This issue was edited by Marion Blazé, Education Officer, Statewide Vision Resource Centre.
Don’t miss this chance to skill yourself up for 2007!!!
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.
From: Deb Lewis, Statewide Vision Resource Centre
As Lea Nagel reported in an edition of The Bulletin earlier this year, there is an acute shortage of qualified Visiting Teachers for the Vision Impaired throughout Victoria. No new teachers specialising in Vision Impairment have graduated since the demise of the course run by Gayle Lamb at Deakin University (Burwood Campus) well over 10 years ago. In addition to this, a large proportion of our current staff is fast reaching retirement age.
There is now a new course in Victoria!!!
Deakin University, in conjunction with the Statewide Vision Resource Centre, will offer two electives focussing on vision impairment in 2007 as part of its Master of Education (Special Educational Needs). The Master of Education (Special Education Needs) – course code E744P – is:
The Master of Education (Special Educational Needs) is designed for qualified teachers interested in employment in the area of Special Educational Needs. This course consists of eight credit points taken over one year of full-time study or up to three years of part-time study.
As a graduate of this course you will possess an understanding of contemporary
education issues and discourses; have high-level critical and evaluative skills;
translate into practice your experiences and understandings of inclusive educational
programs.
The Master of Education (Special Educational Needs) is an externally accredited
program that meets the requirements of the Department of Education and Training
Victoria and Victorian Institute of Teaching guidelines for special education.
To be awarded a Master of Education (Special Educational Needs), students are required to successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising:
The practicum units can be taken across a range of settings (including a Visiting Teacher – vision impairment placement). The requirements for these units comprise 15 days of supervised teaching experience, a supervised case study (15 days or equivalent) and 15 days of professional development activities eg: workshops and seminars related to special education (which can be undertaken at the Statewide Vision Resource Centre).
Applicants must apply directly to the University. To download the application
form, go to: http://www.deakin.edu.au/dsa/students/admissions/DeakinUniAppForm_web_110806.pdf
or contact Division of Student Administration - Student Information Centre for
an application form: (03) 9244 6333 or enquire@deakin.edu.au
For more details contact Lea Nagel, Senior Visiting Teacher: contact Lea Nagel:
0403 237 306 or van.der.nagel.leanne.n@edumail.vic.gov.au
ICEVI is a global association of individuals and non-governmental organisations that promotes equal access to appropriate education for all children and youth with vision impairments. The organisation was founded in the Netherlands in 1952, and currently has more than 4000 individuals and organisations in 170 countries actively involved in ICEVI-related activities.
The International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairments (ICEVI), Pacific region, has a new website at: http://www.icevipacific.org.au. There are regular newsletters posted.
Also, ICEVI is holding a two-day ‘Pacific Forum’ in Perth just prior to the SPEVI conference in Fremantle in January 2007.
Information about the Forum is attached to print copies of this Bulletin.
Thanks to Frances Gentle for this information.
A report from Lee Clarke and Helen Young is attached to the print copy of this Bulletin or go to: http://www.visiontech.svrc.vic.edu.au/spacecamp2006.htm. Looks like they had a ball!
Daniel from Barham NSW travelled with chaperone and NSW vision teacher, Helen Dann to Space Camp at NASA Rocket Center Alabama USA in September for the experience of his life.
A late decision on ability to attend due to HSC study and costs, meant we could not link up with the Victorian students and chaperones for the trip. But we certainly got to know them while at space camp.
We flew via New Zealand as it cost less but took longer. We spent one very interesting day at Texas School for the Blind in Texas before Space Camp. Daniel met another Victorian, Sam, while there and as well as sitting in on some great lessons, they were able to play Goal Ball that evening with some of the students from the school.
The week proved the value of students having a chance to meet daunting challenges with others who were blind or visually impaired who supported and motivated them. The development of team spirit was inspiring to observe. The opportunity to meet and interact with students from America, Canada and Ireland as well as bonding with other Australian students including Victorians and one from Queensland, was very valuable.
A drive into Tennessee, a visit to Russell Cave (inhabited by humans for 10,000 years) with a cousin met for the first time, was an interesting trip to experience a bit more of the USA. We even had lunch in Chatanooga. Our final day in San Francisco we visited the Golden Gate Bridge (longest suspension bridge in the world) and the prison Alcatraz. Then there was the long flight home.
An experience to be remembered and valued for a long time!
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, Tertiary Education Consultant, Vision Australia by phone on 03 9520 5555 or 1300 847 466; or via email to Renee.williamson@visionaustralia.org
WYNN’s new features provide greater interaction with electronic versions of textbooks encouraging more successful reading and learning for people with learning disabilities.
Using WYNN 5.1 students can read DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) and NIMAS formatted books. Textbooks can be spoken aloud, and can be visually customized for each individual’s needs. WYNN also provides the study tools students are accustomed to using, such as highlighting, bookmarks, and dictionaries. WYNN integrates all these tools into one unique solution.
WYNN 5.1 users may also access all standard WYNN features which include:
Not forgetting that WYNN comes bundled with the Freedom Import Printer. Load an image file that contains text, eg a PDF file, and WYNN can convert it to a readable text file.
To catch up with all the new features of WYNN 5.1 go to http://www.freedomscientific.com.
For a demo disk of WYNN 5.1 and pricing information, contact Quantum Technology on (02) 8844 9888 or info@quantumtechnology.com.au
Attached to this Bulletin is an article about Christine and John Simpson, two adults with vision impairments who share with us how they ‘manage’ their kitchen and dinner parties. It says (in part):
Christine Sipmson loves throwing a dinner party. And the fact sne's totally blind has proved no barrier. Ms Simpson and husband John, who has low vision, have pulled offf dinner parties even the most capable full-sighted host would be envious ofm catering for up to 30 guests at a time in their Glen Iris home.
“The fact we've got vision impairments doesn't stop us doing what our neighbours are doing,” Ms Simpson said. She said careful planning and practical strategies were helping them enjoy a busy and independent life.
Talking kitchen scales and a liquid level indicator that sits on the edge of a cup or bowl and beeps when it nears full are among special devices used. But lateral thinking also plays a part. The tinned food is stacked in alphabetical order in the pantry. The jam jar with an earlier use-by-date has a rubber band around to ensure it's finished before the jar with the later date.
I am surprised how well I took the transition from grade six at primary school to year seven at secondary school at the beginning of this year. Having a supportive family, friends, VT, teachers and school really helps though.
At the end of term four 2005 my soon-to-be school (Diamond Valley College) bought a Braillenote and ScannaR for me. I use the Braillenote for every class except for maths, where I prefer to have a hard copy. I don’t know how I would be if I didn’t have them.
Before I had the Braillenote, I did all my work on either the Mountbatten Brailler or my laptop. Both had their good and bad points though. The laptop took a while to warm up and was a little bit slow, but it meant that the teachers could read my work as I did it. The brailler gave me a hard copy of my work and the teachers could read it when I printed it, but it was also noisy. The Braillenote, however, is much quieter and easy to use. Although I haven’t done this yet, you can connect the Braillenote to a computer; therefore the teacher can read it as you work. It can also print and emboss work.
The ScannaR is handy when teachers, although it doesn’t happen to me
very often, forget to prepare my work.
I enjoy talking to other Braillenote users to learn more things the Braillenote
can do and also learn better ways to do things I am already doing. Although
I haven’t used all the features on the Braillenote, I can’t wait
to use everything to the best of my and its ability.
Everything else, homework, keeping on top of school work, friends, learning my way around the school etc, has also gone really well for me.
I can’t wait to start year eight next year and I wish anyone starting year seven in 2007 good luck, I hope it goes as well for you as it has for me.
Lauren Gay, formerly a student on Eastern Region’s VT service, has just graduated from RMIT in Myotherapy. She has consulting rooms in Surrey Hills. For a consultation, call 0417 849 628. Well done, Lauren!
Thanks to Helen Dann, Cassie, Helen Caldow, Mike Steer, Frances Gentle, Lee Clarke and Helen Young 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).