The Bulletin

Statewide Vision Resource Centre

Number 15, Friday 14th September 2001

The following issue of The Bulletin was prepared by Deb Lewis (Co-ordinator, Statewide Vision Resource Centre).

Inside This Issue

Professional Development

Monday 8 October - Combined Agencies Day (St Paul's School)
Wednesday 14 November - Mountbatten for Beginners - with Trevor Boyd
Monday 10 December - Expo 1pm - 6.30pm
Monday 10 December - SPEVI Christmas Drinks - SVRC 6pm

SPEVI Combined Agencies Day

The next Combined Agencies Day will be Monday 8th October (first day of term 4) at St Paul's School. We again have excellent speakers booked, including: The program is attached. This day is for all who are supporting students with vision impairments - so if you would like to come along, please call the SVRC for your copy of the program or call Sally Smith (9853 2188) to book your place.
Cost: $20.

A Message from our Educational Psychologist

Dear Visiting Teacher Colleagues
I have noticed that since I gave you the referral sheet for my assistance with your students there has been very few new referrals. Either things are going extremely well with our clientele or there are other factors involved. If there are any students you need assistance with please contact me to discuss them and possible referral.
My mobile number is the easiest way to contact me: 0418 137 962.
Cheers Geoff Bowen

Reminder: SVRC Parent Support Group Meeting

The next parent meeting at the SVRC will be Saturday 15th September from 2pm. Distributors from Quantum Technology and European Eyewear will be displaying their wares! For further information, call Annette Godfrey-Magee or Marion Blazé on 9841 0807.

Mountbatten for Beginners

The exceptional Trevor Boyd is returning in term 4 for an exposé on the Mountbatten. This program will be suitable for beginners to the Mountbatten - integration aides, teachers, parents and VTs.
The program is as follows:
9.30-10.00 Registration and set up your Mountbatten
10.00-1.00 Mountbatten Basics with Trevor Boyd (includes a break for morning tea)
1.00-2.00 Order a sandwich for lunch if you wish to stay for the afternoon session
2.00-3.00 Production of Tactual Graphics - practical session with the SVRC Brailling Staff
Additional information:
When: Wednesday 14 November 2001
Where: Statewide Vision Resource Centre 360 Springvale Rd Donvale
Cost: There is no charge for the day - you can order and pay for lunch during Registration (or you can bring lunch from home).
BYO: Mountbatten brailler
RSVP: 9841 0242

RVIB Seminar: Mainstream or Special Schools, Flexible Options for Students

When: 14 September 2001, 8.45am to 4.00pm
Where: RVIB School Centre, 333 Burwood Hwy, Burwood
Cost: $70 (includes lunch)
Topics: flexible inclusion including transition from special school to mainstream; dual enrolments; partnerships with special and mainstream schools, access to mainstream curriculum, multidisciplinary approach, assessment procedures.
Further information: Rachel Grealy 9808 6422

Space Camp 2001

By the time you receive this edition of The Bulletin, 8 lucky students and 3 equally lucky Visiting Teachers will be about to jet off to the USA for an experience of a lifetime. Here are several exciting adventures we have planned: If you would like reports as they come to hand, please email or call me and I will forward our news!

A Truly Excellent Space Site (Complete with Space Camp) for Kids

One of our Space Camp mums and her class found a great Space site - The Discovery Channel Kid's website. It has a virtual tour of the international space station (in your own virtual space suit), and you can go for a virtual space walk (different missions to complete each day!), track the location of the Space Station at this very minute, and see heaps of interesting space-related photographs. You'll find it at http://kids.discovery.com/KIDS/space/space.html/.

How to Make Word Templates

Document templates can be handy for setting up letter headers and footers, and forms. Leanne Nagel has designed a file face sheet form, using Word and adding tables to fill in. Once happy with the document, click Save As, and in the "Save as Type" box, click Document Template. Next time you open a new document (File > New) your template will be available alongside the Normal template and other Windows ones. If you don't want to start a template from scratch, you can open a Windows template, edit it and save it as your own template.

Variety Club Fundraiser: 'Vids 4 Kids'

On Saturday 15th September, Block Buster Video is running a fundraising activity of behalf of the Variety Club. For each video hired that day, Block Buster will donate $1 to the Variety Club. The Variety Club often provides financial support to students with vision impairments - for example, over the years they have donated funding for several Mountbatten braillers etc. They have also made a generous donation to Space Camp 2001. So - if you find yourself looking for something to do on Saturday 15th, go and hire a video - and support Variety!

Excursion to the Local High School

Sarah is a senior student at Belmore School. Sarah and her Visiting Teacher Leanne Nagel recently planned a trip to Koonung Secondary College. Sarah used her computer and organisation skills to arrange the trip, printing out permission letters to Sarah's mum, Sarah's school Principal and Ben's mum. The trip went really well. Ben's Home Economics teacher and Assistant welcomed Sarah and gave her a work station and ingredients to make Chocolate Chip Cookies. Other students at Koonung were really friendly and chatted with Sarah and Ben. Leanne took digital photos during the trip, and plans to produce a Power Point presentation with Sarah's help, as a memento of Sarah's lovely day.

VT PD Day 13th August - Notes from Trevor Boyd's Presentation prepared by Lea Nagel, Visiting Teacher

Quantum's Trevor Boyd introduced Michael Williams, who has started working in the Cheltenham office, and is a Jaws expert. He then gave us a rundown on some of the software packages available through Quantum, and left copies of demonstration disks at the SVRC.
Michael may be contacted with questions about Jaws on 03 95858577. Michael's email address is mwilliams@quantech.com.au/.

Read and Write 5 by textHELP

www.texthelp.com

Jaws for Windows 3.7

Open Book 5.0

Window Eyes

ZoomText

MAGic 8.0

BigShot Screen Magnifier

Connect Outloud

Kurzweil Reading System

WordSmith

Trevor advised us that when purchasing software, if you keep the serial number from the box, you can get upgrades with most programs.

Some of the programs work well together; for example the latest version of Jaws and Magic will work together.

Always register any software purchased as you may need support or upgrades at a later date.

Where possible download or find the demonstration software to trail with the student and school before any purchase is made.

This is only some of the software available so please do not hesitate to contact Michael or Trevor if you have any questions.

Low Vision Focus: Radio Program

The Lions Low Vision initiative has developed a weekly radio segment which is designed to heighten awareness of vision loss, the importance of referral to low vision services and the scope of those services, among people with low vision, their families, carers etc. The program is designed to interest those with moderate vision loss and those newly experiencing low vision. However, as there are many parallels to the needs of blind people, Low Vision Focus will also be of interest to many of those who have a more severe vision impairment. Low Vision Focus can be heard via Victorian RPH network each Monday at 10.30am on:
1179 AM in Melbourne
101.7 FM in Albury/Wodonga
88.7 FM in Bendigo
107.5 FM in Mildura
100.1 FM in Shepparton
We have a CD containing the first five programs which began on 6th August at the SVRC - please call if you would like to borrow the CD.

Ten Pin Bowling: To Represent Australia in Finland

The following was sent by Peter Rickards, Vision Australia Foundation.
The national qualifying "roll-off" for eligible B1, B2, and B3 ten pin bowlers will be held in their own bowling centres on the weekend of Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December 2001. Entry forms will require all of the bowler's details including classification, league handicap, centre and league.  These forms will be available in September. B1 players will be required to wear an approved blind fold.
On receipt of the forms and scores the Australian Blind Sports Federation committee will then select a squad of players to attend a national training camp. This camp will be held in February and will probably be held in the state with the greatest number in the squad.
The national training camp will involve trial games and coaching to enable an Australian team to be selected. This team will compete at the first World Blind Ten Pin championships in Helsinki Finland at the 36-lane Tall Bowling Stadium 12 to 16 June 2002.
WA Blind Ten Pin Bowling Association is now on line with their own Website http://www.apiary.boltpages.com/.

Braille Games

The wonderful Texas School for the Blind website is full of interesting and useful information and good ideas. Braille games can be found at http://www.tsbvi.edu/education/brlf-games.htm/. Specifically written for Braille FUNdamentals, the games described on this webpage can easily be adapted. The games are grouped into: Below are some examples. If you would like a printout of the whole list, please call the SVRC.

Balloon Burst:

This is a game for students who are not afraid of balloons or loud sounds. Insert letters, contractions or words in balloons. Inflate & knot. Ask the students to sit on the balloon, pop it and read the word.

Clothespin Clip:

Letters, contractions or words are placed around a cardboard circle. A set of clothespins has the same letters, contractions or words. Students match the clothespins to the letters, contractions or words on the card. Variations: Students hang the letters, contractions or words on a clothesline with the matching clothespin.

Rope Race:

Attach the rope in two different spots on a classroom and affix letters, contractions or words along the rope. Student travels along the rope and reads the words. Students can race each other or race against the clock.

Blocktoss:

Put a braille letter on each side of a block. The student tosses the block & reads the letter/configuration. If correct, they earn a point. A student needs all 6 points to win.

Car Camp 2001

The following report was prepared by one of our Car Campers, Kat - apologies for not including this report in an earlier edition of The Bulletin. It can also be found (in full colour) at www.svrc.vic.edu.au/carcamp2001.html:
It's time again, time for some fun. A group or wonderful visiting teachers and their students were up at the Charlton Driving Course for 2 days. We all met at Woodend at the Piccadilly Café, before continuing on to Charlton. We didn't check into the motel right away, first having lunch, either that we had brought, or at the Milk Bar. From there we went to the driving course, where we met our instructors, then we chose our cars.
Although there were the 'typical women drivers' (myself included) that just had to see how fast the cars could go, everything went smoothly and safely. Both days we drove Toyota Corollas, which were blue, white and green. Even though it was a tight squeeze with four student to each car, we all had fun. As always, in a manual car, we stalled time after time, but actually made it around the course quite well.
As always, we surprised the instructors and teachers, by doing quite unexpected things during the breaks, as well as in the car, with our immaculate control of the cars. On the second day, we took up the challenge of the obstacle course, winding in and out through the cones, reversing around the figure 8, and hoping that we would be the team to win. During the evening we played a few games, Uno and Trivia, coming up with very interesting answers to the trivia section. Also we were lucky enough to be celebrating two birthdays, Ryan Styles and our instructor, Bernadette.
As always, it was a wonderful experience for all involved, thanks to the staff at the Charlton Motel, our very brave instructors and the wonderful Visiting Teachers. Thank you all for making everything possible!

Manningham School Holiday Program

Manningham Aged and Disability Support Services will be conducting a school holiday program at Bulleen Heights Special School and Heatherwood School during the September/October school holidays. Activities will include art and craft, bowling, and visits to Plaster Fun House, Soundhouse at the Victorian Arts Centre, Werribee Zoo and Chesterfield Farm. For further details, contact Tanya Borg on 0407 745 086 or fax 9842 4169.

French Talk Show Leaves Stars in the Dark

Here is an email from the AERNET discussion group sent by Terri Lynne Pomeroy on 3 May 2001:
You may recall earlier this year, we reported on a new Swiss restaurant which invites guest to eat in the dark and experience blindness in a social setting. This idea has now been taken up and developed by a hit French TV show, "le Goût du Noir" ("The Taste of Darkness") reports the Times newspaper.
Hosted by blind journalist, Sophie Massieu, the show is based on an experiment to give the sighted a feeling for the world of blind people. Along the way it has stripped the façade from a number of big egos; disorientated guests struggle to maintain their dignity while dining and debating issues of the day. Thanks to infra-red cameras and lighting, the viewers see everything. One of the themes of the show is for the guests to identify each other before a candle is lit theatrically at the end. One pair failed the recognition test even though they had dined together the previous evening. "It is because people are not used to paying attention to voices. People put all the weight on appearance" explains Ms Massieu.
Ms Massieu, whose own ease in the dark underscores the clumsiness and discomfort of the guests, says that the show is a great leveler, but that the aim is to remove barriers rather than merely making fools of celebrities.
"What I've discovered is the way that people show faces which are different from their public ones" she says. "We find that extroverts become shy and nervous, and vice versa with introverts. People are getting used to the show, but the first guests said 'thank you very much' because they had never seen their real images."

Vietnam Study Tour

Murray Osler (formerly principal of Carronbank School) and now employed by Spectrum Holidays is running a Vietnam Study Tour in July 2002. If you would like further information call him on 9877 3322 or 0413 732999

Space Information from the Herald Sun

The Herald Sun recently ran a series of liftouts regarding the Space Program. There were 12 issues in total - and they were colourful and full of information! If you missed out, and want to order back issues, call (03) 9292 1073.

SVRC: 'Chickabees' Available in Braille

The Chickabees are going to take the world by storm with their great songs. They're going to be the VERY best. But first they must deal with SpLice, the rival group at school, formed by their arch enemy and teacher's pet, Meg.
SpLice are ruthless. And very organised. They already have a gig. When SpLice steals the Chickabees' first ever song, the fight is on ...
Call the SVRC if you would like to read on (in braille)!

Physics Via Screen Readers and Rubber Bands

This article appeared in the May 2001 edition of E-Access about one of the world's leading blind physicists, Kent Cullers - please call if you would like a printout of the entire article or go to http://businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/may2001/nf20010516_176.htm/.
Cullers, senior researcher at the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute in California, uses both new and old technologies to help him in his work, ranging from raised-line drawing kits using rubber bands and wax to the latest in Braille pads and screen readers.
To get his ideas across graphically, Cullers uses a simple, raised-line drawing kit developed for blind people. These kits could be made up of small stakes and rubber bands or thin lines of wax. He has used these drawings to convey ideas for designs of new telescope systems. Some of Cullers' diagrams are 30 years old, and they're wrapped in tightly sealed plastic bags to prevent them from fragmenting.
On the other end of the spectrum, Cullers loves "carrying around technologies." He uses two computers: a portable Windows laptop and a BrailleNote, a small computer the size of a mini-notebook that runs on WindowsCE and has a tactile input and output interface. "I can do all of my word processing, mathematics, e-mails, and other activities," says Cullers. The BrailleNote can connect to other Windows computers via serial or parallel ports as well as through PC cards and infrared ports. It has a built-in modem that makes it easy to log on to the Internet through a standard phone line. Cullers also likes using a text-to-speech program on his Windows laptop. But sometimes software conflicts cause the program to read text Cullers isn't interested in. When this occurs, he goes back to the BrailleNote.
To do his number-crunching, Cullers uses a Braille code of mathematics, called the Nemeth Code. This system allows any print mathematical representation to be mapped into a tactile format. Cullers often builds his own specialized computer programs to help determine what type of computer system will be required to analyze radio signals and build radio telescopes.
For Cullers, blindness is a small obstacle. "My blindness isn't a disability for me. It is an annoyance," he says. "I may not be able to drive a car, but that's insignificant compared to my work and my family." Insignificant indeed. Few have done more to further the search for intelligent life beyond earth. His story shows the spectacular potential for assistive technology to give a clearer, stronger voice to many people whose disabilities, in another era, might have masked their brilliance.

Student Work: by Nathaniel

Grade 1 brailling student Nathaniel from rural Victoria recently wrote the following for 'story writing'. He likes ferries, unicorns, camels and horses - read on if you'd like to find out why!
I like ferrys bekos ferrys are byouterfll. I like yoonerkons bekos yoonirckons have majick silver hons. I like camls bekos camls rock like a rocking hoes. I like hosos bekos they have rayns.

How To Download Clip Art from the Web

Texts for 2001

Please start chasing your schools for texts for 2002 - especially if your students require them in braille!

Chocolate Money

Can you please get your outstanding chocolate money in as soon as possible - and thanks to everyone who contributed in any way, however small, to our fundraising efforts!

Guide Dog Association of Victoria (GDAV)

We hope all Visiting Teachers received a copy of the Guide Dog Association of Victoria produced booklet "Orientation and Mobility Booklet for Visiting Teachers". We would welcome comments regarding the booklet and any modifications or improvements.

GDAV Orientation and Mobility for Country Kids 3-7 December 2001

This program is a based at the Guide Dog Association of Victoria Training Centre in Kew and offers an opportunity for students from country Victoria to participate in an Orientation and Mobility designed to meet each student's individual needs.
Programs will vary according to individual needs but may incorporate consolidation of road crossing skills and use of public transport.
Applications close Friday 9 November 2001.
Contact: Dean Johnson or Rachel Morgan on 9854 4506

Staff News

I am happy to email The Bulletin each fortnight - it comes in e-three formats: Call or email to order your copy.

Here's an idea for the CV:

Have YOU ever wanted to write an edition of The Bulletin? Edition 16 is looking for a creator/compiler/constructor. If that is you, please contact:
Deb Lewis (who can be emailed at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au or phoned on 9841 0242).
 

S.P.E.V.I. South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment

COMBINED AGENCIES NETWORKING DAY

(ABN: 68 868 600 607)

Date: Monday 8th  October 2001
Venue: St. Paul's School
3 - 13 Fernhurst Grove, Kew
Melway Ref. 45 B6
Time: 9.00am
Cost: $20
Payment can be made on the day.
(Please note that registration includes morning tea and lunch.)
R.S.V.P. - by Wednesday 19th September:
Deb Lewis (SVRC) deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au ph. 9841-0242
Sandie Mackevicius (RVIB) mackesa@bwd.rvib.org.au ph. 9761-0011
Chris Thirkell (Carronbank) thirkell.christine.c@edumail.vic.gov.au ph. 9561-2536

COMBINED AGENCIES PROGRAM 8th October 2001

 8.30am-9.00am Registration

 9.00am-9.15am Welcome

 9.15am-10.30am Keynote Speaker - Patrick Loyer, Oculist

Latest Developments in Ocular Prosthesis.

10.30am-11.00am  Morning Tea

11.00am- 12.00am  Puberty

Christine Rodda - Head of Paediatric Endocrinology - Monash Medical Centre

12.00pm-1.00pm  Lunch

1.00pm-2.00pm Social Skills

Gillian Gale and Garry Stinchcombe

2.15pm-3.00pm  Inter-Agency Discussions

"Focus On" Social Skills 3.00pm-4.00pm Phil Swan -TAC - Fatigue

If you have something you would like included in The Bulletin, contact:

Deb Lewis (who can be emailed at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au)

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Web editor Lyn Robinson. Last updated July 2001
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