Family Resource Group- October 2024
Blind/Visually Impaired Edition
🍂🍁 Fall is Here 🍁🍂
From cooler weather to exciting events, there are so many reasons to welcome the Fall season. This edition of the newsletter features new resources, tips and upcoming events.
As always, if you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact me at any time. We also ask you to provide feedback by completing the survey at the end of the newsletter.
Tess Nasehi
Family Resource Group BVI Editor
PaTTAN Technology Adventure for Students with Vision and Hearing Needs
Join us for the first ever PaTTAN Technology Adventure for Students with Vision & Hearing Needs -- connecting students, families, education professionals, and assistive technology (AT) representatives at your local PaTTAN office!
Explore new technology, chat with vendors, learn about new trends, and ask any questions you may have. Participate in our roundtable discussions local transition professionals so you can learn about the supports available for students after graduation, including assistive technology services.
Don't miss this chance to embark on this adventure, grow your skills, learn, and explore together right in your community. Register by choosing your desired location below or through the PaTTAN training calendar (filter by deaf-blind). See you there!
Locations:
- PaTTAN West: past
- PaTTAN East October 22nd; 9:00 am- 3:45 pm
- PaTTAN Central October 23rd; 9:00 am- 3:45 pm
Conflict Resolution Skills for Schools and Families
PaTTAN's Conflict Resolution Skills for Schools and Families webinar focuses on:
- introduction to conflict resolution
- conflict management styles and self-assessment
- communication skills
- perceptions and attitudes
- a six-step conflict engagement model
The next webinar is on October 17 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM and is offered regularly throughout the year.
Sibshop Facilitator Certification Training
Join us for an exciting opportunity to explore the sibling perspective and learn how to run your own Sibshop! The Sibshop Facilitator Certification training will teach interested people on how to host a local Sibshop--a workshop designed to provide support, guidance and information to siblings of children with disabilities within a fun setting.
This training will be held on October 18-19 from 9:00AM to 3:30PM. Trainees must stay for the duration of both days to receive certification.
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI)
The TSBVI event calendar shares several resources, from articles to virtual discussions, for families:
- Family Recharge Zone: Orientation & Mobility - It's a Family Thing!: 10/3/2024
- Coffee Hour: Aligning the ECC with Developmental Milestones: 10/7/2024
- Coffee Hour: Creating Purposeful Movement and Independence for Students with Visual Impairments and Complex Needs: 10/21/2024
- Coffee Hour: Learning with Travelers who are Deafblind- Insights from Practice and Research: 10/28/2024
American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) offers many resources to learn more about the importance and ways of teaching O&M to your child.
- FamilyConnect shares articles and resources on orientation & mobility topics, such as assessment, questions to ask your child's O&M instructor, related activities for families, school fire safety, as well as O&M for babies and toddlers, preschoolers, young children, grade schoolers, and teenagers.
- APH Access Academy also shares related videos on their YouTube channel on topics, such as dog guides, public transportation, collaborative partnering and many more.
- The Hive also offers an online course on independent living skills for blind children.
- APH is celebrating White Cane Safety Day too!
Perkins School for the Blind
The Perkins School for the Blind houses a vast library of articles and videos on O&M. Anyone can visit the Perkins website and search for O&M resources. Below are a few examples of what Perkins has to offer in this area.
- "What is this O&M? Parent perspective video" guide from Paths to Technology
- "Accessible maps and way finding tools for low vision" guide from Veronica Lewis
- "How People with Visual Impairments Navigate the World" webinar from Kristen Clark
- "How to be an effective human guide" guide from Veronica Lewis
- "Airport O&M Activities" strategy by Diane Brauner
- Perkins is also celebrating White Cane Day!
Pennsylvania Organization of Parents of Blind Children
provides resources and connections for parents with blind and low vision children.
Pennsylvania Assocation of Blind Students
shares details on scholarships, workshops, conventions, and internship possibilities.
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC)
helps families and blind children maximize their skills, independence, and opportunities, while holding high expectations.
Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services (BBVS)
assists Pennsylvanians who are blind or visually impaired gain the skills necessary to live and work independently in their communities.
TSBVI Family Recharge Zone
serves as a virtual space for families to collaborate on the first Thursday of each month.
ParentConnect: A Family Support Group
offers a virtual support group for families on the first Wednesday of every month.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)
NLS provides a free braille and talking book library service. Follow the steps shown on the National Library Service website to enroll and receive:
- books and magazines, including bestsellers, biographies, fiction, how-to books, music scores and instructional materials
- in braille or audio formats
- instantly downloadable or mailed to your door for free
FAMILIES TO THE MAX: Statewide Network of Families
leads change by building awareness, empowering families, presuming competence, and fostering high expectations of students with disabilities.
PEAL Center
works with families, youth and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs to help them understand their rights and advocate for themselves.
HUNE
offers free bilingual (English and Spanish) programs, supports, and services on all aspects of special education. HUNE also offers an after-school and summer program.
Parent to Parent of PA
aims to connect and empower families by building a supportive community. Families can connect with others who have had similar journeys so that no parent feels alone.
PaTTAN Library
PaTTAN hosts a collection of publications, videos, podcasts, and websites to help families and educators better understand special education information. Listed below are a few popular resources, but you can also search PaTTAN's website and PaTTAN's YouTube channel to find more. Many of our publications are also available in other languages.