Save the Date: March 8, 2017

 12th Annual
“Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability & Vision Loss

Join us at the twelfth annual "Focus" On Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference:  Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Vision Loss which will be held on Wednesday March 8, 2017 at the Four Points by Sheraton in Norwood, MA from 8:00 am - 3:30 pm! The conference is sponsored by our generous contributors including:

• Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
• Perkins School for the Blind 
• Department of Developmental Services, Southeast Training Council
• MAB Community Services
• New England College of Optometry
• Shriver Clinical Services

We are so pleased that Paul Saner, MCB Commissioner will offer our welcome remarks.  We are also delighted to welcome our keynote 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,  who will discuss lessons from a decade of successful eye surgery for individuals with intellectual disability.  Join us and learn!

Did you know that the prevalence of vision impairment, legal blindness and deafblindness among individuals with intellectual disability is 12 to 25 times higher than the general population? This multi-disciplinary conference seeks to raise awareness and share information and strategies for vision related care and services focused on the needs presented by individuals who have intellectual disability and vision loss.
 
As with each year’s over-subscribed conference, this multi-tracked educational program will reach out to the needs of clinicians, family members, support staff at day and residential programs, nurses, eye care providers, administrators, advocates and all concerned with the needs of adults with intellectual disability.  In addition, many resources will be shared at the exhibit area and through poster presentations.
 
A special “Focus” On Talent performance by the Wild Fire Girls will put the finishing touch on the day!
 
The Collaborating Partners organizing this year’s event include: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, Perkins, Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, New England College of Optometry, Boston University School of Medicine, and Shriver Clinical Services. 
 
Registration Now Open!
Registration Brochure and Form, including CEU information is now available to download and print:

• "Focus" Conference Registration Brochure (PDF) 
• "Focus" Conference Registration Brochure (RTF) 

 Early registrants save $10. 
 Please register early!!!  Space is limited!!!
 
Registration Information:

• Early Registration Fee postmarked by January 31, 2017:  $50.00  
• Registration Fee postmarked after January 31, 2017:  $60.00
• Registration needed by February 24, 2017 to attend conference. 

Listen to a Podcast about the "Focus" Conference. Conference Chair and Statewide Director for Vision and Vision Loss Services for DDS, Lisa DiBonaventura was recently featured on the Talking Information Center Network's Mission Impossible Broadcast. 

For additional information, including sponsorship, vendor or advertisement opportunities please contact:
Lisa.DiBonaventura@state.ma.us  
508-384-5539.
Save the Date: "Focus" 2017 Flyer PDF   /  Save the Date: "Focus" 2017 Flyer RTF