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The following issue of The Bulletin was mostly prepared by Marion Blazé, Education/Resource Officer, with contributions 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 |
| MAGic Workshop 10am-12 noon - BYO laptop | Tuesday 7 September |
RVIB College will run in early September two of its most popular courses, as below. Feel free to email college@rvib.org.au or telephone Karen Mckenzie at 9520 5555 for further information and registration forms.
UNDERSTANDING ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY - September 1
Covers the major adaptive technology used by people who are blind or vision
impaired and how the equipment is used.
IMPROVING YOUR SERVICES TO ADULTS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISION IMPAIRED - September
8
Covers the basics of successful interaction with people who are blind or vision
impaired.
RVIB College
201 High Street
Prahran Vic 3181
Website: http://www.rvib.org.au
Email: college@rvib.org.au
Phone: 03 9520 5555
Fax: 03 9521 3685
Report by Marion Blazé
On Tuesday, August 24, we met the new ‘Low Vision Consultant’ with Pulsedata, based in Melbourne (aren’t we lucky here in Vic.?!!). Helen Kilpatrick works along-side Ramona Mandy, who covers the Braille side of technology for Pulsedata. Helen showed us just what a CCTV can do these days. The machine she demonstrated provides magnification between 3 and 35 times, can operate black on white or white on black or you can choose from 12 colour combinations, allows you to bring your computer monitor up on the screen as a whole screen or a split screen and the 17” screen model sells for $3,500 with a monitor, or $3,100 if you have your own monitor. Other models provide full colour, up to 60 times magnification and automatic focus!! Being as old as I am, I can remember when CCTVs were low in contrast and even created shadows as you moved the page under them. Not so now – they are clear and bright all the time!
Here’s a handy CCTV hint: if you are having trouble focusing, the best way to do it is to dial up the biggest magnification before trying adjust the focus. After that, you only have to adjust the focus if you change the distance from your reading matter to the camera (i.e. if you start reading a thicker or thinner book).
Hopefully, Helen will be at our Expo next term to show you all these great machines.
Resource now has a full price list of Pulsedata products and Helen Kilpatrick can be contacted on (03) 9530 0280 or 0413 993 265.
TOPIC NO. 1: The power of 'student voice' and how it can be used to bring about
school improvement.
* The deadline for submitting Topic No. 1 papers has been extended to: Friday
10 September 2004
The Specialist Schools Trust (UK) and iNet (International Networking for Educational Transformation) are to hold a series of four short Online Conferences over the next year.
The Online Conferences seek to bring together global knowledge on four themes that have been identified by Professor David Hargreaves as key to the education transformation agenda, in his book 'Personalising Learning: Next Steps in Working Laterally'. It is hoped that, through sharing knowledge, educators will gain access to a collective pool of wisdom on each of the four themes. At the end of the conference, the knowledge shared will be brought together in the form of a publication.
Each Online Conference will run for seven days only and include a wide range of papers to stimulate online discussion and debate. Each day participants will have the opportunity to debate one of seven selected Focus Papers, as well as contribute to a further general online discussion on the entire range of papers published on the Online Conference website (it is anticipated that around 20 papers altogether will be published).
Topic of 1st Online Conference: Student Voice
Papers are now being sought from school leaders, educators and nominated students, from all over the world, for the first of these Internet conferences, which is to focus on the topic of the power of 'student voice' and how it can be used to bring about school improvement. Authors of papers do not necessarily need to belong to iNet or the Specialist Schools Trust.
All iNet member schools and Specialist Schools Trust schools will automatically be registered and receive further information via email about participating in the Online Conference series. All staff from these schools are eligible to participate, at no cost. All authors of papers whose papers are selected for publication (whether or not they belong to iNet or the Specialist Schools Trust) will gain a complimentary free registration to the specific Online Conference in which their paper is published.
For further information about iNet, or your school joining iNet, please contact Ms Sue Williamson at suew@specialistschoolstrust.org.uk (if you are located in the UK or elsewhere) or Dr Wendy Cahill at: wcahill@unimelb.edu.au (if you are located specifically in Australia).
A keen bunch of kids – Laurel, Lindsay, Melinda, Michael, Natasha and Nikki – and a couple of fundraising-weary staff – Jeni Blake and Geoff Bowen – will be leaving our increasingly sunny shores for the states in a very few short weeks… Bayside Freemasons have again come to the party with sponsorship to support Mentone student Laurel – photographed with Matthew, the recipient of Freemason financial support in 2003.
Other major sponsors this year – again – are Guide Dogs Victoria and Quantum Technology – and we really couldn’t ‘do it’ without their most valuable support!!! Thanks once again GDV and QT!!!
Photo below (left to right): Gary Edwards. Member of the Board of Benevolence; Laurel, Space Camper 2004; Jeni Blake, Visiting Teacher – Southern Metropolitan Region; Matthew, Space Camper 2003; Willis Parton, District Co-ordinator Freemason’s Victoria
Forms due by 5pm October 8, 2004
Students no longer need to fill in an ‘S’ form or an application for Consideration of Disadvantage. VTAC has replaced this process by the SEAS scheme (Special Entry Access Scheme). Schools should have limited copies of the booklet and Careers teachers should have been briefed. Our students come under ‘Category 10: Disability or long-term medical condition’ and need to fill in the pink form (not the green one for ‘Y12 chronic circumstances’, which is for students who have a condition which only occurred in Year 12 and will not continue beyond). Take a careful look at the booklet, which is available on the web at http://www.vtac.edu.au. For each tertiary institution, it lists the application a student needs to fill in, what that application covers (in some cases it covers scholarships, as well) and where to get further information.
But beware: only twelve of the thirty-three tertiary institutions listed in the booklet will accept applications from our students for this type of special entry. For other institutions, our students will need to make an individual approach for consideration.
Also, the application form requires a rather detailed supporting statement from a medical professional who is required to comment on the effect of the disability on the student’s education. Only the University of Ballarat will accept additional supporting statements from educational professionals.
RVIB will be holding a day to aid students in filling out their VT AC applications on line. VT AC has offered to come out to:
201 High Street Prahran
on
8 September 2004
to aid in this process. Hopefully this will take some of the anxiety out of applying, and there will be experts to aid filling in the SEAS forms.
Students wishing to use this service should call either Renee Williamson, RVIB Tertiary Education Consultant or reception at "201" on: (03) 9520 5555 to book an appointment with a VTAC officer. Renee will also be in attendance to offer support.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WELCOME
SUNDAY 22 AUGUST 2004
10AM to 3PM
UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY PENRITH CAMPUS
Second Avenue, KINGSWOOD
UWS welcomes students with disabilities. If you have been thinking about further study or are just curious about what goes on at our University come along to Open Day and find out what the University of Western Sydney has to offer.
A disability won’t hold you back at University. We want you, your friends and family to attend the UWS Open Day. It’s a great opportunity to find out more about the many courses on offer, talk one to one with the lecturers, and tour the campus and facilities. Our university has a lot to offer, so come along and experience it all.
There are practical and academic supports available to help you succeed at UWS. Preview inclusive technology and equipment, chat with current students with disabilities and talk with the UWS Disability Advisors. For advice and assistance visit our marquee, look for the banner that says Services for Students.
To ensure Open Day is inclusive and accessible we have made the following provisions within our program:
Advertised lectures and presentations will be accessible. All enquiries regarding
disability access for Open Day can be directed to the Regional Disability Liaison
Officer by phone 4570 1483 or mobile/sms 0409 073 366
UWS Call Centre 1800 897 669 or visit the web site at http://www.uws.edu.au/openday.
Source: DE&T Circular 197/2004 from John Allman, Acting General Manager, School Resources Division
Applications are now open for the Program for Students with Disabilities 2005 for additional resources to support new or existing students with disabilities who will be attending a government school in 2005.
The closing date for applications is Friday 15 October.
Schools should submit applications for:
Schools should also refer to Circular 158/2004 Changes to the Program for Students
with Disabilities – Application Process.
Each school will be provided with one copy of the Program for Students with
Disabilities 2005 handbook. The handbook and application form are also available
at http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/wellbeing/disabil/index.htm.
Completed applications are to be returned to:
Resources Coordination Group
Student Wellbeing Branch
Department of Education and Training
GPO Box 4367
Melbourne 3002
New applications: Schools preparing new applications for students who may require additional resources must refer to the documented process in the Program for Students with Disabilities 2005 Handbook and use 2005 application forms.
Principals should ensure that parents of new students with a disability are provided with a copy of the Program for Students with Disabilities 2005 Handbook. Principals should also note that as the school is making an application for additional resources, it is most important that the principal sign the application form. An independent Department nominee is required to participate in the application process. Regional directors will advise schools of the process for obtaining names of independent Department nominees.
Further information: Any questions regarding this process should be directed to the disability/student wellbeing officer in your region.
Barwon South Western 5272 8300
Central Highlands Wimmera 5337 8444
Eastern Metropolitan 9881 0200
Gippsland 5127 0400
Goulburn North Eastern 5761 2100
Loddon Campaspe Mallee 5440 3111
Northern Metropolitan 9488 9488
Southern Metropolitan 9794 3555
Western Metropolitan 9291 6500
The Minister for Community Services invites existing and potential Disability Services staff to participate in the 2004-2005 Disability Studies Scholarships and Ethel Temby Study Tour Awards.
The State Government's Study Scholarships and Awards program provides opportunities for existing and potential staff to develop skills and knowledge in a range of areas to support people with a disability to pursue their chosen lifestyles.
Applicants will be considered in accordance with the State Disability Plan priority areas. They will demonstrate a commitment to ensuring people with a disability enjoy the same rights and opportunities as other members of the community.
The State Government is improving and expanding learning and development opportunities for employees in the disability sector that will strengthen their skills to meet the critical needs of people with a disability.
The following grants are available to support studies relevant to the individual needs of people with a disability:
A copy of the Scholarships Information Booklet, including guidelines and application forms is available from: http://www.distss.org.au/infocast04/scholarships.pdf
Hard copies are also available by contacting:
Scholarships Coordinator
Disability Learning and Development Unit
Department of Human Services
Tel: (03) 9616 2854
email: daniel.donahoo@dhs.vic.gov.au
The closing date for Study Scholarships and Ethel Temby Study Tour Awards is Thursday 23 September 2004.
Review by Helen Caldow, Visiting Teacher, Eastern Metropolitan Region
As mentioned in the last bulletin, the TTTutor is a free program you can download from the Internet. Go to: http://www.education.bham.ac.uk/research/victar/resources/tech/centre.htm
It is tricky to download and install as it involves unzipping files in three
disks but once installed it is a useful tool to assist students to touch type.
The display properties including colours and font size can be altered. The set
up suitable for each student can be saved. It can be run with or without voice
output. The voice can be very annoying! There are two voice options “Verbose
Help” and “Automatic Help”. The verbose settings give lengthy
instructions and comprehensive error reports. The other setting has an abbreviated
version. It has a “Tuneful Type” feature, which allows tunes to
be played in response to each correct keystroke. The display has numbered fingers
at the bottom of the screen to help users to locate the correct key.
There are four parts to each lesson:
Echo mode which says/displays the keys from that lesson that you choose to type.
There are a total of 34 lessons which include signs (eg: @,$,&), brackets, hash and many more.
TTAPS provides more games and activities but TTTutor will be easier to see
for many students. It will provide valuable practise and consolidation for those
students who are older, who are tired of TTAPS or for those need more practise
before moving on.
SVRC has a black and white master copy of the User Guide.
Below are a few commands to get you started.
Esc - Escape to Home Page
Space Bar - Display other lesson titles
Up and down arrows - Display other lesson titles
Enter - To selected lesson
F1 - speak current sentence
F2 - spell current sentence
F3 - speak current word
F4 - spell current word
F5 - spell what has been typed of the current word so far
F6 - toggle echo typing on / off
F7 - mute speech (this will stop the speech)
Ctrl + F7 - Activate/Deactivate tuneful typing
Ctrl + F8 - Display configuration screen (change display, speech etc.)
Symbols are used to give information about the exercise:
'>' - Indicates the beginning of a sentence
'+' - Indicates that the sentence continues off the edge of the screen, and
will scroll when the last character of the displayed portion is typed
'<' - Indicates the end of a sentence
To save different colour settings for students:
To Open Students Configuration:
Adapted (and XP-ed) from notes prepared by Lesley Heneberry, VT for Hearing Impairment, 20 May 2001
When doing an activity like this with students I always do a number of activities in the lead up. These can include:
I always do a rough draft on paper, which is conferenced before commencing the ‘Talking Book’. Depending on the age and level of the students this activity can take up to 2 or 3 sessions. Once mastered students are generally keen to make others!
Photographs can be scanned or a digital camera used to record useful images! If you are feeling brave, you may even wish to try adding sound effects or a little movie clip! Basically, the sky’s the limit!
Happy PowerPointing!!!
Do you know about flash drives? These are very nifty little gadgets, which can store your computer info and then you can take them away and plug them into another computer to transport all your electronic info with you. Like all technology, they are going down in price. Deb just found the Comsol USB flash drives for between $33 for 32MB and $143 for 256MB. Did I say little gadgets? These flash drives are about as big as a pen!
They are selling at these prices from OrderPoint at http://www.boise.com.au or tel 1800 424 965 fax 1800 022 824 – but only ‘til stocks last!
See how blindness is no barrier to success - click on http://www.forsightweek.com.au or call 1800 355 335.
Apparently, among other things, RVIB will have an interactive display at Scienceworks for the week, showing students and teachers what it is like to be blind or vision impaired and there will be RVIB orthoptists conducting vision screenings in the Bourke Street Mall.
In this issue:
You can read the full version at the following link: http://www.rvib.org.au/vistech/newsletter/index.shtml
The latest newsletter of the Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities contains the following:
A full copy of this newsletter is available on request from Resource or you request to be added to the mailing list by emailing Tammy Axelson: RoundtableAdmn@bigpond.com
Thanks to Jill Keeffe for this information
After several years in development and nationwide testing, Perkins School for the Blind is proud to announce the launch of the Perkins Panda Early Literacy Program – a collection of materials designed both to teach fundamental literacy skills to children with visual impairments and to help parents and other caregivers support children’s literacy development.
The kit consists of three interrelated storybooks, activity guides and cassettes; a resource guide; a story box; a Gund plush panda with a backpack that can hold a dual-speed tape player; and carry bags. All the storybooks have visually appealing high-contrast illustration, large print and uncontracted Braille. Odds Bodkin, a well-established storyteller and songwriter, worked with Perkins to write the books and the stories and songs on the cassettes.
The primary audience is families of children with visual impairments, ages birth to 8. In addition, the materials are valuable in program settings, to families with older children with multiple impairments and to parents and grandparents with visual impairments for use with sighted (grand)children.
All components are available as a kit or separately. For more information, call 800-972-7671 or 001-617-972-7667, e-mail Perkins.Panda@Perkins.org or visit http://www.Perkins.org.
Source: Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, Volume 96, Number 2, 2002, pp. 69-85 by Geruschat, D.R., & Turano, K.A. (Review by Deb Lewis)
“Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of degenerative diseases of the retina that are characterized by progressive loss of the peripheral visual fields. The primary characteristics of RP include night blindness, mid-peripheral ring scotoma that progresses both in and out, posterior subcapsular cataracts (which are often removed to improve vision), and good visual acuity until late in the course of the disease” (p.60).
Research indicates that difficult mobility situations for people with RP include:
Easy mobility situations for people with RP include:
There are a number of options for reducing the effects that result from RP, and therefore assist in maintaining independent mobility:
1) Visual Field Restriction
Significantly reduced fields can cause difficulties with street crossings, crowds
etc
(a) changes in walking speed and visual scanning to correspond to the conditions
in the environment – if travellers become aware that the visual information
is coming too quickly, they can slow down or stop eg when walking in a crowd,
entering a café (step to one side). This increases the amount of time
for scanning, absorbing and reacting.
(b) introduction of long cane or guide dog – allows recognition of changes
in depth and low-lying obstacles and as a means of identification; allows travellers
to use their vision for other tasks
(c) optical manipulation of an image through minification (reverse telescopes)
or image displacement (Fresnel prisms) – may not assist with bumping into
objects and people, seeing changes in depth etc; requires extensive training;
weight and appearance may be an issue
2) Night Blindness
Most travellers with RP have poor or no ability to adapt to darkened travel
conditions
(a) hand-held light source – eg over-the-counter torch; Wide Angle Mobility
Light (WAML) which may not be available in Australia and has issues with weight,
size, battery life and cost
(b) night vision technology – eg night scope systems which offers 40 degrees
of view and when used as a spotting device, may offer enough visual information
to travel safely in low light or night time eg detecting curbs etc
3) Light Adaptation
Some travellers with RP have difficulty with even the smallest change in illumination
(a) route planning with consideration of sun-shade pattern
(b) use of sunglasses, hats and visors for bright sunlight
(c) photochromatic glasses – though these are slow to adapt to changes
in light conditions
(d) liquid crystal used to dark- and light-adapt eyeglasses quickly (30 milliseconds)
4) Balance and Stability
Postural stability can be affected by RP and may be seen in changes of posture
and gait including widened stance, repositioning of arms, shortened length of
stride
(a) sensory information regarding stability can be augmented by using a stable
point of contact eg table or wall
5) Reduced Contrast Sensitivity
Reduced contrast sensitivity can be associated with increased postural sway
and reduced functional mobility performance including mobility errors and walking
speed
(a) environmental modifications eg using high contrasting paint on stairs, curbs
etc
6) Perceptual Difficulties Associated with RP
(a) development of visual perceptual skills in a mobility context including
estimating speed and distance of moving objects etc
The authors note that mobility needs, skills and preferences are very individual and that “a client’s perceptions of his or her problems and abilities should be a key element in the development of an instructional (O&M) program” (p.80).
Window Eyes is currently priced at $950.
Contact Ramona Mandy for further information: ramonam@pulsedata.com
Deb Lewis (who can be emailed at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au).