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This issue was edited by Deb Lewis, Co-ordinator, Statewide Vision Resource Centre.
The SVRC PD program for term 2 appears below. For the complete list of activities for 2006 and where available downloadable programs, go to: http://www.visiontech.svrc.vic.edu.au/pd2006.htm
All activities offered by the SVRC are open to class and subject teachers, integration teachers and aides, careers teachers, therapists, parents VTs, students etc. Please register: tel (03) 9841 0242, fax (03) 9841 0878 or email svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au
Note: Assistive technology workshops will also be offered throughout the year!
As discussed at the recent Visiting Teacher PD day, Australia has adopted the Unified English Braille Code and as a result there have been some changes to the Braille Code that we use.
For more information about the UEB, go to: http://www.iceb.org/ubc.html
The VCE exam timetables are now available on the VCAA website – go to: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/exams/timetable.html
Article from LiveWire, February 2006
How would you like to carry your personalised copy of JAWS with you wherever you go, and use it on any computer any time?
JAWS 7 comes with a USB Memory Stick version (AKA JAWS for USB Thumb Drive). This is fully functional JAWS, with your own personal settings and scripts which is saved onto an ordinary USB Memory Stick (any with more than 128MB will do). The advantages of portability, particularly at work or in education, are significant.
JAWS does not have to be set up on any computer – you carry it with you! You will however need to have (at least temporarily) Administrator Rights to install one or two driver files that are required. Once done, this won’t need to be done again for that particular PC.
If you already have JAWS 7.0 you can read more technical information on installing and using the JAWS Thumb Drive by going to your JAWS help. In the search box type ‘JAWS for USB Thumb Drives’, where you’ll find a comprehensive list of questions and answers.
And by the way: Quantum Technology’s Victorian Office has a new phone number (03) 9545 4100.
Also from Marion Blazé, Education Officer, Statewide Vision Resource Centre
I discovered a new product in one of our schools. A teacher had bought one from a market (Red Hill, I think) and was showing it off in the staffroom. It’s called a ‘Bookseat’ and is like a bean bag to rest your book on. It has a page holder with a toggle so you can hold the book open at your page and a pocket for your glasses. It’s designed, of course for people with normal vision who want to read while they knit or have a cuppa, but it might be good for physically disabled kids or maybe our VI kids for reading comfortably in bed! It can be ordered online from http://www.thebookseat.com for $35.
Students with vision impairments are being invited to participate in the 2006 Vision Australia Residential Training Program. Expressions of interest are due in by Wednesday 8th March.
Programs are as follows:
For information and forms contact Garry Stinchcombe on (03) 9808 6422.
The SCORE camp website is up and running again with this years camp details. The website features links to:
Now in its twenty-first year of operation, SCORE is a unique summer (in the northern hemisphere) experience for motivated 16 to 18-year-olds from across Canada in their final two years of secondary school who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind. Some lucky Australian students have also been able to attend due to generous sponsorship from RVIB (now Vision Australia).
When: Sunday July 2 to Saturday July 15 2006
Go to: http://www.cnib.ca/score/
The Australian Paralympic Committee is conducting sporting tests to help identify future Paralympic athletes – particularly in athletics, cycling and swimming. All students over 12 years of age who are on Visiting Teacher Service are eligible to participate!!!
The Talent Search Program is a new initiative of the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC). Its main aim is to identify people with physical disabilities, vision impairments or intellectual disability who display the athletic potential to one day, make it to Paralympic level competition.
The Talent Identification Day is open to people with cerebral palsy, limb deficiencies, people in wheelchairs, people with a vision impairment to name a few. The age group that is being targeted is 12 years and above.
A 2005/06 calendar has been developed incorporating 37 Talent Search Days across all states and territories of Australia.
Each Talent Search Day involves a series of testing including general measurements as well as sport specific tests. Head coaches from the targeted sports are involved in the testing process and are ultimately the “talent spotters”.
Identified participants are grouped in two tiers – Tier 1 include those targeted for 2008, and Tier – 2 for the 2012. The program aims to identify 150 potential Paralympians by the end of 2006. This is the first step in the process of identifying people with disabilities who can display the potential to make a future Australian Paralympic team. In most cases it will take years of training and preparation to reach the standards required to compete at a Paralympic level.
People who are identified as showing potential will be encouraged to take the next step in their sporting endeavours, which will vary from sport to sport and person to person. Examples of what these next steps may be include:
For further information call Tim Matthews on (03) 9614 6800
E-mail: tim.matthews@paralympic.org.au
Web: http://www.paralympic.org.au
Source: Gizmodo (Weblog), February 20, 2006 (with thanks to Pam Barras in WA)
This is a new twist on an old game. The Touch and Play Rubik’s Cube features six different materials that all have a very unique texture: metal, wood, textile, stone, rubber and plastic.
For more info go to: http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/rubiks-cube-for-the-blind-155779.php
Price - $99.75
Performance Dates – Saturday 1 April – 2pm & Sunday 2 April
– 1pm
Venue – The Regent Theatre
Due to these two performances being Audio Described for audiences who are blind or vision impaired, priority will be given to patrons using the Audio Description service. Patrons not requiring these services are advised to book through Ticketek on 1300 888 412, online at http://premier.ticketek.com.au/ or contact the EASE office for further information.
Giraffes strut, birds swoop, gazelles leap! The entire savannah comes to life
and, as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges. This is The Lion King.
Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals miraculously brought to life
“in a blaze of fabulous imagination” by a cast of over 40 actors.
Wonder at the inspiration of award-winning director/designer Julie Taymor, as
one of the most successful films in history is stunningly recreated live on
stage. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable
score including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning ‘Can You
Feel the Love Tonight’ and songs by South African composer Lebo M, Mark
Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer.
Treat yourself, your friends and family to a memory that will last a lifetime at the musical the Time Magazine calls “awe-inspiring! A gorgeous, gasp-inducing spectacle!”
Bookings for these performances will close on Thursday 16 March at 4pm.
For further information on The Lion King, go to: http://www.disney.com.au/lionking/index.shtml
From Marion Blazé, Education Officer, Statewide Vision Resource Centre
You may have heard last year that some disappointment was expressed at the creation of an online comic strip on the Rainbow Kidz website.
Rainbow Kidz is a range of kids’ clothes and toys based around some cute rainbow coloured characters. As part of their advertising, they have a website with fun activities for their customers. This includes a comic strip, which involved a character called Dr Shadow. This character was described as an ‘evil albino’ who was trying to rob the world of its colours!! A few of us wrote to the makers of this comic strip to express our dismay at such a character. I remember the words of the mother of a child with albinism who said that her son was about to start school she was sad to think that his friends might read of this ‘evil’ character.
Rainbow Kidz has tried to make amends. The comic strip still describes Dr Shadow in Edition 6, but by Edition 20 of the strip we discover that poor Dr Shadow was teased and bullied as a child because he looked different and he begins to reform his ways. There is also a ‘fact file’ on albinism which says that people with it are definitely not ‘creepy or mental or bad’ and describes the condition.
When I last looked (Feb 28th), they had even included a photo of a beautiful little girl with albinism on their home page. Have a look on http://www.rainbowkidz.com.au.
Well done – Rainbow Kidz!
Thanks also to my fabulous proof-readers, stuffers and mailers.
Deb Lewis (who can be emailed at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au).