This issue was edited by Lyn Robinson, Resource Teacher, Statewide Vision Resource Centre.
Visiting Teacher Professional Development Day Wednesday 13 August at The Statewide
Vision Resource Centre
To see the annual program and to download programs for professional development
activities, go to: http://www.visiontech.svrc.vic.edu.au/pd2008.htm
With the end of the term approaching this is the ideal time to have a fun packed edition of the bulletin with lots of ideas for the holidays. I hope you enjoy this bumper edition of the Bulletin!
Glen Eira City Council is pleased to be able to offer young people with a disability the opportunity to be involved in its Inclusive Recreation Respite Program. This Program offers children aged 12–18 years the opportunity to sample a range of recreation and sporting activities during the June–July school holidays. Each session is based at a local club or venue with a different sport featured each day. Sports such as soccer, netball, football, croquet, lawn balls, dance and lacrosse will be offered.
All activities will be adapted to suit each participant’s ability so
no prior experience is necssary.
A number of support staff will be available on the day, however if the participant
has high support
needs you will need to indicate this on the registration form. Please note —
lunch will not be included as part of this program so please bring a packed
lunch for sessions running over the lunch time period. There is no cost for
the program. Transport is not provided.
If you know someone who would like to take part in this exciting respite program, please complete the indemnity and registration forms which are available from Paul Holtschke, Recreation Access Officer, Phone: 8290 1185 or email pholtsch@stonnington.vic.gov.au or if you would like a copy of the forms emailed, contact me at lynrobin@svrc.vic.edu.au.
When parents learn their child has a visual impairment, it can be overwhelming. Parents wonder, Will my child fall behind at school? or Will my child make friends? or Will my child have a successful career? With only 93,600 visually impaired school-aged children in the U.S., over half of whom have additional disabilities, it’s easy for families facing vision loss to feel alone. To help these families connect with each other and give busy parents, grandparents and other caretakers a place to find comprehensive resources and support 24 hours a day, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI) today launched FamilyConnect(TM), an online, multimedia community for parents and guardians of children with visual impairments.FamilyConnect gives parents access to message boards where they can talk to other parents, compelling videos featuring real-life families, parenting articles, a blog, a glossary of more than 30 eye conditions, and links to local resources.
A recent NAPVI/AFB survey of parents of children with visual impairments showed that parents/guardians turn most commonly to physicians (82%), educators (76%), and web sites (65%) for information and support regarding their children's vision problems. This is consistent with national statistics from the 2006 Pew Internet & American Life Project that show 80 percent of American adult Internet users have searched for health information online.For parents living in rural areas with fewer resources, the web is particularly important to finding relevant, trustworthy information and the right services. . When I talk to parents of visually impaired children they almost always ask about three things: they want to talk to other parents who have children with the same eye condition as their child, they want access to the latest health and education information, and they want to know what the future holds, said Susan LaVenture, Executive Director of NAPVI. FamilyConnect offers parents all these things -- and more -- in one place.
In addition to joining a community of parents, visitors to Family Connect can create a personal profile and receive information on news and events based on their child’s age, eye condition, and location. The goal of www.familyconnect.org is to provide connections and support. By providing accurate information and creating a forum for meaningful discussion, families and their visually impaired children will feel empowered to reach their full potential.
About NAPVI: The National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
(NAPVI) is an international membership organization serving families in the
U.S. and in 55 countries. (Australia has its own chapter formed in 2005). NAPVI
helps parents to find information and resources for their children who are blind
or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities. NAPVI provides
leadership, support, and education to assist parents in helping children reach
their potential. Source: American Foundation for the Blind http://www.afb.org
Related Web Sites:
Family Connect http://www.familyconnect.org/parentsitehome.asp
NAPVI: National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
http://www.spedex.com/napvi/
AAPVI: Australian Association for Parents of Vision Impaired http://www.aapvi.org.au/national/contacts.html
German researchers today reported that a 12-year project to develop a wireless
implant that can restore vision to the blind has been successful..The researchers
unveiled details of a fully implantable visual prosthesis for patients who have
lost their sight through diseases of the retina.Sufferers of retinitis pigmentosa
have light sensitive cells in the retina destroyed, but the connection of the
nerve cells to the brain remains intact. The scientists have bypassed the defects
of the retina by means of a visual prosthesis.
The system comprises the implant and an external transmitter integrated in a
spectacle-frame.The implant system converts the image patterns into interpretable
stimulation signals, and data and energy are transferred to the implant by a
telemetric link.Nerve cells inside the eye are then stimulated according to
the captured images. The intact cells are innervated by means of 3D stimulation
electrodes that rest against the retina like small studs."For normally
sighted people this may not seem much, but for the blind it is a major step,"
said Dr Hoc Khiem Trieu from the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits
and Systems IMS in Duisburg.The project was funded by the German Ministry of
Education and Research.
Source: http://www.itnews.com.au/News/NewsStory.aspx?story=77439
Having done a bit of research for a family recently, I have found that there
are a growing number of online companies selling prescription spectacles very
cheaply. Just try Googling ‘cheap spectacles’ and search in Australia
and you’ll no doubt come up with more. Here are some I found:
AusSpecs (Australian Spectacle Wholesalers) frames and prescription
lenses from $55 to $118 http://www.ausspecs.com.au/index.php
Glasses Online Quotes $65 to $280 http://www.glassesonline.com.au/
Stingy Specs have a range of frames for $29; frames and
lenses packages start at $54 http://www.stingyspecs.com.au/
Eye Glasses Online quotes $55.50 to $128 http://www.eyeglassesonline.com.au/
Of course, you need to go to your optometrist or ophthalmologist for the prescription
first, and then choose frames and the package online.Thanks Marion for sharing
the results of your research. Some of the web sites look very interesting indeed!
Access in Mathematics is an issue for a wide range of students with disabilities.
The following may be of interest to those looking for ways to make Mathematics
more accessible for students who are blind or have low vision. Here are a few
sites that use MathML (instead of graphical images). Screen readers can handle
these sites fine, but you will need to install a free IE plug-in called MathPlayer
which is available from: http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathplayer/
After installing MathPlayer, try out some of these sites for lots of accessible
mathematics fun.
http://www.onemathematicalcat.org/algebra_book/online_problems/table_of_contents.htm
http://ocw.mit.edu/ans7870/18/18.013a/textbook/MathML/index.xhtml
http://www.emteachline.com/eng/arithmetic_1_/base/0/v0.xml
For more articles about how to make math accessible, try the accessibility
solutions section of the Design Science website at: http://www.dessci.com/accessibility
Source: Steve Noble, Director of Accessibility Policy, Design Science, Inc.
Due to the tireless efforts of Helinka (and other members of The Team), we
now have a comprehensive list of the titles from the Victorian Premier's Reading
Challenge that are available from the Statewide Vision Resource Centre in alternative
format (braille, large print, audio, etext). For your interest, there are around
4,000 titles on the VPRC list, of which the SVRC holds over 500 titles in one
or more alternative formats - that is approximately 13% of the titles that the
students can choose from in order to participate in the Challenge. No, it's
not ideal - but the percentage is up quite a bit from the selection available
for students last year - which was a tiny 1%. Some of the titles that have been
produced for this year's Challenge are the result of additional funding allocated
by the Student Wellbeing Branch in 2007 - this additional funding that was very
much appreciated, indeed.
For students in Prep to Year 2 there is a variety of books produced with illustrations
as PowerPoint presentations and as the text in each book increases, they are
presented as Word files, some with illustrations. All resources on the list
are available for loan by students with vision impairments who are supported
by the Statewide Vision Resource Centre - please request a copy via your Visiting
Teacher or direct to the Statewide Vision Resource Centre.
Below: Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge display created by
Taryn.
The goalball season is about to start. Goalball is an exciting
sport involving two teams of three people and what looks like a cross between
volley ball and soccer. As explained by Robyn Stephens from the Goalball Association
“Games are usually quite competitive and exciting to watch. Two teams
play on either end of the 19x9 metre court. Players are blindfolded with a blackened
ski mask to make the game fair. The object is to throw a 1.25 kg ball past the
opposing teams.” The winter season will start on the 5th July 2008 at
the Junior Gym at Scotch College. For more information please contact Robyn
on Mobile 0417 159 106 or email robyn.stephens@vu.edu.au
From Leanne: Here’s a great website where you can buy a
range of adaptive products for inclusion in PE and Sport: http://www.sportime.com.au/
. Follow the Physical Education menu to the adapted and inclusive PE link. There
is an excellent variety of balls, bats, blindfolds and more. The Jingle Trainer
is a fun equivalent for a volleyball, but jingles, is bright yellow and is a
little lighter which makes it move more slowly and land more gently. My favourite
piece of equipment is the Polybat set – you can add the side panels to
your existing table tennis table, modifying the table so that it can be used
for swish (but without the middle board). Thanks to Emily from Vision Australia
school for this useful information!
RadaR is a new online game for children who are blind or vision impaired. RadaR is not only very entertaining, but also educational. It teaches the children to safely ‘surf the Internet’ - via keyboard commands. RadaR has been developed by Sonokids.A very special feature of RadaR is the beautiful audio-story, with real voices, sound-effects and songs. For the Australian RadaR comedian Dave Hughes, Nine news presenter Eva Milic, blind radio presenter Amanda Tink, and Hollywood actor Brian Cox are a few of the famous voices behind the main characters: Mik the dolphin, Max the bat and Mo the mole. These three animals have in common that they do not rely on their eyesight to find the way, but ‘see with their ears’ instead.
Their adventure proves to be symbolic for the virtual world and online communication.
After listening to an episode of the audio-story, the player will do an interactive
training ‘mission’ on the computer. While playing RadaR, unknowingly
the player builds his or her own website and after successfully completing all
missions, the player will have a personal website, for keeps, powered by Sonokids’
accessible content management system MaX 4.0.
Want More Audiogames?
Sonokids has set up and maintains an international, multilingual webportal which
is fully accessible for children with a vision impairment. On the Sonokids web
site you will find accessible audiogames such as Shoot the Banjobusters, play
a drum-solo or remix your own pop-song. All audiogames are fully compatible
with assistive technology such as JAWS.
You can visit Sonokids at http://www.sonokids.com
Source: From Quantum Technology’s Newsletter Livewire June 2008
Learn the alphabet, numbers, colors and typing games for young children. Clear,
large graphics and some sound. Sure to please the little ones! Worth a try at
http://www.literacycenter.net/lessonview_en.htm#
Much discussion abounds about two of the contestants in the U.K.
Big Brother house, reporter Damon Rose, who is himself blind, writes…
Even in the run-up to the Big Brother launch, with national papers reporting
the rumours, there was internet buzz between blind people. A young blind woman
posted to the messageboard of the BBC's Ouch! disability website: "I hope
he or she is aware that they are representing the visually impaired community
and give us a good name. I hope that they don't have awful blind habits, such
as rocking or not looking at people when talking to them. I would like to hope
that they will be normal."
She was hoping for a good portrayal, one that wouldn't negatively affect what
others think of her when they meet her in the street or see her in front of
them at a job interview. The worry is that that becomes the prevailing public
view. There are very few blind people in television. If there was a "good"
one one week and a "bad" one the next, it just wouldn't matter as
much. If it is a bad portrayal that is the last chance for another five years.
On the mainstream messageboards, among Big Brother fans, the reaction went along the lines of "let's all vote him out now, we know he'll get the sympathy vote if he stays in" or "as I suspected, yet more weirdoes. What will the producers do next?".
Michael, 33, from Ayrshire, was thrown into a house with eight other excitable
contestants, with new people being added every five minutes as the launch show
continued.
Five days in, if he's been able to track and remember the voices of the other
15 housemates, he's a better man than me - I've certainly not achieved this
as a viewer.
Albino contestant
In fact, blind friends and I have often commented that it's not worth trying
to listen to the first week of Big Brother as you just can't tell one person
from another - all loudly clamouring for airtime at that early stage. And Michael
is in the midst of it whilst also trying to orientate himself in the house without
injuring people with his cane. I don't envy him. And then there is Darnell,
a black British albino man originally from Ipswich. It isn't universally known
that if you have albinism, the preferred term in the community, it also spells
sight loss. So there are two people with significant vision problems in the
house. Count them. It's never been heard of before.
What a great format to throw disabled people into. I'm now able to sit at home
and inspect others as they come to terms with their own lack of knowledge around
blindness. But perhaps more interestingly, I'm sitting there watching Michael,
who I suspect could well be over-egging the situation, taking advantage of the
fact they assume blind people can do very little.
Damon Rose is editor of Ouch! the BBC's disability magazine From: BBC Online
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7446016.stm
For both children and adults who need to learn to type, TypeAbility is the
easiest, most enjoyable and most affordable of all typing programs. TypeAbility
requires the JAWS screen reader, either the full JAWS version, or the JAWS demo.
TypeAbility is also compatible with MAGic 10 or 11, Freedom Scientific's screen
magnification program for the partially sighted.TypeAbility is currently being
used at the Vision Ed program at North Rocks (RIDBC) in Sydney and by school
districts around the US, to teach blind and vision impaired students keyboard
basics. Teachers are amazed at how engaged the students become while doing their
lessons, with constant feedback and encouragement given directly by the program.
Typeability teaches the full keyboard including function keys and number pad.
It has different operating levels starting from young children through to adults
and is compatible with JAWS versions 6 through 9.TypaAbility is available from
T & T Consultancy Australia Pty Ltd. Contact them on 02-9499 5075.Source:
Quantum LiveWire June 2008
Asustek Computer’s Eee PC is the latest thing to hit the technology headlines. A small compact computer sometimes referred to as a subnotebook computer, the three Es in the name stand for “Easy to learn, Easy to work, Easy to Play” at least that’s what the advertisement says. The "Eee PC" mini computers, are priced between $350-600 depending on the model. The new “Eee PC1000” has up to 2GB of memory, 40GB of storage and comes in a neat small package with a 9-10 inch screen. It is powered by a re-chargeable battery with a charge of up to 7 plus hours. It can be used with Linux or a scaled down version of Windows XP. Acer has also just brought out a mini PC called “Aspire One”. It comes with a Linpus Linux Lite operating system, which Acer says reduces the start-up and shut-down times.Why would a person with a vision impairment want a mini PC I hear you ask? The answer lies in the ability to plug the mini PC into a larger monitor. Technically you could plug it in to a 42 inch LCD TV if you wanted. If used with voice software it may be just the thing for the tech savvy vision impaired computer user needing a very portable wireless computer. The picture below shows a Eee PC next to a packet of personal tissues for size comparison
For more about EeePC go to http://www.smh.com.au/news/reviews/review-asus-eee-pc/2007/12/02/1196530469545.html
With thanks to Jim from the U.K.
1. What is the longest word, in terms of the number of cells, that can be read
the same way upside down as the right way round? A short example is the word
"then", written in grade two. The answer is a word of five cells -
see if you can work it out!!!
2. Can you think of a word of nine letters made up of four single-cell contractions?
There is a prize of a memory stick for the first person who can work out the
correct answer to either question!
SPEVI 2009 Biennial Conference “Challenges and Choices”
Adelaide 4th to 9th January:
For more information, contact Jessica Bosnakis on 08 8354 2285 or email Jessica@aomevents.com
Term III – Friends of SPEVI gathering
Date: Friday, August 1, 4.30pm until about 6.00pm
Venue: Guide Dogs Victoria, Chandler Hwy, Kew
Format: 4.30 drinks and nibbles 5.15 Guest speaker and panel
Theme: Our VI students overseas
Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members
We hope to include reports on students doing Gap years, studying at Yale and
Harvard, attending Space camp or SCORE camp and more. Also find out about the
AER Conference.
Term IV – SPEVI Day
We have traditionally devoted the first day of Term IV to a “combined
agencies” Professional Development Day. This year we have a theme –
looking at prematurity and its implications for our students.
Date: Monday, October 6, 8.30am to 4.30pm
Venue: Vision Australia, 454 Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong
Theme: Prematurity, vision impairment and development
Cost: tba
For more information, contact your SPEVI Victorian Counsellors:
Lil Deverell: Orientation & Mobility Instructor with Guide Dogs Victoria.
Phone: 03 9854 4444 Mobile: 0418 370 312 or email lil.d@guidedogsvictoria.com.au
Garry Stinchcombe: Assistant Head of School, Vision Australia School. Phone:03
9808 6422 Mobile:0419 528 180 or email garry.stinchcombe@visionaustralia.org
Marion Blazé: Education Officer for Vision, Statewide Vision Resource
Centre, Department of Education & Early Childhood Development. Phone: 03
9841 0807
Mobile: 0409 860 251 or email marionblaze@svrc.vic.edu.au
The picture above shows some of the happy crew learning braille at the Statewide
Vision Resource Centre. From the left is Ben, Helinka, Dawn and Taryn.
Some of the staff who have helped us this term will be leaving soon and we would
like to take the opportunity to thank them for all their hard work and creativity!
Thanks to Annette Godfrey-Magee, Marion Blazé, Deb Lewis, and Leanne
Nagel, Michael Kelly and all those who contributed to this edition of The Bulletin.
Thanks also to the fabulous team of proof-readers, stuffers and mailers.