and Dr. Kendall Krug

​This one day FREE training will focus on the research and practice in effective Specialized Instruction for students with a Visual Impairment.

Door prizes throughout the day for registered attendees

Friday Agenda: 
7:15-8:00 KIRC Directory Headshots Available
7:30-8:00 Registration
8:00-8:15 Welcome
8:15-8:45 Keynote Speaker (Chris Tabb) Developing Family Capacity in Supporting the ECC
9:00-10:00 Session 1
10:15-11:15 Session 2
11:15-12:15 Lunch & Vendor Fair
12:20-12:40 20 Minute Spotlights
12:45-1:45 Session 3
2:00-3:00 Session 4
3:00 Conference Ends

NOTE:  "The content and presentations of the Vision Symposium are intended to address the specific needs/interests of TSVIs/COMS in Kansas. Other district employees are welcome to register/attend with the understanding that the focus of the event will be geared toward certified professionals in the field of vision."

Featured Presenters:

Donna McNear, M.A., COMS, is a career teacher/independent educational consultant specializing in services and supports to children with visual impairments. ­She provides on-going technical assistance/professional development to educational agencies, organizations, and families nationally and internationally. She is an author, researcher, and frequent presenter at conferences. She is a recipient of the Outstanding Leadership Award, Council for Exceptional Children and Holbrook-Humphries Literacy Award, Getting In Touch with Literacy 2023.

Chris Tabb, COMS is an Orientation and Mobility Specialist working to advance the independence of students and clients, provide training opportunities and knowledge exchange for professionals and families, and bring accessible information to the community. He is presently employed at Montana’s Blind and Low Vision Services in Great Falls as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist. Chris has worked as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Texas, and Montana providing services in residential programs, as an itinerant, an outreach specialist providing technical assistance, and as a private contractor. He enjoys working with all age groups, including infants and toddlers, school age students, adults, and older people. Chris’ greatest professional interests are all things Orientation and Mobility, as well as Assistive Technology


Kathee Scoggin, is a sought-after trainer on topics relating to children with multiple disabilities including students with combined vision and hearing loss, both Washington and nationally.  She holds a B.A. in Deaf Education and M.Ed. in Special Education with an emphasis on sensory disabilities and other disabilities. Kathee has 40+ years experience as a teacher (12 years), assessment specialist, principal (10), Co-director for the Deaf-Blind Project in Washington state, and educational consultant with children (birth to 21) with combined vision and hearing loss including deaf-blindness and students with multiple disabilities. Upon retirement in 2013, Kathee has consulted and trained  within the United States. She currently lives in Arizona.

Vince Cianfrone - Vice President of NanoPac, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has spent the last 30 or more years matching assistive technology to the needs of people with various disabilities, training and supporting AT solutions as well as programming solutions when not previously available.  NanoPac supports a number of states in our region and Vince is a valuable resource offering product application and support for users and agencies in our community.

Stephanie Mundinac, MA SMD, TSVI ATP- Stephanie has been an educator of students with disabilities for the past twelve years, both as a special education teacher and a teacher of students with visual impairments, serving students in grades Pre-K-12 of all ability levels. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Missouri State University in 2012 in Special Education and in 2016 received her Master’s degree from West Virginia University, specializing in the area of Severe and Multiple Disabilities. She went on to complete an additional graduate certification in the area of Blindness and Low Vision at Missouri State University in 2021. Stephanie is also a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional. Outside of the school setting, she works with families through MOSPIN, Missouri School for the Blind’s outreach program that helps support families with children with visual impairments. Stephanie loves making learning accessible for all individuals and recently created AccessAble Learning Solutions LLC in order to help provide professional development training, teacher and parent training, and to offer specialized solutions for creating adapted learning activities for individuals of all ability levels.

Dr. Kendall Krug - Dr. Krug is a collaborating optometrist with the KS State School for the Blind KanLOVKids regional low vision program and has been involved since its development in 2005. Prior to retirement in 2022, Dr. Krug  provided low vision rehabilitation in KS in hospital based clinics, outpatient clinics, and in his private practice in Hays, KS. He is Past Chairman of the KS Advisory Committee for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and continues to lecture on eye topics.

Disclaimer: "Sponsorship of presenters/workshops by KSSB does not imply endorsement of a particular philosophy, product, or procedure.  The educational material and techniques presented at this meeting reflect the views of the presenters and have been made available by KSSB "as is" for educational and informational purposes only and not as professional advice for specific cases or circumstances.  The material and techniques discussed in these presentations reflect the best practices at the time of their development and should be used with the clear understanding that continued new knowledge or recommendations could emerge."

Sponsored by: KSSB, KIRC & the KS Deafblind Project in partnership with TASN. 

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ACVREP RPPLE CE Credits available 

Keynote Speaker: Chris Tabb (8:15 am - 8:45 am)

Title: Developing Family Capacity in Supporting the ECC

Description: 
This session looks at ways families can support learning for their children. Parents and guardians often grew up learning visual ways of living and may feel uncomfortable with or unaware of strategies used by students who are low vision or blind. This session explores options for families to develop an understanding of ways that every-day activities can be accomplished non-visually as well as providing activity suggestions professionals can share with them to support and encourage their child’s learning. Participants will explore ways of helping parents and families learn how to support student inter-dependence at home.

Objectives:  

• Participants will explore ways of helping parents and families learn how to support student interdependence at home.
• Participants will explore resources to be shared with parents and families for facilitating learning activities
• Participants will search for opportunities in their current caseloads and roles where they can empower families to support ECC growth.

Session 1 Presentations (9:00 am - 10:00 am)

Title:  Instructional Gold: A Collection of 40 Effective Teaching Strategies in 60 Minutes
Location: Station 1 (9:00 am - 10:00 am)
Presenter: Donna McNear

Description:  
This fast-paced session offers a refreshing and energizing approach to our work through 40 effective teaching strategies to teach literacy skills. The 40 instructional strategies provide teachers with easily implementable methods to teach literacy skills to all students with visual impairments and achieve student results. The session provides teachers with specific strategies that make a difference to student outcomes, help sort through numerous instructional ideas and strategies, and provide a platform for effective teaching.

Objectives: 

• Describe two instructional planning strategies to consider adding to your teaching practice.
• Describe two strategies to consider changing how you deliver instruction to students.
• Name one strategy which resonates with you. What are additional questions for implementation or integration into your teaching toolbox?

Title: Evaluation Tools and Resources for O&M
Location:  Bosin 3 (9:00 am - 10:00 am)
Presenter: Chris Tabb 

Description:  
This training will explore general guidance from the AER O&M Division position paper on Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Evaluations, explore evaluation resources for providing evaluations for all age groups and ability levels, and finally provide resources for educating administrators about evaluations in orientation and mobility and what is required by law.

Objectives: 

• Participants will explore requirements and recommendations for evaluations.
• Participants will explore and resources for evaluations that meet the functional level of all learners across the age span and all ability levels.
• Participants will explore advocacy strategies to allow evaluation activities to occur.

Title: Accessible Literacy for Learners with Multiple Disabilities
Location:  Bosin 2 (9:00 am - 10:00 am)
Presenter: Stephanie Mundiac

Description: 
This session will focus on making literacy accessible for students with multiple disabilities, focusing on all access areas including physical, compensatory, and cognitive

Objectives: 

• Understand the definition of literacy and why literacy instruction is important for students of all ability levels. 
• Understand the difference between physical, compensatory, and cognitive access to literacy experiences.
• Create adapted literacy experiences that focus on multi-sensory learning

Title:  Making Sense of the World:  Part 1
Location: Station 2 (9:00 am - 10:00 am)
Presenter: Kathee Scoggin

Description:  
For a student with sensory loss and multiple disabilities (including deaf-blindness), to Succeed in School and Life. 

This session will focus on how a student with sensory loss and other disabilities,including deaf-blindness, can be available to learn in your class, and be an active learner.

Objectives:  

• The participant will will identify the factors, both internal and external that may be barriers for the student
• The participant will understand how a daily schedule and curriculum can be developed to assist in becoming an active learner.

Session 2 Presentations (10:15 am - 11:15 am)

Title: Turning on Touch Thinking: Foundational Concepts
Location: Station 1 (10:15 am - 11:15 am)
Presenter: Donna McNear

Description: 
“Turning on Touch Thinking” is an instructional approach to bridge the teaching and learning gap for students who use their hands for learning and struggle to make sense of a braille symbol under their finger. This session introduces the foundational concepts and overall instructional strategies, such as learning materials, physical environment, procedures, routines, correction responses, frequency of instruction, data collection, and teaching to mastery. These concepts and strategies are effective to use in many teaching contexts beyond Touch Thinking.

Objectives: 

• Describe two foundational concepts/overall strategies in this “Touch Thinking” approach to learning.
• To increase frequency in Touch Thinking learning, consider and name one teaching change.
• Name a strategy which resonates with you. What are additional questions for implementation or integration into your teaching toolbox?

Title: Outdoor Sensory Efficiency Development and Technology
Location: Bosin 3 (10:15 am - 11:15 am)
Presenter: Chris Tabb

Description: 
This session will explore ways of developing sensory efficiency in common areas such as visual, auditory, and tactile, and also extend into areas not generally considered when working with learners, such as proprioceptive, vestibular, kinesthetic, and haptic senses that are so beneficial for safe and efficient travel.

Objectives: 

• Participants will explore options for developing and using each sensory system.
• Participants will explore options for infusing technology into sensory development activities.
• Participants will explore how sensory efficiency can positively impact the ability of learners with multi-sensory loss. 

Title:  Supporting Communication for Students with Visual Impairments
Location:  Bosin 2
Presenter: Stephanie Mundiac

Description: 
This session will focus on multi-sensory communication modalities that support students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities.

Objectives:  

• Understand the different communication modalities available to students with complex communication needs.
• Know how to create intentional communication opportunities for students throughout their school day.
• Understand the importance of aided language input and how to model communication using different modalities and devices.

Title:  Visual Acuity in Low Vision
Location: Station 2 (10:15 am - 11:15 am)
Presenter: Dr. Krug

Description:  
This session will discuss the factors that affect visual acuity, and how visual aids improve acuity and function.

Objectives: 

• Understand the concept of Visual Angle and Explain how to use the ETDRS-LogMAR chart to measure visual acuity
• Understand the concept of Visual Angle
• Explain how to use the ETDRS-LogMAR chart to measure visual acuity
• Factors that affect visual acuity
• How Visual aids improved acuity and function
• New Low Vision Aids

LUNCH (11:15 am - 12:15 pm) Waco Lobby

Spotlights (12:20 pm - 12:40 pm) 

Topic:  Changes to the APH Census
Location: Bosin 2 (12:20 pm - 12:30 pm AND 12:30 pm-12:40 pm)
Presenter:  Kia Boyd

Topic: Chair Yoga
Location: Bosin 3 (12:20 pm - 12:30 pm AND 12:30 pm-12:40 pm)
Presenter:  Menely Hogan

Topic: Myths and Facts Surrounding AT Devices and Services
Location: Station 1 (12:20 pm - 12:30 pm AND 12:30 pm-12:40 pm)
Presenter: Beth Zillinger

Topic:  Expanded Core on the Road Programs
Location: Station 2 (12:20 pm - 12:30 pm AND 12:30 pm-12:40 pm)
Presenter: Anna Cyr and Leah Enright

Session 3 Presentations (12:45 pm - 1:45 pm)

Title: Turning on Touch Thinking: Specific Strategies Moving from Tactile Discrimination to Braille Letter Identification.
Location:  Station 1 (12:45 pm - 1:45 pm)
Presenter:  Donna McNear

Description:  
This session focuses on the explicit strategies to implement the “Turning on Touch Thinking” approach to tactile learning...a road map to bridge the teaching and learning gap for students who use their hands for learning and struggle to make sense of a braille symbol under their finger. The instructional strategies transition students from tactile discrimination of common objects to fine tactile discrimination of braille symbols leading to accurate braille letter identification in a 20-step process. An instructional tool will be shared to guide this process.

Objectives: 

• Describe two explicit strategies used in the 20-step Touch Thinking process.
• Name one context you would need to consider changing to use this process in your teaching.
• Name one strategy which resonates with you. What are additional questions for implementation or integration into your teaching toolbox?

Title:  Field Loss: What are We Missing? (an O&M perspective)
Location:  Bosin 3 (12:45 pm - 1:45 pm)
Presenter:  Chris Tabb

Description:  
This training will provide discussion and hands-on activities for developing greater understanding of the impact of field loss, as well as providing strategies and resources for addressing challenges that are common with loss of visual field, even when acuity is 20/20 or better.

Objectives: 

• Attendees will discuss impact on field loss on overall function.
• Attendees will participate in activities using field loss simulators.
• Attendees will explore strategies and resources for addressing challenges presented with visual field loss.

Title:  Assistive Technology for Young Learners with Visual Impairments
Location:  Bosin 2
Presenter:  Stephanie Mundiac (12:45 pm - 1:45 pm)

Description:  
This session will focus on assistive technology often introduced in the early childhood special education setting to support students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities.

Objectives:  

• Understand the importance of early exposure and use of assistive technology.
• Understand and differentiate between different types of switch-capable toys and how they can be used to support specific student needs.
• Know how to use a multi-disciplinary approach to select and implement assistive technology in the early childhood special education setting.

Title:  Electronic Tactile Graphic Comparison
Location: Station 2 (12:45 pm - 1:45 pm)
Presenter:  Vince Cianfrone

Description:  Discussion and comparison of electronic devices for creating tactile images including PIAF and swell paper, a braille embosser and Monarch

Objectives: 

• understand various electronic tools for creating tactile graphics
• compare the quality of resultant tactile images, cost and preparation needed for each.
• learn about graphing on the fly with Monarch
  
   

Session 4 Presentations (2:00 pm - 3:00 pm)

Title:  Authentic Consultation, Collaboration, and Coaching
Location:  Station 1 (2:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
Presenter:  Donna McNear

 

Description:  
This session begins with reflective inquiry about the intent and purpose of indirect services to students...when, where, why, and how do we deliver services when we are not the primary instructor. Then we will examine current educational contexts and ideas to help sort through the strategies that “make a difference” to students and team members and work in a spirit of “mutuality” with improved student results.

Objectives: 

• What works for you when you deliver indirect services? Identify 2 strategies.
• Name two strategies to improve your own challenges when you deliver indirect services.
• Name one strategy which resonates with you. What are additional questions for implementation of integration into your teaching toolbox?

Title:  CVI Resources for Orientation and Mobility
Location: Bosin 3 (2:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
Presenter: Chris Tabb

 

Description:  
This training will explore resources that orientation and mobility specialists have available to them for: understanding CVI; evaluating students with needs related to CVI; developing goals, objectives, lessons, and delivering instruction, that addresses the unique needs of learners with CVI, etc.

Objectives: 

• Participants will explore resources related to children and adults with CVI.
• Participants will explore and generate lesson activities that address the unique sensory needs of learners with CVI.
• Participants will consider how environments impact the abilities of learners with CVI

Title:  Improving Accessibility within the School Setting
Location:  Bosin 2 (2:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
Presenter:  Stephanie Mundiac

 

Description:  
This presentation will focus on how to improve accessibility within the school setting, focusing on environmental, digital, and cognitive accessibility.

Objectives: 

• Understand how to increase accessibility for students with visual impairments in the physical environment.
• Understand how to increase digital accessibility when creating documents and assignments.
• Understand how to increase cognitive accessibility to activities and curriculum for students with multiple disabilities.

Title:  Making Sense of the World:  Part 2 
Location:  Station 2 (2:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
Presenter:  Kathee Scoggin

Description:  
For a student with sensory loss and multiple disabilities (including deafblindness), to Succeed in School and Life.  This session will focus on some strategies that will assist school staff and families to support the student who has a visual impairment and other disabilities, including deafblindness, in being successful in school, home and community.

 

Objectives: 

• The participant will identify if they are already using or how to use effective strategies with students who have a visual impairment and other disabilities develop a trusting relationship, develop concepts, use wait time effectively, use hand under hand, Use routines effectively, and “Do with, the student, not for the student”