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The following issue of The Bulletin was prepared by Deb Lewis (Co-ordinator, Statewide Vision Resource Centre).
The SVRC PD program for term 3 appears below. For the complete list of activities for 2004 go to: http://www.svrc.vic.edu.au/PD2004.html
All activities are open to subject teachers, integration teachers and aides, careers teachers, therapists, parents, VTs, students etc. Please remember to register: tel (03) 9841 0242, fax (03) 9841 0878 or email svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au
Professional Development Event
– Term 3 |
Date |
| Window Eyes Workshop 9.30-12.30pm - BYO laptop | Monday 2 August |
| Visiting Teacher Day | Tuesday 10 August |
| JAWS Workshop 10am-12 noon - BYO laptop | Thursday 19 August |
| Enlargement Options 10am-12.30pm | Tuesday 24 August |
| MAGic Workshop 10am-12 noon - BYO laptop | Tuesday 7 September |
A number of Visiting Teachers – including Lee Clarke and Odette Budge – whose students use Mountbatten Braillers plan to get together on a regular basis to share Mountbatten skills with each other. Their inaugural gathering will be at the Statewide Vision Resource Centre on Friday 13th August in the morning. They warmly invite you to join them!
For further information and to register your interest call Lee on 0402 041166.
When: 19th and 20th August 2004
Where: Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre, Spencer Street Melbourne
What: Amazingly rich array of speakers and topics relating to students with
additional needs
Cost: $260
Further information: Alyssa Drollett (03) 9881 0221
This article, by Deb Lewis, also appeared in June 2004 edition of SPEVI News
The 2004 National Conference was held recently at the very well-appointed Carlton Crest Hotel, a short walk from the many culinary, retail and tourist attractions of inner Sydney. The theme “Information Access: Global Trends and Local Innovations,” juxtaposed the current climate of continued advancement and evolution in adaptive technology, with the work being conducted ‘on the ground’ to support people with vision impairments. Sessions ranged from ‘big picture’ topics such as the potential broadening of access to e-text and digital materials from the United States as a result of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement, to the development of a cheap and compact closed-circuit television for one student, utilising off-the-shelf technologies including a spy camera and a draftsman’s pantograph.
At the Round Table National Conference in 2003, Chairperson of the Australian Braille Authority Bill Jolley emphasized the increasingly untenable position with respect to the Australian braille code. He noted that the Australian braille code has basically evolved as a hybrid of the British and American codes, leading to issues for braille users and producers including:
After approximately 15 years of consultation, discussion and development, the Unified English Braille Code has recently been confirmed by the International Council on English Braille as sufficiently complete for recognition as an international standard for English braille. Canada and New Zealand have signalled their desire to adopt Unified English Braille as their national braille code following consultation and the development of implementation strategies. The Australian Braille Authority will consider its adoption as the national braille code for use throughout Australia at their general meeting in 2005.
Meanwhile throughout Australia, service providers, government departments, production organisations, tertiary institutions, libraries, volunteer based community groups and consumers themselves are working to improve access to information for the approximately one million Australian people with a print disability.
Research Project: Teaching and Learning in Universities
In 2002, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission convened a forum which identified a number of challenges facing students with visual disabilities in Australian universities including:
Research funded by the Australian Universities Teaching Committee is currently underway to identify strategies for supporting students with vision impairments and to improve access to practical information about teaching practices. The aim of the project is to improve outcomes for students with vision impairments. A huge variety of practices, available funding etc has already been noted. Further research will investigate issues including, but not limited to:
For further information about this research project and to make submissions go to: http://www.utas.edu.au/services/visproj
Pilot Project: Provision of Learning Materials in Preferred Format
In an apparently unique approach to the facilitation of equality of access to the learning experience at university, Macquarie University is supporting a pilot project which aims to reduce the cognitive load on students with print disabilities. The rationale behind this approach is not to require students to develop access skills, rather to provide materials in their preferred format. The process is as follows:
Currently the Commonwealth Department of Science and Training is offering universities which utilise this service reimbursement for production of materials in students’ preferred format (except for the first $500). In the future, Macquarie University plans to offer the service to other universities in Australia and overseas.
Guidelines: Conveying Visual Information
The Round Table Working Party on Conveying Visual Information has conducted extensive research and consultation to produce the latest draft version of the guidelines. These guidelines are based on the following:
I see the Round Table as an opportunity to meet up with my interstate peers, many of whom I have a long-established email/phone relationship. Round Table is a fabulous opportunity to build these relationships and to establish new ones.
Vision impairment is a low incidence disability but it forms a significant focus of the Round Table and for this reason, Round Table is a valuable community of which to be a part.
I’d like to personally thank the hard-working NSWers for a slick, informative and broadly applicable conference and encourage you all to attend when you get the opportunity – especially when the Round Table is held in your state.
For further information about the Round Table including proceedings of the 2004 National Conference with further details of the sessions described above, production guidelines, minutes of recent meetings etc go to the website: http://www.e-bility.com/roundtable
The massive effort to raise the approximately $40,000 needed to make the trip a reality is well under way. Jeni has even enlisted several former Space Campers (and of course her long suffering family members) to assist her with her sausage sizzles! She has plans for a SILENT AUCTION which will be held via eBAY – so if you have something to donate – please let us know! Details will follow!
And if you’d like to spend some time during the weekend sizzling sausages with Jeni, your offer will be willingly accepted! Any other information call Jeni – 0428 134660.
Reference: http://www.artsaccess.com.au
Ease is a program of Arts Access, a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for people who are disadvantaged and people with a disability to participate in arts and cultural activiies. Memberships include:
People with disabilities can join EASE (Arts Access) for a range of services including:
1. Audio Description:
EASE works in partnership with Vision Australia to provide audio description
at selected performances. Through the use of a small radio receiver and earpiece,
audience members can listen to a live description of the visual aspects of the
production during appropriate breaks in the dialogue. Program notes and descriptions
of stage settings and costumes are also given 15 minutes prior to the performance.
2. Guided Tours:
EASE also offers pre show guided tours prior to some live performances to give
audience members who are blind or vision impaired an opportunity to explore
the stage, sets and costumes prior to the show. Guided tours and tactile displays
are also available at some visual arts exhibitions.
3. Reserved Seating:
Reserved seating may be available at the front of the theatre, on an aisle or
in an area with extra space to accommodate guide dogs.
4. Companion Card:
Cardholders are entitled to purchase two tickets for the price of one through
EASE for participating events. Call 1800 650611 to apply.
5. Free/Reduced Priced Tickets:
Concession prices and last minute free ticket offers are often available through
EASE.
Other services are offered for people with other disabilities.
The SVRC is a member of this FANTASTIC service – but you may wish to encourage your students to join up. EASE tickets can be used by members and their accompanying guests.
Source: Circular 171/2004
The LMERC Library supports teaching and learning in Victorian schools in the areas of Languages other than English (LOTE), English as a second language (ESL), Koorie and Aboriginal studies, multicultural education, studies of Asia, combating racism and prejudice, human rights, peace and civics and citizenship education. The Library collection of over 24,000 items comprises resources in a wide range of media and includes print, audio, video, CD-ROM and poster materials. The print collection includes picture fiction and non-fiction books (including ‘big books’), young adult fiction, teacher references, journals and classroom resources.
All Victorian school teachers and teachers in after-hours ethnic schools are eligible to become registered users of the LMERC library at no cost. Teachers are welcome to visit the centre at 150 Palmerston Street, Carlton. The Library is open from 9.00am-5.00pm on weekdays (except public holidays), with late night opening until 6.30 pm on Tuesdays during term time. A postal service operates for country schools.
The catalogue of the Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre (LMERC) Library is now available on-line. It is accessible from the LMERC homepage on SOFWeb at: http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/lem/lmerc/. Instructions for using the on-line catalogue are also available at this address.
Teachers are now able to search the catalogue by keyword, title, author or subject, produce a list of relevant resources, and request to borrow materials by email. Teachers who are members of the Library can also check and renew their loans on-line and reserve items.
For further information about the LMERC Library, please contact Judy Blyton, LMERC Librarian, by telephone on 03 9349 1418 or by email to: blyton.judy.j@edumail.vic.gov.au
The Department of Education & Training has recently circulated this comprehensive resource via email. The manual is designed to promote early intervention and prevention of eating disorders in schools and may be of use to readers of The Bulletin.
In the forward to this publication, the Hon Bronwyn Pike MP, Minister for Health and Jacinta Allan, Minister for Youth Affairs writes:
“As a community, we all have a role to play to ensure Victoria’s young people are able to live healthy, satisfying lives. It is recognised that eating disorders are becoming more common among Australian teenagers. Eating disorders, left untreated, can result in ongoing physical and emotional illness for sufferers and stress for their families and carers. We are also becoming increasingly aware of the critical importance of the role of early intervention in the prevention of eating disorders. Teachers and schools are in the special position of having a medium to long-term relationship with young people. This relationship allows teachers and schools to identify significant changes in a young person that may indicate they are at risk of an eating disorder. An Eating Disorders Resource for Schools offers teachers a range of information and practical strategies to assist them to implement early intervention programs and practices that can support those students and their families.
An Eating Disorders Resource for Schools has been developed, drawing on the scientific literature and in consultation with school staff, researchers and health promoters in the area of eating disorders and adolescent well-being, people experiencing eating disorders during their school years, and carers. This is an important resource that will support schools in their efforts to implement practical programs and reduce risk factors relevant to the prevention of eating disorders within their school communities.”
The file is available as a pdf file – please contact us if you’d like a copy.
Source: Well Aware, July 2004
To discover the health effects of the chemicals you are using, you can visit the new national chemical information gateway that was recently launched by the Australian Department of Environment & Heritage. To visit the National Chemical Information Gateway go to: http://hermes.erin.gov.au/pls/cig_public/!CIGPPUBLIC.pStart
Source: Eye Contact, Summer 2004 & Drum-Talk http://www.drum-talk.co.uk/htm/frameset.htm
TAC stands for Tactile Approach to Communication and is a relatively new approach to communication with students with multiple impairments. The aim of TACPAC is to heighten levels of awareness and arousal and to promote responses to stimuli. Written by educators and music therapists working in special schools in London, TACPAC combines music – exhilarating, vibrant, pulsating, serene, tranquil – with tactile experiences. The items which provide varying textures (about six in total) are commonly found household items to include fanning, slapping with spatulas, flicking with a little mop, squashing with a scouring pad, massage, stroking with fur fabric, tapping and rolling with chopsticks, sponges, rollers, brushing, rolling a bag of marbles, drumming with hands, dragging a chain and stroking with a feather duster. It is recommended that the program take place in an interruption- and draught-free environment.
For more information about TACPAC see the article in Eye Contact (contact us if you would like a copy) or the website listed above.
Source: BrailleNote Update, Winter 2004 – article by Debbie Yuille, former DE&T VT student
Six months ago, I became a Braillenote user, and now I don’t know what I ever did without it. In the short time that I have had it, the BrailleNote has made a huge difference to my independence.
For example I can: take my own notes using the word processor, look up people’s phone numbers that are stored in my address list, read books using the book reader, check the date and time with a simple keystroke and most importantly, schedule and keep track of my numerous appointments using the planner.
I must mention one more thing that I absolutely love about the BrailleNote. That is the ability to prepare emails off line, without the restriction of having to sit in front of a computer, using keymail, the BrailleNote’s wonderful email program. I am able to write, correct and proof read my emails, while I am out travelling on the train. Then when I come home, I just connect my BrailleNote to my phone line and send my emails.
So what else can I say about my BrailleNote. I can’t say any more than, “It’s Just Amazing.”
A Brief look at the Education of Blind Children by Carol Castellano appeared in the Spring/ Summer edition of Future Reflections. It notes that parents and teachers often have to explain over and over to friends, family members, school administrators etc about the unique aspects of education for blind and vision impaired children. The article, though written for the US audience, may be useful for us Aussie parents and teachers/aides! Go to: http://www.nfb.org/fr/fr13/fr04sstc.htm then click on the link to the article.
Blind Kids Lost in the Educational System outlines Caroline Rounds’ passionate views about teaching brailling students to read and also appeared in the Spring/ Summer edition of Future Reflections. Go to: http://www.nfb.org/fr/fr13/fr04sstc.htm then click on the link to the article.
Customise your Cane, another article in the Spring/ Summer edition of Future Reflections was written by Jody W Ianuzzi and describes from the point of view of a partially sighted person the advantages of using a cane. She writes, ‘The simple fact of the matter is that the only person I was fooling by not using a cane was me. It was the same old story that is always true of blind people with a little residual vision—everyone recognizes that you are blind but you.
The breakthrough for me was the realization that I would rather walk tall as a competent blind person than work my way down the street bent over, trying to see where I was going and not giving a very good impression.
How much easier travel is now! My problem wasn’t my vision, it was my attitude. This poor attitude was even conveyed to my son. When I first started using my cane, I was self-conscious and my son said, “Mom, put that thing away; everyone is looking at you.” As my attitude changed, so did his. He later said to me, “Hey Mom, everyone is looking at you because you are doing such a good job.” Out of the mouths of babes!
When I talk to blind kids about using a cane, they always object that people will notice them. My answer is, “Sure, people will notice; people notice everything – whether you are thin or fat, short or tall, red-haired or blond. Some people are even dying their hair green to become more noticeable. So what if they notice you use a cane? You don’t have to hide your cane, it is symbol of your independence.”
Adapted from: http://www.abc.net.au/newinventors/txt/s1135303.htm
Quantum Technology’s Tim Connell was recently featured on the ABC program, The New Inventors, with a new braille notetaker Jot a Dot. And for those of you who missed the most excellent exposé on this new piece of technology, Tim did such a good job that Jot a Dot was the clear vote winner of the ‘People’s Choice’ for that episode!
Tim notes: The Jot a Dot is the blind person’s equivalent of a notebook and pen. Roughly the size of a VHS tape, the Jot a Dot is a small plastic braille typewriter made up of the six standard braille keys. Unlike the heavy and more expensive braille typewriters, the Jot a Dot is light, compact, and easily transportable.
Jot A Dot has six key braille entry and the user can read as they write, by turning the Jot a Dot over and reading the braille just typed on the underside of the device. The Jot a Dot includes an inbuilt reading stand, which keeps it stable when resting on hard surfaces. The Jot a Dot has high contrast colours and uses standard paper. The Jot A Dot is a one-piece construction, which means there are no parts that can be lost and weighs only 350g. Jot a Dot has both line and cell indicators. The cell indicator shows the position of the embossing head on the line. The line indicator gives instant feedback on which line you are writing. This means that if you need to go back to something you can ensure it is lined up properly.
Cost: $425
For more about Jot a Dot, see http://www.jotadot.com.au/ - it includes a video and even a song! Congratulations to Tim!
PAC Mate is a relatively new fully accessible PDA (personal data assistant) for people with vision impairments incorporating JAWS (voice output) and Microsoft Windows programs.
PAC Mate is available with either a computer-style keyboard (QX series) or with a braille-style keyboard (BX series). It provides not only access to Microsoft Pocket PC software but it will also run other third-party software, among which are mainstream pocket dictionaries and encyclopaedias.
It is also easy to use other third-party hardware such as modem, network card and even a visual display such a computer monitor.
Its versatility makes it useful for most professional, educational and recreational needs from basic notetaking to web access, email, contacts, diary, Excel, Windows Media Player, stopwatch etc. A 20 or 40 cell braille display can be added to the PAC Mate without tools or cables.
For a free demonstration or trial contact Lee Kumutat, Braille Productions Manager by email: lkumutat@quantech.com.au or call (02) 8844 9888.
Source: http://www.nystagmusnet.org
Nystagmus Network, a support network based in the UK, has a number of interesting resources, many of which are available on their website.
There are a number of resources you can purchase including:
The kids’ page has photos and chatty messages from children with nystagmus – go to: http://www.nystagmusnet.org/InfoMain.htm
Join the Nystagmus Network to receive a quarterly publication and a discount
when purchasing.
Contact Nystagmus Network:
13 Tinsley Close, Claypole, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5BS
Tel: 01636 627 004 email: info@nystagmusnet.org
Source: http://www.aniridia.org/
Aniridia Network is another UK based support group for people with aniridia and their families. Information on the website includes:
Visability’s Summer 2004 edition focuses on accessible information. One article of particular interest is reprinted here in abridged form:
“All my friends go down to the bookshop or library and get any book they want but I have to wait months for the same book, pay extra for it and often it never comes out in large print or on tape so all can do is listen to them talk about it. I feel really left out...”
“You can’t get kids to read books these days – it’s all TV and play stations.” How often have you heard this? Whether or not most children really did read more in the past, there is one very good reason why blind and partially sighted children may not read much today. There simply isn’t much to read.
Less than five per cent of children’s books are available in an accessible format such as large print, audio or braille. You may be able to get the J K Rowling or Jacqueline Wilsons of this world relatively easily, but outside the top ten there is very, very little. Most galling of all, there is just not the choice that sighted children enjoy.
Nor are accessible books usually available until some time after the print version comes out. The last Harry Potter came out in large print and braille within a fortnight of the print only because the charities concerned pulled out all the stops, worked over the weekend and allowed our young wizard to jump the queue. It was very much the exception that proved the rule. The commercial audio version was only published several months later, and at a price far higher than the print.
All blind and partially sighted people suffer from this book famine, but the situation is particularly acute for children.
RNIB assert that there is a fundamental right to read, whether the material we want to read is a classic novel, escapist rubbish, a book about hobbies or the life story of our favourite pop idol. Blind and partially sighted children can only be fully included in learning, culture and community life if they can read the same books, magazines and newspapers as their sighted peers, at the same time and at no additional cost.
Other articles in this edition of Visability include:
Please contact us if you’d like copies of these articles.
Source: SPEVI News – article by Carolyn Mentiplay
A minidisk reader-writer uses laser technology to record from either analogue sources such as radio or laser technology sources such as CD. By adding a good quality microphone, the minidisk reader writer can also be used by a secondary student in the classroom to record the teaching session and then in study phase to review and prepare summary notes onto computer.
Measuring about half the size of the portable CD player with minidisks about a quarter of the size of a CD each of which is contained in a plastic outer covering, the minidisk RW maintains the ‘cool’ factor with gusto. Each unit comes with remote playback controls and head phones so that the unit is slipped into a pocket in playback mode or sits discretely on the desk in record mode.
Each disk can record about 90 minutes of speech and can be recorded over many times. Recording controls are all on the unit and while tiny they can be easily learned spatially and monitored through the headphones as a soft beep sounds each time a button is pressed. A new track can be created by pressing the record button as a different section of the lesson is reached. Each section can then be easily relocated when skipping through the tracks in playback mode.
A sighted reader can also quickly read sections of the student’s textbook onto the minidisk in preparation for a new topic or from a text that is only available for reference.
The minidisk is a particularly useful tool for a student with a degenerative eye condition. It has been my experience that these eye conditions frequently become active in the latter half of secondary schooling just in time for the extreme workloads of years 10, 11 and 12. Many students in this situation will not undertake the conversion to braille until after they finish secondary school, preferring to learn using the auditory mode. By using computer and laser technology in an integrated way, the successful completion of secondary schooling becomes achievable.
It is possible or even likely that there is specialised equipment for students with vision impairments in the schools you visit or in schools that you have visited in the past. Here are some interesting (and rather obvious) facts:
The SVRC is happy to house such equipment – provide a letter so that such equipment can be removed from school’s assets register – and make it available to other students…
Can you please check your schools for such equipment – THANKS!!!
The following references are now available at the SVRC:
The following articles appear in the June edition of JVIB:
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s website hosts quite a bit of useful information and handy resources for teachers and students. You can find the following:
Most past examination papers from the last four years can be found on the website
for your use. Some examination papers are not available due to copyright issues.
You can locate the examination papers at
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au > VCE
> Exams and Assessment > Past Exams
Assessment Reports contain comments from the assessors as well as some of the
answers to past exams. There are also reports on how to do some assessment tasks
that are not examination based. You can locate the assessment reports at
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au > VCE
> Exams and Assessment > Assessment Reports
If you want to plan ahead, you can view the mid-year and end-of-year examination
timetable online. The timetable is located at
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au > VCE
> Exams and Assessment > Exam Timetable
The VCE Achiever Awards recognise the efforts of VCE students in promoting community involvement in their local school and wider community. The awards are sponsored by IBM Australia, who provide the overall winner with an IBM notebook computer. To find out more, or to read about the monthly winners, visit http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au > Excellence & Awards > VCE Achiever Award
The VCE Season of Excellence showcases works created by past VCE students in Media, Design and Technology, Food and Technology, Systems and Technology, Visual Communication and Design, Dance, Drama, Theatre Studies, Music Performance: Group and Music Performance: Solo, Media, Arts and Studio Arts. If you would like to see what past students have done visit http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au > Excellence & Awards > VCE Season of Excellence
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) will send you a Statement of Results with a Study Score out of 50 for each study you completed. The VCAA will also send your VCE Certificate to your school. For enquiries about satisfactory completion of VCE and Study Scores contact VCAA on (03) 9651 4300 or 1800 134197.
Using the Study Scores provided by the VCAA, the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) calculate an ENTER for all eligible VCE year 12 students. ENTER Statements are mailed to students who have lodged an application for tertiary entrance. For enquiries about the ENTER, scaling of studies and tertiary entrance, log on to the VTAC website at http://www.vtac.edu.au or telephone VTAC on 1300 364133.
Discovery Day is the University of Melbourne’s annual open day, held
at the Parkville and the Victorian College of the Arts campuses. Discovery Day
2004 will be held on Sunday 22 August from 10am to 4pm.
General Enquiries: tel (03) 8344 6543 or toll free 1800 801 662 or email: discovery-day@unimelb.edu.au
Website: http://www.unimelb.edu.au/discoveryday/index.html
For any disability related enquires come to the Disability Liaison Unit marquee
on the Union Lawn on the day.
For enquiries at other times tel: 8344 7068 or email: DLU-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
Have you checked out your local library for talking books on CD-ROM? You may
be pleasantly surprised by the number and variety. For example the City of Boroondara
Library Services house their extensive collection at the Ashburton branch:
154 High Street Ashburton
Tel (03) 9278 4633
The fiction collection includes books by over 100 authors from Tim Winton to Jane Austen. Non fiction ranges from biography and autobiography to science, travel, literature and poetry. Listen and enjoy!!!
Phill McKenna has written a comprehensive set of instructions for attaching your laptop to the internet in at the Statewide Vision Resource Centre and Geoff Bowen has road tested them!!! Instructions and necessary cable can be found on the spare desk near Lyn.
Our newest braille transcriber Nola was recently most ably assisted by her 9 year old daughter Jessica in proof reading a story book for a student in Rutherglen. But we think Jessica must have done proof reading before!!! She easily managed reading the words, the punctuation and still managed to read with expression!
“Open talking marks – capital – it – apostrophe – s – a – turtle – exclamation mark – close talking marks …”
Thanks Jessica – love your work!!!
Just a reminder from Geoff of some of the activities that he can be involved in and the referral process. Please remember that he only does this job two days a week!
Service delivery involves direct and indirect support to staff, students and families. The range of services that he can provide includes:
NB Geoff sees the support and counselling of VTs regarding any issue that they want to discuss as a high priority.
During the recent school holidays members of the ‘skeleton staff’ who personed the phones and computers deemed my office to be a ‘disaster area’ and labelled it accordingly via an N120 print sign. I cannot understand their point – I have no trouble picking my way through and over the ever-skyward spiralling piles of reading matter…
Never the less, I have attempted to tame the pages and have even introduced much of the errant paper to folders, boxes and shelves…
You may be wondering why I am airing my dirty laundry in such a public forum… This is where you come in! You see, much of the delinquent pages are articles for The Bulletin in kit form – all they need is you to:
And by the way thanks to Geoff Bowen and Helen Caldow for generously contributing to this edition of The Bulletin. Thanks also to my fabulous proof-readers Dianne Skillern and Lea Nagel.
Deb Lewis (who can be emailed at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au).