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

Inside This Issue

- SVRC Morning Tea
- Space Camp Reunion
- Space Camp Newsletter
- Future Planning: Space Camp
- RVIB Kickstart
- Training Guide CD-ROM
- Blind Sports Dinner
- Adaptive Technology Exhibition
- Pen for Low Vision Student
- JVIB
- Guide Dogs Programs
- Recreation and Leisure for Children with Vision Impairments
- Website for Vision Impaired Netsurfers
- Amblyopia and the Need for Screening
- Braille Resource: Check your Braille
- Choose the Right Contraction
- Results: Braille Reading Comp
- Bullying Website
- Bill Gates Honoured
- Blind Climber
- Poetry Compilation
- Mountbatten Wanted
- Dual Cycle
- Staff and Student News
- Teacher Exchange

SVRC Professional Development 2002

PD Date Change (Reminder)

As stated in the last Bulletin, the Term IV PD day (SVRC Technology Seminars) will NOT be on December 13, but on MONDAY, DECEMBER 9. Please fax a note to let us know that you are coming.

SVRC Morning Tea

The staff of the Statewide Vision Resource Centre would like to take the opportunity to thank all our volunteers and friends for their support and contributions this year. Please come and join us for morning tea.

When: Thursday 12 December 2002, 10.15am
Where: SVRC: 370-380 Springvale Rd Donvale
RSVP: 8th December to Dianne or Lyn on 9841 0242

Space Camp Reunion!!! - For Anyone Who Has Ever Been To Space Camp

Victorian kids (and chaperones) have been attending Space Camp since 1998 when Jeni Blake and Lynne Murdoch took a group of DE&T kids and Sherry Cunningham took an RVIB group… So! We are going to get together! Everyone who has been to Space Camp from either the RVIB or the DE&T groups and of course their parents are welcome!

When: Sunday 24th November 2002 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Where: Sofia's Pizza Restaurant 857 Bourke Rd Camberwell (03) 9882 1142
Bring: photos (optional)

Can VTs please pass this information on to their Space Campers and thanks to Sherry for organizing this event!

Space Camp 2002 Newsletter

Included with your print copy of The Bulletin is the Space Camp 2002 Newsletter. For those with electronic versions of The Bulletin, the newsletter also appears on the SVRC website.

Go to: http://www.svrc.vic.edu.au/spacecamp2002report.htm

Future Planning: Space Camp 2003

Are you thinking of going to Space Camp in 2003? You may be a student with a vision impairment attending a state or non-government school. Perhaps you are living outside Victoria. Maybe you are a specialist vision teacher, O&M instructor etc who wants to lead such a camp…

For students, Space Camp is an amazing opportunity to fully participate in all activities on offer - at the camp itself: all labelling is available in braille; all scripts in braille and large print; and all computers in enlargement or voice output. Students have the opportunity to test their personal limits in a safe and supportive environment. Students rise to the many challenges in a way that may surprise even themselves. Students often return home with a new sense of what is possible and with new goals and direction. For two former Space Campers, working in the field of space science may become a reality - one is now studying Astrophysics and another Astronomy at university level.

For organisers, Space Camp is opportunity to provide students with a potentially life-changing experience. It is a lot of work - but the rewards are many. Not only do you see the students accept challenges and grow as a result, but you are also welcomed into the 'family' of Space Campers.

I am very happy to offer support, encouragement and (my version of the vast amounts of) paperwork necessary for a successful trip. If you would like support to form a group going to Space Camp, please email Deb Lewis at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au or phone on (03) 9841 0242.

If you are on DE&T Visiting Teacher Service and you are thinking about going next year, please contact me as above.

RVIB Kickstart Program

The RVIB Kickstart program is an intensive program that prepares people who are blind or vision impaired for successful participation in tertiary education. The program consists of seminars providing information about study skills, rights and responsibilities, support services and employment opportunities.

When: Monday 16 to Thursday 19 December 9.30am-3.30pm
Registrations close: 6 December

See attached flier (print edition) or contact Joanne Webber, Education Consultant, RVIB Tel: 9520 5555 Email: webbejo@rvib.org.au

CD-ROM Training Guide to Communicating with People who are Blind or Vision Impaired: Clear Directions

VisionWorks Group have produced a CD-ROM, 'Clear Directions' which provides information to help people to assist people who are blind or vision impaired in a variety of situations. According to the flier, it is particularly useful for those involved in customer service, human resources and education. It is an interactive educational package with evaluation questions, and includes a game based on sighted guide techniques.

Contact: VisionWorks Group - Royal Blind Society, PO Box 176 Burwood, NSW 2136.
Cost: $49.95 plus $5 postage and handling

Blind Sports Victoria - 25th Anniversary Dinner

Blind Sports Victoria is 25 years old! To celebrate, there will be a Celebration Dinner.

When: Saturday 30th November 2002, 7.00pm
Where: Vision Australia, 454 Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong 3144
Cost $25 including 3 course meal
Enquiries: by 20th November
Raffles on the night
Contact: Frank 9848 8593 or Hazel/Paul 9725 8039

Adaptive Technology Exhibition 2002

Rural Access Victoria is organising an Adaptive Technology Exhibition in the Warrnambool area. The exhibition will showcase adaptive technology solutions that enable equal access to information for people with disabilities. Exhibitors include Quantum Technology, Vision Australia, ComTEC - Yooralla, Technical Solutions, IBM, Adobe and Microsoft.

Where: Warrnambool Public Library, Civic Centre, 25 Leibig St Warrnambool
When: Monday 25th November 2002, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Further information: Trevor Boyd (Quantum Technology) 9685 3277

Writing Pen for Low Vision Students

Janie recommends a pen that is most suitable for low vision students. Its line is thick which offers improved readability, but it looks very ordinary. Called the 'Uni-Bal Broad Tip Pen' (Item number: VE1705), it is available from RVIB VisEquip for $4.19 plus postage and handling. Contact VisEquip on 9522 5222.

Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness

Unfortunately JVIB seems to have discontinued their free access to online articles - we figured it wouldn't last...
The following articles appeared in recent editions:

JVIB - July 2002
- Experiences of older adults who stopped driving because of their visual impairments
- Biomechanical movements in experienced cane users with and without visual impairments
- Variables in the touch technique that influence the safety of cane walkers
- Fostering self-help at a distance for adults with visual impairments

JVIB - August 2002
- Assistive technology needs in public libraries: A survey
- The views of students with visual impairments on the support they received from teachers
- Enhancing the social interaction skills of preschoolers with visual impairments
- Testing nonverbal intelligence of working-age visually impaired adults: Evaluation of the adapted kohs block design test
- Self-perceptions of visually impaired children aged 3-10 in India

JVIB - September 2002
- Employment after vision loss: Results of a collective case study
- A qualitative analysis of employers: Experiences with visually impaired workers
- Supporting the transition of visually impaired adults to employment: European union innovations
- Employment patterns of older workers with visual impairments
- Strategies for enhancing the business enterprise program
- Employment barriers: Access to assistive technology and research needs
- Strategies for employing older workers with visual impairments

JVIB - October 2002
- Experiences of older adults who stopped driving because of their visual impairments
- The target-route map: Evaluating its usability for visually impaired persons
- Self-determination recreational and leisure choices of individuals with deaf-blindness
- Graduates and current students in leadership programs in visual impairments
- A group intervention for visually impaired grandparents

Guide Dogs Victoria: Stepping Out Program 2003

Guide Dogs Victoria Children's Mobility Service is offering students who have completed their secondary schooling the opportunity to participate in a new program based at the Guide Dogs Victoria Campus in Kew. The program will be held each Thursday for a period of 5 consecutive weeks. The dates for the program are Thursday January 30, February 6, 13, 20 and 27. The program is a terrific opportunity to learn and practise new skills and to meet on a regular basis with your peers. Each day will commence at 9.30am and finish at 3.00pm.

The program will focus on a number of topics including:

- Orientation and mobility skills for young adults
- Accessing employment services and workplace modifications
- Independent living skills for young adults
- Exploring and accessing further education opportunities
- Understanding the role of a Disability Liaison Officer at a tertiary institution

We expect all participants will be able to make their own way to Fairfield Station where they can be met by Orientation and Mobility Instructors. Transport to the Guide Dog Campus from the station and return will be via GDV vehicles. The Orientation and Mobility Instructors are available to provide Orientation from your home to Fairfield station prior to the program if required. Please contact Dean, Rachel or Linden as soon as possible after registering for the program if you wish to receive O & M instruction on your travel route.

Lunch each day will be at the Guide Dogs campus in Kew and the program is free of charge to participants.
You will need to bring:

- Your travel pass
- Spending money (if we go out)
- Clothes suitable for the weather and activities outdoors

Places are limited so please contact Dean on 9854 4506 or dean.j@guidedogs.asn.au if want to register for the program or to find out more information.

The Children's Mobility Service - Upcoming Events

Sydney Program: 9 -13 December 2002
Children's Mobility Service Christmas Party: 17 December 2002 at the Guide Dogs Victoria campus in Kew. All VT's, Aides and students are welcome (the food is always good).
City Limits Program: 6- 10 January 2003
VCE Weekend: 21, 22 and 23 March 2003 at the Guide Dogs Victoria campus in Kew

For more information about the programs or the Children's Mobility Service please contact Dean, Rachel or Linden on 9854 4506.

"Recreation and Leisure Activities for Blind and Visually Impaired Children"

Debra Sewell, Teacher Trainer from Texas School for the Blind has written a great article about recreation and leisure for children. She notes, "Although children play purely for pleasure and not for any goal-directed purpose, they acquire numerous skills during play. Creating fantasies, pretending, interacting with others, moving their bodies, and exploring their environment provide many opportunities to learn. It is important to keep in mind, however, that many children with visual impairments and/or multiple impairments will need to learn "how" to play with toys and games appropriately, as they don't learn this by watching others." She suggests several commercially available games for developing social interaction, fine motor skills, auditory memory etc and also the ways these games may be adapted for students with vision impairments. The article is attached (print copy) or go to: http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/summer99/games.htm

Website for Vision Impaired Net Surfers

Ben Clare from NSW, author of The Vocal Screen website, describes it as follows:

"The Vocal Screen made its first appearance on the Internet in November 1999. What began as a TAFE assignment soon grew into a major project as the tutorials posted in the first edition proved to be extremely popular for blind web surfers who at the time, were desperate for easy to read and access websites which could not only educate, but entertain as well. The idea stemmed from my own experience with the Internet and whilst I was completing a course in web design, I had the opportunity to create a website, so I decided to build something which was simple for us blind people to navigate, but would not just be endless reading and education.

Since then, JAWS for Windows has grown to become the leading screenreader for VI people and this site has grown with it, introducing updated tutorials which relate directly to the latest releases of the JAWS software."

Vocal Screen is a website designed for vision impaired Net Surfers who use JAWS screen reading software. One excellent feature is a series of easy to read tutorials which will explain many of the features and methods of exploring the Internet, sending email messages and chatting online with instant messaging software. You can also access literally hundreds of the world's most popular websites through Link Central, an easy to navigate page with all links appearing in categories.

Tutorials include:
- Internet Explorer 4
- Internet Explorer 5
- Outlook Express
- Sound Recorder
- MSN Messenger

Within these tutorials are topics such as:
- Pointing your browser towards websites
- Removing graphics from web pages
- Reading and navigating web pages
- Selecting links
- Selecting frames
- Accessing online forms
- Etc

Go to: http://www.users.bigpond.com/benclare/

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) and the Need for Vision Screening

The following is an excerpt from Radio National: The Health Report interview on Monday 4 November 2002 with Norman Swan and Dr Jugnoo Rahi, an ophthalmic epidemiologist at the Institute of Child Health at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. The full transcript of their discussion can be found at: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/helthrpt/stories/s718775.htm

Studies from the U.K. suggest that if amblyopia is not treated early or is treated poorly in childhood, people with the condition are at higher risk from losing the sight in their healthy eye when they're adults. Researchers in the United Kingdom have come up with findings which make a powerful case for systematically screening young children for lazy eye; the trade name's amblyopia. If amblyopia's not treated early, that eye can become effectively blind and what the British findings suggest is that people with poorly treated or missed amblyopia are at higher risk from losing the sight in their healthy eye when they're adults.

Dr Rahi notes that Amblyopia's been recognised for centuries and described as the situation where someone has poor vision in one eye without really having specific eye disease affecting that eye, and it's really the brain learning not to use or interpret the images that it gets from one eye. Usually because that eye is disadvantaged in some way compared to its fellow eye. Because very early in life, the input from that eye is distorted or incomplete in some way. So for example, people who have long sightedness that affects one eye more than the other, the eye that's more long sighted is disadvantaged compared to its fellow. Or for example, people who might have a squint, an eye that turns in or out. The eye that turns is disadvantaged compared to its fellow. So it's something that starts really very early in life.
Dr Rahi recommends that for effective treatment, children should be screened at 3 years old.

Article: "Blind Preschool Kids Embrace Braille"

Source: CNN.com Tuesday, November 5, 2002

The article (excerpts below) discusses Mikaella, a 5-year-old with cataracts and glaucoma who is learning to read braille. She receives braille instruction five times a week at the Agassiz School in Boston, and already she is catching on. "She can identify A and G - they're her two favorite letters," her mother said. "Most of the time braille is a better way to read," she said. "Once children get older, if they lose their vision they become disinterested (in reading) because it hurts."

Raeder said parents of visually impaired and blind children need to be advocates for their child's education because schools don't automatically put blind children on a reading track. According to the American Foundation for the Blind, the shortage of braille teachers is nearing crisis levels. Brent Hopkins, a spokesman for the foundation, says 5,000 more braille teachers are needed to supplement the 6,700 full-time braille teachers now in classrooms.

"Reading and writing are central to the success for anyone in the world, particularly for blind and visually impaired people," said Amy Ruell, director of the Braille Press program for youngsters. "Unless people can read and write and communicate clearly, there's no opportunity for them to compete equally among sighted people."

Go to: http://www.cnn.com/2002/EDUCATION/11/05/braille.young.reader.ap/index.html

Braille Resource - 'Check Your Braille: Signs and Basic Rules of Grade 2 Braille'

The RNIB publication, 'Check Your Braille: Signs and Basic Rules of Grade 2 Braille' by John Lorimer is now available on loan in braille from the Statewide Vision Resource Centre. This book takes the reader through punctuation, composition signs, print abbreviations, print symbols, wordsigns, shortforms, foreign words and layout. One section, 'Choosing the Right Contraction' is particularly interesting. For DE&T students, please call the SVRC if you would like to borrow a copy in braille. For your print copy (approximately $25), contact Vis Equip on 9522 5222.

Choose the Right Contraction

Source: 'Check Your Braille: Signs and Basic Rules of Grade 2 Braille' by John Lorimer
When writing braille you will sometimes find that there are two ways of contracting a word, each using the same amount of space, and you might not be sure which is the right one to choose.

Some rules about choice are as follows:

1. so long as space is not wasted, always use the signs for AND, FOR, OF, THE, With instead of any other contraction
eg then: THE n not TH EN
2. use upper instead of lower signs
eg wedding: w ED d ING not w e DD ING
3. use one-space instead of two-space contractions
eg gathered: g a THE r ED not g a DOT5 THE d
4. in writing words which have EAR in them, always use the AR sign, not the EA sign
eg year: y e AR not y EA r
5. do not use a contraction if it would badly upset the pronunciation of a word
eg mishap: m i s h a p not m i SH a p
6. do not use a contraction across the two words which form an unhyphenated compound word
eg lighthouse: l i GH t h OU s e not l i GH TH OU s e

Several more rules and many more examples are provided in John Lorimer's publication. If you would like a copy of these pages in print or braille, please call the SVRC.

Results: Braille Reading Competition

The following results were sent by Ramona Mandy, Pulse Data Australia:
Congratulations to the below people and well done to all entrants. All entrants did very well and we congratulate all for participating.

Junior
First place: Rebecca Wong, NSW, $500 voucher and copy of Monty Braille translator from Quantum Technology
Second place: Christine Brincat, Vic, $500 towards a BrailleNote product voucher from Pulse Data Australia
Third place: Andrew Head, NSW, Braille scrabble donated by Elaine Leahy

Adult
First place: Lynne King, Vic, $500 toward a BrailleNote product voucher from Pulse Data Australia
Second place: Laurie Hoare, WA, braille watch donated by Elaine Leahy
Third place: Stefan Slucki, Perkins dymo labeller donated by Kate Stephens

Website: Bullying. No Way!

The Bullying. No way! website provides a nationwide resource of State and Territory approaches to minimising bullying and to ensure that all students can learn in a safe and supportive school environment. Resources are available for teachers, policy makers, parents/carers and students.
Go to: http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au

Bill Gates Honoured by CNIB

Source: Link Magazine, October 2002

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has been awarded the Louis Braille Gold Medal in recognition of Microsoft Canada's commitment to advancing the rights and freedoms of people who are blind, vision impaired or deafblind. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) in conjunction with the World Blind Union awarded the billionaire the honour. It is only the third time the gold medal has been awarded worldwide. The medal recognises Microsoft Canada's contribution to developing the CNIB's Integrated Digital Library System. This includes a Children's Discovery Portal - the world's first Internet portal for children who are blind or have a vision impairment.

Community News: Blind Climber

Source: Link Magazine, October 2002

Erik Weihenmayer became the first person who is blind to climb the tallest peaks on all seven continents after reaching the top of Australia's highest mountain. The 33-year-old American scaled the 2,195m summit of Mt Kosciusko with a group of 100 climbers. Mr Weihenmayer, a former middle school teacher and wrestling coach, started climbing after losing his sight to a rare eye disease at age 13. In succeeding in his mountaineering venture, he joins an elite group of about 100 athletes. He began his quest in 1995. Since then he has scaled Mount McKinley in Alaska, North America, Africa's Mt Kilimanjaro, South America's Mount Acoincagua, Antarctica's Vinson Massif, Mt Everest and Russia's Mt Elbrus.

Book: Poetry Compilation

Students (postgraduate or undergraduate) with disabilities are invited to contribute to a book of poems written by students with disabilities. For more details or to make submissions email roslyn.ricci@student.Adelaide.edu.au

Wanted to Buy

Helen Hunter is looking for anyone who is willing to sell a good second-hand Mountbatten Brailler. Please call the SVRC if this is you.

Christmas Idea: Dual Cycle

The 'Tigermoth' Dual Cycle is a side-by-side cycle that enables both the carer and client to ride together. It features:
- 18 speed grip shift levers
- 'V' front and rear brakes
- extra comfort saddles
- interlinked steering
- sprung front forks

Cost: $1220 - $1420

Bob Smith from Body Cycles will be visiting Melbourne during the last week in November - if you would like to see his cycles, please call and we'll arrange a time.
Contact: tel (07) 3205 5925 fax (07) 3205 5935.

Student News

Faye's year 12 student, Chris recently gained a High Distinction award in the 2002 AMP Business Studies Competition. Award presentation was held at Melbourne University.

Staff News

Faye Squires recently spent two days at an Early Years Expo in the Shepparton area where she taught 1,500 children to braille their name!

Teacher Exchange

Sinikka Smothers, of Alabama School for the Blind in Talladega, is interested in setting up a teacher exchange - teaching and observing educational practices in a school for the vision impaired in the USA. Assistance is available for housing, airfares, insurance and incidentals.

For more information call the SVRC or email Sinikka: ssmot@aidb.state.al.us

Bulletin 19, 2002: Guest Editor

Denise Probert has kindly offered to be the guest editor for the next issue of The Bulletin. Remember, if you would like to take up this challenge, feel free to pick one of the 20 issues that will be produced in 2003 and let me know! It will look great on your CV! 

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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