"Focus" Conference Archives
Sessions are organized by topic then by year. Thank you to the Talking Information Center Network for recording the following sessions from the annual "Focus" on Vision Impairment and Blindness Conference: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Vision Loss.
General Sessions
- 2019 "Focus Conference Opening Remarks and Keynote Address: Lotfi B. Merabet, OD, PhD, MPH - "Accessing Functional Vision Using Virtual Reality in Brain Compared to Ocular Based Visual Impairment"
- 2019 "Focus" Awards Presentation
- 2018 "Focus" Awards Presentation with Remarks by Paul Saner, Commissioner, MA Commission for the Blind
- 2018 "Focus" Conference Opening Remarks and Keynote Address: Friends Matter
- 2017 "Focus Conference Opening Remarks and Keynote Address: "Ten Years and Counting: Lessons from a Decade of Successful Eye Surgery for People with Intellectual Disability"
Clinical Topics
2019
2019
- Rehabilitation Teaching: How "FLIRT"ing and "KISS"ing FIt In by Carolyn Ovesen, M.Ed, COMS, COTA/L
- CVI: Best Practice for Visual Access by Ellen Cadigan Mazel, M.Ed., CTVI, CVI Endorsed Professional, Perkins School for the Blind, CVI Program Manager
- Importance of Collaboration Between Physical Therapy and Orientation and Mobility as Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Vision Impairment Age by Lynn Watras, PT and Georgia Wattendorf-Guiney, COMS
- Head Over Heels: Vision and Falls by Dr. Alexis Malkin, OD, FAAO
- Understanding Sensory Processing and Its Implications on Learning by Amanda Martinage, OTR/L, M.Ed
- Vision's Influence on the Body and Movement by Danielle M Bushey, PT, DPT, NCS
Daily Living
2019
2019
- The Aging and Disability Resource Consortia in Massachusetts (ADRC)
- Fixed Route and ADA Complementary Paratransit Transportation by Anna Kosterski
- Friends Matter! Promoting Authentic Social Opportunities for All by Zachary Rossetti, PhD
- Managing Light to Enhance Visual Functioning by Bob McGillivray, Director of Low Vision Services, Carroll Center for the Blind
- Mindfulness by Meg Chang, EdD, Senior Teacher, Center for Mindfulness
- Adjustment to the Challenges of Vision Loss: How You Can Help by James Badger, M.Ed, VRT
- Getting Individuals with Vision Loss and Developmental Disabilities Active in the Community by Stephen Jordan, COMS
DeafBlindness
2018
2018
- Communicating with Individuals Who Are Deafblind by Sharon Stelzer, M.Ed. and Marguerite Tibaudo, M.Ed., Perkins School for the Blind, Deafblind Program
- Incorporating Literacy Throughout the Day for Individuals Who Are Visually Impaired with Additional Disabilities or Deafblindness by Sharon Stelzer, M.Ed. and Marguerite Tibaudo, M.Ed., Perkins School for the Blind, Deafblind Program
Fitness and Recreation
2019
2019
- Masterpieces from the Heart: Enhancing Person-Centered Goals through the Creative Arts by Melanie Rose-Zagwyn
- Recreation Options for Individuals with Vision Loss and Intellectual Disabilities by Meg Robertson, COMS; Jill Readel, Recreation Therapist; Stephen Jordan, COMS and Helen Long, Fit to Go Trainer
- Recreation: Improving Quality of Life Outcomes: How to Have Fun While Building New Skills by Marie Hennessy BA, MS, New England Ski for Light and Meg Robertson BS, MA, COMS, Director, O&M Department, MA Commission for the Blind
- Safely Supporting the Visually Impaired in the Aquatic Setting by Susannah Locketti, Well Adapted Trainings
- Exercise Options For People with Intellectual Disabilities and Visual Impairment/Blindness by John Maxell, MS, ACSM
- Sensory Trails: What's New in Massachusetts Jerry Berrier & Marcy Marchello
Technology
2019
2019
- Intro to Assistive Technology Assessments and Recommendations by Kate Kutulak, M.Ed, TVI and HuyenTran Vo, M.Ed, TVI
- iOS Accessibility for Users with Visual and Intellectual Disabilities (PDF) by Brian Charlson and Nancy Sharon, Carroll Center for the Blind
- The Eyes Have It (Eye Gaze Technology) by Wendy Buckley, M.Ed, Ed.S
- Tech for Everyday Life by Lauren Coen-Iltis, M.Ed., COMS and Huyen Tran Vo, M.Ed. Perkins School for the Blind
Transition
2019
2019
- Partnering with Families: Discovering Abilities Through School & Transition Community Engagement Experience by Christa Gicklhorn, Wendy Bridgeo, Emily Taborda-Monroe, Adam Pulzetti, Perkins School
Vision and Eye Health Topics
2019
2019
- Cortical Vision Impairment: The Role of the Ophthalmologist by Gina Heidary, MD, PhD
- Optometric Vision Therapy - What Is It? How Does It Work? Who Would Benefit? by Theresa Ruggiero, OD, FCOVD
- To Wear or Not to Wear: Impact of Spectacle Use in Individuals with Disabilities by Nicole C. Ross, OD, MSc, FAAO
- Binocular Vision Dysfunctions: Diagnosis and Treatment in Those with Developmental Disabilities by Mengli Han, O.D., and Anne Reuter, O.D., Assistant Professors from Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, School of Optometry
- Glasses: Considerations for Those with Developmental Disabilities by Dr. Greg Waldorf, OD, FAAO
- Visual Function and Quality of Life in People with Intellectual Disability by Dr. Susannah Rowe, MD MPH