"Focus" Conference Archives

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.  

May 14, 2018 - 13th annual "Focus" Conference
Audio Recordings

• Opening Remarks and Keynote Address: "Friends Matter: Promoting Authentic Social Opportunities for All"  by Jane F. Ryder, Commissioner, Department of Developmental Services and Zach Rossetti, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Education, Boston University
• 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
• 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
• Communicating with Individuals Who Are Deafblind by Sharon Stelzer, M.Ed. and Marguerite Tibaudo, M.Ed., Perkins School for the Blind, Deafblind Program
• Tech for Everyday Life by Lauren Coen-Iltis, M.Ed., COMS and Huyen Tran Vo, M.Ed. Perkins School for the Blind
• CVI: Best Practice for Visual Access by Ellen Cadigan Mazel, M.Ed., CTVI, CVI Endorsed Professional, Perkins School for the Blind, CVI Program Manager
• Lunch & Award Presentations, Remarks by Paul Saner, Commissioner, MA Commission for the Blind
• 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

May 14, 2018 - 13th annual "Focus" Conference
Powerpoint Slides (PDF) and Session Handouts (PDF)​

• Keynote: Friends Matter (PDF) by Zach Rossetti, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Education, Boston University​
• 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
• ​​Binocular Vision Dysfunctions: Diagnosis and Treatment in Those with Developmental Disabilities (PDF) by Mengli Han, O.D., and Anne Reuter, O.D., Assistant Professors from Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, School of Optometry
• Communicating with Individuals Who Are Deafblind (PDF) by Sharon Stelzer, M.Ed. and Marguerite Tibaudo, M.Ed., Perkins School for the Blind, Deafblind Program
• CVI: Best Practice for Visual Access (PDF) by Ellen Cadigan Mazel, M.Ed., CTVI, CVI Endorsed Professional, Perkins School for the Blind, CVI Program Manager
• Recreation: Improving Quality of Life Outcomes: How to Have Fun While Building New Skills (PDF) 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
  • Recreation Resource Handout (PDF)
• Safely Supporting the Visually Impaired in the Aquatic Setting (PDF) by Susannah Locketti, Well Adapted Trainings
• iOS Accessibility for Users with Visual and Intellectual Disabilities (PDF) by Brian Charlson and Nancy Sharon, Carroll Center for the Blind
• 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

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March 8, 2017 - 12th annual "Focus" Conference
Audio Recordings

• Opening Remarks and Keynote Address: "Ten Years and Counting: Lessons from a Decade of Successful Eye Surgery for People with Intellectual Disability" by Paul Saner, MCB Commissioner and Dr. Susannah Rowe, MD, MPH
•  Visual Function and Quality of Life in People with Intellectual Disability by Dr. Susannah Rowe, MD MPH
•  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
• Glasses: Considerations for Those with Developmental Disabilities by Dr. Greg Waldorf, OD, FAAO
• Sensory Trails - What's New in Massachusetts by Jerry Berrier & Marcy Marchello
• Head Over Heels: Vision and Falls by Dr. Alexis Malkin, OD, FAAO

 March 8, 2017 - 12th annual "Focus" Conference
​Powerpoint Slides and Session Handouts 

• Ten Years and Counting: Lessons From a Decade of Successful Eye Surgery For People With
  Intellectual Disability (PDF) by Susannah Rowe, M.D., MPH
• Understanding Sensory Processing and Its Implications on Learning (PDF) by Amanda Martinage, OTR/L, M.Ed
• APH Intervention Continuum: Building Sensorimotor and Preoperational Cognitive Skills (PDF) by Monica Turner
• Glasses: Considerations For People With Developmental Disabilities (PDF) by Greg R. Waldorf, OD, FAAO
• Sensory Trails-What's New in Massachusetts (PDF) by Marcy Marchello and Jerry Berrier
• Adjustment to the Challenges of Vision Loss: How You Can Help (PDF) by James Badger, M.Ed, VRT
• The Eyes Have It (PDF) by Wendy Buckley, M.Ed, Ed.S
• VIsion's Influence on the Body and Movement (PDF) by Danielle M Bushey, PT, DPT, NCS
• Exercise Options For People with Intellectual Disabilities and Visual Impairment/Blindness (PDF) by John Maxell, MS, ACSM
• Getting Individuals with Vision Loss and Developmental Disabilities Active in the Community (PDF) by Stephen Jordan, COMS