This slim issue was edited by Deb Lewis, Co-ordinator, Statewide Vision Resource Centre.
The SVRC PD program for the remainder of 2006 appears below. For the complete list of activities for 2006 and downloadable programs for all of the listed activities for the rest of the year, 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
Make sure you tell us you’re coming!!!
We really need to know numbers, so please call Marion on 9841 0807 or email to marionblaze@svrc.vic.edu.au and tell her if you’re coming, before the end of Term III. Cost is $25 which includes lunch!
When: Friday 24th November (always an excellent event –
and this year EVEN BIGGER!!!)
Where: Statewide Vision Resource Centre 370-380 Springvale
Rd Donvale
Time: 10.00am to 3.30pm
No need to register – just turn up on the day
Contact Helen Caldow via email if you are interested in joining the camp which will be held on 30 November to 1 December this year: caldow.helen.f@edumail.vic.gov.au
From Annette Godfrey-Magee
The Low Vision Support Group met last Saturday to hear our own Geoff Bowen speak about the effects on children on having a brother or sister with a disability and how to promote resilience in the family.
Geoff pointed out that not all experiences associated with having a vision-impaired brother or sister are negative, that little brothers and sisters are annoying anyway regardless of their sight. He did identify concerns that siblings may have:- feelings of anger, jealousy, resentment and embarrassment; guilt, fear, loneliness and grief; frustration; pressure from parents; overburdened with responsibilities; worry about the future; and the desire to compensate their parents for their sibling’s disability. Geoff provided some useful strategies that focused on the siblings and their understanding about expectations both on themselves and on their vision impaired brother or sister.
Much of Geoff’s presentation emphasised the notion of emotional intelligence with concepts of resilience being identified. Geoff spoke about children overcoming adversity; they need to draw on three positive statements 1. I have…. 2. I am…. and 3. I can.
It was sobering to note that research indicates that siblings of children who have a disabled brother or sister are more likely to develop positive traits as maturity, social competence, ability to get along with others, insight, empathy, tolerance of differences between people, pride in their families accomplishments and great loyalty towards their family. These are all skills that are the value added in the competitive work world of the 21st century.
Many thanks to Cristina, student from Genazzano and her three friends and Johanna, sister of Lindsay and student at Balwyn High School, who generously gave up their Saturday afternoon to assist with the babysitting. Murray, aged 3, who came with his mother and sister Chanelle from Ararat had a lovely time playing with all the girls. Cristina and Johanna are now going to take over the responsibility for working on the babysitting team for our meetings and I thank them most sincerely.
Many thanks to Geoff who was happy to talk to the group and spend time with us on a week-end during his long service leave.
In February 2007, Vision Australia will award financial Bursaries to tertiary students who are blind or vision impaired for the purchase of adaptive technology.
These bursaries are valued at up to $6,000 each.
The Further Education Bursary aims to assist clients, who for financial reasons would not otherwise be able to purchase adaptive technology limiting their participation and access in further education.
To be eligible, applicants need to:
To apply for a bursary, applicants need to:
Applications open in early September and close on Monday 30 October 2006.
Applications are treated in the strictest confidence. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application.
For more information and to download an application form, please visit the Vision Australia website at http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1161
All enquiries should be directed to Renee Williamson by phone on 03 9520 5555 or 1300 847 466; or via email to Renee.williamson@visionaustralia.org
The next Vision Australia Study Group for 2006 will be held on Wednesday 20th September 2006. Bookings are essential so please RSVP to advise whether you wish to attend.
Topic: “Exam preparation and study strategies”
Time: 1.30 - 4pm
Venue: 201 High St Prahran in the Board Room
All enquiries should be directed to Renee Williamson by phone on (03) 9520 5555 or 1300 847 466; or via email to Renee.williamson@visionaustralia.org
The 14th Deafblind International World Conference will be held in Perth in
September next year.
For more information visit: http://www.dbiconference2007.asn.au
Source: http://www.quantech.com.au/scholarships/jaws.htm
Freedom Scientific and Quantum Technology has pledged to make life a little easier for eight lucky students who will make the move into tertiary study in 2007!!!
Applications for this year's scholarship are now open, so it's time to get
behind this worthy initiative.
If you are a student planning on full-time tertiary studies in 2007 and an Australian
or New Zealand citizen who is blind or vision impaired you are eligible to apply.
Applications must be made in writing and in 500 words or less, tell us why you need a Freedom Scholarship and how it will assist you in your tertiary studies. Your scholarship prize will be one copy of JAWS Professional. There are 8 copies available to win.
2007 must be your first year at a tertiary institution.
Send your applications by email to info@quantumtechnology.com.au or via mail to:
Quantum Technology PO Box 390, Rydalmere NSW 2116 Australia.
Applications must be received by Friday 29 September 2006, and winners will be notified by e-mail and announced in the next edition of LiveWire. Good Luck!
For further enquiries please call or e-mail your local Quantum Technology office:
Head Office (02) 8844 9888 info@quantumtechnology.com.au
Southern Office (03) 9545 4100 vic@quantumtechnology.com.au
Queensland Office (07) 3393 5776 qld@quantumtechnology.com.au
Windmill have limited stocks of some discounted “games for visually impaired”
listed this month, including Draughts, Reversi and Chinese Checkers. Their shop
is at:
591 Whitehorse Rd Mont Albert
Tel (03) 9830 4336
Do you know anyone with Reading Recovery credentials who would be prepared to look through our collection of books for young readers and assign them a level? – please call Deb.
Former VT student (and happy Space and SCORE Camper) Natasha recently arrived at Yale – yes that’s Yale in the USA!!! According to her mum, “she is still settling in and extremely busy with orientation activities for the international students … they have organised an escort and some upper classmen to show her around and she is really enjoying it.”
It’s time to start hassling schools for the books that students need in alternative format for 2007. The earlier we get it your lists, the happier we are!
Thanks to Marion Blazé, Bronwyn Davies, Frances Gentle, Mike Steer, Renee Williamson for contributing to this edition of The Bulletin. Thanks also to the fabulous proof-readers, stuffers and mailers.
Deb Lewis (who can be emailed at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au).