SPACE CAMP
Do you want to go to Space Camp? Illinois Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (IAER) is back again and offering a scholarship for Space Camp 2022! The 2022 sessions for SCIVIS (Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students) will be held from September 18th to September 22nd (September 23rd departure) at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. SCI-VIS gathers academically oriented, visually impaired students, from around the world. Braille, large print, low vision devices, CCTV’s, refreshable braille displays, synthetic speech, and support from certified teachers of the visually impaired are available during this week to allow the best experience for children with visual impairments.
While at SCI-VIS, students live in a simulated space station called Habitat 1. They have the opportunity to practice their leadership and teamwork abilities as they prepare for two Space Shuttle missions.
Space Camp is open to students from 4th grade (age 10) through high school. The programs offered are as follows: Camp, Academy, & all Aviation Challenge programs, Advanced Academy, and Robotics (If there is enough interest)
More information is available at http://www.scivis.org/.
The Illinois AER scholarship covers the cost to attend. Families need to cover travel costs and spending money.
For more information regarding this opportunity and to obtain the scholarship application, contact Elizabeth Budzik at 847-436-4553 or [email protected] or download the application here: Application Word Version Application PDF Version
The scholarship due date has been extended to May 30th.
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 Word Document (with picture)
Vision Professional Handout Word Document (without picture)
Vision Professional Handout PDF Document (with picture)
Vision Professional Handout PDF Document (without picture)
Downloads
Technology
List of VoiceOver gestures for Apple products
Newsletters
2021
Winter 2021 Newsletter – Word
Winter 2021 Newsletter – PDF
2020
Fall 2020 Newsletter – Word
Fall 2020 Newsletter – PDF
2019
Fall 2019 Newsletter – Word
Fall 2019 Newsletter – PDF
2018
Fall 2018 Newsletter – Word
Fall 2018 Newsletter – PDF
2017
Fall 2017 Newsletter – Word
Fall 2017 Newsletter – PDF
2016
Fall 2016 Newsletter – Word
Fall 2016 Newsletter – PDF
Resource Document for the Visually Impaired
Please note that this document requires Microsoft Excel to open: Resource Document
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 that 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.
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.
