Visual Field Newsletter
Florida Instructional Materials Center - Visually Impaired
Introducing "Staying Afloat on the Internet with JAWS"
Ongoing | Canvas Course
Whether you've completed the "Just Keep Swimming" JAWS course or are ready to jump into waves of the internet and stay afloat, this free course will introduce basic internet navigation concepts using the California School for the Blind's Screen Reader Training site. Lesson ideas and resources are included throughout the course. Participants can earn 5 CEUs upon completion.
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Learn at least 5 web navigation commands and hotkeys for efficient internet navigation and exploration.
- Learn 2-3 web navigation strategies and instructional techniques.
- Learn about and utilize 3-5 resources for teaching web navigation.
Register through the Canvas sign up form.
Tech Equity and Access in Math (TEAM) Initiative
The TEAM (Tech Equity and Access in Math) Initiative began in 2023 as a small working group to discuss the landscape of digital math for students with visual impairments. Since then, the working group has expanded to include members from across the country who have various ties to the fields of visual impairment, mathematics, and education. As a result, the TEAM Initiative has developed resources, conducted research for peer reviewed publications, presented at conferences, and offered virtual training opportunities to professionals.
As part of Perkins’ National Strategy to improve transition outcomes for students who are blind or have low vision, the TEAM Initiative is making an impact. TEAM Initiative members worked to create a range of resources, tools, and professional development opportunities to support your work with students specifically on digital math. The TEAM Initiative created a dedicated website to capture our larger efforts to raise awareness, build resources, and improve training, including scheduled presentations, publications and calls to action. It will also always direct you to our growing resources. From Age and Skill Level Checklists to Workflows for different tools and ages to re-watching previous Webinars, there is something for everyone that is just a click away.
2025 Florida Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (FAER) Conference SUCCESS
This year’s FAER Conference truly ignited some FLAER in the nearly 100 attendees who gathered at the Embassy Suites in Altamonte Springs, October 22–24. Participants enjoyed sessions from 23 inspiring presenters, covering topics from Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) to Orientation and Mobility (O&M). They learned how to best serve students and clients who are second language learners. Attendees also ventured into the exciting world of AI and assistive technology, soaking up knowledge and a little “vision alphabet soup for the soul” alongside friends and colleagues.
Keynote speakers filled the room with laughter and motivation, reminding everyone not to fear reinvention—or the occasional “squirrel chase.” The closing remarks left us energized, inspired, and ready to share our FLAER with the world.
F - Flourish
L - Lift others up
A - Authenticity in all that you do
E - Embrace
R - Remember to Reflect
Visit FAER's Conference Archives for pictures of all the learning and fun! We hope that you will join us at the next conference in 2027!
November 15, 2025 | 8:00am - 3:30pm EST | Monroe Center/FIMC-VI, Tampa
Student registration is closed but it's not too late for VOLUNTEERS!
O&M instructors, TSVIs, CVRTs, paraprofessionals, retired professionals, college and high school students - all the volunteers are needed to support Florida's young cane travelers as they embark on their journey at Camp Folding Cane!
Five ACVREP CEUs available by Braille Institute.
2025-2026 Student of the Month Program
arts4all Florida's Student of the Month Program is designed to increase public awareness and recognize the impact the arts make on students with disabilities statewide. Students who participate in the arts develop creativity, have increased self-confidence, understand teamwork, have increased language and math skills, and are generally more engaged.
Parents, Teachers, and ESE Specialists - We invite you to recognize students with disabilities aged 5-22 who exemplify outstanding work in and through the arts. The student artist may be accomplished in the visual arts, music, dance, theater, or literary arts, or merely demonstrate amazing personal achievement and leadership through one of the art forms. Each month Arts4All Florida will select one student.
Applications are accepted from September 1, 2025 through May 4, 2026.
The winning students will be featured on the Arts4All Florida website and in our monthly e-newsletter. All winners will receive a personalized award presented at an awards ceremony of choice and a $50 Amazon gift card to both the winning student and the nominating teacher.
University of Florida | Lastinger Center for Learning
Help kids build reading skills
Florida offers families a completely free reading program to help VPK - 5th graders improve their literacy skills and spark a lifelong love of reading. There’s no income requirement to participate!
Enrolled students get special deliveries addressed to them that include:
- 9 books that they choose each school year.
- Reading activities that help build literacy skills.
- Books available in English, Spanish, Haitian, Creole, or braille.
Bookshare Digital Braille Needs Survey
Bookshare is conducting an anonymous survey to learn more about how digital braille is used and how we can better support braille readers through Bookshare improvements.
Your input as an educator who provides braille content to students is especially valuable. Please help us by completing the survey. It only takes 10–15 minutes and is completely anonymous and voluntary.
Lara Rondberg
Program Manager
Benetech/Bookshare