Combined Divisions Multiple Disabilities and Deafblind, Infant & Preschool, Education Curriculum, and Itinerant Personnel

Expanded Core Curriculum - Back by popular demand, these four divisions of are teaming together to present an all day session on instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum content areas. All of the latest resources and tools will be shared with participants. In addition, participants will be able to actively engage in some of the latest resources developed through various partnerships across the country. If you want to know how to improve your practice in the ECC content areas for ALL children and youth who are blind or visually impaired then register now for an exciting information-filled day. If you want to be part of a learning community that is committed to improving outcomes for ALL children and youth who are blind or visually impaired then make sure you attend this session

Development of an Accessible Computerized Math Program to Support Middle School Youth in Learning Mathematics Concepts

AnimalWatch, a web-based graphics-oriented tutoring system program for middle school math, is currently being adapted to be accessible to students with visual impairments.  The presentation will include a demonstration of a fully accessible AnimalWatch.  Results of a pilot study comparing sighted and blind students will be shared

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L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., Tucson, AZ, Carole Beal, Tuscon, AZ

Being Part of it All: Integrating High-tech and Low-tech Resources into Blind Students' Music Studies

If a braille reader wants to study music then he'll read that in braille too, right?  "It Ain't Necessarily So!"  Why is it that so many mainstream music educators and even TVI's either don't know that braille music exists or are just too afraid or overwhelmed to teach it? 

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Bill McCann, Valley Forge, PA, Suzanne Proctor, Newport News, VA

Case Studies of Children with Dyslexia and Visual Impairments: Relating Patterns of Reading/Spelling Errors to Cognitive Characteristics and Instructional Principles

This presentation is intended to inform teachers of children with visual impairments about (a) the hierarchy of reading skills and its relationship to dyslexia, (b) the definition of dyslexia and related cognitive weaknesses (c) case studies of children with both diagnoses, and (d) principles and methods of effective instruction

Lynne Jaffe, Ph.D., Tucson, AZ

Moderator:  Pam Raspberry

Beyond the Braille Code: Teaching Vocabulary and Comprehension Strategies to Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

This practice-oriented presentation will focus on developing elementary students'
vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. The speaker will present a case study following a
student's progress in reading over a three year period. The presentation will include sample IEP goals,
assessment materials, and examples of student work.

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Using Photography as a Teaching Tool to Improve Academic Achievement of Blind and Visually Impaired Students

Hands-on session demonstrates photography as a teaching modality with blind/ visually impaired students. View student projects and instructor's process for generating tactile photographs. Topics include: research validating art as a vehicle for teaching core competency; the value of building arts literacy among visually impaired and blind students; and funding.

Barry Kleider, St. Paul, MN

Moderator:  Scott Crawford

If I can't See Print, How Can I read? An Examination Of Options For Accessing Printed Information For Individuals With Vision Loss At Any Age

Reading in this century is not limited to letters printed on a page. Explore a variety of methods & resources individuals with vision loss of any age can use to access the reading materials they need for school, work or pleasure. Receive an extensive  resource file to use & share

Neva Fairchild, M.S., Dallas, TX

Moderator:  Chelsea Bridges

Accuracy and Techniques in the Preparation of Math Worksheets for Tactual Learners: Results of a Research Study

Researchers explored how math materials are prepared in braille and their quality.  Individuals transcribed math worksheets and completed surveys.   The commonalities and differences in how respondents prepared the worksheets will be highlighted.  Researchers will describe what is "working" and what is "not working" in the production of braille math worksheets.   

Tina Herzberg, Ph.D., Moore, SC, L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., Tucson, AZ

Moderator:  Fred Otto

Using the RTI Model to Improve Literacy Instruction for Students who are Visually Impaired

Presenters discuss how Response to Intervention (RTI) can be applied to the VI field, including challenges and appropriateness, and how RTI's concept of progress monitoring can be used to determine effectiveness of literacy instruction and implement change. Presenters provide examples of ongoing assessments that can be used to determine RTI.

Cheryl Kamai-Hannan, Ph.D., Los Angeles, CA, Cay Holbrook, Ph.D., Vancouver, BC, Canada

Moderator:  Anna Swenson

Effective Practices for Description of Science Content within Digital Talking Books

WGBH's National Center for Accessible Media has published Guidelines for Describing STEM Images based on NSF-funded research. Classroom educators and producers of DAISY books will use the guidelines to make diagrams, charts, and other STEM material accessible to students with print disabilities. Participants will review the guidelines and practice description.

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Bryan Gould, Boston, MA,  Madaline Rothberg, Boston, MA

Moderator:  Katie Culbertson

Integrating Children with Visual Impairments into Physical Education, Recreation, and Sports

Children with visual impairments need physical activity as much as their peers. Unfortunately, they are often left out of activity on the playground, in physical education, and in community recreation and sports. This session will provide participants with many resources to aid in promoting sport and physical activity.    

Lauren Lieberman, Brockport, NY, Mark Lucas, Colorado Springs, CO, Scott Jones, Little Rock, AR

Moderator:  Joyce Strother

AFB CareerConnect brings innovation to training for teens, adults and professionals.

AFB CareerConnect brings innovation through virtual offerings including: webcasts for professionals; courses for teens, adults, and professionals; and with fun and exciting content that YOU will not want to miss!  Don't be left behind!

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Joe Strechay, Huntington, WV

Factors Associated with the School Dropouts of Students with Visual Impairments in Nepal

This presentation examines the factors associated with the educational dropouts by persons with visual impairments in Nepal. Lack of support, unavailability of schools and parents' negative attitude and poverty were found to be some of the important factors contributing the dropouts of students with visual impairments

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Kamal Lamichhane, Ph.D., Tokyo, Japan

Accommodations and High-Stakes Testing: What Pennsylvania Teaches Us about Students with Visual Impairments Taking these Assessments

Descriptive results of the performance of students who are blind and visually impaired on the Pennsylvania high-stakes test over three academic years will be presented in reading and math. The types of accommodations used will also be analyzed. Discussion regarding student preparedness on large-scale tests will be included

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Lynn Fox, M.Ed., Pittsburg, PA

How Sexually Active are Blind Kids?

The researcher will describe the results of  an analysis of two data sets in which the sexual activities of visually disabled youngsters and their sighted peers are compared.  Recommendations will be made. If you find that a frank discussion of sexual issues is bothersome, do not come to this presentation!

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Gaylen Kapperman, Ph.D., DeKalb, IL

Moderator:  Kevin Hollinger

Accuracy and Techniques in the Preparation of Math Worksheets for Tactual Learners: Results of a Research Study

Researchers explored how math materials are prepared in braille and their quality.  Individuals transcribed math worksheets and completed surveys.   The commonalities and differences in how respondents prepared the worksheets will be highlighted.  Researchers will describe what is "working" and what is "not working" in the production of braille math worksheets.     

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Tina Herzberg, Ph. D., Moore, SC, L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., Tucson, AZ

Motivated for Academic Success: Promoting Internal Locus of Control and Self-Determination among Students with Visual Impairments through Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

This session will explore how students' control beliefs are related to self-determination and academic success. Research drawing connections between these constructs will be reviewed. Teaching of problem solving strategies will be highlighted as a means of promoting internal attributions of control over outcomes, contextualized in an expanded core curriculum lesson.

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Adam Wilton, M.A., Vancouver, BC, Canada, Kim Zebehazy, Ph.D., COMS, CLVT, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Ocular Motor Complications and Their Impact on the Reading Process: Reading Methodologies to Increase Reading Fluency for Students with Ocular Motor Complications

This session provides definitions that link the ocular motor topics of fixation, ocular pursuits, saccades,and spans of recognition with longterm memory and reading fluency. Efficiency of visual scans can be enhanced through reading methodologies that help effiently place additional information into longterm memory. This can result in increase reading fluency.

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Marva Gellhaus, Ph.D., Aberdeen, SD

The System for Conceptualizing Spatial Concepts: Bridging STEM Barriers

The System for Conceptualizing Spatial Concepts provides blind and visually impaired students with equal access and active classroom participation in science, math and related coursework by solving instructional deficiencies encountered when teaching spatially oriented concepts, facilitating processed based learning, and actively integrating blind students into classroom instruction. 

Jeffrey Killebrew, Alamogordo, NM

Moderator:  Alicia McAnich

Tactile Graphics? Relax. Seriously

Teaching with tactile graphics should not be frustrating. A "seriously relaxed" approach to tactile graphics means teachers must be serious about understanding blind students' experience using tactiles, relaxed in their approach to using tactiles in class. The author will discuss these seemingly contradictory demands.    

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Frederick Otto, Louisville, KY

Accessible Artificial Intelligence

Research will be presented that led to the development of the Quantum Tutors, accessible web-based tutoring software for chemistry and mathematics that uses artificial intelligence. Supporting JAWS and Window-Eyes, students can enter their own problems, receive step-by-step feedback and ask questions similar to working with a real-life tutor or instructor.

Benny Johnson, Ph.D., Murraysville, PA, Jeff Dittel, Whitefish Bay, WI

Moderator:  Christy Shepard

What Can I Read? Early Braille Trade Books

Finding the right book for young students is now easier! The Early Braille Trade Books Project combines commercially available books for beginning readers with Braille labels and an interactive website. Select books based on the level of picture dependency and learn Levels of Teacher Intervention needed to use each book.

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Jeanette Wicker, M.A., Louisville, KY

Bookshare - What You Need to Know About the World's Largest Online Library of Accessible Digital Books

Join us and learn about Bookshare, the world's largest online library of accessible books, and hear of the many benefits we offer. Participants will leave this session with a tool that they can use to help individuals with print disabilities access the information that they need to be lifelong learners.       

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Kristina Cohen, M.A., Palo Alto, CA

Independent Laboratory Access for the Blind (ILAB)

The Independent Laboratory Access for the Blind (ILAB) project has developed talking tools to assist blind/low vision high school students in science laboratory classes, such as earth science, chemistry, and physics. By providing a hands-on learning experience in science classrooms, ILAB tools can foster student interest in science

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Cary Supalo, University Park, PA, David Wohlers, University Park, PA

Effective and Frequently Used Strategies and Aids for Advanced Mathematics As Reported by Teachers of the Visually Impaired: Results of A National Study

The audience will be given strategies and aids for advanced mathematics that have been reported as being effective and frequently used by teachers of the Visually Impaired. Strategies and aids that were not reported with high effect or use will be shared. Finally, results from student perspectives will be presented

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Patricia Myers, Ed.D., South Charleston, WV

Just the Facts: ECC Research Projects Provide Evidence of Disability-Specific Skills Training for Students with Visual Impairments

Surveys of teachers, parents, and consumers coupled with IEP reviews submitted anonymously by teachers of students with visual impairments offer insights into the participants' awareness of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and provide evidence of instructional implementation in the ECC areas. Drs. Hatlen, Blankenship & Wolffe describe the results.

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Karen Wolffe, Ph.D., Austin, TX,  Karen Blankenship, Ph.D., Nashville, TN, Phil Hatlen, Ph.D., Shoreline, WA