"Focus" Conference Archives
Thank you to each presenter at the annual "Focus" on Vision Impairment and Blindness Conference: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Vision Loss who gives permission for their session(s) to be recorded and/or PowerPoint presentations shared!
Thank you to the Talking Information Center for the audio recordings!
Happy Learning!
Thank you to the Talking Information Center for the audio recordings!
Happy Learning!
Focus Conference 2025
- Assistive Technology for Vision Loss: Melissa Pepin, MS, ATP, Director of Assistive Technology and Therapy Services at Lifestream, Inc.
- Vitreoretinal Diseases in the Aging Population: Xuejling Chen, MD, MS, Assistant Professor, Boston University
- What Caregivers Need to Know about the Patient's Eye Exam: Dorothy Tolls, OD: Center for Adaptive Eye Care, Southeastern MA; MCPHS Eye & Vision Center, Worcester MA; Holyoke Health Vision Center, Holyoke MA
- Vision Beyond 20/20: Exploring Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI): Jem Martin, OD, FAAO, Assistant Professor of Optometry, New England College of Optometry; Attending Optometrist. NECO Center for Eye Care Perkins School for the Blind and NECO Center for Eye Care Commonwealth
- Community Connections in Physical Education: Megan O'Connell-Copp and Kelsey Linsenberger, Adapted Physical Education Teachers at Perkins School for the Blind
- Communication with Non Speaking Clients in Adult Settings: Strategies for Success: Low Tech, Mid-Tech and High Tech Options: Ruzhena Sikarova, M.S.. CCC-SLP, Corrine Sullivan, M.S.. CCC-SLP, and Meghan McGowan, ATP from Campus School at Boston College
- Adults Living with Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) and the Daily Impact on Life: Ali Mahady, M.S., Manager of Outreach and Engagement, CVI Center at Perkins School for the Blind and Tina Zhu Xi Caruso, CVI Advocate, Adult with CVI, Photographer
- Combatting Ableism: Colleen Goff, SRS, SE Region and Maureen O’Rourke King, Trainer, Department of Developmental Services, SE Region
Focus Conference 2024
- Keynote: Individualized Approaches in Examination of Functional Vision and Vision Rehabilitation: Nicole C. Ross, OD, MSc, FAAO, Dip. AAO (LV), Associate Professor of Optometry, New England College of Optometry
- Inclusive Postsecondary Education: Trends and Opportunities in
Massachusetts for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Ashley Luce, Program Manager, Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts, Boston - Dog and Human Guides: Karin Barrows, M.Ed., COMS, Mass Commission for the Blind, Region 5 and Kara Peters, M.Ed., COMS, Mass Commission for the Blind, Region 4
- Beyond 20/20: Understanding the Nuances of Vision for Daily Living, Alexis G. Malkin, OD, FAAO, Associate Professor of Optometry, New England College of Optometry
- All About Switches: Wendy L. Buckley, M.Ed., Ed.S., Assistive Technology Specialist, Deafblind School, Perkins School for the Blind
- Love is in the Air: When Friendships Deepen, Please Support Our Relationships!: Maureen O’Rourke King, Trainer, Department of Developmental Services, SE Region
Panel: Celia Walsh and JR Foley & John Shimkus and Cheryl Marshall - March Music Madness! Same Song, Different Artists! Song of the Month! Incorporating Choice Making and Orientation and Mobility into Music Therapy: Mollie Caravello, MT-BC, Board Certified Music Therapist, South Shore Educational Collaborative and Laisee Schipper, COMS, PTA, South Shore Educational Collaborative
- When and When Not to Worry about Eye Pain, KC LaMattina, MD, Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Medicine, Director of Pediatrics Service, Director of Uveitis Service Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Medical Center
- You Don’t Have to Have Vision to Have a Vision! Creating a Meaningful Vision while Incorporating Charting the Life Course Tools: Maureen O’Rourke King, Trainer, Department of Developmental Services, SE Region; Nancy Sharon, TVI, COMS, Director of Education and Community Services, The Carroll Center for the Blind; Lily McDonagh, M.Ed, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, The Carroll Center for the Blind
- Creative Arts for All Abilities and Interests: Malissa Kenney, Director of Outreach, Inclusion and CapeCodCAN, Donna Rockwell, Art Director, Cotuit Center for the Arts
Focus Conference 2023
- Supporting Caregivers: Using Guided Imagery Focused on Relationships to Improve Mood by Felipe A. Jain, MD
- Fifteen Years and Counting: Lessons Learned from a Successful Cataract Surgery Program for People with Intellectual Disability: Susannah Rowe, MD, MPH, FACS and Madhura Shah, BS, Medical Student
- Seasons of Life in Disability Eye Care by Greg Waldorf, OD, MPH, FAAO, Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, MCPHS School of Optometry and Dot Tolls, OD Center for Eye Care Southeastern Massachusetts, New England College of Optometry Developmental Disabilities Services, The Eye and Vision Center MCPHS School of Optometry
- Orientation and Mobility (O&M) and the Visual Behaviors of Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment by Lisa Miller, MS. Ed, TVI, COMS, CLVT, Perkins School for the Blind
and Kristen Clark, M.Ed., COMS, Perkins School for the Blind - Demystifying and EYE-Dentifying Visual Function and Behaviors by Jem Martin, OD, FAAO, New England College of Optometry
- Leveraging Mainstream Consumer Technology for Consumers with Visual Impairments by Alexander Pooler, MPA, Director of Assistive Technology and Consumer Database Information, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
Focus Conference 2019
- 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"
- Rehabilitation Teaching: How "FLIRT"ing and "KISS"ing Fit In by Carolyn Ovesen, M.Ed, COMS, COTA/L
- 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
- Managing Light to Enhance Visual Functioning by Bob McGillivray, Certified Low Vision Therapist, Rehabilitation Engineer, Carroll Center for the Blind
- Intro to Assistive Technology Assessments by Kate Kutalak, M.Ed., TVI and HuyenTran Vo, M.Ed., TVI, COMS, CVRT, CATIS, Perkins School for the Blind
- To Wear or Not to Wear: Impact of Spectacle Use in Individuals with Disabilities by Nicole C. Ross, OD, MSc, FAAO
- Fixed Route and ADA Complementary Paratransit Transportation: What you should know and how it can assist your customers by Anna Kosterski
- Partnering with Families: Discovering Abilities Through School & Transition Community Engagement Experience by Christa Gicklhorn, Wendy Bridgeo, Emily Taborda-Monroe, Adam Pulzetti, Perkins School
- 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
Focus Conference 2018
- Opening Remarks and Keynote Address: Friends Matter: Promoting Authentic Social Opportunities for All by Zach Rossetti, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Education, Boston University
- CVI: Best Practice for Visual Access by Ellen Cadigan Mazel, M.Ed., CTVI, CVI Endorsed Professional, Perkins School for the Blind, CVI Program Manager
- 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
- 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
- iOS Accessibility for Users with Visual and Intellectual Disabilities (PDF) by Brian Charlson and Nancy Sharon, Carroll Center for the Blind
- 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
- Safely Supporting the Visually Impaired in the Aquatic Setting by Susannah Locketti, Well Adapted Trainings
- 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
Focus Conference 2017
- Glasses: Considerations for People with Developmental Disabilities by Greg Waldorf, OD, MPH, FAAO, Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, MCPHS School of Optometry
- Understanding Sensory Processing and Its Implications on Learning by Amanda Martinage, OTR/L, M.Ed
- The APH Intervention Continuum of Communication Skills by Monica Turner
- Sensory Trails - What's New in Massachusetts by Jerry Berrier & Marcy Marchello
- Adjustment to the Challenges of Vision Loss: How You Can Help by James Badger, M.Ed, VRT
- The Eyes Have It by Wendy Buckley, M.Ed, Ed.S
- Vision's Influence on the Body and Movement by Danielle M Bushey, PT, DPT, NCS
- Exercise Options for People with Intellectual Disabilities and Visual Impairment/Blindness by John Maxell, MS, ACSM
- Getting Individuals with Vision Loss and Developmental Disabilities Active in the Community by Stephen Jordan, COMS