“Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference
12th Annual

Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability & Vision Loss

March 8, 2017
 8:00 am - 3:30 pm

 Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood, MA

Welcome Remarks:             Paul Saner
                   Commissioner
                       Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

Keynote Speaker:  Susannah Rowe, MD MPH   
                        Director, Exceptional Vision Service
                      Vice Chair for Patient Safety and Quality
                         Assistant Professor
                        Department of Ophthalmology
                         Boston University School of Medicine

      ”Ten Years and Counting: Lessons from a Decade    	                  of Successful Eye Surgery for
        People with Intellectual Disability”
          
Awards at Lunch: 

		Mark Holt “Gift of Lunch” 
		Paul McDade “Focus” Award for Distinguished Service
		Paul McDade “Focus” Award for Distinguished Leadership

“Focus” on Talent!!!
Special Closing Performance by:  “Wild Fire Girls”

A Very Special Thank You…

Lead Sponsor: 	       
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
	
Sponsors:  
Perkins Training Center
DDS Southeast Region Training Council

Friends:  
MAB Community Services
New England Eye / New England College of Optometry
Shriver Clinical Services

To Our Exhibitors Including:

Vendors:
American Printing House for the Blind
BAUM (USA) Inc.
Disabled Persons Protection Commission
Easter Seals Massachusetts
INDEX
Massachusetts Aging and Disability Resource Consortia
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
MA State 911 Department
New England Consortium for Deafblind Technical Assistance and Training

Perkins eLearning
Perkins Library
Perkins Solutions

A Very Special Thank You…

To Our Exhibitors Including:

Literature Table:
Eye Care America				
Hadley School for the Blind
Independent Living Aids
LS&S
MaxiAids
National Eye Institute
National Institute on Aging
Prevent Blindness America
and more…

	Poster Displays:
                
The KISS Method for Rehabilitation Teaching: 
Tips to “Keep It Safe and Simple” 
         Carolyn Ovesen
	 Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

Making Pride Shine
Peter Berquist 
Pride Inc. - Taunton

Express Yourself!  Supporting Self-Expression through Music Therapy Lisa A. El-Lakis, MT-BC
Hogan Regional Center 

Depth Perception Loss: 
Predict It, Notice It, and Strategies for How to Best Assist    
Mary S Clark PT, COMS, ATP
DDS REACH Clinic

Sharing My Art Work
Yashira Correa
People, Incorporated - Fall River

Introducing our Keynote:

	Susannah Rowe 

Susannah Rowe, M.D., M.P.H., is a high-risk cataract surgeon and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, as well as Vice Chair for Patient Safety and Quality for the Department of Ophthalmology, and Director of the Exceptional Vision Service at the Boston University School of Medicine.  She earned degrees from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, and subsequently trained in Ophthalmology at Harvard's Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.  She completed the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program at UCLA, and the Clinical Effectiveness Program at Boston Children's Hospital.  Her primary professional focus has always centered around defining, measuring, financing, and providing quality care for underserved populations.  

Dr. Rowe serves as an Attending Ophthalmologist at Boston Medical Center, the South Boston Community Health Center, and the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, where she provides consultative eye care, and teaches ophthalmic surgery to resident trainees.  She specializes in high risk cataract surgery and ophthalmic surgery for patients with special needs.  She especially enjoys working with patients, their families, and caregivers to provide ophthalmic care that improves quality of life and visual function.

Dr. Rowe is fluent in Spanish and speaks enough French and Portuguese to complete an eye exam.  She is currently trying to learn phrases in Albanian and Moroccan Arabic to better serve her patients. She grew up in the Boston area and studied at local schools.  She resides just outside of Boston with her family. 

        In addition to the keynote, Dr. Rowe will also be presenting a concurrent session
        “Visual Function and Quality of Life in People with Intellectual Disability”.

Conference Agenda “At-a-Glance”

8:00 – 8:25		Registration / Vendors Open / Refreshments

8:25 – 8:30		Opening Remarks

8:30 – 8:45		Welcome Remarks 

8:45 – 9:45		Keynote

9:45 – 10:00	Break / Exhibits Open

10:00 – 11:00 	1st Concurrent Session

11:00 – 11:15	Break / Exhibits Open

11:15 – 12:15   	2nd Concurrent Session

12:15 – 12:30 	Exhibits Open

12:30 – 1:30		Lunch & Award Presentations:
					● Mark Holt Gift of Lunch 
					● Paul McDade “Focus” Awards for Distinguished
		   Service and Leadership

1:30 – 2:00		Dedicated Time for Exhibits Session

2:00 – 3:00		3rd Concurrent Session

3:00 – 3:15		Break / Refreshments / Exhibits Open

3:15 – 3:45		“Focus” On Talent!!! (Performance) / Raffle 
								
Directions!!!
Four Points by Sheraton Norwood
1125 Boston-Providence Turnpike
Route 1 (18 miles south of Boston)
Norwood, MA 02062
Phone: 781-769-7900
www.fourpointsnorwood.com

Please see page 14 for a full listing of directions.

We look forward to seeing you on March 8th!!!

 “Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness

8:00 – 8:25	Registration / Exhibits Open / Refreshments

8:30 – 8:45	Welcome Remarks:
				Paul Saner 
				Commissioner, MCB

	8:45 – 9:45	Keynote:  
				Susannah Rowe, MD, MPH

"Ten Years and Counting: Lessons from a Decade of Successful Eye Surgery for People with Intellectual Disability"

The Exceptional Vision Service (EVS) at Boston Medical Center was founded over a decade ago with the mission of increasing access to surgical eye care for people with intellectual disability. Over the last ten years, the EVS has cared for over 60 patients from all parts of Massachusetts, addressing myriad barriers to care and developing systems to provide safe, effective, comfortable surgery to restore eyesight to people whose lives are impacted by visual impairment. No patient with treatable eye disease has been turned away because they are “not a candidate” for eye surgery.

The keynote will review some of the most common barriers that our patients experience in obtaining needed eye care, and to present the solutions that we have developed in collaboration with our caregiver partners to address these challenges. We will cover how to know if an eye exam is needed, indications for surgery, anesthesia considerations, pre-operative and post-operative care, working with family and legal guardians, and collaboration with other health care providers.         	

9:45 – 10:00	Break / Exhibits Open

	10:00 – 11:00 	Concurrent Sessions

	A.	Visual Function and Quality of Life in People with Intellectual 				Disability 
       		
		Presenter:	  Susannah Rowe, MD MPH
				  Director, Exceptional Vision Service 
				  Vice Chair for Patient Safety and Quality
				  Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology
				  Boston University School of Medicine

Description: Good vision is well-recognized as an important predictor of successful aging among typically abled people. The onset of visual disability has been associated with accelerated functional and cognitive declines; greater dependency on caregivers; worsening indicators of mental health; a greater risk of falls and fractures, and earlier death. Successful treatment of visual impairment has been shown to improve each of these health indicators.

Assessing visual function for people with intellectual disability requires a clear understanding of the person’s usual activities of daily vision. Standard measures of visual acuity such as Snellen visual acuity, depth perception, contrast sensitivity and color charts are often not useful. Similarly, vision-targeted quality of life measures such as reading and driving may have limited utility. At the Exceptional Vision Service at Boston Medical Center we have adapted measures of vision-targeted quality of life for people with developmental delays and physical and intellectual disabilities. 

This presentation will review common causes of vision loss for people with intellectual disability, and describe how these conditions present and impact vision-related quality of life over time. We will review our strategies for assessing visual function and its likely impact on quality of life, and make recommendations for caregivers and decision-makers regarding how to address suspected vision loss.

10:00 – 11:00 	Concurrent Sessions (continued)

B.	Getting Individuals with Vision Loss and Developmental Disabilities Active in the Community 
Presenter:	  Stephen Jordan, COMS
		  Director, Orientation and Mobility Services
		  MAB Community Services

Description:  Find out why it is important for individuals to get out into the community, the philosophy behind it, and some events that have worked great, some that were not so good, and some that were life changing for individuals. Discussion will include the preparation, teaching/learning, and goals for a variety of settings such as dining out, going to the movies, attending sporting events, and using public transportation. Perspectives from an individual, their loved ones, guardians, and Orientation and Mobility staff will be shared. 

	C.     	Understanding Sensory Processing and Its Implications on 				Learning
		Presenter:	  Amanda Martinage, OTR/L, M.Ed
				  CASE Collaborative

Description:  Everyone uses information from their senses and the environment every moment of every day. This presentation will provide an introduction to sensory processing and what dysfunction looks like.  Learning will occur through lecture and hands on involvement with various sensory experiences.  Participants will also leave this presentation with an understanding of how sensory processing impacts development and learning.  

D.	What is Personal Success? Competitive Employment: 
	A Great Success Story
	Presenters:  David Finnerty
			 Job Developer, ARC of the South Shore
			 
			  Michael Kennedy
			 Associate at Shaw's Market for 18 years. 
			 
Description: It's the balance between the Individuals life goals, family, friends and the vital supports that make the system work best!  After an overview of how new jobs are found and nurtured, you will meet Michael, a great success story! He is a wonderful advocate for himself, enjoys balancing his part time job with many sports and social activities during the week, and still finds time to volunteer for those less fortunate than himself. Please feel free to share resources and info during the open segment at the end.

10:00 – 11:00 	Concurrent Sessions (continued)

E.	New Products and Services 
Four different companies/agencies will discuss the services and products they provide, including assistive technology, that are helpful to individuals with visual impairment or blindness and those who support them. 
•	BAUM (USA) Inc
•	Massachusetts Aging and Disability Resource Consortia (ADRC)
•	MA State 911 Department
•	New England Consortium for Deafblind Technical Assistance and Training
•	Perkins e-Learning

PLEASE NOTE: CEU’s are not offered for this session. 

	11:00 – 11:15	Break / Exhibits Open

                                                                        
11:15 – 12:15   Concurrent Sessions

A.    	Glasses: Considerations for Those with Developmental Disabilities
	Presenter:  Greg R. Waldorf, OD, FAAO
			MCPHS University School of Optometry

	Description: It can be difficult knowing if glasses will help a patient with developmental disabilities. Many things must be considered before getting that prescription filled. This lecture will discuss various eye conditions that glasses can help, but also some of the pitfalls and problems that glasses can create.

B.  	Exercise Opportunities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Visual Impairment/Blindness
	Presenter: 	John Maxell, MS, ACSM
			Supervisor, Adapted Physical Education Department 				EDCO/WDC

Description: This presentation will cover important considerations when providing exercise opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and visual impairment. A variety of functional and therapeutic exercise modalities will be covered including tips on activity adaptation and how to provide movement opportunities at home with minimal equipment. 

11:15 – 12:15   Concurrent Sessions (continued)

	C.     The Eyes Have It!              		
		Presenter: 	 Wendy L. Buckley, M.Ed., Ed.S.
				 Assistive Technology Specialist
				 Perkins School for the Blind, Deafblind Program
	
	Description: This presentation will look at how eye-gaze technology can be used with individuals who have a visual impairment and complex needs to gain an insight into their visual skills – Can they track and fixate on images? What colors, shapes, and sizes of images do they attend to? Can they discriminate between images? We’ll look at how children in the Deafblind Program at Perkins are using eye-gaze with a computer and see how its analytics provides powerful information to help answer these questions.

D.	Adjustment to the Challenges of Vision Loss: How You Can Help 
        	Presenter: 	  James Badger, M.Ed., VRT
			  Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

	Description: This presentation explores the process of adjustment to life with vision loss and blindness.  Come learn helpful strategies and interventions that may be utilized to assist consumers as they engage in this process. 

E.   	The APH Intervention Continuum of Communication Skills
Presenter: 	  Monica Turner
		  Field Services Representative
		  American Printing House for the Blind

Description: This session provides a brief overview of APH’s Intervention Continuum for nonverbal individuals, which is composed of three products: The Sensory Learning Kit, SAM (Symbols and Meaning), and Tactile Connections.

	12:15 – 12:30	Exhibits Open	

         

	12:30 – 1:30	Lunch & Award Presentations:
		● Mark Holt “Gift of Lunch”
		● Paul McDade “Focus” Award for Distinguished Service
		● Paul McDade “Focus” Award for Distinguished Leadership

1:30 – 2:00		Dedicated Vendor & Poster Session!!!     

We listened to you!!! 
 We have again scheduled more time after lunch for meeting 
our Exhibitors, viewing the Posters, and networking.  

Enjoy!!! 

	2:00 – 3:00  Concurrent Sessions

A.	Head Over Heels: Vision and Falls
		Presenter: 	  Alexis G. Malkin, O.D., F.A.A.O.
				  Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
				  New England College of Optometry

Description: The incidence of falls and of fear of falling increases with age. Visual acuity is a key independent risk factor for falls and hip fractures in the elderly. This lecture will discuss the interaction between vision and falls. It will provide an in-depth discussion of the current trends in the population with vision impairment. This lecture will also provide ways to minimize fall risk in people with vision impairment. These interventions can include referrals to physical therapy, occupational therapy, and orientation and mobility training. Discussion will also include considerations for appropriate spectacle modalities (bifocal vs single vision) as well as issues in polypharmacy. 

	
	2:00 – 3:00  Concurrent Sessions (continued)

B.    	Vision's Influence on the Body and Movement 
        		Presenter:   Danielle M. Bushey, PT, DPT, NCS
				 Perkins School for the Blind 
				 Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

	Description: Understanding how the body moves requires understanding the rolls of the sensory and motor systems. When these systems are working together, with perfect accuracy and timing, a person can produce purposeful coordinated movement. When the sensory system has impairment, such as in vision, it will have a strong impact on the motor system. This is going to influence how a child learns to move, and how an adult learns to balance. In teaching and caring for an individual with a visual impairment it is important to understand the complexity of vision’s role in development of posture, balance, and movement. This presentation will help you to understand how to guide someone through these challenges and set up activities to develop movement skills and compensate for a visual impairment.

C.	Transition Support for Individuals with Deafblindness 
  		Presenter: 	 Tracy Evans Luiselli, Ed.D.
				 Project Director
				 New England Consortium for Deafblind Technical Assistance 				 and Training

Description:  Join in the discussion of common challenges facing families and teams serving students of transition age with sensory loss and additional disabilities, including deafblindness, and learn about resources to help navigate the transition process.  Materials and information will be presented from the perspective of the New England Consortium Team Training Initiative (NEC-TTI), which provides service to individuals and teams in MA, ME, CT, and NH.

	2:00 – 3:00  Concurrent Sessions (continued)

D.	Sensory Trails – What’s New in Massachusetts
Presenters:	   Jerry Berrier 
		   RI/MA National Deaf-blind Equipment Distribution Program
		   Perkins School for the Blind
		 
		   Marcy Marchello
		   Universal Access Program Coordinator, DCR	
		   Massachusetts State Parks.

Description:  This session will focus primarily on the recent work of Massachusetts Audubon in providing over 10 accessible All Persons Trails around the state that include sensory elements and audio tours to make outdoor educational experiences available for people with visual impairments. Learn where these trail opportunities are, key features of sensory trails and best practices for creating them. Other new accessible sensory trail opportunities and adaptive hiking strategies for conventional trails will be briefly described as well. 

E.	New Products and Services 
Four different companies/agencies will discuss the services and products they provide, including assistive technology, that are helpful to individuals with visual impairment or blindness and those who support them. 
•	American Printing House for the Blind
•	BAUM (USA) Inc.
•	Massachusetts Aging and Disability Resource Consortia (ADRC)
•	MCB/DDS Partnership “Focus” resources  

PLEASE NOTE: CEU’s are not offered for this session. 

3:00 – 3:15	Break / Refreshments / Exhibits Open

3:15 – 3:30		"Focus" On Talent!!! 

Performance by the “Wild Fire Girls” will put the finishing touch on the day!

"Wild Fire Girls" is a vocal group who has been performing together since the summer of 2013. They have performed at private functions, conferences, holiday events, and more. Among the 5 girls are a guitar player, drummer, bass player, 2 songwriters and 5 vocalists. We are musicians! we are able!

3:30 - 3:45    	Closing Remarks
	RAFFLE 
	Wonderful PRIZES!!! Must be present to WIN!
Directions!!!

                Four Points by Sheraton Norwood
                     1125 Boston-Providence Turnpike
Route 1 (18 miles south of Boston)
                                  Norwood, MA 02062
                                 Phone: 781-769-7900
                          www.fourpointsnorwood.com

From Boston and points North
Take I-93 South which turns into I-95 (Route 128) North.
Take Exit 15B, Route 1 South toward Norwood.
Travel 4.5 miles, the Four Points by Sheraton Norwood Hotel & Conference Center will be on your right after the Staples Plaza.

From the West
Follow Mass. Turnpike (I-90) East
Take Exit 14 onto I-95 (Route 128) South. (Note: From the West, this Exit is number 14, from the East, it is number 15.)
Continue South to Exit 15B. Route 1, Norwood,
And proceed as above.

From Providence, TF Green Airport & points South
Take I-95 North to Exit 11B, Neponset Street, Norwood.
Drive 7/10 of a mile and turn left onto Dean Street.
At traffic light, turn left onto Route 1, heading South.
The Four Points by Sheraton Norwood Hotel & Conference Center is on your right after the Staples Plaza.

From Logan Airport
Exit airport, follow signs through Williams tunnel (toll) to I-90 /I-93 South. Follow signs for I-93 South about 7 miles.
I-93 South turns into I-95 (Route 128) North.
Proceed on I-95(Route 128) North to Exit 15B, Route 1 Norwood.
Travel Route 1 South 4.5 miles to the Four Points by Sheraton Norwood Hotel & Conference Center, located on your right after the Staples Plaza. 

We look forward to seeing you on March 8th!!

Additional Copies of this Registration Brochure

•	"Training Resources and Events" section of the DDS Vision Loss website: www.mass.gov/dds/visionloss 

•	“Perkins eLearning Schedule” on the Perkins website: www.perkinselearning.org/events-monthly

Planning for the “Focus” Conference
Your Notes:

Registration Information

1.	Please fill out the attached form and return BY February 24, 2017 to:
	Donnamaria Linfield / Shriver Clinical Services Corporation
	Wrentham Developmental Center, PO Box 144
	Wrentham, MA 02093

2.	For questions regarding Registration, please contact Donnamaria:  Donnamaria.Linfield@state.ma.us or phone 508-384-5679.

3.	Please make check payable to:  Shriver Clinical Services Corporation

4.	Refunds:  We regret that refunds cannot be given after February 15th 2017, unless by notification from us to you that your check (# and amount) will be returned to you.   This refund protocol will also be used if conference capacity is reached at the time we receive your registration and payment.

5.	Continuing Education Information:
	Application for 4 hours of Continuing Education has been submitted to:
	
	Academy for Certification of Vision Rehab. & Education Prof. (ACVREP) 
	Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRC) 

	An application has been made for 4 CECs for Social Workers.

	An application has been made to MA Board of Registration in Nursing for 
	nursing continuing education. 
	Questions:  EKing@state.ma.us  

	NECO/NEEI has applied for 4 hours of MA CE approved credits.
	Questions: Barry S. Kran, O.D.:  Kranb@neco.edu

	Perkins Training Center will award 5 Professional Development Points (PDPs)  
	Questions:  Teresa.Pagliuca@Perkins.org

 	Please indicate your choice of CEUs on the registration form.

6.	Scholarships are available for individuals with intellectual disability and their families.  Information: Dianne.Rodrigues@state.ma.us  

7.	Reduced room rates of $115.00 per night, exclusive of taxes, will be available at the Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood, phone:  781-769-7900. Please mention Shriver Clinical.  Rooms at this rate are held until February 7, 2017 and subject to availability.

8.	Registration Brochure and Form can be downloaded from "Training and Events" section of DDS Vision Loss website:  www.mass.gov/dds/visionloss and from the “Perkins Training Center Schedule” on the Perkins website:  www.perkinselearning.org/events-monthly

9.	Questions please contact: Lisa.DiBonaventura@state.ma.us or 508-384-5539.

Please Register Early!!! 
Please return this form by February 24, 2017

Registration Form         

					Register early if you can!

“Focus” On Vision Impairment & Blindness
Wednesday March 8, 2017 - Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood, Massachusetts

Name:							
________________________________________________________________
Agency Name:
________________________________________________________________
Address:
________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________
Email:						Phone:
________________________________________________________________
Can we share your contact information with sponsors?  Yes ___  No___

Lunch Choice: If no choice is indicated, the Vegan lunch will be ordered.
•	___ Chicken Francaise:  with a light white wine lemon sauce.  Served with 	
seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes.        
OR
•	___ Risotto: with leeks, butternut squash, and sage (Vegan & Gluten Free)

Special Accommodations Needed*:_________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
* For Interpreting Services, please let us know by February 10, 2017

Concurrent Session Selection: Circle the letter of the 3 you plan to attend.
10:00 - 11:00	11:15 - 12:15	2:00 - 3:00	
A    B    C    D    E	A    B    C    D    E	A    B    C    D    E	
			
Please circle the type(s) of CE you will be requesting:
   ACVREP	       CRC         CEC        Nursing CEU        MA CE	        PDP   
           
Conference Rate with Lunch:  
General Admittance postmarked by 1/31/17:  	General Admittance postmarked after 1/31/17	Physician (MD, DO, OD)	
$50.00	$60.00	$110.00	
Check enclosed: yes___  no/reason why___________________  Amount: 

Please make check payable to:  Shriver Clinical Services Corporation and mail along with this form to: Donnamaria Linfield / Shriver Clinical Services                     Wrentham Developmental Center, PO Box 144, Wrentham, MA 02093

                              Thank You for your support!

We would love to hear from you!

We consider all feedback when planning the "Focus" Conference each year. Please share your ideas and suggestions here and send with your Registration. We appreciate your input and support. 

Be sure to check out the "Focus" website: www.mass.gov/dds/visionloss

The "Focus" website is a resource of the MCB/DDS Partnership Project and dedicated to raising awareness of services and information for individuals with intellectual disability and vision impairment, legal blindness or deaf/blindness.  Resources on the site include the following:

MCB/DDS Services & Resources 
The MCB/DDS Partnership Project is a cooperative effort between the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) & the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to provide services, information, training materials, and events focused on the needs of individuals with intellectual disability and vision loss.

Eye Care, Safety & Finding an Eye Care Provider
Find an eye care provider near you; review the DDS Vision Care Guidelines; discover tips for keeping eyes safe and reducing glare, learn how to best prepare for eye exams and eye surgery; see how vision can be affected by specific eye disorders; learn about nutrition for eye health, vision and aging eyes, and more!

Resources for Everyday Life with Vision Loss
Discover useful strategies, including orientation & mobility techniques; learn about communication and recreation resources; browse catalogs specific to items for individuals with vision loss; find organizations dedicated to vision loss, and more.

Connect – Focusing on Vision Loss 
Read inspiring stories of individuals with vision loss; learn from articles posted in the Focus Blog, discover answers to frequently asked questions, and connect with us!  

Training Resources & Events: Blindness and Vision Impairment
Learn about conferences, workshops, and online trainings on topics/resources related to vision care and vision loss; access downloadable resource handouts and the Let’s Walk Together Human Guide video; sign up to receive email notification of upcoming events.

Lisa DiBonaventura, MA, COMS
Statewide Director for Vision & Loss Services, DDS
WDC, 131 Emerald Street, PO Box 144
Wrentham, MA  02093