This issue was edited by Marion Blazé, Education Officer, Statewide Vision Resource Centre.
For the complete list of 2006 activities and where available downloadable programs, 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 remember to register: tel (03) 9841 0242, fax (03) 9841 0878 or email svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au
We have set tentative dates for two exciting new workshops on the two days before the EXPO. After the success of Leona Holloway’s workshop at the SPEVI day, she has offered to run a longer workshop on the new Braille code. Also, after the success of our Skill Power program for students in 2005, we have decided to offer a Skill Power day for VTs, aides, teachers, parents – this one is a workshop on teaching kids to use the Jaws software. Leanne Nagel has generously agreed to run this workshop. BYO laptop, of course. See dates above and more details within this Bulletin.
Are you ready to start thinking about next year? Well we are and we’ve already set dates for our PD program for 2007. For your handy reference, these dates are available here. Of course there will also be half-day workshops to add in later. Stick this page in your 2007 diary as soon as you have one. If you’re a real teacher, you won’t be able to wait to get your coloured highlighters out and fill in your year planner and diary dates for the whole of 2007!!! Start the year right!!
Last year we ran a ‘Skill Power’ program for students. This year we want to empower YOU. These are two days (three if you count Expo) which Visiting Teachers should not miss. We’ve put these days in the one week in case there are people who want to come and stay overnight in Melbourne. If this isn’t the best arrangement for you, please let us know and we’ll try (??) to make it work for the majority or think about our program for next year. Of course, these workshops are open to VTs aides, parents or teachers, but are not really directed toward students.
You might remember from the last Bulletin, that Annette came back from a conference in Sydney all fired up to share new ideas on developing the skills our kids need post school. We will definitely share this with you through our PD next year, but if you would like some holiday reading by way of Dr Karen Wolffe’s article, let us know and we’ll post or email you a copy. Here is the first paragraph to whet your appetite.
“This article is based on a presentation given at the 1999 Texas AER conference. The presentation focused on the essential elements of successful programming for preparing children and youth with visual disabilities for life and adult responsibilities. There are numerous skills that all young people must master, in order to leave school prepared to contribute to their communities and participate fully in life activities. A youngster with a visual disability who masters the skills outlined here will be ready to meet those demands.”
The Australian Paralympic Committee is again looking for talent to maybe go to Beijing in 2008. Sporting tests will be conducted at the Warrnambool Stadium (The Arc), Caramut Road, Warrnambool from 10am to 2pm on November 11. For further information, contact Tim Matthews on (03) 9614 6800. A fact sheet and registration page are included with the print copy of The Bulletin.
Quantum Technology have extended the deadline for applications for this year’s scholarship!!!
If you are a student or you know someone planning on full-time university, TAFE or college studies in 2007 and an Australian or New Zealand citizen who is blind or vision impaired this is the scholarship for you.
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 and enquiries 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 1 December 2006, and winners will be notified by e-mail and announced in the next edition of LiveWire. Good Luck!
Article by Scott Freeman, Humanware Low Vision Consultant
The myReader has certainly had a great impact on the low vision community
since it’s release. No more so than for one family in Bell Post Hill,
Geelong.
Jane was one of the original Victorian users of the myReader and
thanks to the generous contribution of the Variety Children’s Charity, her two
children Jacob and Kate now have myReader’s of their own at school.
Jacob and Kate attend Rollins Primary School and are in grades three and one respectively. The myReader’s are set up in the classroom and allow Jacob and Kate to read, write and draw at a level and speed which would be unattainable without the use of low vision equipment.
Jane explains the impact myReader has for her two children.
“It has improved their work a lot. The myReader allows them to do things more easily and to feel independent. They don’t have to have work blown up and can work at a similar pace to the others.”
The beauty of the myReader with children of this age is that it can support them as their workload increases. The myReader started out primarily as a writing and drawing aid for Jacob and Kate, which they used to do small amounts of reading with. As they get older and there is a shift towards reading greater volumes of text, the myReader’s auto-reading and scrolling abilities will be utilised.
The myReader is more ‘fun’ than anything at the moment for Jacob and Kate, but the serious developmental impact it will have will be felt through to the end of their schooling and beyond.
Scott Freeman can be contacted on (03) 9855 2365 or mobile 0413 993 265
Excerpts from an article by Bronwyn Davies, Quantum Technology
There are 42 million people in the world who are blind. Approximately 90% live in developing countries and constitute one of the world’s most invisible and poorest minorities. For all blind people, braille remains the foundation of written communication and is a true literacy medium that cannot be replaced by computer speech or listening.
Jot-a-Dot is an exciting new concept in braille writing that uses modern design principles and fabrication methods to achieve a robust, small braille writing tool suitable for all blind people. Developed in Australia by specialist manufacturer Quantum Technology, it represents an investment in the future and importance of braille.
Jot-a-Dot is a truly portable device weighing in at just 350g (12 oz). It has a regular braille keyboard that has been designed to fit a wide variety of hand sizes, and incorporates excellent ergonomics.
Very young children can use it for scribbling before they begin formal education, as well as using it to jot down quick notes right through their school years. Many adults use Jot a Dot for the myriad of small notes that sighted people will jot down on a piece of paper, such as a phone number, reminder, or receipt number when paying bills over the phone.
Existing braille writing tools such as the slate and stylus etc are still providing valuable service, however Jot-a-Dot is the first device in a very long time that offers alternatives and options for the simple act of writing a note.
Jot-a-Dot (shown right being used by a young student) has been designed to withstand many different environments and it is hoped that it will also be useful in developing countries where braille writing options are often non-existent.
For further information visit http://www.jotadot.com/
Contact: Bronwyn
Davies
Email: bdavies@quantumtechnology.com.au
Phone: (02) 8844 9888
In issue 12 of The Bulletin I noted that there was a new pen available for the Mimio – these pens are not designed for use with the software that is being used by our students (sorry if this led to confusion).
Mimio parent company Virtual Ink is, however, looking for feedback as to how
the software could be improved to assist students with vision impairments so
please send your feedback to Peter Goldie at IBS Audio Visual:
11 Florence
St, Burwood 3125
Tel (03) 9888 8987 or 0425 710 789
http://www.ibsav.com.au/
Have a look at this website. Bianca is a teenager with albinism and has set up her own terrific website. She offers a description of how she sees, information about albinism, photos Q&As and her parents’ point of view. There’s even a page of photographs of albino animals and a section on how albinos have been depicted in movies. Very interesting stuff. Just type Bianca albino into your search engine or go to http://home.clara.net/knowlton/family/Albinism/bianca.htm.
Information provided by Sue Coull, Principal, Vision Australia School
The Vision Australia School, which is part of the Burwood Education Services, is still accepting enrolments for the 2007 school year. A variety of flexible short and long term enrolment options for children who are blind or vision impaired are offered including:
Expressions of interest are invited from families, who are welcome to visit the school at any time by making an appointment with the Principal. Contact: Susan Coull (03) 9808 6422
http://www.brainpop.com/ - you can get a free 14 day trial. Lots of health and science stuff including about eyes. The movies work wonderfully digitally projected onto a whiteboard for the whole class to watch and discuss and to do the quizzes afterward.
You’ve all heard about Audio Description?? It’s where Movies, DVDs, Videos or Plays are given an audio track so that visual things are described to people with vision impairments. Well, there is now a newsletter which you can access through a website or have sent by email. It will keep you up to date with developments regarding this service. Go to http://www.audiodescription.com.au/.
The next Vision Australia Study Group for 2006 will be held on Wednesday 18th October 2006. Bookings are essential so please RSVP to advise whether you wish to attend.
Topic: “Methods for reading using alternative
formats”
Time: 1.30 - 4pm
Venue: 201
High Street Prahran in the Board Room
For more information, feel free to
contact Renee Williamson, Tertiary Education Coordinator on (03) 9520
5555.
Vision Australia, 201 High Street, PRAHRAN VIC 3181, Ph: 9520 5555,
Fax: 9521 3685
Email: renee.williamson@visionaustralia.org,
Web: http://www.visionaustralia.org/
Sean , star of page 3 in The Age Education Supplement 09.10.06, is a little boy with CHARGE association and he is becoming a real trail blazer when it comes to innovative programs. Not only has his school, St Anne’s Primary School in Seaford, won the ER Noble Award for advancing opportunities and options for deaf people, but the Frankston City Council has given the school a grant to establish an Auslan play group. This school community has embraced Sean with his unique educational needs with enthusiasm and creativity. St. Anne’ s also provides an Auslan coffee club, where parents can learn to communicate with Sean, so when he attends other children’s birthday parties all know how to communicate with him.
Fairhills SC requires an integration aide with brailling skills – time fraction can be negotiated. Please call Barbara Forehan on 0412 302023.
Thanks to Renée Williamson, Mike Steer, Annette Godfrey-Magee, Scott Freeman, Bronwyn Davies, Sue Coull and Geoff Bowen for contributing to this edition of The Bulletin. Thanks also to my fabulous proof-readers, stuffers and mailers.
Marion Blazé (who can be emailed at marionblaze@svrc.vic.edu.au).