Conferences & Workshops
Registration Extended until September 22!
15th Annual
“Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference:
Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Vision Loss
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood Massachusetts
15th Annual
“Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference:
Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Vision Loss
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood Massachusetts
Keynote Speaker:
|
Felipe A. Jain, MD
Director of Health Aging Studies, Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Member of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard-MIT |
"Supporting Caregivers: Using Guided Imagery
Focused on Relationships to Improve Mood"
Focused on Relationships to Improve Mood"
Remarks at Lunch:
|
Jane F. Ryder, Commissioner
Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services |
Awards:
|
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 The M.A.I. Band
|
We are so happy to be able to welcome everyone back! This day-long collaborative event provides a multi-tracked Educational Program reaching out to the needs of individuals, clinicians, family members, support staff at day and residential programs, nurses, eye care providers, administrators, advocates and all concerned with the vision and vision loss needs of individuals with intellectual/developmental disability. Many resources are also shared at the Exhibit Area and through Poster Presentations. The “Focus” Conference is organized by Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services and Massachusetts Commission for the Blind together with Perkins School for the Blind, Boston University School of Medicine, New England College of Optometry, and Shriver Clinical Services Corporation. Additional collaborators for Program Planning include the Carroll Center for the Blind. Funding support is generously provided by our Collaborating Partners.
- Registration Fee: $65
- Space is limited. All registrations must be received by September 22, 2023.
- Please review the Registration Brochure for more information.
- To Register and Pay by credit card: https://bit.ly/focus2023registration
Questions about the Conference? Please do not hesitate to contact: Lisa.DiBonaventura@mass.gov
Virtual Opportunities
We invite you to explore opportunities for virtual learning and meeting:Virtual monthly meetings hosted via phone or online where caregivers, staff and team members can learn, ask questions and share ideas. Discussion topic changes monthly. On-demand webcasts called “Focus” Talks are our newest virtual training resource on topics related to eye care, vision and vision loss. Presented by our colleagues from across Massachusetts, we are so appreciative to everyone for collaborating, and for sharing their expertise, time and informational resources.
Listen and Learn: Thank you to the Talking Information Center Network for recording selected sessions from previous gatherings of the "Focus" on Vision Impairment and Blindness Conference: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Vision Loss.
We invite you to explore opportunities for virtual learning and meeting:Virtual monthly meetings hosted via phone or online where caregivers, staff and team members can learn, ask questions and share ideas. Discussion topic changes monthly. On-demand webcasts called “Focus” Talks are our newest virtual training resource on topics related to eye care, vision and vision loss. Presented by our colleagues from across Massachusetts, we are so appreciative to everyone for collaborating, and for sharing their expertise, time and informational resources.
Listen and Learn: Thank you to the Talking Information Center Network for recording selected sessions from previous gatherings of the "Focus" on Vision Impairment and Blindness Conference: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Vision Loss.
If you would like to be added to a mailing list for future trainings, please send your name and email address to: Lisa.DiBonaventura@mass.gov