This issue was edited by Deb Lewis, Co-ordinator, Statewide Vision Resource Centre.
The recent Australian Day Awards included the well-deserved recognition of Annette Godfrey-Magee’s work in the field – a Public Service Medal – for “outstanding public service in the education of students with vision impairments”. Well done Annette!
To see the annual program and to download programs for professional development activities, go to: http://www.visiontech.svrc.vic.edu.au/pd2008.htm.
When: 6 to 10 April 2008
Where: Melbourne
For more information: http://www.iceb.org/ga08c01.htm
When: 11 to 14 April 2008
Where: Melbourne
For more information: http://www.e-bility.com/roundtable/
Source: Events Co-ordinator, Jessica Bosnakis’ email of 25th January 2008
You are invited to Adelaide to the 2009 Biennial Conference of the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment. The conference is structured so that you are able to explore your area of interest by following strands throughout a whole day’s program. On the other hand you will have the opportunity to sample a variety of topics throughout the week and to interact with others with similar interests The conference will feature plenary and concurrent sessions during which practitioners, distinguished academics, researchers will present their work on eye conditions common in children, vision assessment, approaches to teaching and learning, aspects of the expanded core curriculum, service provision, partnerships and transition. Parents will also present on their choices and challenges in bringing up a child with vision impairment.
Keynote Speaker
Dr Steve McCall is a Senior Lecturer in Education, Visual Impairment in the
School of Education at the University of Birmingham, UK. He is vitally interested
in the delivery of education for blind children in developing countries, literacy
through Braille and Moon, and literacy for children with a visual impairment
and additional disabilities. Dr McCall is also on the Editorial Board of the
British Journal of Visual Impairment.
Conference Theme
The Conference theme Choices and Challenges is designed to explore both current
and futuristic ideas. The themes Vision Impairment, Adaptive Technology, Early
Intervention and Partnerships. Threads across each theme are medical perspectives,
international focus, multiple impairment, partnerships, transition, and challenges
and choices. The focus throughout the conference is on children with vision
impairment.
Call for Papers
SPEVI invites abstracts from individuals and groups interested in presenting
a concurrent paper or poster at the 2009 South Pacific Conference. Abstracts
should be 500 words (text only) and submitted electronically by 29 February
2008. For further information, please contact the Conference Secretariat Jessica
Bosnakis: Jessica@aomevents.com
“Platinum Reflections – Beyond the Stereotype”
What do you think of when you hear the word “Albino”? Rabbits with white hair and pink eyes? The evil Silas from the Da Vinci Code?
A conference to be held in Adelaide this April will go “beyond the stereotype” of albinism to explore albinism and its effects. And to debunk the myths of red eyes and sharp shooters.
Albinism is a rare genetic condition affecting about 1000 Australians. In albinism, the person is unable to produce the pigment melanin. Melanin gives colour to our eyes, skin and hair. People with albinism have got white hair, pale skin and blue eyes, with a visual impairment. We sunburn easily, are affected severely by the glare, many of us are legally blind and we are susceptible to various skin cancers. Albinism does not affect mental ability, though can have major social impacts through its negative portrayal in the media and discrimination because of appearing different.
The Albinism Fellowship of Australia (AFA) is holding a conference on albinism on 4th to 6th April 2008 at the Stamford Grand in Glenelg, Adelaide. This conference will bring together International and local specialists on albinism and its ocular, physical, and social impacts. There will also be a host of personal stories, panel discussions, and group discussions, along with a range of trade stalls and social activities. Child minding is provided for children aged 1 – 12.
Keynote speakers at the conference will include: Rick Guidotti (USA, founder of Positive Exposure which examines, through photography, the beauty of many genetic conditions), Dr Brian Evans (UK, making the eye and vision understandable for lay people), Margaret Mary Campbell (USA, author of a book on “Bully-proofing your kids”), Jake Epelle (Nigeria, broadcaster and founder of the Albino Foundation in Nigeria), Dr John Pater and Associate Professor Jamie Craig (Local South Australian ophthalmologists, experts on albinism) and Allen Little (New Zealand, founder of the Albinism Trust, humour specialist).
The AFA is a not for profit organisation, which was established in 2006. . The AFA’s key purpose is to provide support, education and fellowship to those with albinism, parents of children with albinism as well as their families and friends. Information about the conference, the AFA and albinism is available from the website: http://www.albinismaustralia.org.
Or contact: Kim Gillespie, President AFA. 0425 229799 or email albinismnsw@optusnet.com.au
The following activities are offered by David Hornsby and Debbie Sukarna at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre from 9.30am till 3.15pm:
Cost: $160/140
Contact Paula Welham for further information and for copies of the program:
tel/fax (03) 9499 2065 / email pwelham@bigpond.net.au
From time to time information found in the ABF Update, the newsletter of the Australian Blindness Forum is reprinted in The Bulletin – so I thought you might like to know a little more about the organisation…
ABF’s purpose is to operate as the peak body representing the blindness sector for the benefit of people who are blind or vision impaired.
The ABF website is now at http://www.australianblindnessforum.org.au. A number of ABF policies in the areas listed below are being developed and, when finalised, will be included on the website:
Back issues of ABF Update can be found: http://www.australianblindnessforum.org.au/ABFUpdate.html
What is NULM?
One of the Australian Blindness Forum’s initiatives is the National Unified
Lifeskills Model (NULM), the goal of which is to provide a coherent and centralised
framework which brings together families, educators, therapists and service
providers in order to achieve a common goal of maximising the independence and
potential of every child who is blind or vision impaired.
For more information about this approach, see the website: http://nulm.org/ which also gives a PowerPoint tutorial offering an overview, the background, and the main features of NULM.
A national parent summit is planned for April 2008. For more information, email Errol Ingram at errol@nulm.org or go to http://www.nulm.org.
Article by Kevin Murfitt
Water skiing has recently become prominent as both an elite and a recreational sport for people who have a disability, including people who are blind or vision impaired. Water-skiing competition usually includes the three disciplines of slalom, tricks and jump, although some competitors choose to specialise in only one or two disciplines.
Slalom is performed on a single ski. The blind or vision-impaired skier is required to move from behind the boat to outside the boat wakes in one direction, until the angle of the rope sets off an audible signal from the boat, at which time the skier moves back through the wakes to the other side until they get another signal. The skier keeps crossing from one side to the other until they achieve six signals. If they achieve the six signals and get back behind the boat within a certain time, the skier scores full points. They can then try the same again at a faster speed, or with a shorter rope if they are already at top speed – which is 58 km/h. This is very similar to sighted skiers, except that they ski around six buoys instead of getting an audible signal.
Tricks involves two 20-second intervals marked by audible signals where the skier on one or two tricks skis (shorter and more slippery than a slalom ski) performs as many tricks as possible (eg skiing backwards) within the allocated time. The skier with the highest points wins.
Jumping is the only discipline where a skier who is blind or vision-impaired has to ski with a guide alongside them. The guide lines the skier up behind the jump and counts them down to the ramp so they know exactly when they are going to hit the jump ramp. The guide has to ski around the ramp and not make contact with the skier until the skier has landed the jump and skied past a certain point or fallen.
Australia selects a team of 14 skiers from all disability categories including blind and vision-impaired to attend World Disabled Water-Skiing Championships held every two years. At the last World Championships held in Townsville in May 2007, Australia came second out of 16 countries represented, including some gold medal individual performances. A blind Australian skier is the current world record holder in the tricks event.
Victoria, NSW, Queensland, SA and WA all have disabled groups within their state water-ski associations. For example, the Victorian Water-Ski Association has a disabled division that has a boat and other ski equipment. They all run “have-a-try” sessions and coaching clinics.
The sport is easily adapted to ensure fun and safety for skiers who are blind or vision-impaired by the use of whistle signals from an observer in the boat. The most widely-used signals are:
The basic skills and steps in learning water skiing are very similar for vision-impaired
and sighted people. For people who are blind or vision-impaired, it is important
to go through everything that will happen before getting on the boat. And when
coaching from the boat, visual demonstrations are not going to work as well
as audible explanations. All skiers use bank coaching and coaching from the
boat so no new methods are needed, except for the whistle system, which is essential
when on the water.
If you are interested in taking the plunge, contact your state water-ski association
or a disabled sports organisation: for Victoria – Aust. Waterski &
Wakeboard Association Disabled Division http://www.disabledwaterski.com.au
Tel (03) 9792 0092 or email alisonsmith@recspecialist.com
MS Reader is a FREE downloadable program which reads out text and highlights the word it is reading. It’s not new – but for some students it could prove helpful! For instructions for downloading MS Reader and for downloading an Add-in for Microsoft Word that you can use to create your own MS Reader formatted documents from Word documents, click here.
Source: DEECD Email S015-2008
The Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2008 will commence on 30 January
and will conclude on 31 August. It is open to all Prep to Year 10 students in
government and non government schools in Victoria.
Students in Years 3 to 10 are challenged to read 15 books. Students in Prep
to Year 2 are challenge to read or experience 30 books. Two thirds of the books
read need to be from the Challenge booklist.
Students who participate and complete the Challenge will receive a certificate
signed by the Premier.
For more information see: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/prc/
For a list of books for students in Year levels P-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, see: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/prc/books/default.htm
Perhaps you can use MS Reader (described here) to read books from your list!
When: 13th February 2008 10.30am – 2.00pm
Where: Vision Australia Cricket Pavilion, 454 Glenferrie Rd
Kooyong
Cost: $7.00 which includes a sausage sizzle
RSVP: by Friday 8th February
For further details: Di Hayward (Rec Development Worker) tel 9761 0011
Where: Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St. Melbourne
Date of Show with Audio Description: Saturday 23 February 2.00
pm
Bookings: Ease Ticketing tel 9699 8497
To experience this new and exciting rowing opportunity for people with vision impairments on Melbourne’s famous Yarra River with an Olympic Medallist, you must …
Requirements
Where: Powerhouse Rowing Club, Alexandra Ave Toorak (MEL REF
2M D1)
When: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4.30pm-6.30pm
Dates: April 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 & May 1
For further information and to register for this exciting opportunity, contact:
Di Hayward (Recreation Development Worker) Vision Australia
Tel 9761 0006 / email Diana.Hayward@visionaustralia.org.au
There is a Sailing Day planned by the Corio Bay Geelong Lions Club, for 6th April 2008 in Geelong. Bookings are essential and can be made by contacting Jan on 5248 8633.
Dianne Haywood is also planning myriad activities for 2008 – watch this space!!! Her ideas include:
For further information and to register for this exciting opportunity, contact:
Di Hayward (Recreation Development Worker) Vision Australia
Tel 9761 0006 / email Diana.Hayward@visionaustralia.org.au
Perhaps water-skiing is more your thing – Come ’n Try activities are planned as follows:
For information and registration forms, please see the Australian Waterski & Wakeboard Association Disabled Division website: http://www.disabledwaterski.com.au
When: Sunday, 17th February 2008
Time: 10:00AM - 3:30PM
Where: Day Centre, Vision Australia, 454 Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong
The YBCV “In the Dark While Raising Children” seminar aims to bring blind and vision impaired people together to discuss a myriad of issues surrounding parenting and child care giving. The seminar will begin with a discussion of four topical issues before moving on to listen to the stories and experiences of some blind and vision impaired parents from our local community.
The seminar will end with a number of hands on workshops where you will get the opportunity to explore nappy changing and baby transportation devices amongst other things. While the main aim is to consider the prospect of being a blind parent or the partner of a blind parent we also hope that this seminar may assist in helping people feel more comfortable with young children in their families and the wider community.
For further details and registration form, email ybcv@bca.org.au or phone (03) 9372 6400.
When: Tuesday 4 March 2008 at 1.45pm-4.00pm
Where: Hayden Ray Smith meeting room, Level 4, Ross House,
247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
How: Bookings are essential. Send us your four issues for the
meeting, if you will be coming, how you like to be contacted (email, TTY etc)
and what type of interpreter you need (platform interpreter, tactile, relay,
notetaker or hearing loop) to BCA at:
Email: deafblind@bca.org.au
Phone: (03) 9372 6400 / TTY: (03) 9376 9275
RSVP: Please RSVP by 4 February 2008.
The Braille Window Project was first piloted in early January 2007 on the street window of Sydney’s Gallery 4a in Chinatown. It was a big success with everyone. There is an audio-described with captioned DVD of the pilot project and further information available through the Statewide Vision Resource Centre.
To be part of this innovative live braille-based art work, or to find out
more, please contact:
Anne Walton: tel: 02 82069176 email: awal_ink@optusnet.com.au
Jeni Blake is starting up a group of adults – parents, aides etc –
who would like to learn braille in the Frankston area.
The venue and day has not been finalised but the group will meet weekly to work
at their own pace but with peer support on learning the braille code.
Time: 4.00-5.30pm weekly
Contact Jeni to express your interest – 0428 134660
Emmaus College in Vermont South requires a Teacher Aide with brailling skills – 1 day per week (negotiable). Please contact principal Tony Frizza on 9845 3211.
Source: ABF Update, December 2007
Graeme Innes, Human Rights Commissioner, delivered his address ‘Making Rights Relevant’ to the NDS CEO Meeting in Canberra on 28 November – to read it, go to http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/speeches/2007/nds.htm.
The winners of the five categories of the inaugural National Disability Awards were announced on 3 December, International Day of People with Disability. Michael Curran (formerly on Vision Australia/RVIB’s Visiting Teacher Service , who has been blind since the age of 15, won the Young Community Contribution Award. Keith Hayes, blind from the age of 9, won the Community Contribution Award. To read more, go to http://www.idpwd.com.au/awards.asp.
The students have done a wonderful job (as usual) – here a few examples:
Ok – you might be excused for not being able to keep up with the staff changes at the Statewide Vision Resource Centre in 2007 – particularly with a new bunch of wonderful braille transcribers who began late last year (AND ARE ALREADY PRODUCING BRAILLE FOR YOUR STUDENTS). So here we all are (all 23 of us!):
Carleen Eldridge-Smith – Braille/Etext
Cathy Murray – Braille/Etext (0.4)
Dianne Skillern – Administration/Large Print/ Etext
Jacky Murphy – Braille/Etext
Jenny McKenzie – Braille/Etext (0.4)
Leeanne Terry – Etext, Large Print
Lyn Petty – Braille/Etext (0.4)
Maria Elford – Senior Braille/Etext
Michael Kelly – Audio/IT Support (0.6)
Nicole van der Nagel – Braille/Etext
Sophie Chilton – Braille/Etext
Sue Sharp – Braille/Etext
Toni Chilton – Braille/Etext
Zhi Jin – Braille/Etext SVRC
Annette Godfrey-Magee – Education Officer – Vision (0.9)
Deb Lewis – Co-ordinator
Lyn Robinson – Resource Teacher (0.9)
Marion Blazé – Education Officer – Vision (0.9)
Geoff Bowen (0.4)
Helen Caldow – Visiting Teacher
Kim Foley – Visiting Teacher
Lea Nagel – Senior Visiting Teacher
Sam Oxley – Visiting Teacher (0.4)
Thanks to Marion Blazé, Sophie Chilton, Toni Chilton, Frances Gentle, Lauren Hayes, Di Haywood, Michael Kelly, Lea Nagel, Lyn Robinson, Mike Steer, Margaret Verick and Jessica Zammit for contributing to this edition of The Bulletin. Thanks also to my fabulous proof-readers, stuffers and mailers.
Deb Lewis (who can be emailed at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au).
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