The Bulletin

Statewide Vision Resource Centre

Number 7  Friday 11th May 2001

The Bulletin is prepared each fortnight during the school term  by Deb Lewis, Co-ordinator, Statewide Vision Resource Centre

Inside this Issue

Professional Development 2001

Supporting Vision Impaired Students with Additional Impairments in the Classroom - 8th June 2001

This exciting annual program for Class Teachers, Specialists, Aides and parents will be held on Friday 8th June. Please call (03) 9841 0242 if you require  copies of the program.

VT PD Day - 22 June 2001

See the attached program (final page) and ensure that you RSVP so that we can order your lunch and make enough handouts! Topics planned for the day include:

SPEVI Membership and 2003 Conference

Attached to the print copy of The Bulletin is a Membership Renewal Form for SPEVI (South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment) for February 2001 to February 2003. Membership costs $66 (including GST). Email Pat Thompson for further details at patricia.thompson@qed.qld.gov.au/
The 2003 SPEVI Conference 'An Eye to the Future' will be held on the Gold Coast from 12 to 17 January 2003. Please call (07) 3844 1138 if you would like to be added to their mailing list.

Teaching Strategies in Physical Education for Students with Vision Impairments

RVIB will be conducting a seminar entitled: 'Teaching Strategies in Physical Education for Students with Vision Impairments' on Friday 25th May 2001 from 8.45am to 4.30pm.
Where: RVIB School, 333 Burwood Highway, Burwood
Cost: $70
RSVP: by 18 May 2001
The program is designed for parents, carers, teachers and aides and will include: For further information or to RSVP, contact Rachel Grealy on (03) 9808 6422

Space Camp - end of term 3 2001

See Bulletin 5 for notes from the first meeting of parents and students. Remember, each student (and chaperone) will need to have the first instalment of $2000 ready by 31 May 2001.
We will be holding a second meeting for interested parties (ie students, parents and Visiting Teachers) at 5.30pm (for 6.00pm) on Friday 1st June - BYO your deposit of $2000 to secure your place please. It would be great if everyone who is planning to come to Space Camp could be at this meeting. Hopefully, we will have details of dates, cost etc. So put in a big effort with fundraising this month so you can bring your good news to the meeting!

Driving Camp - 18-19 June 2001

See Bulletin 5 for forms and further details.

Mentoring for Students with Vision Impairments

Many of you will know former student, Rebecca Kenny, who has spoken at many of our Low Vision days in the past. Several Visiting Teachers have approached Rebecca about being a mentor for younger students. She writes:
As a vision impaired student I completed my secondary education at Mount Saint Joseph's Girl's College and then went on to further complete Undergraduate studies in Psychology. I have also completed Post Graduate studies in General Psychology and Criminology.
Having completed all of my studies within mainstream schooling, I am well aware of the issues facing vision impaired students and I am interested in acting as a mentor for other vision impaired students.
Contact Rebecca on 0408 997 537 or 9864 9534

Guide Dog Association Of Victoria: Primary School Holiday Camp Report

The following report was sent by new GCAV O&M instructor, Dean Johnson:
The Guide Dog Association hosted a Primary School Holiday Camp during the first week of the Term 1 school holiday break. The residential camp, which was attended by 11 students, was held at the Association's training centre in Kew. Several of the students came from rural areas while the majority came from metropolitan Melbourne. Opportunities to develop Orientation and Mobility, social and independent living skills while having fun at a wide variety of recreational venues were major goals of the camp. The chance for the students attending the camp to share learning and recreational experiences in a camp setting proved to be of enormous benefit. The camp had the theme "Directions", and the activities the students participated in enabled them to develop and expand their independent and safe travel skills in a fun and informal way. Recreational activities included a trip to the Zoo and a visit to the Touch, Tickle and Taste program at the Melbourne Aquarium.

Software Review - 'Music Factory' from Widgit Software LTD

Gerry Kennedy (Gerry Kennedy IT Consultancy) recently sent a review of 'Music Factory,' which he is quite clearly very excited about. In part, the review includes the following information:
Music Factory is targeted at all ages. It is a music program that can be accessed with a number of assistive devices. Music Factory allows you to play and compose music with pre-defined setups, compositions and 'patterns' of music in different styles. It is an ideal program to foster development in the areas of Switch Use, Cause and Effect, Switch Timing or Choosing with a Switch in creating and playing music. Users can access Music Factory using a mouse, trackball or joystick, standard or enlarged keyboard (e.g. Big Keys), IntelliKeys, Touch Screen, Single Switch or Multiple Switches or Concept Keyboard. Navigation about the program is very well designed and is intuitive.
Music Factory offers a whole new experience for many users, especially for children and adults who enjoy music but find other packages too involved or difficult to master. The package will provide hours and hours of entertainment as well as providing scope for musical interpretation and creation. The program provides opportunities to listen to sounds and more importantly, build your own music from pre-defined sound clips. Music Factory comes with a range of interesting sound clips that will suit young and older users alike. It is an ideal program in inclusive settings and mainstream classes as well as being extremely useful in special settings for classroom use and in musical therapy sessions. Users can work independently or in pairs and small groups to play and enjoy musical pieces or edit them and thereby be composers!
Widgit has always been an innovative software company, and this wonderful software is testimony to their long-term commitment to quality programming for users who have special learning, leisure and access needs.
Gerry's complete review is available in print or disk format by calling the Statewide Vision Resource Centre. Music Factory V1.0 is available from Spectronics (07-3808 6833).

Teaching Microsoft Word to Blind Students

The Curriculum for Teaching Microsoft Word to Blind Students was written for teachers to use with blind students. The students should know how to read braille and have adequate typing skills. Included in the curriculum materials is a PreTest and PostTest, 20 lesson plans, MSWord files on disk, and brailled worksheets. The program costs US$40.00 plus P&H. Ordering information is available from www.scis.nova.edu/~marston or email marstonp@aol.com with your questions.

The Slate and Stylus Information Centre

The following information was found on The Slate and Stylus Information Centre website at: http://blindness.about.com/health/blindness/library/braille/blslate.htm
The slate and stylus is the oldest, most portable, and most dependable tool for writing in braille. It has been compared to the sighted person's pen or pencil (Schroeder, 1989). It allows a blind person to function independently in any environment.
Unfortunately, use of the slate and stylus is often seen as difficult and unnecessary. Technological advances such as the Perkins Brailler and the various electronic braille input devices are seen as appropriate replacements for the slate and stylus. Teaching of the slate and stylus is neglected. Students who do not have access to the popular note-taking devices and who wish to avoid disturbing others in class by using the Perkins Brailler rely heavily on memory, tape recording, or other students' notes. Yet with motivation and thoughtful planning, teachers can provide these students with the skills and desire to use the slate and stylus well and thus become more independent.
The articles and resources on their website are provided for parents and teachers who wish to introduce students to the use of the slate and stylus. Topics include: Here are some fun activities from the list: Note: If the student is tiring easily, try changing the writing position or the paper being used.

Ozbrl - Braille Discussion Group

The Australian Braille Authority invites anyone with an interest in braille usage in Australia to subscribe to the Ozbrl electronic discussion list. This list was established in 1999, and is a forum for the discussion of any issues that relate to the way braille is produced, promoted, taught or used in Australia. It also provides a way for the Executive to communicate with members and others, and for State and Territory Subcommittees of the Australian Braille Authority to circulate minutes and other information.
If you want to subscribe to Ozbrl, send an email to ozbrl-subscribe@yahoogroups.com/. The message can be blank, but must be sent from the email address that you will use for sending and receiving Ozbrl messages. You will receive a reply that your request has been forwarded for approval, and once your request has been approved, you will get an introductory message explaining how to use the list.
The Australian Braille Authority encourages all members of the Ozbrl list to participate in discussions, and help make it a valuable part of the braille scene in Australia. Once you are subscribed, feel free to send a message introducing yourself and outlining your interest in braille.

Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities

Who is Round Table?

Round Table has a broad membership of education, government, business, community and disability organisations throughout Australia and New Zealand with the following mission "To work collaboratively in providing leadership for the creation of an information environment in which people with a Print Disability enjoy full citizenship".

What is a Print Disability?

People with a Print Disability are those who cannot obtain access to information in a print format because they:

Why is information access so important?

Access to information, be it in traditional formats such as print, braille and audio or in newer and emerging electronic technologies such as the world wide web, cd-rom indexes, e-commerce and interactive voice response, ensures that all people have access to the thoughts and ideas which make a society.
This means people with a Print Disability have access to the same educational, recreational, social and business opportunities as the rest of the community.   Without accessible information active and full participation in society is denied those with a print disability.

Web sites and Articles of Interest to Round Table Members

Below are websites pertaining to print disability included in the April 2001 edition of RT News:

E-books for and by People with Disabilities

http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf2001/proceedings/0301fruchterman.html

Real Audio Children's Stories

http://www.childrenstory.com

The California State University, Northridge - Center on Disabilities has posted conference presentations for its 16h Annual, International Conference, 'Technology and Persons with Disabilities,' held in Los Angeles, March 19-24, 2001.

http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf2001/proceedings/alphaproceedings.html

Enhancing the accessibility of the Web with Adobe Acrobat software

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/solutionsacc.html

Use of copyright material for people with disabilities

http://www.copyright.org.au/PDF/InfoSheets/G060v02.pdf

Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design

http://web1.si.edu/opa/accessibility/exdesign/start.html

Audio Description Example

This website includes a tour of the Elephant Diorama at the National Museum of Natural History
http://www.astc.org/resource/access/medadexc.html

References for Braille Codes in Australia

The following list of code books, approved by the Australian Braille Authority, was included in the Minutes of the ABA Meeting, 26th March 2001. They are taken from a document called 'Codes Update Bulletin' dated 1 July 1995 and which is effective from 1 August 1995.

Disability Access Service of the State Library of NSW Website

The Disability Access Service of the State Library of New South Wales has a wealth of interesting information for people with disabilities which you can find at  http://www.slnsw.gov.au/access/welcome.htm.
One of the useful items is 'Education to Employment Package' which contains a wealth of information for university students with a disability who have finished their studies and are looking for work. It includes, among other things, advice on how and when to tell prospective employers about the disability, information on government programs and links to university careers officers. The Education to Employment Package also has a searchable database of specialist employment agencies that assist people with a disability to find jobs in open employment. The web address is http://www.slnsw.gov.au/access/employ/.

Winter 2001 Cross Country Skiing Program

Below are the dates, event and contact person for the Winter 2001 Cross Country Skiing Program:

Making the Most of Further Education

The following article was written by Sean Tyrell, who between classes at Melbourne Uni, works three days a week as RVIB Education Consultant:
The transition from school to University or TAFE is an exciting and challenging time for anyone, but there are some issues peculiar to tertiary study as a vision impaired person that schoolies should be thinking about now.
Success at tertiary level is a function of careful planning, and unlike secondary school the responsibility falls to the student to get everything organised. This is not to say that support is not available; it is, but in order to access it a student needs to take the initiative. Any vision impaired first year who simply turns up to class thinking that all will be prepared is in for a rude shock, and can expect to have a miserable time of it until he or she has done the work to get the support and accommodations needed in place.
Part of the problem is that offers for a place in a course come out in mid-January, which doesn't leave enough time to choose subjects, organise readings in alternative formats, do O&M training, and negotiate agreements with teaching staff that will enable full participation in class.
There are a number of simple steps that a student, his or her family, and VTs can take to avoid problems, and to help make the university or TAFE experience what it really ought to be - namely, a better time than anyone stuck in high school could ever imagine having
First, a student can make contact with me in my role as Education Consultant at RVIB. Its my job to explain what tertiary study viewed from a vision impaired perspective is like, and to give information to students about what they need to do in order to make the experience a positive one.
Each summer we run Kickstart, an intensive program that aims to provide the skills, information and resources that can assist school leavers to make a success of further education. Many of the 2001 participants have identified this program as the most valuable part of their preparations.
Second, students can get in touch with the Disability Liaison Officer at their preferred tertiary institution well before they receive an offer in January. All TAFEs and Universities have a person like this, and their role is to coordinate the support that a student needs in order to participate fully in their chosen course.
Third, a schoolie can ask their VT or RVIB Education Consultant to put them in touch with someone who has been through the experience of commencing tertiary study in 2001. There is no real substitute for experience for most things in life, and the lessons learned by those that have gone before ought to be treated as a valuable resource that can and should be exploited.
None of this is intended to put anyone off further education; indeed, since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act in March 1993 and the emergence of the new information technologies the lot of the blind University student has improved beyond belief. But having noted this, the most important point to drive home is that as a tertiary student, a person is viewed as an adult, and as such will be expected to assume responsibility for making the most of his or her opportunity.
Sean can be contacted by phone on 9520 5532 or by e-mail to tyrelse@rvib.org.au/.

Connex Travel Pass - Vision Impaired

Janie McLeod kindly brought in a copy of the application form for the Connex Travel Pass. Copies are available from the SVRC. Students and adults are eligible for this pass if they have 'less than 6/60 fully corrected vision in the better eye, or less than 80% field loss'. An ophthalmologist must complete a report on the visual condition; and a recent passport size colour photograph and stamped self addressed envelope must be included with the application form.

Glaucoma Meetings

Catia Sicari from Glaucoma Australia is conducting meetings in regional Victoria to provide information on glaucoma and answer questions. Come along with friends and family members. Entry is a gold coin to cover refreshments.

JVIB Articles

Please call for copies of the following articles from the April 2001 edition of JVIB:

Staff News

Student News

And Finally

Do you want to get your name in print? Do you want to find yourself on the internet? Write an article for The Bulletin. Any format will be gratefully received!
Deb Lewis (deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au)

Visiting Teacher: Term 2 - Professional Development Day

Where: Statewide Vision Resource Centre 360 Springvale Rd, Donvale (PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131)
Tel (03) 9841 0242  Fax (03) 9841 0878
Cost The cost for the day is $16.50 (includes GST).
ABN 74 336 239 829
RSVP Lunch will only be provided for those who fax their reply slip by Friday 15th June.

9.00 - 9.30: Registration, Resource and Collegiate Time
9.30 - 10.00: Braille Technology: Braille Note and Voice Note - Ramona Mandy, Pulse Data
10.00 - 11.00: Technology Update - Internet Research, Bookmarking and Downloading Software - Lyn Robinson, Vision Resource Teacher, SVRC
11.00 - 11.30: Morning Tea
11.30 - 12.00: Orientation and Mobility Skills - Rachel Morgan, Guide Dogs Australia, Victoria
12.00 - 12.30: Learning Media Assessment - Insights from the Frontline - Brief presentations by Visiting Teachers
12.30 - 1.30: Lunch
1.30 - 1.45: The Role of the Educational Psychologist and the Referral Process - Geoff Bowen, Educational Psychologist
1.45 - 2.15: VCE Supervision - Traps for the Unwary - Pam Smedley, Visiting Teacher - CEO
2.15 - 2.45: Mimio Demonstration - Keith Ralph, Victorian State Manager, Pelikan Quartet
2.30 - 3.30: Issues for Visiting Teachers in 2001 - Round Table Discussion - Yvette Higgins, Education Officer - Statewide Vision Resource Centre

RSVP (Fax to 9841 0878 - no cover sheet required or email deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au)
Name:
Yes! I am coming to the Visiting Teacher Professional Development Day on Friday 22nd June. Please order lunch on my behalf.

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Web Page Editor: Lyn Robinson. Last Updated May 2001.

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