The Family Resource Group May 2023

Grab your sunglasses and sunscreen, because it's summertime! From family adventures to summer camps, there are so many things to look forward to and so many ways to continue learning. Keep reading to find out more.

This is our final newsletter for the 2022-2023 school year. Look out for the first newsletter of the 2023-2024 school year at the end of August. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any time. To be sure that you continue to receive all future updates, or information, directly to your email address, sign up on the Family Resource Group mailing list.

Tess Nasehi

Family Resource Group Editor

tnasehi@pattankop.net

- For Summer -

- For Anytime -

*Each section contains 2-3 topics.

VisionAware from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) shares tips for swimmers who are blind or visually impaired in this article. By clicking the link below, you can find suggestions for lap-swimming, water aerobics, and swimming in open water. Happy splashing!

New additions to the Cook Forest Sensory Trail aim to make hiking more accessible for explorers with visual and/or physical disabilities. Along the trail, you'll find paved paths, guiding cables, braille & raised-print signs, and more. Click the link below to read more.

If your child has both a vision and hearing loss, your family (parents/guardians, siblings, and child with deaf-blindness) is welcome to join us for our hybrid family learning conference! Come experience sharing, caring, and learning together with staff from the Pennsylvania Deaf-Blind Project, PaTTAN, and other families living with deaf-blindness. Financial assistance may also be available to help cover the cost. Click the link below to learn more.

The Sixth Annual Pennsylvania Computer Science for All (CSforAllPA) Summit theme will be All Together Now, representing core tenants of CSinPA: There’s a seat for everyone, we’re stronger together, and we must celebrate our progress while forging ahead. Throughout the CSforAllPA Summit educators, leaders, and stakeholders have the opportunity to share, discuss, and collaboratively develop tools, resources, and practices for CS learning experiences. The Summit specifically focuses on equitably serving historically under-served populations including students with disabilities, English Learners, and females.

Moving from preschool to elementary school or from high school to post-high school environments can be a tricky and nerve-wracking process. However, with careful planning and the right tools, transition can also be an exciting time full of new opportunities. We hope these resources can help support you and your family along the way.

Infant/Toddler Early Intervention (EI) to Preschool Transition Resource

"Supporting Families Through the Transition Process from Infant/Toddler EI to Preschool EI": This guide contains information to help you plan and learn about the process of transitioning from infant/toddler early intervention (EI) to a preschool program.

Preschool to School-Age Transition Resources

"Preschool to School-Age Transition Resources: Considerations for Children Who Are Blind/Visually Impaired": This PaTTAN publication includes planning tools, such as guiding questions and special considerations, for families and teams of students with vision impairment.

"The Transition Process from Early Intervention to School-Age Programs": This publication explains what families can expect to experience when their child approaches the transition from preschool or early intervention to a school-age program.

Secondary Transition Resources

"Secondary Transition Fact Sheet Bundle": This bundle includes 10 fact sheets about secondary transition for students with disabilities, including topics such as financial fundamentals, customized employment, post-secondary education expectations, and more.

PaTTAN's 'Secondary Transition' Initiative: This section of the PaTTAN website contains several resources to support students transitioning from high school to post-high school environments, such as supporting agencies, related webinars, and more.

Every student who is eligible for special education has an IEP that describes the programs and services necessary for the student to receive FAPE. One of the issues discussed and decided upon at the IEP team meeting is whether or not the student requires Extended School Year (ESY) services as part of the student’s special education program. ESY must be considered each year for every student with a disability.

For more information on ESY, access the Teachers' Desk Reference: Extended School Year (ESY) and Extended School Year Services in Pennsylvania.

Are you interested in connecting with other parents and families of children who are blind or visually impaired? APH (American Printing House for the Blind) FamilyConnect and the Chicago Lighthouse have partnered together to provide a virtual support group that connects on the first Wednesday of every month from 7:30pm-8:30pm (ET). Visit the FamilyConnect website to view additional details and resources.

Do you or someone you know have a child that qualifies for special education, but doesn't know where to start? This bundle includes several different publications that provide essential, comprehendible information to families who are new to special education.

Topics include procedural safeguards, special education resources, special education evaluation and reevaluation, a glossary of special education terms, and more!