2012 AFB Leadership Conference Agenda

Thursday, May 3, 2012: Pre-Conference Strands

8:30-10:00

Session: PC100
Title: Keynote—Cradle to Grave: Ensuring Life Success through Structured Career Education Activities
Speaker: Karen Wolffe
Description: In this presentation, Dr. Wolffe introduces participants to the lifelong career education model. The lifelong career education model includes the following phases: awareness, exploration, preparation, placement, maintenance, and mentoring. While these phases are developmental, they are not age-specific and helpers can take individuals through the phases at any time in their lives, when they evidence interest in achieving self-sufficiency.

For parents, teachers, counselors, and related service providers working with children, youth, and adults who are visually impaired in early childhood programs or education and rehabilitation settings, being aware of the importance of teaching skills and knowledge critical to the next environment the individual will experience (whether the transition is from home to school, elementary to secondary, or school to work and independent living) is important for all concerned. Focusing on how the skills needed to be successful in the next environment facilitates goal setting and helps direct instructional objectives for life success.

10:00-11:00

Session: PC201
Title: Is Buzz Lightyear in the Classroom?
Speakers: Phoebe Irby and Rebecca Nance
Description: Buzz Lightyear is known for his courage and bravery. How many students could measure up to Buzz? Join this session to explore successful strategies that encourage learners with visual impairments and additional disabilities.

Starting off with anecdotal stories of "A Day in the Life" of various students in self-contained classrooms in Florida, scenarios of routines will be shared. More in-depth study will then illustrate successful strategies and increase familiarity in areas of: Communication/Behaviors; Independent Functioning; Cognitive Awareness and Sensory Issues as they relate to individuals with additional disabilities.

Session: PC202
Title: Overview of Assistive Technology for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired Part I
Speaker: Ike Presley
Description: The vast array of technologies currently available for people experiencing vision loss can be overwhelming for consumers and service providers. Through organizing and categorizing these tools we can develop a better understanding of what's available and for which tasks these tools can be of assistance. The organizational structure presented in this session will categorize technology according to the task to be completed and then according to the sensory modality used to access the information. Participants will be introduced to the traditional low-tech and high-tech tools in each category and some of the latest advance in each area.

Session: PC203
Title: Working With the Whole Team
Speaker: Mickey Damelio
Description: Training and strategies for working with school staff, and family including paraprofessionals, administrators, and classroom teachers will be offered from my own success as an O&M specialist in the school system in Tallahassee. This will allow them to have greater success working with their students, increasing student outcomes.

11:00-12:00

Session: PC301
Title: Serving Adults Who Are Blind and Have Additional Disabilities
Description: Key positions from the Conklin Center for the Blind will be represented to offer an overview of the agency's mission, philosophy, and population served. An overview of strategies and techniques commonly implemented when providing instruction to adults who are blind and have additional disabilities to facilitate skill development and confidence when learning, practicing, applying vocational and independent living skills. We will offer a panel forum for professionals in the field to ask specific questions and to offer networking opportunities.
Panel:
1. Carolyn McGahan—Director of Adult Services
2. Tricia Smith—Orientation and Mobility Supervisor, COMS
3. Shae Simmons—Program Manager, Vocational Services, MSW
4. Mark Lawson—Supervisor of Employment Services

Session: PC302
Title: Overview of Assistive Technology for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired Part II
Speaker: Ike Presley

Session: PC303
Title: Ability Beyond the Horizon
Speaker: Mickey Damelio
Description: Information on the work of Ability Beyond the Horizon in Bangalore, India in the summer of 2011 and how others can get involved in this work.

12:00-1:30

Lunch and Florida AER meeting

12:00-5:00

Exhibits Open

Session: 1:30-2:30
Title: Employment: It's Not Just an Outcome Goal
Speaker: Karen Wolffe
Description: In this session, Dr. Wolffe introduces attendees to the range of employability skills curricula that she has developed to teach adolescents and adults the soft skills required to maintain employment as well as help them prepare for careers. Specific materials to be reviewed include a curriculum designed for high school students with visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities; as well as, two programs designed to meet the needs of adults. One adult curriculum is a short-term, intensive approach intended to be delivered in a residential setting (either a hotel or rehabilitation center, for example); while the other is a longer-term approach intended to be delivered in a community-based facility where attendees would travel to and from the facility three or four times a week over the course of 15-16 weeks for a more comprehensive program.
What all three of these curricula have in common is that they provide a structured learning approach that enables people to analyze their interests, abilities, values, work personality, and challenges; then, analyze the labor market and available careers of interest in order to make good matches between themselves and jobs in their career areas. They learn how to sell themselves to employers for the jobs they want and keep jobs they get. Service providers working with youth in transition or adult rehabilitation clients will benefit from attending this session.

Session: PC402
Title: Apple IOS Device Training Part I
Speaker: Darren Burton/Morgan Blubaugh
Description: This three-hour training session will present the basics of how to use the built-in accessibility features of the Apple IPhone, IPad, and iPod IOS devices, including the VoiceOver screen reader and the Zoom screen magnification tools. Presenters will show how a blind or visually impaired person uses gestures that are different than those used by sighted people to interact with the devices' touch screens. Presenters will also demonstrate how to use several apps that can be used in work, education, and daily living settings. In addition to the built-in accessibility, presenters will demonstrate connectivity to wireless braille displays and qwerty keyboards.

A very limited number of IOS devices will be available for loan, so attendees are strongly encouraged to bring along an IOS device if they have access to one.

Part I: The Basics. An overview of how to use the built-in accessibility of Apple iOS devices for people who are blind or have low vision.

Session: PC403
Title: Orientation & Mobility for Deaf-Blind Students
Speaker: Dona Sauerburger
Description: The session will outline strategies for communicating with and providing instruction to the O&M student who is deaf-blind, including street-crossing issues. The instructor will share her experiences, as she instructs during this two hour session. Come ready to learn!

2:30-3:30

Session: PC501
Title: Embracing the Positive in Social Interactive Skills
Speaker: Karen Kolkedy
Objectives: Participants will gain a greater understanding of how to infuse a classroom or school/boarding program with the positive while still having social interaction and behavioral expectations that encourage accountability. Participants will also learn about the strong connection between appropriate social skills and behavior & success in transitioning to life beyond school.
Description: Presenters will share what their school (the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind) is working towards in creating a positive learning and living environment. This environment is one that promotes and teaches students appropriate social interaction and behavioral expectations through a variety of ways.

Presenters will talk about some of the tools, strategies and philosophies that they have embraced through the years to address current day issues such as bullying, cyberbullying and teen dating violence or abuse. These tools, strategies and philosophies can be adapted to the home environment as well. Information regarding the strong connection between appropriate social skills and behavior & success in transitioning to life beyond school will be addressed. There will also be a time for discussion & questions and answers.

Session: PC502
Title: Apple IOS Device Training Part II
Speakers: Darren Burton/Morgan Blubaugh
Description: Education and Employment: Demonstrations of apps for the office and classroom.

Session: PC503
Title: O&M Multi-Handicapped Part II
Speaker: Dona Sauerburger
Description: See session 403.

3:30-4:30

Session: PC601
Title: Transitioning into Adulthood Begins Pre-K and Continues Forever
Speaker: Karen Kolkedy
Objectives: Participants will gain a greater understanding of the transition process and its components from the early years through young adulthood.
Description: Presenters will share how their school (the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind) defines and addresses the transition process and components. From pre-k through young adulthood students are taught skills and develop skills that will help assist them in becoming successful adults in the future. We will look at how utilizing expanded core curriculum contributes to this success beginning at a very young age. The importance of developing positive social skills, providing students with hands on experiences related to career exploration, providing time for choice-making/self determination & allowing students to participate in true to life on and off campus work experiences will be discussed in concrete terms. Emphasizing academic success, extracurricular and community involvement as a student continues to become older is also an important part of the transition process. Finally, we will discuss exiting from school and learning to utilize available resources to help facilitate a successful transition. There will also be a time for discussion & questions and answers.

Session: PC602
Title: Apple IOS Device Training Part III
Speaker: Darren Burton/Morgan Blubaugh
Lifestyle and Independent Living: Demonstrations of apps for leisure and every day activities.

Session: PC603
Title: Twenty-First Century Travel: Accessibility in the New Age
Speaker: Dianne Ketts
Description: This seminar is intended to address information and approaches that today's O&M Specialist must take to thrive in our modern and ever changing environment. From practical O&M techniques to add to your "teaching street crossings" toolbox to important information for you to be aware of, as community planners are turning increasingly to YOU for your expertise. Come embrace 21st Century O&M!

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Friday, May 4, 2012

7:15-8:15

Workshop: Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness Peer Reviewer Workshop
For current peer reviewers
Bird Key Room

8:30-8:45

Welcome and Introductions

8:45-10:00

Session: General Session 100
Title: Keynote—Hear a Car? Don't Cross! Lessons in Navigating a Future for Them and for Us
Speaker: Kevin O'Connor
Description: While the future is often uncertain, the skills, mindsets, and attitudes that are enduring are the ones that will help us make our common future and not simply cope with it. For those of us with limited vision we know how to prepare for a safe and enjoyable walk. For those of us with sometimes-limited thinking we too need to prepare for what lies ahead.
Join us for a fun and informative discussion to get us all ready for our next 'walk' into what lies ahead.

10:15-11:15

Session: 101
Title: The Benefits of Collaboration in Leadership Development, Training, and Participation
Speaker: Dr. Kathleen Huebner and Brooke Smith
Respondents: Martin Monson, Superintendent Tennessee School for the Blind; Kitty Greely Bennett, Florida State University; Jackie Daniels, Portland State University; Olaya Landa-Vilard, Texas Tech University; Kathryn Botsford, University of Northern Colorado
Description: The National Consortium for Leadership in Sensory Disabilities (NLCSD) was created to increase, through specialized doctoral training, then number and quality of leadership personnel competent in the areas of higher educations and research to improve services for infants, children and youth who have sensory disabilities (deafness/hard of hearing, blindness/low vision, and deafblindness) including those with multiple disabilities. NLCSD was modeled on the successful collaborative endeavor of the National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI).

This model has been replicated in the field of deafblindess, as the Helen Keller Fellows project prepares leaders at the Master's degree level.

This model has collaboration at its core. The NLCSD community is comprised of Fellows (those awarded fellowships for study), Higher Education Institutions (faculty representing university sensory disability program) and the Public Advisory Council (leaders representing parent, consumer and national sensory disability organizations). The primary difference between this and other scholarship/fellowship programs is its value-added Enrichment Program.
The Enrichment Program has been developed by Consortium Universities, Fellows, Public Advisors and the Office of Special Education Programs and all members of these stakeholder groups participate in its implementation. The Enrichment Program consists of face-to-face meetings and conferences, and online sensory disability-specific coursework.

The program is designed to guide Fellows their four years of doctoral study from understanding research in sensory disabilities areas, to designing and implementing their own research, becoming skilled in grantsmanship, and being prepared for faculty life. This panel, consisting of Salus University faculty who are the administrators of the collaborative agreement, and past and current Fellows, will discuss the benefits of working with a Consortium of faculty, Fellows, and Public Advisers and answer questions through a discussion format with the audience.

Session: 102
Title: Emerging Technology for Success in Education and Employment
Speaker: Dominic Gaglione, VP Humanware
Description: In this session we will discuss the pros and cons of new mainstream technology, such as tablets and mobile devices, and the tasks that are best accomplished on the various devices. Emphasis on the consideration of the specific needs of the user, whether low vision, speech or the importance of braille should determine the products that work best in the classroom and workplace.

Session: 103
Title: Customized Employment—A Successful Model for Increasing Job Opportunities for Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind and Others With Significant Disabilities
Speaker: Barbara Chandler, Helen Keller National Center
Description:

• Overview of Customized Employment—Meeting the needs of both the consumer and the employer.
• The Consumer Profile—Identifying the needs, skills and strengths of the individual through comprehensive assessment.
• Overcoming the communication barrier—Technology and tools for success
• Providing strong job support to both the employee and the employer
• Examples of successful job placements

Session: 104
Title: An Insiders Take on STEM Accessibility
Speaker: Tara Annis
Description: Learn about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) from a person with vision loss who has actually taken the college courses, received a degree, and held jobs in this field (genetics laboratory, and chemistry department). Find out techniques for working with microscopes, choosing accessible graphing calculators, tips for doing math homework, and discuss research projects and product prototypes that will impact the future of STEM accessibility.

11:30-12:30

Session: 201
Title: The Future of Vision Services is Up to Us—Consumers, Education, Rehabilitation, and Families
Speaker: Kevin O'Connor
Description: I noticed recently that as I get more and more 'wisdom' my clients are getting younger and younger! How about you? Well although we began as teachers, administrators, professionals—there will come a day when we need to pass the baton to the next generation of service providers. What can we all do now with our younger colleagues, our families, and even our children to prepare for the day when we entrust them all to who will follow.

This is a everyone's job, not only an administrator's or university job. Join us for a fun and lively discussion of who comes next and what we can do to insure our students and our families are left in good hands.

Session: 202
Title: Is There a Universal Formula for Disability Employment
Speaker: Brian Hurley
Description: Is there a universal formula for success in obtaining employment? If the formula contains a handful of variables and those are met, how good is the probability for a desired employment outcome?

Session: 203
Title: Exploring the Link between Listening and Literacy Skill Development
Speaker: Liz Barclay
Families and educators will all agree that the ability to listen is essential for children with visual impairments. Infants and young children learn how to listen so that they will be able to listen in order to learn. This presentation will specifically explore the connection between listening skill development and literacy skills for school aged children. As children learn to attach meaning to what is heard through direct instruction and build their bank of conceptual understanding, they are developing the foundation for understanding during classroom literacy instruction. As they progress through elementary, middle and high school, students will require sophisticated listening skills to acquire information during classroom instruction, while taking notes and when utilizing technology. Video clip examples will be shared and skill development and instruction will be discussed.

1. What part does experiential learning play in the development of listening comprehension?
2. How is listening important when first learning to read?
3. What are some of the important aspects of listening skill development that influence note-taking?

Session: 204
Title: Communication and Consumers Who Are Deaf-Blind
Speaker: Dona Sauerburger
Description: The presenter will outline issues and strategies for communicating with consumers who are deaf-blind, and how can they can learn to communicate and interact with the public.

12:30-2:15

Lunch—on your own

12:30-3:15

Scheduled Exhibit Demos

2:15-3:15

Session: 301
Title: Learning From Where You Are
Speaker: Kirk Adams
Description: Real organizational change requires creation of a shared vision and leadership behaviors from a multitude of stakeholders.
This presentation will briefly review some of the current leadership theories, including distributive, authentic, servant, and transformational leadership. The focus will then turn to how to develop effective leadership practices based in theory but firmly grounded in reality.

Session: 302
Title: Individual Differences and Guiding Convictions: Assessment of Students with Visual and Multiple Disabilities
Speaker: Liz Barclay
Assessment of students with multiple disabilities including visual impairment is a broad and sometimes thorny topic. One size never fits all, even though we may want a standard guide to show us the way. The Assessment Program at California School for the Blind has been assessing students with multiple disabilities including visual impairment for over 20 years. Along the way many "guides" have influenced the observational approach, focusing on individual differences. This presentation will share information about the CSB observational assessment and the guiding convictions and leaders in our field that have informed the process.

1. What types of assessment approaches are optimal when assessing students multiple disabilities including visual impairment?
2. How does a student's bio-behavioral state influence assessment results?
3. What are 3 guiding principles during assessment of students with multiple disabilities including visual impairment?

Session: 303
Title: Camp Abilities 101 and Getting Students with Visual Impairment Involved in Physical Education, Recreation, and Sports
Speaker: Lauren Lieberman
Description: Come and learn about Camp Abilities, a sports camp that allows youth with visual impairments to learn and compete in Para-Olympic and adapted sports and recreation. Get the resources that will allow your students to participate in physical education and become more active. Physical education is a core area that supports functional development of every component of the ECC. Don't leave the conference without the resources that will provide a healthier life for your students.

Session: 304
Title: Marketing for a Digital World
Speakers: Elizabeth Neal and Crista Earl
Description: How can we use social networking to help spread the word about our programs? What are the accessibility obstacles, and how can we work around them? Tips for getting started and building your online networks into an effective two-way communication tool.

3:30-4:30

Session: 200
Title: State of Accessibility in Education Content: Are We Ready for eBooks?
Moderator: Paul W. Schroeder, Vice President, Programs and Policy, American Foundation for the Blind
Presenter: George Kerscher, Secretary General of the DAISY Consortium and President of the International Digital Publishing Forum
Respondents: Suzanne Taylor, Accessibility Manager, User Experience Group, Pearson Learning Technologies Group
Description: The age of the eBook has arrived. Amazon and Apple are fighting for market dominance and publishers are trying to figure out what digital formats are best and how to protect their digital content from piracy. Schools and colleges are eager adopters of eBooks and e-reading tablets. The National Instructional Material Accessibility Standard for textbooks has been in place for several years with the requirement that schools ensure access to textbooks for students with print disabilities. Meanwhile, robust mobile technologies and ubiquitous access to the web are driving the convergence of digital text with multimedia audio and video files accessed through apps.

Will these seemingly positive developments bring new opportunities for students and adults with vision loss? Will mainstream technologies and digital formats be accessible? How can we ensure accessibility and full opportunity to access and use educational and other content?

The internationally known leader in eBook accessibility, joined by an expert panel, will untangle the issues and describe the current state of accessibility.

4:30-6:00

Access Awards

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Saturday, May 5, 2012

7:30

Memorial Service

8:30-9:45

Session: 300
Title: "What's Trending?" The 411 on BVI by 2020
Moderator: Mark Richert, Director, Public Policy, AFB
Speaker: Panel
Description: What macro-level policy, economic, and professional dynamics in play today must leaders in the vision loss community understand to best protect and strengthen services? Where can we expect services and rights for kids, working-age adults, and seniors with vision loss to be in the next decade, and what do we need to do now as a field to respond to these developments? This moderated interactive discussion will let leading voices in our community explore and debate strategies for wrestling with the increasingly complex demands on our field in an era of austerity. Attendees will gain greater insight into the issues and trends confronting front-line professionals, program managers, and advocates who must daily defend and articulate specialized services.

10:00-11:00

Session: 401
Title: Leadership, The Road I Traveled and Where AER is Headed
Speaker: Lou Tutt
Description: Come and learn from my vast experience in leadership positions—Lou Tutt shares strategies for overcoming obstacles on the path to success. Hear the philosophy of a national leader in the field of visual impairment. How I arrived here, and where I am headed.

Session: 402
Title: What's New at AFB
Speaker: Pris Rogers, Darren Burton, Joe Strechay
Come hear what is new from AFB, including apps for your Apple devices, eLearning courses and webinars, and new web programs.

Session: 403
Title: Clinical Low Vision Evaluations for Students Identified as Intellectually Disabled
Speakers: Dawn DeCarlo, OD, Nicole Patterson, OD, and Sonya Braudway, OD
Description: Low vision specialists with the Florida Low Vision Initiative will present information about how they conduct clinical low vision evaluations for school-age students identified as intellectually disabled and why it is so important to address the low vision needs of this population of students. Participants will be provided advice for preparing students for their low vision evaluation and the kinds of functional information they can share that helps the low vision specialist better evaluate students. Typical results that will be provided to TVIs that will assist them in better meeting students' needs will be described.

Session: 404
Title: Critical Social Skills for Life
Speaker: Karen Wolffe
Description: This session is designed for family members of youth with visual impairments as well as service providers. Dr. Wolffe addresses the most critical social skills that individuals who are blind or have low vision need to master to be comfortably included in school, the community, and work settings. Included are tips on how to teach nonverbal communication skills, what to expect of a child or adult with a visual impairment in the social milieu, and how to convey to family, friends, and acquaintances the importance of including children and adults with visual impairments in social interactions as active participants.

Dr. Wolffe will encourage an interactive question and answer session and share easily accessed curriculum materials available online and in print or alternative formats. She will discuss practical activities that families and service providers can do to develop and reinforce positive social interactions.

11:15-12:15

Session: 501
Title: Blueprint for Seamless Services
Speaker: Lynda Jones
Description: The presenter will offer a Blueprint for Seamless Services based on measurable, observable inputs and outputs within a cohesive trio of documentation that can standardize services across programs at the local, state, or federal levels. Many standards and best practices have been identified and research to show appropriate results. Over the past decade, the presenter has discovered, through survey and observation, that few agencies have continued to follow these standards of "best practice."

Session: 502
Title: If you give a kid a box—you can teach the ECC
Speaker: Laura Brown and Susan Glaser
Description: A creative approach to bringing the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) alive through real experiences both in and out of the classroom setting will be presented. Come learn how thinking "inside the box" can be a valuable way to provide instruction in the ECC.

Session: 503
Title: Skills and Abilities Required for Employability
Speakers: Susan LaVenture and Brian Hurley
Description: What does it take for a student or adult affected by vision loss to obtain, maintain and ascend in employment? Aside from education or trade experience, what skills, abilities and know-how are critical for career goal achievement?

Session: 504
Title: The 2012 VI College Survival Guide
Speaker: Joe Strechay and Tiffany Barbieri
Description: If you think you knew what it takes for students to succeed in college, you might want to check out this presentation. This session offers the latest tips and recommendations on technology for the modern college. Come listen and leave with a practical guide for working with your students of all ages who are preparing for post-secondary.

12:30-2:15

Migel Awards and Luncheon

2:30-3:30

Session: 601
Title: State of Personnel Preparation in Visual Impairments
Speaker: Amy Guerette
Description: The current status of university and college personnel preparation programs in visual impairments will be presented. Challenges facing personnel preparation programs in teachers of students with visual impairments, orientation and mobility, and vision rehabilitation therapy will be discussed. All information presented will be based on current survey research data. Time will be allotted for group discussion of issues and solutions.

Session: 602
Title: AccessWorld and CareerConnect as Resources in the Classroom
Speakers: Lee Huffman and Joe Strechay
Description: This presentation provides an overview of the American Foundation for the Blind's online technology magazine, AccessWorld®, and AFB CareerConnect. AFB CareerConnect is the site that offers blindness specific career exploration, job seeking tools, and employment mentoring. Both sites could be a resource for teachers, professionals, and students. Attendees learn to use AccessWorld and AFB CareerConnect as a teaching tool—Access unique content specific to technology and careers in an accessible format. There are many new features and aspects to learn about!

Session: 603
Title: The Kitchen Drawer Philosophy—Least Restrictive Adaptation Theory
Speaker: Lynda Jones
Description: Preparing clients and students for real life through teaching transferable skills. This interactive, hands-on presentation will demonstrate a process approach by introducing the four categories of adaptation using the Least Restrictive Adaptation Model known by its more illustrative label, "The Kitchen Drawer Philosophy."

Session: 604
Title: AFB Web Resource for Families
Speaker: Scott Truax
Description: In this session families will learn how to use the FamilyConnect website to guide and assist them as they travel through a lifetime of transitions as the parent of a child with vision loss. Discussion will include the many key transition points and how families can prepare for and navigate their way through them. Families will also learn of the other web-based programs available to them through the American Foundation for the Blind's family of websites and publications.

3:45-4:45

Session: NAPVI Parent Leadership Session
Speakers: Susan LaVenture and Scott Truax
Description: In this interactive session families will learn how to become leaders in their community as well as strengthen their relationship with the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments and the FamilyConnect web program. Discussion will include how to become a knowledgeable advocate for your child within the public school system, to ensure that schools provide adequate special educational services for your child. Families will also learn how to serve as representatives on advisory committees at schools and at special meetings relating to blindness, and to encourage leadership from other parents living in your communities.