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"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

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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 

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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!