"Focus"
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Home   >   Training ​
"Focus" Talks
Learn whenever the time is right for you! “Focus” Talks is an on-demand webcast series on topics related to eye care, vision and vision loss. Presented by colleagues from across Massachusetts, we are so appreciative of everyone’s collaborative spirit and for the sharing of expertise, time and informational resources.  Using the Zoom platform, with both captioning and deaf interpreting available for all sessions, “Focus” Talks vary in length from 25 minutes up to an hour and are always free.  Featured “Focus” Talks will be highlighted monthly, and new topics and sessions uploaded when available. Be sure to visit often!
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Attending is Easy as 1-2-3
  1. Click the title for the “Focus” Talk you are interested to virtually attend.
  2. After reviewing the information about the session, click "REGISTER to view this free session".  
  3. After registering, the "Focus" Talk of your choice will be available immediately. Please Note: The date you will see when registering for the "Focus" Talk is the date that the presentation was recorded. All "Focus" Talks are on demand.
​Register for as many topics as you’d like. Happy Learning!
Sessions By Category
Aging
DeafBlind
Environment
Eye Care
Fitness
News/Info
Sensory
Technology
Wellness
Post Session Support
Certificates
Continuing Ed
Connect with Us

January Featured "Focus" Talk: 
  • American Printing House for the Blind Tactile Book Building Kit Simplified
    • The APH Tactile Book Building Kit might look overwhelming, but this step-by-step presentation will help you to create your very own tactile book filled with a variety of activities.​​
      • Presenters: Georgia Wattendorf Guiney, M.Ed., COMS & Meaghan Famularo
      • ​Length: 29 minutes
At a Glance
Enjoy reading through these snapshots of available "Focus" Talks. For a full description and to register for each session, please click the corresponding title.
DeafBlind
  • Communication and Conversations:  Give Me A Reason!
    • Presenters: Sharon Stelzer, M.Ed., Lead Teacher & Mary Zatta, Ph.D., Director of Professional Development Perkins School for the Blind
    • Length: 44 minutes
  • Helen Keller National Center Intro to Inclusive Communication for Individuals Who Are Deafblind with Additional Disabilities
    • Presenters:
      • Tara Brown-Ogilvie, M.S.Ed, COMS, VRT, New England Regional Representative (Serving MA, VT, RI, NH, CT, ME), Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults 
      • Michael Richards, DeafBlind Immersion Experience (DBIE) Coordinator
        Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults
    • ​​Length: 50 minutes
Environment
  • Managing Light to Enhance Visual Functioning
    • Presenter: Bob McGillivray, Certified Low Vision Therapist, Rehabilitation Engineer, Carroll Center for the Blind
    • Length: 51 minutes
  • Modifying the Environment for People with Vision Loss
    • Presenter: Darick Wright, O&M Coordinator, Vision Studies Program, School for Global Inclusion & Social Development, UMASS Boston 
    • Length: 25 minutes ​​
Eye Care
  • "Implicit Bias” Toward Persons with Disabilities and Its Impact on Vision Care
    • Presenter: Greg R. Waldorf, OD, MPH, FAAO, Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, MCPHS School of Optometry
    • Length: 43 minutes
  • The Role of Binocular Vision on Learning, Development, and Activities of Daily Living
    • Presenter: Sarah Williams, OD, FAAO, Assistant Professor of Specialty Care, New England College of Optometry, Attending Pediatric Optometrist, NECO Center for Eye Care​
    • Length: 41 minutes
  • Glasses: Considerations for People with Developmental Disabilities
    • Presenter: Greg Waldorf, OD, MPH, FAAO, Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, MCPHS School of Optometry
    • Length: 44 minutes
Fitness
  • Let's Get Moving: Exercise Considerations During COVID
    • Presenter: Matt LaCortiglia, M.Ed, CSCS, CIFT, Adapted Physical Education Teacher
      Deafblind Program, Perkins School for the Blind
    • Length: 44 minutes
News/Info
  • Talking Information Center
    • ​Presenter: Anna Dunbar, Executive Director
    • Length: 20 minutes
Sensory
  • The Use of Props and Adaptive Materials in Music Therapy, Part 1
    • ​Presenter: Mollie Caravello, MT
    • Length: 36 minutes
  • The Use of Props and Adaptive Materials in Music Therapy, Part 2
    • ​Presenter: Mollie Caravello, MT
    • Length: 48 minutes
  • American Printing House for the Blind Tactile Book Building Kit Simplified
    • Presenters: Georgia Wattendorf Guiney, M.Ed., COMS & Meaghan Famularo
    • ​Length: 29 minutes
Technology
  • Intro to Assistive Technology Assessments
    • Presenters: Kate Kutalak, M.Ed., TVI and HuyenTran Vo, M.Ed., TVI, COMS, CVRT, CATIS, Perkins School for the Blind (recorded at "Focus" Conference 2019)
    • Length: 47 minutes   ​​​
Wellness
  • New Ways Caregivers Can Benefit from Guided Imagery: A Focus on Mentalizing, Mindfulness and Connectedness
    • Presenter: Felipe A. Jain, MD, Director of Health Aging Studies, Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School​​ 
    • Length: 44 minutes  
  • Friends Matter! One Friend Can Change Your Whole Life
    • Presenters: Colleen Goff, Training Consultant; Maureen O'Rourke King, M.Ed., DDS SE Region Learning and Development; Luke Hutter Ross, Trainer; Zach Rosetti, Ph.D., Boston University, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
    • Length: 59 minutes​ 
  • You Are What You Eat
    • Presenter: Marcia Richards, MEd, RD, MCHES
    • Length: 20 minutes 
  • Anatomy of a Food Label​
    •  Presenter: Marcia Richards, MEd, RD, MCHES
    • Length: 20 minutes 
  • Building a Healthy Meal
    • Presenter: Marcia Richards, MEd, RD, MCHES
    • Length: 20 minutes 

Connect with Us
If you have any questions or comments, ideas for topics not yet part of the “Focus” Talks series, and/or if you or someone you know would like offer a session, we’d love to hear from you!  Please always feel free to reach out to Lisa.DiBonaventura@mass.gov 
Thank you!
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)