A National Study of Parental Perspective of the Dual-Certified Vision Professional Service Delivery Model

This study investigated parental perspective on the perceived effectiveness of the dual certification model in meeting the educational needs of their child with visual impairments.  The researchers employed both a national online parent survey and subsequent telephone interviews of parents whose children are currently served by dual-certified vision professionals.

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Rona Pogrund, Ph.D., Austin, TX,  Nora Girffin Shirley, Ph.D., Lubbock, TX

Sustaining Nemeth Proficiency now online!

The Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education at UMass Boston is excited to offer Sustaining Nemeth Proficiency.  This independent-study uses the NERCVE online brailler to house multimedia presentations that review the Nemeth Code and allow practice brailling examples online with immediate feedback for accuracy.  Come see how it works

Sandy Smith, M.Ed., C.A.E.S., Watertown, MA

Moderator:  Donna Brostek Lee

Results of a Delphi Study Designed to Gather Data for the Development of Minimum Standards for University Programs Literary Braille Courses

A Delphi Study was conducted with 21 instructors of literary braille courses and 20 teachers
of visually impaired students. During this session both the demographic and Delphi results will be
presented. These data are being used by the Personnel Preparation Division in the development of
minimum standards for the division.

Click here to download the presenters handout

F.M. D'Andrea, Pittsburgh, PA, L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., Tucson, AZ, Sandra Lewis, Ed.D., Tallahassee, FL

Moderator: Sandy Lewis

An analysis of visual impairment simulation experiences of students enrolled in a introductory course in visual impairment

Presenters will describe results from a qualitative analysis of 150 student papers gathered from 8 offerings of an introductory course in visual impairment. Papers were written after students performed routine activities with occluded vision for 2-3 hours; for most, this was their initial experience with occluded vision.

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Jane Erin, Ph.D., Tucson, AZ, L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., Tucson, AZ

Moderator:  B. J. LeJeune

Identifying the Needs of Families of Students with Visual Impairments Who are from Cutlurally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds

A study was conducted with families of students with visual impairments who are from diverse backgrounds to identify their needs when receiving services from professionals in the field of blindness. Results will be shared along with strategies professionals could use to better serve the needs of these students and families.

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Sylvia Correa Torres, Ed.D., COMS, Greely, CO, Kim Zebehazy, Ph.D., Vancouver, BC, Canada

Profiles of Personnel Preparation Programs and Their Faculty

This presentation will describe the demographics, instructional models, and funding formulae of all university programs in visual impairment in the United States and Canada (N=52) as they existed in 2007-2008.  The presenters will also analyze the trends across this study and the four previous surveys in 1989, 1996,1999, & 2004

Laura Bozeman, Ph.D., Boston, MA, Grace Ambrose Zaken, Ed.D., Wappinger Falls, NY

Moderator:  Kathryn Botsford

The Presentation of Visual Impairments in Introduction to Special Education Textbooks

Research findings regarding the presentation of information about the education of students with visual impairments in introduction to special education textbooks will be presented. Implications for higher education and the fields of special education and visual impairments will be discussed, as will the potential impact on services to students.

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Amy McKenzie, Ed.D., Tallahassee, FL, Sandra Lewis, Ed.D., Tallahassee, FL

Moderator: Katie Culbertson

Preferences and Practices Among Students Who Read Braille and Use Assistive Technology

This mixed methods study investigated current use of paper braille and assistive technology among high school and college students who read braille, and the students' preferences regarding braille and technology as tools for classroom learning.

Frances Mary D'Andrea, Pittsburgh, PA

Moderator:  Chris Clarke Bischke

Post High School Outcomes of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students with Visual Impairments: Implications for Student Instruction and Teacher Preparation

Post high school outcomes collected by the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 and through qualitative methods for students who are culturally and linguistically diverse and have visual impairments are reported.  Direct instructional implications based upon research results are explained as related to K-12 teachers and personnel preparation programs in visual impairment.

Paula Conroy , Ed.D., Greeley, Colorado

Moderator: Wendy Sapp

Establishing a Mentoring Program for New Vision Professionals

A unique partnership between two Texas universities and the TSBVI Mentor Program provides trained mentors throughout the state for all students obtaining their certification as a TVI or COMS.  This presentation provides information on how this mentor program is constructed and why the mentor-protege relationship has been such a success

Christine Cowan, M.Ed., Austin, TX, Cyral Miller, M.P.A., Austin, TX,  Rona Pogrund, Ph.D., Austin, TX

Moderator:  Linda Lawrence

Division Education Session: Personnel Preparation Division

Since our last AER international conference, a committee has been exploring the possibilities of developing minimal standards of knowledge and skill in literary braille for students exiting university teacher preparation programs. As part of that work, a Delphi study was conducted to gather consensus in regards to the minimum level of literary braille code skills required for students completing university programs. The study has been completed.

This work group session is the next step in the process of determining what, if any, minimum standards should be established and the mechanism for applying these standards on a voluntary basis in universities that choose to adopt them. While consensus was reached in many areas, other topics will require more discussion and the results and possible implications will be discussed in some detail. Please come join the work group on Saturday, July 24 from 1:45-5:30 and be prepared to participate in lively discussion and decision-making regarding the development of minimum standards in literary braille for university programs.

Important note: This Saturday work session should not be confused with the concurrent session scheduled during  this conference on Thursday morning at 9:45. The concurrent session is a general session to share results of the Delphi with anyone who is interested in hearing about it. The Saturday session is a working session to discuss and plan next steps for using the results of the study, and is intended primarily for Personnel Preparation Division members.

For the purposes of planning this session and ensuring that we have enough materials, the committee requests that you pre-register to indicate your intention to attend. To confirm your participation or for more information about this project, please email Frances Mary D'Andrea at literacy2@mindspring.com or call 412-521-5797.

Implementing Effective Change to Best Practices: Who, How, and Why

What is the role of university programs in changing best practice and evaluating the effectiveness of new strategies? Join us for a discussion to develop a plan for evaluating and incorporating reliable strategies into our university programs and profession to enable people who are blind to function safely.

Laura Bozeman, Ph.D., Boston, MA, Janet Barlow, M.Ed., COMS, Ashville, NC, Dona Sauerberger, Gambrills, MD

Moderator:  Sandy Smith