Theme: Specialized Instruction for Students with Low Vision
Date:  Friday, November ​5​, 2021​
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost:  FREE
Sponsored by: KSSB, KIRC, KS Deaf-Blind Project and TASN

If you are a TSVI, COMS (including those in Training Programs), a Braillist, Instructional Assistant, or any interested professional working with students with a visual impairment, this exceptional event is for you!!  Registration ends October 30th

Agenda
8:00-8:15 Check-In
8:15-8:30 Welcome
8:30-9:15 What Makes a Good Life? Transition to Adult Life for Students with Low Vision
9:15-9:30 BREAK
9:30-10:15 Tech Tool Box for Low Vision Students
10:15-10:30 BREAK
10:30-12:00 The 21st Century Child and Updating the Use of Prescribed Optical Device 
12:00-1:00 LUNCH
1:00-3:00 ECC Lightning Round: Teaching the ECC to students with Low Vision
3:00-3:15 Wrap-Up

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."

Our Presenters from Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired: 

Cindy Bachofer, PhD, CLVT, is the low vision consultant at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Austin, TX.  She completed her doctorate at Vanderbilt University in 2013.  The title of her dissertation is Long-Term Use of Optical Devices by Young Adults with Low Vision.  She is also a Certified Low Vision Therapist.  Her teaching interests include use of optical devices, print reading strategies, and psychosocial issues for students with low vision. She previously served as a teacher of students with visual impairments and as a consultant with Project Providing Access to the Visual Environment (PAVE), from 2001-2008, at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.  Ms. Bachofer has also served as a literacy project leader with VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) in Nashville and as an English instructor at both the secondary and post-secondary level in Kansas

Lynne McAlister is a TSVI who has worked at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in various capacities since 1982. Classroom teacher, IEP Facilitator, Lead Teacher, and Transition Specialist have been some of her positions. In her current role as TSBVI Outreach Statewide Consultant, she has the opportunity to guide and support teachers, parents, and support staff both in Texas and nationwide.

Eva Thompson-Lavigne is the Statewide Outreach Transition Specialist at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She works with students, families, educators and rehabilitation staff to assist and facilitate individual transition planning using best practice approaches such as person-centered planning, and customized employment. She has worked in the field of vision for 32 years and has presented numerous statewide workshops and trainings on transition topics including: Effective Transition for Students with Visual Impairments, Game of Life, Discovering Your Future, Customized Employment, and Person-Centered Approaches to Transition Planning. 

Carrie Farraje currently works as an Assistive Technology Consultant at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She has twenty three years of experience in education.  She has been a teacher, an Instructional Technologist, an Assistive Technology Specialist and a Content Developer. She has a passion to help make the world more accessible for everyone.
 

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8:30-9:15 AM  (Eva Thompson-Lavigne)
What Makes a Good Life?  Transition to Adult Life for Students with Low Vision

Transition planning involves preparation for movement from school to adult life in the community. Although this process is on-going throughout the school years, it intensifies as your student enters the teen years, and nears graduation. In this session we will explore ways to help students with low vision navigate these years of transition. 

SOME THEMES FOR THIS DISCUSSION

• Creating a shared vision of the future.
• Taking control of a vision of the future.
• Teaching relevant knowledge and skills.
• Finding help and support.
• Looking for and recognizing opportunities.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Discuss differences between system-centered and person-centered approaches for transition for students who have low vision. 
2. Identify components of successful transition.
3. Share resources and activities that help support students with low vision and their families in planning for a successful transition to life after high school. 

9:30-10:15 AM  (Carrie Farraje)
Tech Tool Box for Low Vision Students 

Technology and accessibility tools are continually evolving.  Students need to be equipped to adapt to these constant changes.  Not only is it the responsibility of the TVI to train their students on assistive technology but they also need to teach how to be resourceful in finding the right tools to meet specific needs now and into the future. This session will provide insight from young adults with low vision on the impact assistive technology has had in their lives.  Resources will also be provided on current digital accessibility tools for students with low vision.

Objectives

1. Discuss the importance of not only training low vision students on assistive technology but also teaching how to be resourceful in determining what AT meets their individual needs.
2. Investigate current digital accessibility tools for students with low vision.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (Dr. Cindy Bachofer)
The 21st Century Child and Updating the Use of Prescribed Optical Devices 

Never before has such a range of options in visual access existed! Yet, familiar roadblocks continue to impede access to and use of devices. The presenter will highlight rationale and benefits of low tech tools in a screen-rich world, psychosocial concerns of device users and practical strategies for planning instruction.

Objectives:

1. Describe rationale and benefits of using handheld optical devices such as magnifiers and telescopes
2. Identify roadblocks of motivated student use across environments 
3. Summarize instructional strategies for building student skills to access visual information in both near and distance tasks

1:00-3:00 PM (Dr. Cindy Bachofer, Lynne McAlister, & Eva Thompson-Lavigne)
ECC Lightning Rounds: Teaching the ECC to Students with Low Vision

This lively session on the Expanded Core Curriculum will provide participants with a wealth of lesson ideas, materials and resources for each of the 9 areas of the ECC specific to students with low vision. Participants will spend time in breakout rooms. A facilitator with expertise in the assigned ECC domain will guide the room’s discussion using a provided student scenario and template for recording information. A cumulative document of all ideas will be provided to all attendees following the conference.  

Objectives:

1. Participants will brainstorm lesson activities and gather resources & ideas for teaching each area of the Expanded Core Curriculum to students with Low Vision
2. Participants will identify strategies to infuse areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum into all areas of direct instruction.  

KSSB's policy regarding outside presenters: 

"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."

This is an ACVREP RPPLE-approved event and participants eligible for continuing education points.

University credit for this event will be offered through Mid-America Nazarene University.  For details regarding requirements for university credit, please contact Kylie Kilmer at kkilmer@kssdb.org or 913-645-5607

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