The following issue of The Bulletin was prepared by Deb Lewis (Statewide Vision Resource Centre) with assistance from Brett Sargeant (Statewide Vision Resource Centre) and Lea Nagel (Visiting Teacher, Eastern Region).
Inside This Issue
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:
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
Access Expo 2001
Thursday 25th/Friday 26th 9.00am-5.00pm Saturday 27th 9.30am-4.00pm
October
Entry $5.00 or 3 day pass is $8.00
Independent Living Solutions at the Royal Exhibition Buildings, Nicholson
St Carlton.
For more information go to Web: www.paraquad.asn.au
Email: theteam@paraquad.asn.au
Tel 03 9415 1212 1800805384 Fax 03 9415 1222
Texts for 2002 (Christmas is coming and time is running
out!)
Please start chasing your schools for texts for 2002 - especially if
your students require them in braille!
Space Camp 2001: Report from those who recently returned!
For those of you still wondering, yes we did go to Space Camp, USA
last month. Flying out a mere 5 days after the events of 11 September,
we were lucky that our flight was only delayed 5 ½ hours! Nervous
parents and friends who watched us walk though the doors at the Melbourne
international terminal were probably filled with trepidation - and I admire
their trust in their children and in the three chaperones that they let
us go at all!
Here is an excerpt from an email (with the creative spelling corrected
for your reading pleasure) from one of our Space Camper, Bry, to give you
a sense of the beginning of our journey:
HEY HEY! We are spending the first few days at LA and we are staying
in Anaheim doing the Disneyland thing! And it is so so so so so much fun!
I got to have a personal audience with Snow White and I got HEEPS of hugs!
Link
to Bry and Snow White. And she told me that I was her friend and for
the rest of the day when ever I saw her, she like waved and said, "hello,
it's my friends, look!!". I went on Space Mountain four times in one day
it's like this roller coaster in the dark with heaps of stars all around
you and it goes really fast and you are pushed to two places at once like
down and diagonally and wow the Gs on that one, let me tell you!!! I went
on it twice in the morning and then twice for the last thing we did and
after that I felt rather ill so I decided that maybe that wouldn't be something
that I would choose to do in the future. I also went on Indiana Jones and
squeezed this guy Michael's hand so hard that my nails made him bleed!
It was a bit scary but heaps of fun! I have had my photo taken with nearly
every Disney character. Like Pluto, Mini, Mickey, Belle, Aladdin, Captain
Cook, Ezmerelda and HEEPS of others!
I went to California Adventures which is the other Disney park next
door and went on California Screemin' which is a roller coaster so high
you can see half of it from our hotel and it has a loop around Mickey Mouse's
head. I actually lost my glasses on it the first time we went on! And Deb
was amazed that I caught them under my foot! But the real fun came when
we went back to Disneyland yesterday afternoon and I got selected to participate
in the Parade of the Stars, which is the biggest daily event in Disneyland!
I got to dance with penguins behind Mickey and Mini Mouse! We walked danced
screamed waved and blew kisses to the audience for half an hour walking
across the park! We also got to see the back lot of Disneyland! That was
awesome too! We got to meet all the characters in the parade up close before
they went on!
Today we went to Downtown Disney, which is just a shopping thingi!
I have gone shockingly over budget and the full length Snow White costume
which I tried on today for fun was tempting me to have no money left! I
am having a fantastic time despite some low points that have come with
sickness and things of other group members. I am safe and happy and am
getting up at 2 am on Friday morning to go to Space Camp!
Need More Pics?
LOTS more pictures from Space Camp can be found on the internet. GO
TO: http://www.tsbvi.edu/space
THEN TO: SCIVIS 2001 Messages and Photos
THEN TO: Messages home OR Australia Pictures
Magic Wand or Useful Tool?
Report by Brett Sargeant
This article appeared in issue 2/2001 of On-line about one of the how
technology can assist students with special needs, by Paul Duhs, Adaptive
Technology Services - please call if you would like a printout of the entire
article.
Attending school every day has been a challenging activity, but for
students with a disability of any degree the number of possible challenges
seems to be higher for both student and teacher. This does not exclude
anyone from having the ability to learn. My grade 6 English tutor Melinda
Smith, has written two books, and taught us using a punch tape communicator.
While Steve Hawkins is a leading scientist is physics. Both these people
are restricted to a wheel chair, and are both leaders in their areas of
expertise.
Technology has come a long way for all students, from the slide rule
to the calculator. And likewise these advances have helped those students
with a disability to join in with the every day class, and experience classroom
learning and activities. From software that turns text into an electronic
voice, to enlarged text and modified keyboards and calculators.
Lets not forget that like any thing that we do in our life the 6P's.
Prior Planning Prevents P--- Poor Performance. The potential of any piece
of equipment can only be gauged against the situation it is going used
in. The same way a bikini can have little value in the snow. Often we give
a student a new piece of technology and expect them to use it straight
away. We must give any student the opportunity to learn the new and extra
skill before adapting it to further their learning, thus the access to
education.
In the same way we buy any car, toaster or washing machine, we must
ask, "are the needs of the student being met?" because if it doesn't suit
it is not doing its job. There are many places to go but here are two web
sites that might help the process in planning to use the technology. The
first, "SETTing the Stage for Success: Building success through effective
selection and use of assistive technology systems" by Joy Zabala http://sac.uky.edu/~jszaba0/SETT2.html
The second, "Assistive Technology Assessment: more than the device"
by Andrew R. Beigel http://www.Idonline.org/_indepth/technology/at_assessmnet.html
Where does the teacher go for help?
Fortunately, or unfortunately there is huge number of people that can
provide assistance, from parent to visiting teacher to nurses and teaching
aides. Make sure that you use all of your resources, and to ensure you
closely involve the parents, to ensure you get the best possible advice
before deciding what is the best for the student.
The list of technological aides is numerous, and the decision will
not be easy, but with this small piece of technology and a bit of hard
work on the part of the student and the teacher the education of the student
is the thing that will benefit.
Rubber Coated Monoculars
For sale at Big W until 20th October (we think?)
For $17.00
Many thanks to Di Bennett
SPEVI Combined Agencies Day
Report by Leanne Nagel, Visiting Teacher
This SPEVI Combined Agencies Day was probably the best yet. The speakers
were all fascinating and varied. Networking was in full swing, with participants
using the break times to get together in an informal setting.
Patrick Loyer brought some eye prostheses to show us, and described
how he painstakingly designs and paints prosthetic eyes, making them fit
perfectly. The information he shared was gripping, but his manner and the
way in which he obviously respects and cares for his patients was evident.
Christine Rodda was very informative about puberty, what to expect,
and what can be done when puberty doesn't happen at the typical time. A
very small number of children may experience puberty from pre-school age,
and some may not experience it naturally at all. The treatment is very
individual, and as least invasive as possible.
Gillian Gale and Gary Stinchcombe showcased a new video and book series
out from America, "Focused on: Social Skills", available from the American
Foundation for the Blind. Gary stressed the importance of social skills
for people with low vision, and who are blind, reminding us that there
are no braille mirrors - we as educators of the vision impaired need to
provide feedback to our students about their social skills. Participants
proceeded in groups to attempt the impossible, and design a social skills
program for students described in case studies.
The 3.00 to 400 time slot is always a bit of a trick at a PD day, but
Phil Swan from the TAC was the man for the job! He gave an energetic, insightful
presentation clearly describing our need for sleep, and the dangers of
trying to function without enough sleep. This was particularly poignant
for VT's who spend hours per week on the road. After 17 hours without sleep,
reflexes and ability to learn are the same as if your blood alcohol reading
is .05, after 24 hours: 0.1. The microsleep is the biggest danger. Without
knowing it, a tired person can seem awake, but be snatching up to 10 seconds
of sleep time. I doubt any of Phil's audience were microsleeping during
Phil's presentation!
Thanks once again to St Paul's School for the venue and delicious lunch.
Victorian Association for Parents of Children with a Vision
Impairment Meeting
The recently formed Victorian Association for Parents with a Vision
Impairment is meeting to elect office bearers this month. This self-help
organization will be specific to the needs of families of children with
vision impairments. The Group will be able to support families early in
diagnosis, provide information, and refer them to any specialist support
groups. In addition they hope to be a voice for their children's needs
throughout their educational life.
When: 25 October 2001 7pm to 8pm
Where: RVIB 333 Burwood Hwy, Burwood (Mel 61 D6)
See below for further details regarding the meeting.
If you would like to be added to their data base, access to which will
be by committee members only, please call Michael Siles Deb Lewis (9841
0242) or for a print or email copy of the form. Note: this form is attached
to the print version of The Bulletin.
Contact: Michael or Ingrid Siles on 03 98490900 Email misiles@netspace.net.au
if you have any queries.
"An Evening To Remember": Ormond Hall Concert 2001
This biennial concert provides a showcase of musical talent from Victorian
students who are blind or vision impaired.
Ticket sales directly fund the Rebecca Ryan Memorial Scholarships.
These scholarships are worth $500 each, and are presented to performers
at the concert who show a high degree of interest and commitment to music.
What: An Evening To Remember"
Where: Ormond Hall, Moubray Street, Prahran
When: 7:30pm, Friday 19th October 2001
Tickets: $22.00 adults; $16.50 Child / concession; $66.00 family (2
adults & 2 children)
(Tickets are GST inclusive)
Please contact the RVIB Burwood Education Centre on (03) 9808 6422
to book tickets.
Tickets can be collected on the night of the Concert, from the ticket
desk at Ormond Hall.
RVIB Further Education Bursary 2002
Applications are now open for the RVIB Further Education Bursary. The
Bursary is an award of adaptive technology up to the value of $4500. It
assists Victorians who are blind and vision impaired to participate successfully
in higher education.
Adaptive technology can eliminate many of the barriers faced by people
who are blind and vision impaired in education. The RVIB Further Education
Bursary assists people for whom the cost of adaptive technology is prohibitive.
Students of any age can apply to the Bursary. All applicants must demonstrate
a need for financial assistance and the potential for academic success.
Applicants must also be resident in Victoria and intending to enrol in
their first year of tertiary study at or above a Certificate IV
level in 2002.
For more information about the Bursary or to ask for an application
form
please contact RVIB Education Consultant Sean Tyrell on (03) 9520 5532
or email: tyrelse@rvib.org.au/.
RVIB Support Skills Try Day
The Try Day is for prospective students wishing to attend the RVIB
Support Skills Program or Residential Training Program in 2002.
Who is the Support Skills Program for: students with vision impairments
in grade 3 to year 10
What is the Support Skills Program: focuses on the unique curriculum
needs of students with vision impairments and provides a positive learning
environment which encourages peer networking and social development
See the attached flier (in the print copy of The Bulletin) or call
RVIB for further details.
When: Friday 16 November 2001, 9.30 am to 1.00 pm
Where: RVIB Education Centre, 333 Burwood Hwy, Burwood
RSVP by 1 November 2001
Contact Garry Stinchcombe - Special Courses Teacher (Tel: 9808 6422)
for further information.
Software Review: The Kurzweil ScanRead v5.0
Review by Lea Nagel, Visiting Teacher, Eastern Metropolitan Region
The Kurzweil ScanRead is Optical Character Recognition software that
accurately recognises scanned print and can read it out. You need a computer
with plenty of available Random Access Memory, speakers, and a scanner
to make it work. It includes a very user friendly word processor, which
can speak as you type, although there was a delay before each word was
spoken which I found distracting. This feature would be great for slow
typists, or early literacy.
The software took about ten minutes to automatically load onto my laptop
computer from the CD and floppy disk. I was only able to load two voices:
an English female and an American female. The software is compatible with
a voice that you may already have on your computer. Manuals that accompany
the disks are simple to read, and include a quick reference guide booklet
with general operation briefly but clearly outlined, as well as a much
more detailed user's guide.
I scanned two pages: one from a children's book with a large picture
and some text, and another from a text book with columns of text and a
picture. Each scan took about one and a half minutes. The page was automatically
turned the right way up on my computer screen. I'm told that this software
can handle coloured text on coloured backgrounds - even black on red. The
program read the text almost perfectly, missing two full stops, and misreading
an L as an I. It scanned intelligently, skipping pictures and blotches,
and handling columns without trouble. Reading speed can be easily adjusted
from 50 to 600 words per minute without losing clarity.
Toolbars are really easy to use, and the icons are bold and simple
to decipher. There are shortcut key commands for all of the main functions
of the program, so that a blind user could effortlessly use the Kurzweil
once the settings had been adjusted to his or her needs. Two great features
are the 'speak buttons' and 'speak messages' functions that I found in
the tools menu, under options, general. With these enabled, the toolbar
information was read out as I hovered over or clicked on icons or menu
options.
The Kurzweil reads text continuously, beginning at the cursor. It can
highlight the current sentence in one colour and word in another. The default
is yellow sentences and green words, but these colours can be changed.
To hear the document read, click on Read, or press F3. The Read button
becomes the Pause button, or press F3 again to pause. F2 takes the cursor
back or F4 takes the cursor forward in pre-set units of your choice: word,
phrase, line, sentence, paragraph, heading or highlight. Layout of buttons
and F keys is logical.
There's a magnifier window that magnifies the spoken word at one word
per line. The size and colour of font as well as background within the
window can be altered to suit the user's needs.
But that's not all! The word processing features are very handy. There
is a really comprehensive dictionary, with an extensive list of synonyms,
which can be read out. Selected words can be spelled aloud, and pronounced
in syllables. Notes can be attached to scanned or word processed documents,
and text can be permanently highlit in a selection of four colours. There's
even a test taking mode, where options such as spelling and definitions
can be disabled.
In conclusion, the Kurzweil ScanRead software package is a very effective
tool for scanning and reading documents. It is easy to use with the mouse
or with key commands. Its features are excellent for people with low vision
or who are blind, as well as other people who have difficulty using print.
Australian Master Distributor offers support for JAWS
The following information was provided in a Press Release by Lexie
Henderson-Lancett 10th October 2001. Many of you will remember Michael
Williams, who attended our Term 3 Professional Development day with Trevor
Boyd:
Quantum Technology is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael
Williams to our Melbourne office. As the Master Distributor for Australia
of the range of Freedom Scientific products, Quantum Technology has an
obligation to service and support their range of products, especially the
popular screen reader software, JAWS.
Michael will take on the role of JAWS support person for Australia.
In this roll he is available for user support by phone and email. Michael
is also preparing a schedule of training seminars on JAWS that will roll-out
across Australia commencing in November 2001. Training sessions will be
available for both new and experienced users.
The recently released JAWS Version 4.0, is a new version of the world's
most powerful and popular screen reading software. It includes state-of-the-art
technology and options that provide superior Braille support for applications
such as Word, Excel and Power Point. Version 4.0 also includes new tools
for easier customisation, giving all users the opportunity to ensure JAWS
functions to meet their every-day needs.
This exceptional software package enables full access to computer technology
and software programs for blind people in the workforce, those at school
or in tertiary education, or simply using their computer for recreation
purposes. Popular amongst adult users, JAWS is highly suitable for school
children.
If you would like to know more about Quantum Technology training seminars
in JAWS please forward your details by email to info@quantech.com.au.
For help, call the Priority Support Hotline on 1300 791 777 (Mobiles not
included) or Melbourne 03 9585 8577, and talk to Michael Williams.
SPEVI 2003
12-17 January 2003 Radisson Resort, Gold Coast
Call Deb Lewis for details of this event.
World Sight Day
Hope that every one took notice of world sight day, Thursday 11th October
and its important message. "Don't lose sight of your vision", Regular eye
checks could save your eyes.
Staff News
If you have any articles or information you'd like to share, please contact:
Deb Lewis (who can be emailed at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au
or phoned on 9841 0242).
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