Illinois AER

AER Illinois

SAVE THE DATE!  IAER CONFERENCE 2024

The 2024 IAER Conference will be held on February 22nd and 23rd, 2024 (Preconference on February 21, 2024) at the Chicago Marriott Naperville, in Naperville, IL.

Hotel and registration information will be coming soon!

The following blue link can be used to submit presentation proposals.


IAER Current Board

Past- President: Jennifer Duncan
President: Diane Tyrrell
Treasurer: Jasmine Wells
Secretary: Maura Guimon-Warren

Members at Large:
Awards Committee: Sara Edwards
Bylaws Committee: Katie Hansen
Scholarship Committee/Moderators Committee: Kathryn Hinsberger
Website/Social Media/Membership: Lauren Mehalek
Mini-Grants/Stipends: Molly Pasley
Space Camp/Workshop Committee: Katie White


RESOURCES

Vision  Professional Handouts

Vision Professional Handout Document

Newsletters

2021
Winter 2021 Newsletter – Word

2020
Fall 2020 Newsletter – Word

2019
Fall 2019 Newsletter – Word

2018
Fall 2018 Newsletter – Word


SPECIAL ITEMS

IAER Workshop Grant

Illinois AER invites professionals in the field of low vision and blindness to host a workshop with the purpose of providing continued education and/or training to individuals who are blind or visually impaired or to professionals who serve in the field.  IAER offers financial assistance to its members who embark in hosting a workshop that targets increased skills in Assistive Technology, Expanded Core Curriculum, Vocational Training, Self-Autonomy, and other skill areas that ultimately lead to increased accessibility and independence for individuals with low vision or blindness.  If awarded financial support for a workshop, all receipts must be submitted for reimbursement by June 1st of the same fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). Collaboration with other agencies is highly recommended.  All Illinois AER Members are eligible to apply.

Proposed execution date for workshop must be stated in the application.  Receipts must be submitted to Allyssa Harpst no later than June 1 of the same fiscal year of the project.  If receipts are submitted late, workshop grant recipients may be at jeopardy of not receiving reimbursement. IAER board and committee members will evaluate your proposals and funded applications will be notified by mail or email.

Download the Application Form

SEND COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO: [email protected]

NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITY!

IAER Volunteer Direct Service Program
The IAER Volunteer Direct Service Program is designed to provide financial support to an Illinois AER member who is working on a mission or other service project that has involvement with children or adults who are visually impaired.  Stipends are usually allotted as partial reimbursement for expenses related to the project. Each person receiving a stipend will be asked to write an informative article, which may be included in an upcoming IAER Newsletter, sharing what he or she has learned.
Please click here for the application.

Mini-Grants

IAER invites its members to apply for mini-grants to financially assist them in projects that serve the field of low vision and blindness. Grants may be awarded for, but are not limited to curriculum development, research, improvement of a particular area of service, and the implementation of unique activities or ideas. The deadline for application submission is May 1st. If awarded a mini-grant, all receipts must be submitted for reimbursement by June 1st of the same fiscal year. For more information see the Mini-Grant application. Questions about mini-grants

Stipends

The IAER Stipend program is designed to provide financial support to a person attending a conference or workshop. Stipends are usually allotted as a partial reimbursement for expenses related to attendance. Each person receiving a stipend will be asked to write an informative article, which may be included in an upcoming IAER Newsletter, sharing what he or she has learned. Stipends are capped at $100 for national and state conferences and $200 for international conferences. For more information, see the Stipend Application.