The Bulletin
Statewide Vision Resource Centre
Number 3, 28th February 2003
The following issue of The Bulletin was prepared by Deb Lewis (Statewide
Vision Resource Centre).
- VT PD Day Report and summary of session on Visual Fields
- Sports and Recreation: Come and Try Day
- Quantum Technology Workshops
- Low Cost Low Vision Aids Research
- Guide Dogs News
- The Age VCE & Careers Expo
- SPEVI News
- BCA Policy Statements
- Non-optical Cost of Blindness
- What I Prefer (from a student)
- Learning Swish at School
- Braille Music Camp
- Students with Special Educational Needs: Review of Resources
- Supporting Sarah (poem)
- Staff and Student News
- VT Tool Kit
|
Term |
Professional
Development Event |
Date |
|
1
|
SVRC Visiting Teacher Tool Kit | Friday 7 February |
|
1
|
SVRC Visiting Teacher PD Day | Friday 21 February |
|
1 |
SVRC Educational Support for Brailling Students |
Tuesday 11 March |
|
1 |
SVRC Educational Support for Students with Low Vision |
Monday 24 March |
|
1 |
Workshop: Mountbatten Day (Beginners in the morning and ‘Users’ in the afternoon – come for the morning or the afternoon or stay all day) |
Thursday 3 April |
|
2 |
SVRC Educational Support for Vision Impaired Students with Additional Impairments |
Wednesday 7 May |
|
2 |
Workshop: JAWS for Windows (starts 1pm) |
Tuesday 20 May |
|
2
|
O&M Workshop - Guide Dogs | Monday 26 May |
|
2 |
SVRC Visiting Teacher PD Day |
Tuesday 10 June |
|
2 |
Workshop: Magic (starts 1pm) |
Wednesday 25 June |
|
3 |
SVRC Visiting Teacher PD Day |
Friday 1 August |
|
3
|
O&M Workshop - Guide Dogs | Thursday 14 August |
|
3 |
Workshop: ZoomText (starts 1pm) |
Monday 18 August |
|
3 |
Workshop: Mountbatten Day (Beginners in the morning and ‘Users’ in the afternoon – come for the morning or the afternoon or stay all day) |
Thursday 4 September |
|
4 |
SPEVI Combined Agencies Day |
Monday 6 October |
|
4
|
O&M Workshop - Guide Dogs | Tuesday 28 August |
|
4 |
SVRC EXPO/Technology Seminars |
Tuesday 2 December |
Each issue of The Bulletin since mid 1999 has been listed on the SVRC website. This is a handy thing. For example, you can use the search engine on the website to locate an article/topic/contact from an earlier edition.You'll find a link to the search engine at the bottom of the first page. Go to www.svrc.vic.edu.au and happy surfing!
The professional development day last Friday was well attended by Visiting Teachers from seven of the nine regions. The now 'retired' Hector Maclean, gave a gripping exposé on visual fields - please call for a copy of the audio tape - and see below for a summary.
******
Peter Rickards, whose current passion is Dragon Boat Racing, and Maurice Gleeson, who tried to explain how he found himself skydiving "by accident", spoke eloquently about the benefits of students involving themselves in sports and recreation activities. Peter pointed out that the competitive nature of team sports - the object of which is generally to win - may discourage participation by students with vision impairments. Maurice suggested that with some modification, blind and low vision people can participate in all sports. The Visiting Teachers were set the task of suggesting adjustments to various sports that would allow inclusion of students with vision impairments. The following is a brief list of suggestions:
Bike riding is an excellent cardio vascular activity and one that can mean independent transport for people with low vision
- there are several options of bike - solo (for people with low vision),
tandem or a side-by-side setup, or for smaller students there are bike
trailers
- when riding solo, considerations may include when riding on the road,
take care with opening doors of parked cars; on bike tracks, dogs and
children can cause difficulties
- Vision Australia Foundation has two tandem bikes that are available
for loan; many special schools have tandem bikes which you may be able
to borrow
- consider the Great Victorian Bike Ride (see Bulletin 20, 2002)!
Horse riding is now a paralympic sport
- can also involve horse care and grooming
- trail rides keep the rider to a known (for the horse) trail
There may be a 2-year wait list for Riding for the Disabled (03) 9527 7285
Specific instruction in a restricted area with a gentle slope can assist students in learning to stop, turn etc
- a crash helmet may increase safety
- working with a sighted guide
- using a bell or other auditory marker eg to identify the bottom of
a slope
- cross country skiing may be preferred to down hill
RVIB ski club is always looking for new members - call Sue Matthews on
9808 6422
Disabled Winter Sports, Vic offer 50% off ski lift tickets for people
with vision impairments and their guides (03) 9878 0537.
Participation will be enhanced by teaching correct techniques
- sighted guide to run with - using a length of rope, hula hoop or short
rod
- clear markers for people with low vision
- a sighted person can describe, for example, where the javelin has
landed
Students with vision impairments can participate in fun runs, Little Athletics (03) 9419 4933 etc
A sighted guide would assist the fisher with a vision impairment to get to the fishing location
- brightly coloured or audible float
- lures instead of bait
- a whistle-sensitive alarm on the esky!
Blind cricket is one of the few team sports that allow equal participation - there are currently six Victorian teams
- bell ball (or high contrast ball for low vision cricketers)
- a runner or a rope for making runs
This sport can be played with little modification
- players make hand contact before the bout begins
- audio scoring
Another game that requires little modification
- use a larger or brightly coloured Jack
- describe the placement of the balls
- play with a shortened distance
Visualisation can be used to locate the Jack
Peter Rickards also donated two copies of 'Recreation and Sport for People who are Blind or Vision Impaired' and is very keen to run some more 'Come and Try' days where students with vision impairments can sample some sporting and recreation activities (see below).
******
Faye Squires, who has supported a number of schools to set up a classroom to receive a 'blind preppy' presented many suggestions which would allow a smooth start to school including taking the following into considerations:
- classroom planning
- D&I funding
- teaching strategies
- learning media
- O&M
- family needs
- awareness program
- specialist subjects eg Art, PE etc
Faye reminded us that the classroom teacher is not expected to have an in-depth knowledge of vision impairment or its implications and that the VT is not expected to know all there is to know about the curriculum from prep to year 12. Working together, the class teacher and the VT can problem-solve and provide the student with a satisfying and challenging educational program. Call if you would like a print copy of her notes.
Sandra Groves provided a comprehensive synthesis of some of the current thinking from the leaders in the field including Fuller, Havinghurst, Covey and Leunig. For a print copy of Sandra's notes, please call.
Finally, Annette Godfrey-Magee, who has been studying with Kerrie Fitzmaurice at LaTrobe University, demonstrated a computer program which can be used with the small number of students with vision impairments for whom eccentric viewing will be beneficial.
The feedback was positive, the following comment providing a summary:
"As always, this was a day of excellence. All speakers were informative, well prepared and as a bonus, entertaining."
Notes made by Marion Blazé from Professor Hector Maclean's session at the term 1 Visiting Teacher Professional Development Day:
As always, Hector provided us with lots of interesting, useful and entertaining information. A few facts caught my attention as especially relevant to our work.
Our peripheral vision is designed to detect movement. We catch the movement of a car in our periphery and turn to identify it or gauge its distance. For this reason, loss of peripheral vision makes students especially vulnerable on the roads. Also, field testing of children is especially problematic because they often cannot resist the reflex of turning their vision to look at the movement they detect in their periphery. It is also nearly impossible to accurately test fields if the student has nystagmus.
'Perimetry', or the study of fields, is not an exact science but children's
fields should be able to be tested and retested and the results should
theoretically be the same each time (except if the visual condition is
progressive).
To simulate some degrees of field loss, roll up a piece of A4 paper
to a diameter of one inch. Looking through this one inch tube simulates
20° of field. Roll it into a half inch tube and you can simulate
5° of field. This could be a dramatic demonstration to teachers or
other students.
For students with central field damage, it is generally more effective for them to use their temporal eccentric fields than the fields of view above and below their scotoma.
Glaucoma generally causes a student to have a larger blind spot and some constrictions to peripheral fields. To demonstrate where your own blind spot is, view the following 'X' and 'O' by closing your left eye and looking directly at the 'X'. The 'O' should disappear, showing that you have a blind spot in that eye. We are not normally aware of our blind spots because they occur in different positions in each eye and our brain compensates for these breaks in our fields.
X |
O |
Who: Students on DE&T Visiting Teacher Service - Eastern and Southern
Regions
When: Friday 23 May
Where: Vision Australia Foundation, Kooyong
What: Come along and join in some fun and exciting 'blind sports' -
perhaps including cricket, swish etc!
Cost: Free (I think)
Further details to follow…
Call to register: Deb Lewis 9841 0242
Trevor Boyd has again kindly agreed to run a series of sessions this year on a variety of adaptive technology including:
- JAWS (afternoon)
- Magic (afternoon)
- Mountbatten (beginners in the morning and 'users' in the afternoon)
- Zoomtext (afternoon)
BYO laptop or Mountbatten. There is no charge for these sessions and lunch will not be available. See above for dates.
Just a reminder about the research project to evaluate low cost low vision devices (magnifiers and telescopes) being conducted by Tamara Pollard from the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA). This project has been granted approval by the Department of Education & Training.
To be eligible, student will be:
- vision impaired (visual acuity less than 6/12 in the better eye)
- aged 10-17 years
- current proficient user of a prescribed magnifier for near and/or
telescope for distance
- able to converse and read in English
Students will be asked to read one passage (age appropriate) of 200-300 words and writing on a blackboard with each device. The students will be asked questions regarding their preferred device, ease of use and comfort. Each student will be required to be present for a maximum of two hours. Students will be assessed on the weekend in a central location (for example, the zoo). All costs involved, including travel, will be reimbursed on the day.
Please call Tamara Pollard (9929 8328) or Deb Lewis (9841 0242) for further details or copies of the forms.
The photo shows two of the near vision devices to be trialled.
Linden is continuing to visit a number of students in the Bendigo area on a weekly basis.
Rachel is taking off for a few days to visit a student in Mildura.
Our new staff members Sam and Sharon are getting to know the students, families and visiting teachers they are working with. We are lucky to have two experienced instructors come on board the Children's team.
Until May, 2003 we also have a cadet instructor from Sweden, Emmelie Reinson. She will be working on a number of O&M programs and is looking at organising a 'Tram Day' for upper primary school students during the Easter holidays.
Unfortunately Guide Dogs Victoria's Stepping Out Program for January 2003 was cancelled. The program offered students who had completed their secondary schooling the opportunity to participate in a program based at the Guide Dog Campus in Kew. The program included Orientation and Mobility skills for young adults, accessing employment services and workplace modifications, independent living skills for young adults, exploring and accessing further education opportunities and learning about the role of a Disability Liaison Officer at a tertiary institution. We plan to run this program in the future and would welcome any feedback about the content, timing and venue of the program and how we can improve future programs. Please contact Dean on 9854 4506 for further information.
When: 27 April
Come and spend the morning at the Malvern tram depot exploring trams. This program is aimed at junior students aged 10 - 12 years. Contact Emmelie on 9854 4469 if interested.
When: Friday 21 March to Sunday 23 March
We have had much interest in this program with places filling fast. If any student is interested in this program please contact Rachel on 9854 4469 ASAP. This program is suitable for students with vision impairments in Years 10, 11 and 12 and is held at the Guide Dog Campus in Kew.
Some of the discussion sessions include making VCE Special Arrangements work for you, working effectively with your exam supervisor, special arrangements available to you, educational issues for students with vision impairments and exam techniques. The Age VCE & Careers Expo is also on this weekend, and there's plenty of time to attend following the VCE Weekend - see below for details.
When: April 14 - 17 2003
This program is being held in the Easter school holidays. Any interested students need to contact Rachel on 9854 4469 ASAP.
This 4 day 3 night program focussing on Orientation and Mobility skills and 'movement' related recreation activities and challenges. The program is based at the Guide Dogs Victoria Centre in Kew. Some of the activities include visiting a gym, travel on public transport and games.
When: June 30 - July 4
The venue of this camp has been decided! We are planning to head to northern Victoria and stay alongside the Murray River in Echuca. The 5 day program based is held the first week of the school holidays. The program offers students a range of Orientation and Mobility challenges in recreation opportunities in a new and fun environment. Enquires should be directed to Rachel on 9854 4469.
The Children's team is beginning to plan the Girls Night Out, Boys Night Out and Big Night Out program. Those who participated last year had a fun and worthwhile time. The nights out are suitable for senior students wishing to experience travel in the Melbourne CBD after hours. All programs have an Orientation and Mobility component and are designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn about travelling safely and confidently at night. Dates for the Big Night Out Programs will be advertised in the Children's Mobility Service Newsletter throughout the year. If any students are interested in attending please contact Rachel on 9854 4469
Please contact Rachel Morgan on 9854 4469 or rachel.m@guidedogs.asn.au OR Dean Johnson on 9854 4506 or dean.j@guidedogs.asn.au if you require further information about any of the programs.
When: 8 April
Where: Guide Dogs Victoria
Cost: Free
Contact: Cath Caddis, Referrals Officer 9854 4467 or catherine.c@guidedogs.asn.au
When: Friday March 21st - Sunday March 23rd 2003
Where: Caulfield Racecourse, Station Street, Caulfield
The Age VCE & Careers Expo is now in its eleventh year and has moved to a new and bigger venue, The Caulfield Racecourse. The venue is easily accessed by public transport (opposite Caulfield Station, Dandenong and Frankston lines) and has ample free parking.
Last year the Expo attracted over 8000 visitors. At the Expo students and teachers can access valuable VCE resources, career information and attend free seminars on VCE subjects, study and career advice.
The Age VCE & Careers Expo brings together over ninety organisations including VCE resource and information providers, book and software distributors and career advisers. In addition, Australia's top tertiary institutions will be at the Expo.
A seminar program runs every day and is included in the admission price. The program features general and subject specific seminars for English, Maths Methods, Biology, Chemistry, Legal Studies, Art, Business Management and Psychology. A range of seminars on career and course choices will also be presented.
Admission $5.00 per person (covers all three days) or $3.00 per person for groups of 10 or more. Admission includes a copy of The Age. A special Expo feature will appear in the Education section of The Age in the week of March 17th.
For more information email team@resourcesforcourses.com.au
Quite a few intrepid Victorians made the trek to the Gold Coast during the summer holidays to attend the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment Biennial Conference. DE&T Visiting Teachers were represented by Odette Budge, Carolyn Mentiplay, Faye Squires and me! Over the next few issues of The Bulletin, I'll try to include some summaries or reports of some of the many excellent sessions that were on offer! [And if any readers of The Bulletin were at the conference and they'd like to share their thoughts, notes, highlights etc, please send in any format! All offers gleefully received!]
So I suppose I should put you in the picture…
The Radisson Resort Gold Coast was the sort of accommodation that I wouldn't usually afford (generally being a happy camper!), but it was very nice to spoil oneself! I had the pleasure of Faye's company in our more than comfortable room and we spent quite a bit of time on our private balcony overlooking the lush Queensland gardens, with the Lamington Range in the background.
The sessions were many and varied, with around 90 lectures and workshops to choose from. But it wasn't all hard work - if you want to see pics of Sherry Cunningham in a grass skirt or Dean Johnson with a ceramic budgie on his head, drop in to the SVRC!
ICEVI Secretary General, Dr Mani presented some international statistics that are worth noting:
- there are180 million people in the world with disabling visual impairments
- between 40 and 45 million of these persons are blind
- 1.5 million children of preschool and school age (birth-15 years of
age) are blind
- more than 90% of children with vision impairments live in Africa,
East Asia, Latin America and West Asia.
- 90% of the world's blind children in the developing countries are
deprived of schooling
- 80% of these children live in rural areas, but the few residential
schools and other support services are mainly in the urban centers
- 80% of blind adults are without work owing to a lack of training facilities
and job opportunities
The International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairments is an international organisation with specific interest in education. It operates through a number of regional groups to foster developing countries initiatives, to improve education and training standards, resourcing and qualified personnel in these areas.
Here's just another plug for you to join our professional association - SPEVI! The benefits of joining your professional organisation are many and varied:
1. you will receive the very classy Journal of SPEVI annually
2. you will receive termly issues the fabulous and informative SPEVI
Newsletter each year
3. you will get a discount at SPEVI activities, including seminars and
the biennial conference
4. you will have the satisfaction of belonging to our professional organisation
5. if you are a distributor, you can exhibit your wares at SPEVI functions
at a reduced rate
6. it looks good on your CV
And here's another incentive: the cost is going up soon! If you pay now - you'll only pay $66 (including GST) for two years (2003 and 2004). By 1st April, the cost will go up to around $90 - still good value, of course!
The form is attached to the print copy of The Bulletin.
The Friends of SPEVI meet to (amongst other things) coordinate the professional development activities in Victoria which are run under the auspices of SPEVI. One such event is the Combined Agencies Day held annually at St Paul's School. Our meetings are generally short and it is most satisfying to hang out with other professionals in our field. One of our projects is the 2005 SPEVI Conference to be held in Melbourne.
If you'd like to be involved in the planning of this internationally recognized event, please contact:
Sandie 9760 1100 mackesa@rvib.org.au
Deb 9841 0242 deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au
Sally 9853 2188 stpauls@villamaria.net.au
Source: SPEVI News, November 2002
In April/May 2003, at The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Blind Sailing NZL is organising the sixteenth three day Improvement in and/or Learn to Sail School for young students with vision impairments. Ideally, students need to be at least 9 years of age, the upper age limit is flexible, and be accompanied by a parent, or responsible adult companion as an on-shore escort. Tutors are reported to be excellent. There is access to a wide variety of sailboats and a heavy emphasis on safety.
If you are interested, I can put you in touch with Tom Rogerson, Life Member of SPEVI / Life Member Blind Sailing NZL.
From the June 2002 edition of Blind Citizens News:
The following list of BCA Policy Statements is available on the BCA website or in preferred formats by request from the National Office on request:
Audible Traffic Signals - http://www.bca.org.au/atspol.htm
Dog Guide Agreement - http://www.bca.org.au/dogguide.htm
Education - http://www.bca.org.au/educpol.htm
Fundraising Practices by Agencies Servicing the Needs of People who
are Blind or Vision Impaired - http://www.bca.org.au/fundrase.htm
Pedestrian Safety - http://www.bca.org.au/pedsafe.htm
Public Transport - http://www.bca.org.au/transpol.htm
Service Access - http://www.bca.org.au/access.htm
Service User Complaints - http://www.bca.org.au/cns_grv.htm
Contact: 9521 3433 or bca@bca.org.au
Source: BCA News, December 2002
Collette O'Neill's article briefly describes two of the findings from her research, the non-optical costs of blindness thus: 'firstly, that some people are doing it tough, and secondly that non-optical costs of blindness increase as a person's participation in the community increases."
She notes that poverty and participation are linked. "People whose only source of income is the pension are struggling, because under the current blind pension arrangements, they do not receive any help to meet their extra costs of blindness… One man told me how much he and his wife both Age Pensioners, enjoyed going to one of the local clubs for dinner, Unfortunately, the lighting at the cheaper of the clubs wasn't good, so they had to go to the more expensive club. This meant that instead of paying $3 each for dinner, they had to pay $6… People who are employed, studying, raising children, or doing volunteer work, tend to have higher non-optional costs than people who are not as active… If we want people who are blind to have the option of being active in their community, there has to be a recognition that this will lead to greater costs."
If you would like a copy of the article, please call or you can find it on the BCA website: www.bca.org.au
John Firth, Assistant General Manager, VCAA will speak on Tuesday 4th March from 7.30-9.30pm. Contact: SPELD on (03) 9489 4344 ASAP.
Source: Future Reflections, Summer/Fall 2002
1. I like to walk independently. If I need directions, I want people to
tell me with words (verbally) which way to turn. Touching and moving
me with your hands without my permission is disrespectful.
2. When I do want hands-on-guidance, I want people to guide me the proper
way. I will take your elbow. If I am guided from the back-that is, someone
takes my arm-it feels like I'm being pushed, and I don't like it.
3. My Braille writer, my cane, my Braille Lite, and my Braille watch
are my equipment. They are not toys to be played with by my friends.
4. When you say hello to me, please tell me who you are. I don't want
to always ask, "What's your name?" or "Who is it?" Even if you think
I should know you, there are lots of reasons I may not recognize your
voice.
5. When the teacher tells the other kids to get their books out, I want
to go get my Braille books by myself, too. Don't send another kid to
get my book for me.
6. If I am stuck on a word and a teacher doesn't know Braille, he or
she can still help me. The teacher has a print copy of exactly what I have
in Braille.
7. I want everyone to know my cane needs to be next to my desk. I don't
want others to complain about it.
8. I feel good when teachers say things like, "Rachel, you and Sarah
can work together on this project," or "Kevin, you and Heather and Sarah
can walk together on the field trip." When I hear them say, "Be Sarah's
helper," I feel sad.
9. Please tell me if you are standing there holding the door open for
me. And tell me which side (my right or left) the door is on. Then I
can reach out and help hold the door as I walk through.
10. I would like it if people would not bend down and tie my shoes for
me. Just tell me and I will tie them myself.
11. If you know I can't do something, or if you think I can't, you should
still ask me first if I need help. This is an important way to handle
everything.
12. I want people to let me be independent. If you're not sure when
or how to help, ASK ME!
Bunnings (and probably lots of other stores too) sell a fold away portable tub/trolley which several VTs are now using to carry large print books and other heavy resources in and out of schools.
Warrandyte Lions Club Inc, in conjunction with the VACC and the RACV Driving School once again offer legally blind people the opportunity to drive at the Sandown Motor Circuit.
When: Sunday 30th March
Contact: Peter Watts (03) 9844 3903
From Visiting Teacher, Janie McLeod:
My student, Andrew, is legally blind and loves competing against his friends in different sports at his secondary school, despite his difficulties. Table tennis was selected as the sport for this semester so I gave the PE teacher the instructions for Swish, telling him that I had the bats and a ball with a bell in it.
When I turned up for the first lesson (with long pieces of cardboard to pin on the sides as my version of adapting the table tennis table) to my surprise the PE teacher had already nailed lengths of hardwood to the sides and across the middle for the net. The table looked very professional and Andrew and his mother, when she picked him up, were thrilled.
All the students spent two lessons rotating between table tennis and Swish so that they all learnt the rules for Swish. Now they are playing in a round robin competition for both versions of the game. Everyone wears a blindfold and although the room is noisy they manage to hear the ball and the competition is just as fierce as for table tennis. Andrew cheats as much as he thinks he can get away with and feels totally included in the PE lessons.
Picture below: Andrew (left) and friend play on the table tennis table which was modified for Swish by the PE teacher.
Here is information about the upcoming Braille Music Camp, sent recently by Dorothy Hamilton:
The 18th Braille music camp is to be held from July the 5th to July the 12th at Frensham School, Mittagong, NSW. Enrolment forms are available from Roma Dix and should be completed as soon as possible so that you don't miss out on a place.
I have booked the seats on the XPT, leaving Spencer Street station at 8.30am on Saturday 5th July and returning on the same train on Saturday evening 12th July at 6.15pm.
You will need to purchase your return ticket from Melbourne to Mossvale at your largest railway station by 5th June. The booking has been made under National Braille Music Camp and the cost is $136. We are travelling first class in car C. The reference number you will need to quote is HGY 953. Be sure to take your concession card with you when booking.
If you would like to know more about the camp, Sue Coull, who can be contacted at RVIB Burwood (03) 9808 6422, and I (03) 9522 5222 will be more than happy for you to speak with us.
Looking forward to seeing you at Camp where we will be making lots of music, learning about how we can use our braille music and making new friends.
Here's a section of a report on last year's Braille Music Camp from the September 2003 ABA Newsletter:
Over the years, these camps have proved to be a wonderful venue for blind musicians to come together and share with each other their musical skills. In particular, we can share with each other, our experiences and skills in using, transcribing and teaching the braille music code which Louis Braille gave to us. But most importantly, through the annual Music Camp we have the opportunity of teaching braille music to young blind students and showing them how they may use it and become literate musicians.
Many students have told us how they have appreciated the fact that they had the opportunity of learning how to use braille music and what it has meant for them in their careers. Some have said: "I knew all the signs, but had no idea that I could put it into practical use until I came to camp".
Source: DE&T Circular 043/2003
Students on the Program for Students with Disabilities are regularly reviewed. In 2003 students who will be entering Year 7 in 2004 and have not been reviewed for five or more years will be reviewed. Schools will be provided with an indicative list of students and a confirmed list of students following the census. The closing date for the return of documentation is Friday, 27 June 2003.
Any questions regarding this process should be directed to the disability coordinator in your region:
Barwon-South Western Region: 5272 8300
Central Highlands-Wimmera Region: 5337 8444
Eastern Metropolitan Region: 9881 0200
Gippsland Region: 5127 0400
Goulburn-North Eastern Region: 5761 2100
Loddon Campaspe-Mallee Region: 5440 3111
Northern Metropolitan Region: 9488 9488
Southern Metropolitan Region: 9794 3555
Western Metropolitan Region: 9291 6500
Note: Check the school print-out for the end date for students on 'time limited funding'.
From one of our northern neighbours, Itinerant Teacher (Northern Territory Educational Resource Centre for the Vision Impaired) Chris Dinning:
According to her Visiting Teacher, Sarah is a bright indigenous pre-school student living in a remote locality in Northern Australia. She speaks two Aboriginal dialects, as well as Creole and English. She has light perception. She loves the slippery dip and swings. She has begun to identify some braille letters and refers to braille as 'her braille language'.
This is what her Inclusion Support Assistant, Gillian Tierney, wrote about her recently:
How many circles, how many squares,
How many tables and how many chairs.
How many swings and how many slides,
How many wheels on the bike I ride.
How many birds fly up in the sky,
How many steps that take me so high.
How many toilets can you see,
How many bubblers that squirt at me.
How many hoops, how many balls,
How many blocks make this tower so tall.
How many this, how many that,
How many kids are wearing their hats.
How many screws hold that brailler so tight,
You see, dear friend, this girl has no sight.
The following students and VTs have shown an interest in attending Space Camp 2003:
Faye Squires - VT
Jeni Blake - VT
Ben - Ballarat
Nathan - Mordialloc
Natasha - Kew
Kevin - Southern Region
Kyle - Wangaratta
Please call 9841 0242 if you would like to join the group.
Yes, it is tricky some days… The reason is clear - there are 39 formed car parks on the Heatherwood School site and 70+ staff (not including VTs and other Student Services staff, visitors, parents etc etc). The principal John Hand has asked that Visiting Teachers and other visitors NOT park in the main driveway leading to the SVRC and Heatherwood School front door. The reason for this is to allow easy access for delivery and emergency vehicles (a reasonable request, really). So…
If you arrive at the SVRC and there is nowhere to park, you will need to go next door to the Donvale Sports Complex and park there. Thanks
Heatherwood School now has EFT POS facilities - so now you can pay via cash, cheque (made out to 'Heatherwood School') or EFT POS!
A class teacher told a Visiting Teacher about the mother of a very active boy in her Prep class whose eye needed to be patched for 5 hours a day. The mother told the boy's teacher that she'd had trouble getting him to wear the patch, so the teacher said, "Give it to me. I'll get him to wear at school."
The mother replied, "Oh no. It's OK. I managed to get him to wear it at last. I put it on him when he was asleep."
This Visiting Teacher often comes in with a story - but always begins with "You can't put this in The Bulletin!". Unfortunately, this time I had to ignore the request (but I won't mention his/her name).
The driver's side lock of the car had been sticking since some time last year - no problem to this rather athletic VT - they just jump in the passenger side and slide on over. But wait! Over the holidays, the passenger side lock jammed too. There was this VT at the very busy petrol station with a full tank of gas, unable to get into the car through the normal (and not so normal) means… No problem! As it's a station wagon, they just open the back door and (after making a path between the large print books and other resources) they just scramble through. Unfortunately, that day, they had dressed in rather a short skirt!
Fotis, who has been at LaTrobe University for the past two years, has achieved excellent results - and found himself on the Dean's Honours list for both years. What a star!
Wendy Jenkins, a new VT in the Mildura area, will be working one day a week. Welcome aboard!
Included with this issue of The Bulletin for those VTs who did not attend the VT PD day last week is our very own 'VT Tool Kit'!. It is a fantastic and useful resource which has heaps of information, forms and downloads to make your life easier. Copies are provided free of charge to DE&T VTs and for everyone else there is a charge of $10 (GST incl.) which covers production costs, postage and handling. Please call (03) 9841 0242 to order your copy.
Thanks to one VT who shall remain nameless, Marion Blazé, Jeni Blake, Janie McLeod and Chris Dinning (NT) for contributions to this edition of The Bulletin. Thanks to Dianne Skillern and Lea Nagel for proof reading it!
If you have something you would like included in The Bulletin, contact:
Deb Lewis (who can be emailed at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au).