AER – Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the ...



AZ AER Fall 2018 ConferenceLittle America HotelFlagstaff, AZConference ScheduleThursday, November 1, 20187:30-8:30: RegistrationExhibitors OpenContinental Breakfast8:30-8:45: Welcome8:45-9:45: Tom Perski (Iris Vision), Keynote-"Long Time, No See: Sharing Successful Strategies on Family, Career, and Inspiring Others"From a family therapist perspective: What to consider when teaching blind or low vision students. From the technologist perspective: What does the future hold for low vision accessibility?10:00-11:30:Jay Johnson and Kay Schreiber: Using Data to Collaborate and Increase Student EngagementThis workshop will address critical issues affecting student outcomes affecting students who visually impaired. ?We will discuss data connected to students who visually impaired enrolled in CTE programs and receive special education services. ?The presenter will discuss data based decision making to increase collaboration, IEP/transition planning while facilitating discussion about an educational atmosphere by comparing CTE students to non-CTE students in addition to post high school student engagement in employment, higher education, and training.?William Koehler: Evidence-Based Process for Instruction—Critical Beginnings: Orientation and Mobility Career, College, and Community Readiness StandardsThe 21st century education system uses a standards-based model and until now, the discipline of O&M has not kept up with the norm. A 2018 Delphi study validated draft O&M Career, College and Community Readiness Standards that include standard domains: concept development, sensory development, orientation & mapping, formal and travel techniques, communication, personal safety and advocacy. Each standard provides age/grade level performance indicators (benchmarks) based on typical development, for age 24 months, and end of grades 3, 7 and 12. Some existing resources in the field including curriculum and checklists can be retro-fit into the standards-based model. In this session you will learn why there is a critical need for standards, how the O&M CCCRS were developed and validated, how they can help justify a level of services that are age/grade level specific and how they will benefit individuals with vision loss. A discussion of next steps will provide an optimal scenario for the future potential in our profession on behalf of students for whom we all share responsibility.Amy Thomas: Learning Barriers: Understanding Students with Behavior, Concentration Issues, Tantrums or Trouble with Change when Vision Problems Are PresentLearn about how our senses need to work together to help us concentrate in school and life. Students with Sensory Problems tend to have: Lack of comprehension, An Inability to Focus, Behavior Issues, Speech/Language Delays, Heightened Sensitivities to Sound, Textures, Touch, Problems reading for long periods, Problems copying from the board, Problems with handwriting. The presentation will concentrate on the following subjects: How Vision Develops, What Happens When Vision Does Not Develop as Expected, What It Feels Like to Have a Vision Problem What It Looks Like to Have a Vision Problem, how to Modify the Classroom for Vision Problems, How to Fix Vision ProblemsKevin Hughes and Peter Tucic: Braille Tech Tools and Student Productivity: Opening the Braille Tech Tool BoxThis session will explore the specific tasks that the braille student may encounter during a normal school day. More specifically working with PowerPoints,?a dictionary and the sharing of information via Google Drive as well as word processing. The session will explore the pros and cons of using a BrailleNote Touch or Braille display (with PC or IPAD) to complete the task in the most efficient manner. What is the best and most efficient "tech tool" for the task? Does the amount of electronic linear braille cells matter? Peter will explain this and demonstrate the various options.11:30-1:00 LunchBusiness MeetingMargaret Bluhm and Mary Jo Martinez Awards1:00-2:00 Julie Rock and Chris Hawk: The Use of Smart Home Technology for Individuals with DisabilitiesThe presentation will give a broad overview of the different types of smart home technologies and how they can be used to increase quality of life and independence for individuals with disabilities.Susan Marks: Considerations for Students with Autism Plus Vision ImpairmentAs the professional field is becoming increasingly aware of autism, and as the numbers of students with autism has been increasing along with that awareness, all professionals need to have an understanding of how autism affects students. For these reasons, it is equally important that professionals in the field of vision impairments, recognize the features of autism as well as how to address the needs of a student with VI and autism. This presentation will serve as an opportunity to raise awareness and discuss needs for working with this unique population of students.Paula Charnesky and Mary Highline: Tips, Techniques, and Tools for CookingIn this session, you will become familiarized with meal time eating techniques for blind and vision impaired individuals, kitchen organization, labeling, and use of color and contrast in the kitchen. Your will be introduced to an on line question and answer blog set up by blind and visually impaired individuals that includes very useful informational postings in the area of kitchen cooking. This presentation is a compilation of information researched on line in the area of food preparation skills. Most information presented was taken from websites such as Pathways to Literacy, Texas School for the Blind, Perkins School for the Blind, and others and was compiled and organized to provide serviceable information in the area of Food Prep/Independent Living Skills for Blind and Vision Impaired individuals. Informational websites will be shared with the participants in this presentation.Christine Tuttle: Finally Cool and Hip: The Download from the Talking Book LibraryDid you know that the Talking Book Library has a downloadable program? ?Yes, patrons have access to audio and web braille materials from the BARD program, Braille and Audio Read Download.2:00-2:15: Break and Exhibitor Visits2:15-3:45:Sunggye Hong and Garrison Tsinajinie: Conversations and Controversies in Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment: What’s in Your Toolbox?According to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), practitioners carryout the daunting task of ensuring that all children and youth with visual impairments (VI) are properly evaluated in their day to day interactions with students, families, and colleagues. ?This is especially true as practitioners evaluate a wide array of students with VI. ?As practitioners delve into their toolboxes to determine each students’ individual sensory channels, functional vision, and learning media, two questions come to mind: ?which tool best fits the needs of this particular student, and is this a tool validated through data driven research? ?The presenters of this session aim to discuss the conversations and controversies surrounding the evaluation of students with Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairments. ?Through this presentation, session participants will not only identify controversies that directly impact practitioners within the field of VI, but also have an opportunity to gather resources and assessment tools to inform their day to day work within schools and communities. ?Ample time will be allocated for participants to discuss current challenges as well as practical solutions and strategies in coping with the needs of students with Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairments. ??William Koehler: Is Evidence-Based Research Driving Your Instruction or Just Driving You Crazy? Help May Be on the Way!How often have you heard the phrase “the research says…”? How many times have you said: “Can I really understand research?” Put aside your fears! Do not bring your calculators! No number crunching here! Now, does that help to start reducing some of your fears?? We all hear that the new process driving instruction is evidence-based research. What is evidence-based research in reality and how can you as a practitioner wade through this seemingly complex process to get some meaning that actually applies to your immediate work with students or clients? This presentation is designed to break down that subject into practical information that can be understood and potentially used, or discarded, by those of us who must make daily decisions in instruction for individuals with vision loss. You will see examples of research and have the opportunity to evaluate whether or not that work can be helpful for you. Participants can use information to sort out the “C’s” in research: causation, correlation, coincidence, and caution! We will also touch on the recent clichés and how these can influence decisions: data-driven, data informed, data supported and data paralyzed.Tracy Mosbarger, Kristi Lawrence, Alli Scott, and Susan Greer: Zero to Three in AZ!Come and see what the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Early Intervention Program for the Visually Impaired is sharing with our families throughout our state. We will be introducing you to Early Childhood Services including IFSP's and assessments, and we will show how we are doing those. We will be displaying a variety of homemade sensory materials for use in the home that can be made by both providers and families for their children who are blind, low vision, deaf blind and children with additional disabilities. We will be there to answer any questions and demonstrate all materials. Some of the sensory items we will have on hand include, toy bars, sensory vests, scratch boards, sensory sticks, sensory blankets, homemade texture books, sensory hoops, etc. Photos and videos will be shown of families using some of these fun sensory materials in natural environments and during daily routines. We will be there to answer any questions and demonstrate all materials.Danielle Cummings, Jordana Koziowski, Kali Ogden, Logan Fischer, and other invited students: Student Panel: Using Assistive Technology—A Student PerspectiveThis panel will consist of students (grades 3-12) who will share their stories and uses of assistive technology to access the general education curriculum. The students will also answer audience questions.3:45-4:00: Break and Exhibitor Visits4:00-5:00Sandra Stirnweis: Orientation and Mobility Technology: Lessons from AFB LeadershipThe latest in technological advances always seems to be the device most needed, but is it? ?With low and high tech options how do you decide what is best for your students? This presentation will cover the various types of technology and strategies for evaluating their effectiveness with differing populations. Betty Schoen and Jennifer Kelley: Pre-Employment Transition Services Help Students Prepare for the FutureDo you know students who are having a hard time figuring out a career goal and determining what they need to know to prepare for work? ?The Workforce Innovations and Opportunities Act (WIOA) requires all Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs to provide a new service called “Pre-Employment Transition Services” to students aged 14 to 22 who have a disability. ?These general, group workshops can equip students with some tools to get a great start on preparing for their futures! ?Come and find out the details about Pre-Employment Transition Services and how this service might benefit student YOU know!Vicki Numkena: CampAbilities in Flagstaff … Let’s Do It!It is a struggle every spring to convince my students who live in northern AZ to sign up for summer camps. ?Excuses include "it's too far away" and "it's too hot". ?Well, no excuses anymore! ?We want to establish a CampAbilities in Flagstaff and we are looking for your help. ?Come and hear what we have worked on so far and what you can do to make this a reality!Dan Brown and Amy Trollop: MindfulnessMindfulness, the simple act of paying attention in the present moment, is making inroads in habit change, stress reduction and self-care. To learn and apply the principles and values of the effective and affective characteristics of being mindful please join us for a transformative session. ?5:00-6:00 Exhibitor visits and RaffleDinner: Choose your own adventure. Enjoy Flagstaff’s wide variety of dining experiences, or gather with friends at one of three highly recommended locations! Friday, November 2, 20187:00-7:30: Memorial Service: Share memories of Arizona vision professionals who have passed away in the last year7:30-8:30:Breakfast BuffetExhibitors Open8:30-9:30: DeEtte Snyder, Group Session: Babies Grow Up to be 4th Graders: ?Defining a population with analysis of a national databaseIn order to develop programs to support the true learning needs of students with visual impairments, it is important to know the population. ?This includes the diversity of visual conditions, developmental needs, and supports being provided in addition to specialized visual impairment supports. Data tells a very important story and this presentation will focus on the results of the recent analysis of the Babies Count database. ?Characteristics related to children's visual/medical/educational needs, their families, and the services designed to support them will be highlighted. Demographic and epidemiological information is included, plus a comparison of previous analyses for a longitudinal look at young children with visual impairment. The history of the project will be summarized for those new to Babies Count. ?Even though this presentation will focus on data related to very young children, participants will be able to forecast future populations, as babies grow up to be preschoolers, grade schoolers, high schoolers, and adults. ?Knowing who our population is will enable our entire system, from university preparation programs for future teachers of the visually impaired to educational programs for students to vocational rehabilitation programs for adults, in order create appropriate services for the true needs of our population. ?Data tells a story...and this is OUR story! This information provides a data driven direction for the field of education for children, students, and adults with BVI.9:30-9:45 Break and Exhibitor Visits9:45-10:45: Megan Mogan: Teaching Time and Transition for Students Who Are VI with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Have you ever walked into a classroom for sighted students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and noticed the amount of visual aids in place? These systems can help students anticipate upcoming activities, prepare for transitions, and understand changes in their environment. This presentation will provide examples of the concrete tactile equivalents of these visual aids for time and transition. ?Video examples, real-time practice, and handouts will be shared so you can keep your VI students on the Autism Spectrum moving, grooving, and learning!Lori Moroz-White and Panel of STEP Team: STEP: 3 Years LaterStudent Transition and Enrichment Program (STEP) is designed to help students in the Clark County School District to identify areas of interest and develop transition skills. Beginning at pre-school STEP is designed to support students with low vision and blindness to successfully transition to college or the workforce. At an early age students develop awareness through exposure and enrichment programs. Amber Vallecillos: Deafblind Street CrossingsThis presentation will discuss the different methods of teaching individuals who are deafblind how to cross the street. We will discuss the use of street crossing cards and signs in order to solicit assistance with a crossing- both from pedestrians as well as drivers.Christine Griffin and Laura Acosta: Get Your STALE ECC Lessons FRESH Again!Tired of doing the same old ECC lessons? ?Learn some new strategies/activities to spice up your ECC lessons.10:45-11:00 Break11:00-12:00:Julie Rock: Coping with Memory Loss and Vocational Rehabilitation with Individuals Who Are Blind or Visually ImpairedDiscussion of coping strategies used and taught while instructing and supporting individuals with memory loss who are blind or visually impaired.Chris Hawk, Lisa Medley, and Jared Leslie: Braille and Tech: New Ways of Accessing InformationNew formats that can be created for your students and new technology to allow access to information.Tamara Bishop-Amavilah: Orientation and Mobility: Lessons from RenoChristine Griffin: Tips and Strategies for FVAs and LMAs12:00-1:00: Lunch and Raffle1:00-2:30: Carol Green: The Navajo Braille Connection Summer Program and Your StudentIn this presentation participants will learn about the Navajo Braille Connection Summer Program for 2019. Parents and teacher of potential participants are encouraged to attend so they can submit an application or pick up applications for their child/student to attend. the presenter will also provide information about her recent experience of using the Navajo Braille Code to take a Navajo Language class at a local college. In addition, participants will preview the Navajo Braille Connection website and materials to be used for the upcoming summer program, which will include: a 3D model of Monument Valley, carding paddles & spindle for wool, tactile representations of petroglyphs, a braille & print copy of "The Goat in the Rug", & a tactile book in print and braille of "Baby's First Laugh". Participants will make tactile counting books in English & Navajo in print & braille to share with their students and communities. ?Danielle Cummings, Katie Fischer, Ryan Fischer, and other invited parents: Parent Panel- Optic Nerve HypoplasiaThis parent panel will focus on the needs and concerns of students with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia.Sandra Stirnweis: Creative Teaching Approaches and Goal Writing for O&MGoal writing can always be a challenge. ?This workshops will discuss various ways to write goals that make sense while incorporating all the elements required by IDEA and your district. ?We will then look at creative ways to teach those goals that keep things fresh for you and your students.Bonnie Gursh and Danette Imafidon: Tips for Setting Up a Classroom for Students with Multiple Disabilities and Severe Sensory ImpairmentsThis presentation will give an overview of how to set up a classroom for students with multiple disabilities with severe sensory impairments. We will discuss how to tackle the physical structure while creating a learning environment that is accessible and interactive that will meet the needs of your students. Examples of ideas will be provided as a springboard to spark your imagination and creativity to set up or modify your own classroom.Presenter BiosLaura Acosta Laura Acosta is a junior at Higley High School. She is a visually impaired student and wants to study to become a TVI & COMS. She is a current student of Christine Griffin, and has been assisting her with trainings and presentations in order to understand more of the roles TVIs and O&Ms have outside of the classroom.?Laura is very active and enjoys dancing, yoga, and paddle boarding. ? She loves to spend time with her family and loves to write in her free time.Dan Brown Dan Brown’s professional life has been focused on educating children and guiding teacher leaders to be effective in their role. He has a master’s in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. He has a second master’s degree in Metaphysical Science (Mindfulness thesis) from the University of Metaphysics. ?Dan worked at the Arizona Department of Education as the Deputy Associate Superintendent of School Improvement and Intervention and later took on the responsibilities of State Director for Career and Technical Education. Dan joined the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in August of 2014. He engages students, teachers, administrators and support staff to find value in their role and inspire them to a deeper understanding of how their work makes a difference in the overall purpose of the organization.Paula Charnesky Paula Charnesky has been working as a Teacher of the Vision Impaired for Arizona Schools for the Deaf and Blind/North Central Regional Cooperative for 25 years. Prior to that she was employed for 11 years as a Teacher of the Vision Impaired (after graduate school both Mobility Instructor/TVI) for the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in Malone, New York. Paula is a graduate of Michigan State University and received her MA at Boston College in the area of Orientation and Mobility and Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind. During her time as a graduate student at Boston College she spent time living and working as a house parent at Perkins School for the Blind. Paula worked on the Perkins campus in the cottage that housed high school girls. The focus of her work there was independent living skills, specifically food prep.Danielle Cummings Danielle began working as an itinerant Teacher of students with Visual Impairments for the North Central Regional Cooperative of Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind in 2013. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Biology from Oakland University in Michigan and began my career as a high school math?teacher. She received her Master’s Degree in Special Education with emphasis in Visual Impairments in December 2014. She has two sons, both with foveal hypoplasia, which originally got her interested in this field. She loves spending time with her boys and her dog, Star, and they all love to travel and explore new places. She was originally born in New Jersey and spent 6 years overseas during middle and high school in Switzerland and Hong Kong. She then moved to Arizona then Michigan then back to Arizona. She has been living in various parts of Arizona since 1998.Carol Green Carol Begay Green has been a TVI for Farmington Municipal Schools since 2010. She earned her Master of Arts in Special Education from New Mexico State University in 2011. She developed a braille code for Navajo in 2015 and it was approved by the Navajo Nation Department of Dine Education that same year. Prior to obtaining her Master’s degree she taught in elementary schools on the Navajo Nation: at Na't'aani Nez Elementary in Shiprock, New Mexico from 1997 to 2007 & Red Mesa Elementary in Red Mesa, Arizona from 1992 to 1996. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University in 1991.?She lives in Kirtland, New Mexico with her husband Kevin Green Sr. They have four children and 8 grandchildren along with her guide dog Gordon and his pug brother.Christine Griffin Christine Griffin is a teacher of the visually impaired serving the south-east valley in the Phoenix Metro Area. ?She has been a TVI for 15 years teaching mostly in the Phoenix area. When she isn't teaching, she enjoys crafting, singing, happy hour (lol), and spending time with her daughter.Bonnie Gursh Bonnie Gursh has been a teacher for students with visual impairment since 1976. Her career began in Joliet, Illinois where she taught for 13 years after graduating from Michigan State University. She came to Scottsdale in 1989. Bonnie has a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She has completed the two-year training through the AZ DeafBlind Project to work with students who have abilities to succeed with limited vision and hearing. Bonnie is married with four furry, four-legged children.Chris Hawk Chris Hawk is the IT Manager for the Foundation for Blind Children. He has been with FBC since May 2013. At FBC, Chris and his team support internal employees as well as external students and clients including MLB technology lease program and Vocational Rehabilitation clients. ?Chris came to FBC from Northern Arizona University where he studied Computer Information Systems and worked in the IT department supporting the School of ForestryMary Highline Mary received her TVI and Masters in Special Education from the University of Arizona. ?Mary is currently employed at Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind/ North Central Regional Cooperative. ?She taught in special education for 17 years, and as a certified TVI for one year. ?While working in the Flagstaff Unified School District, Mary learned the power of teaching through cooking. ?As a TVI, Mary has needed to adapt techniques/tools in food prep to accommodate for her low vision and blind students.Sunggye Hong Dr. Hong is an Associate Professor of the Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies/Program Coordinator of the VI teacher training program. He received his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Arizona in Special Education/Education of Students with Visual Impairments.Kevin Hughes Kevin is the West Region Manager for HumanWare and has over 17 years experience with blindness and low vision assistive technology both as a consultant and trainer.Danette Imafidon Danette Imafidon has been a Special Education teacher in Scottsdale Unified School District working with students with multiple disabilities with severe sensory impairments since 2004. She has a Master’s Degree in Special Education and is a National Board Certified teacher. ?She completed a two-year training to enhance her understanding and ability to work with students with combined vision and hearing impairments through the AZ DeafBlind Project. She was chosen as Charro’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year for Redfield in 2016-17 and received the Teacher of the Year Award through the Scottsdale Mayor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities in 2007.Jay Johnson Jay Johnson is the Post School Outcomes Education Program Specialist at the Arizona Department of Education. He holds degrees in elementary education, special education, and educational leadership.?Jay completed his Masters and undergrad degrees at Northern Arizona University. His interests lie in the area of student engagement and best practices to support students during and after high school. ?In recent years, he has focused on transition planning, collaboration, and data driven decision making. ?He has collaborated actively with several educational agencies in Arizona and school districts around the state. ??Jay has served on several conference and workshop program committees focused on transition services. During his time at ADE he has also served on several workgroups and evaluation teams while representing the Arizona Department of Education statewide and nationally. ?He currently serves on the State of Arizona Community of Practice on Transition Programming. Jay is an avid Pittsburgh Steeler Fan.?Jennifer Kelley Jennifer Kelley has nine years’ experience in workforce development, serving diverse groups of individuals. ?She is currently a transition specialist for the Rehabilitation Services Administration, focusing on pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities. ?She holds an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in human resources management.William Koehler M.ED.; TVI, COMS; retired educator.? *40+ years’ experience with ECFE-22 with visual impairments including those with multiple disabilities; their families and teachers.?*Itinerant TVI/O&M; administrator in public school and special schools for the blind in 4 states;?*Post-graduate research: national study on "Training Received and Training Needed by Teachers of the Visually Impaired".?*Completed a 2018 national research project to affirm “Standards for Instruction in Orientation and Mobility”; research accepted for publication in JVIB.?*Presentations on related, evidence-based topics: ?assessment-driven O&M services; considerations for instructional time for orientation and mobility instruction; effectiveness of student learning in varied service delivery models; case-load analysis for TVIs; specialized program development and learning outcomes for students with vision loss; in depth analysis of role, responsibilities and functions for the TVI; rethinking the expanded core curriculum with emphasis on a “focused core curriculum”.?*Remains involved teaching university classes and continuing research projects.?Kristi Lawrence Kristi Lawrence is an Early Childhood Teacher for ASDB, and has been with the Early Childhood Program for 25 years.Jared Leslie Jared Leslie is the Director of Media Services for the Arizona Instructional Resource Center located at the Foundation for Blind Children he has been in his role since January of 2016. In his previous roles he lead and worked with teams of individuals that implemented surgical missions, water systems, health education and increased access to education in the developing world. The Arizona Instructional Resource Center is the source of alternative formats and educational supplies for many Teachers of the Visually Impaired and VI students.?Susan Marks Susan Marks is Professor Emeritus at Northern Arizona University. While at Northern Arizona University, she taught courses in autism, inclusive education, and instructional methods for students with low incidence disabilities.Lisa Medley Lisa Medley is the Braille Program Coordinator for the AZ. State Prison in Kingman, operated by The Geo Group. She has been in this roll since the inception of the program in August of 2016. She oversees 23 inmates who provide material in multiple mediums for the blind and visually impaired to the Foundation for Blind Children. Before this she worked as an executive secretary for the Programs Dept. Prior to the prison she worked for 17 years as the Administrative Assistant to the Food Service Director for the Lake Havasu City School District.?Megan Mogan Megan is a Speech-Language Pathologist at the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind-Tucson campus. She studied Communication Disorders at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois and received a Master's degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona. Megan specializes in working with students who have multiple disabilities and sensory impairments, including deaf blindness. Megan works directly with students on functional, early communication and literacy development. Megan is a Perkins eLearning instructor and a regular contributor to the Paths to Literacy blog. ?Lori Moroz-White Lori Moroz-White is the transition/technology specialist for the Visually Impaired department at the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada.?Lori holds a Bachelor’s degree in Technology Education, a Master’s in School Administration, Endorsement in Vision Impairments, and an Educational Specialist degree.? Lori has been published in educational journals, and presented at national, state and local conferences; she has also assisted in research and taken part in practical applications regarding blindness and visual impairments. She was selected by the National Journal for her collaboration with Vegas PBS, and was nominated for the CCSD Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.?Tracy Mosbarger Tracy Mosbarger is currently the Statewide Vision Supervisor of the Early Childhood Program for the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Tracy has been a Teacher of the Visually Impaired for over twenty years. ?Susan was the Statewide Vision Supervisor for the Early Childhood and Family Education Program for ASDB for 34 years. ?She retired in July 2018.Vicki Numkena An educator for over 37 years, Vicki spent the first 12 years teaching children with Learning Disabilities all over the state of Arizona, including the Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservations. She taught preschoolers with vision impairments at the Visually Impaired Preschoolers’ Center, in Tucson for 17 years. Presently, Vicki is back “on the rez” providing VI services to children birth through junior high school. She is an avid amateur gardener, photographer, backpacker and hiker, having traversed the Grand Canyon from rim to rim several times. ?Vicki’s outdoor interests and Physical Education certification help her to bring a unique prospective to the task of creating a unique summer camp for students with visual impairments.Tom Perski Tom is current vice president of professional and consumer outreach for IrisVision Global of Silicon Valley California. Before moving to Oro Valley the second time in 2017, he was Senior Vice president of rehabilitation services for the Chicago Lighthouse since 2008. Tom has been a pioneer in the field of low vision for over 30 years.? He began many low vision support groups beginning in 1982 in Chicago while working as a family therapist.? He held several positions at the Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation including Director of Counseling from 1987 to 1994.? He was instrumental in working with other agencies for the blind to help begin such programs as the Seeing Is Believing children's low vision program and the Discovery Low Vision Conference. Tom was Founder and Executive Director of Macular Degeneration International from 1994 to 2004.? He published an extensive News Journal for patients and families with both age-related and juvenile forms of macular degeneration.? He also held seminars for consumers and families throughout the US.Tom began losing his vision to Stargardt Macular Dystrophy?while in college, giving up his hopes for a career as a commercial artist and giving up playing basketball and driving a car.? He later returned to college as a legally blind student where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Family and Community Counseling both from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. Tom has been featured as a speaker at over 85 professional conferences including the American Optometric Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the AER International conference. Tom's volunteer efforts include many board positions including Board President of the Tucson Association for the Blind, now SAAVI,?Arizona AER board member and he received the Margaret Blum Award for outstanding service to the blind in Arizona for 2004.? He and his wife Diane, also a Lighthouse employee, were founders and owners of Southwest Low Vision, Inc. for twelve years providing service and technology for the low vision community throughout Arizona and New Mexico. They have three adult children and six grandchildren.Julie Rock Julie is a graduate of the Foundation for Blind Children's Adult Comprehensive Program. She has a Bachelor of Science in agribusiness management from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in vision rehabilitation therapy from Western Michigan University.?While Julie’s current responsibilities include managing the Adult Comprehensive Program, she enjoys instructing when the opportunity arises.? Julie is currently treasurer of the Arizona Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) and serves on several committees.?Betty Schoen Currently serving as a Regional Transition Specialist for Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation program, Betty first began working as a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor with high school students with disabilities in 2000. ?Betty’s favorite aspect of her job is providing resources to students, educators, and other transition partners, and helping our youth with disabilities prepare for meaningful careers.?Alli Scott Alli Scott is also an Early Childhood Teacher for ASDB, and has been with them for 3 years.DeEtte Snyder DeEtte Snyder, PhD, is the State Coordinator for Birth to 3 Services at the Washington State School for the Blind. ?She received her PhD in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado and completed her dissertation with an analysis of the national database called Babies Count. ?She received two distinguished awards as a part of her doctoral work, including The Dean's Citation of Excellence for Outstanding Student and Outstanding Dissertation. ?For over 25 years she has been working with children aged birth to 5 with visual impairments, and their families, both as an educator and a program administrator. ?Her early work experience was at the Foundation for Blind Children in Phoenix, AZ, but for the last 4 years, she has worked in the state of Washington building a program for early support for young children with BVI and their families, where one did not exist prior. ?Sandra Stirnweis Sandra is a COMS with over 30 years of experience in writing goals and developing creative teaching methodologies for students, especially those with multiple considerations.Amy Thomas Amy Thomas, OD, FCOVD is a developmental/neuro-cognitive optometrist who has spent the last 10 years working with patients who are struggling with their vision. ?She is Board Certified in Vision Development and has more than 600 hours of post-graduate training in diagnosing and treating basic functional vision problems, amblyopia/strabismus, sports vision, post-trauma vision syndrome, and the connection between vision and the body. ?She has also coordinated the care of her patients with local teachers and ancillary staff to ensure the best success for children with vision problems in a school setting over the past 10 years.Amy Trollop Amy Trollop’s career path has been a journey focused on teaching children and supporting teachers and educational staff in working with children with multiple disabilities, visual impairments, and deaf blindness. ?She holds a master’s degree in Visual Impairment from University of Arizona and a certification in Ayurvedic counseling with 300 hr Yoga Teacher Training. ?Amy has worked as a special needs preschool teacher and currently teaches students with visual impairments in various school districts throughout the Phoenix valley area, as well as working with the Arizona Deafblind Project as a Regional Consulting Teacher. Amy's hobbies include yoga and hiking various trails throughout Arizona with her husband and 7-year-old son.Garrison Tsinajinie Garrison Tsinajinie is a Diné (Navajo), third year doctoral student in the University of Arizona (UA) Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies and a National Leadership Consortium in Sensory Disabilities Scholar. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the UA and has worked with students with visual impairments as an itinerant TVI. ?Peter Tucic Peter Tucic graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. For the last several years he has worked as a Blindness Product Specialist for HumanWare. He has traveled throughout the US, supporting teachers and students and presenting at state and national conferences. ?Prior to working for HumanWare Peter ran the National Assistive Technology Helpdesk at the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind where he worked with blind and visually impaired individuals from across the country who were in need of assistance interacting with both their mainstream, and blindness specific assistive technology. Peter also has worked as a teacher’s assistant for over 6 years with SASED, a large special education cooperative in the western suburbs of Chicago. Peter has also presented at such conferences as the ACB and NFB in addition to the CSUN and Getting in Touch with Literacy conferences. Peter has also been published in Closing the Gap magazine.Christine Tuttle Christine is the Outreach Librarian at the Talking Book Library. She starting as a Reader Adviser in 2007 and was promoted to her current position in 2009. ?Christine is a member of the Special Library Association, American Libraries Association, and the Arizona Library Association. ?Amber Vallecillos Currently a COMS at the Foundation for Blind Children working with Early Intervention, center based pre-school, and itinerant services. Previously worked with the Helen Keller National Center for deafblind youths and adults. ................
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