Strategies for Everyday Living
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
Presenter: Darick Wright, O&M Coordinator, Vision Studies Program, School for Global Inclusion & Social Development, UMASS Boston
- In general, people with vision impairment can benefit from environmental modifications including increased contrast, reduced glare, organization and more. By the end of this presentation you should be able to: understand basic terminology relating to light, contrast; identify basic environmental characteristics, and identify ways to modify the environment to allow for efficient use of functional vision and safe movement.
- CEUS: None available; Certificate of Attendance by request
- Length: 25 minutes
- REGISTER to view this free session. 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 available for viewing immediately after registration.
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
Presenters: Sharon Stelzer, M.Ed., Lead Teacher & Mary Zatta, Ph.D., Director of Professional Development Perkins School for the Blind
- This presentation will demonstrate ways that all individuals can participate in meaningful conversations. Through the use of videos, discussion, and simulation, participants will gain an understanding how individuals with limited language can and do communicate.
- CEUS: .5 ACVREP; Certificate of Attendance by request
- Length: 44 minutes
- Resources: Free webcasts and webinars from Perkins eLearning
- REGISTER to view this free session. 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 available for viewing immediately after registration.
The Use of Props and Adaptive Materials in Music Therapy Sessions, Part 1
Presenter: Mollie Caravello, MT-BC
Presenter: Mollie Caravello, MT-BC
- During music therapy sessions, this therapist attempts to meet the needs of all the individuals in her groups. Paired with most songs and activities, there are props included: adapted lights, textured objects, smells, items with braille, speakers, to name a few. Details of these items and how they are used during music therapy will be discussed. This is the first of a two part presentation.
- CEUS: .5 ACVREP; Certificate of Attendance by request
- Length: 36 minutes
- Register to view this free session. 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 available for viewing immediately after registration.
The Use of Props and Adaptive Materials in Music Therapy Sessions, Part 2
Presenter: Mollie Caravello, MT-BC
Presenter: Mollie Caravello, MT-BC
- During music therapy sessions, this therapist attempts to meet the needs of all the individuals in her groups. Paired with most songs and activities, there are props included: adapted lights, textured objects, smells, items with braille, speakers, to name a few. Details of these items and how they are used during music therapy will be discussed.This is part two of a two part presentation.
- CEUS: .5 ACVREP; Certificate of Attendance by request
- Length: 48 minutes
- Register to view this free session. 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 available for viewing immediately after registration.
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
Presenter: Matt LaCortiglia, M.Ed, CSCS, CIFT, Adapted Physical Education Teacher
Deafblind Program, Perkins School for the Blind
- Join in to learn about recreational physical activities and exercises for individuals with multiple disabilities and deafblindness in residential and community settings. Specific topics will include organizing routines, how to use household materials during exercise routines, online resources to encourage movement, and strategies for successful participation
- CEUS: .5 ACVREP; Certificate of Attendance by request
- Length: 44 minutes
- Resources:
- Register to view this free session. 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 available for viewing immediately after registration.
Managing Light to Enhance Visual Functioning
Presenter: Bob McGillivray, Certified Low Vision Therapist, Rehabilitation Engineer, Carroll Center for the Blind
Presenter: Bob McGillivray, Certified Low Vision Therapist, Rehabilitation Engineer, Carroll Center for the Blind
- The importance of lighting is well known, but managing lighting can be tricky. This presentation will review the characteristics of natural and artificial light, the impact and management of glare, the ever-changing lighting options and present approaches in assessing the lighting needs of individuals with visual impairments.
- CEUS: .5 ACVREP; Certificate of Attendance by request
- Length: 51 minutes
- Register to view this free session. 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 available for viewing immediately after registration.
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
- Friendships are personally valuable and developmentally important relationships for all people. Yet friendship between individuals with and without intellectual developmental disabilities or vision loss remain infrequent. People with intellectual disabilities can really be faced with challenges of loneliness on a higher level. This panel discussion will share thoughts on friendship and strategies for growing friendships.
- CEUS: .5 ACVREP; Certificate of Attendance by request
- Length: 59 minutes
- Register to view this free session. 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 available for viewing immediately after registration.
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)
- This session is an introduction to how Assistive Technology Assessments for people who are Blind/Visually Impaired are conducted. There will be an overview of current technology available including high tech, low tech, and cost effective tools. There will also be discussion of the decision making process of finding the right tool(s) to meet the needs of students/clients.
- CEUS: .5 ACVREP; Certificate of Attendance by request
- Length: 47 minutes
- Resources:
- Assistive Technology Assessment: Tips, Tools and Resources from Perkins eLearning
- Assistive Technology from Georgia AT Project
- Assistive Technology Assessment from Teaching Visually Impaired
- Assistive Technology Consideration to Assessment free publications from Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative
- Access World - from American Foundation for the Blind
- AppleVis
- Apple Accessibility
- Register to view this free session. 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 available for viewing immediately after registration.
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
- This training is valuable to direct service professionals, community residence managers, day program managers and staff, supported employment staff, social workers, teachers and anyone interacting with people who are DeafBlind with additional disabilities. This training is an overview of some alternative communication and teaching strategies that can enhance their skills with the people with whom they are interacting. This will introduce tools such as object symbols, communication cards, schedule boards and basic tactual sign language. Teaching strategies such as partial participation and shared activity will be discussed as well.
- CEUS: .5 ACVREP; Certificate of Attendance by request
- Length: 50 minutes
- Resources:
- Helen Keller National Center
- Remarkable Conversations by Barbara Miles
- Register to view this free session. 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 available for viewing immediately after registration.