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Home   >   Training   >  Conferences and Workshops

"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​
  • Rehabilitation Teaching: How "FLIRT"ing and "KISS"ing FIt In by Carolyn Ovesen, M.Ed, COMS, COTA/L
2018
  • 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
2017
  • 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
  • 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
2017
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
2018
  • 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
2017
  • ​Exercise Options For People with Intellectual Disabilities and Visual Impairment/Blindness ​by John Maxell, MS, ACSM
  • Sensory Trails: What's New in Massachusetts by Jerry Berrier & Marcy Marchello
Technology
2018
  • iOS Accessibility for Users with Visual and Intellectual Disabilities (PDF) by Brian Charlson and Nancy Sharon, Carroll Center for the Blind
2017
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
2018
  • ​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​​
​2017
  • 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
For more information please contact: 
Lisa DiBonaventura,  M.A.,  COMS
Statewide Director Vision & Vision Loss Services
Department of Developmental Services  (DDS)
Email: Lisa.DiBonaventura@mass.gov
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"Focus" on Vision and Vision Loss: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability
  • MCB/DDS
    • About >
      • Site Accessibility & Download Policy
      • Vision Loss Terminology
    • APH Federal Quota Account >
      • APH Activity Ideas
    • DDS Collaborative Eye Care Clinics
    • Orientation & Mobility/Low Vision Services >
      • Areas Served
      • COMS Log In
    • Let's Walk Together
    • Vision Loss Support Groups
    • EOHHS Resources
  • Eye Care
    • Find an Eye Care Provider >
      • By Town >
        • Athol
        • Ayer
        • Beverly
        • Boston
        • Burlington
        • Cambridge
        • Chelmsford
        • Chelsea
        • East Bridgewater
        • East Harwich
        • Fairhaven
        • Fall River
        • Falmouth
        • Fitchburg
        • Framingham
        • Franklin
        • Gardner
        • Greenfield
        • Groveland
        • Holyoke
        • Lexington
        • Lowell
        • Marlborough
        • Melrose
        • New Bedford
        • Newton
        • North Dartmouth
        • North Reading
        • Plymouth
        • Quincy
        • Revere
        • Sagamore
        • Salem
        • Sandwich
        • Shelburne Falls
        • South Dennis
        • Spencer
        • Springfield
        • Sturbridge
        • Sudbury
        • Taunton
        • Tewksbury
        • Waltham
        • Wareham
        • Watertown
        • Wellesley
        • West Springfield
        • Winthrop
        • Worcester
    • NECO SEMA >
      • NECO Student Access
    • MCPHS Eye and Vision Center
    • DDS Vision Care Guidelines
    • Eye Health & Safety
    • Eye Conditions & Simulations >
      • A
      • B
      • C
      • D
      • E
      • F
      • G
      • H
      • I
      • K
      • L
      • M
      • N
      • O
      • P
      • R
      • S
      • T
      • U
      • V
    • In the News
  • Everyday Life
    • Strategies
    • COVID Resources
    • Deafblind Resources
    • Orientation & Mobility >
      • Movement, Safety and Fun
    • Recreation >
      • Leisure and Learning at Home
    • Local & National Organizations
  • Tech and Access
    • Apps for Vision Loss
    • Technology Equipment
    • Technology Resources
    • Products for Accessibility
    • News and Information Access
  • Students
    • Birth - 22 >
      • Team and IEP
    • Transition
  • Connect
    • Inspiring Lives >
      • Dejan
    • Focus Blog
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Training
    • "Focus Talks"
    • Conferences & Workshops
    • Online Courses & Webinars
    • Downloadable Resources & Videos
    • Train the Trainer: Human Guide >
      • Trainer Log In (password needed)
    • Train the Leader: Support Groups >
      • Support Group Leader Log in (password required)