The New York State School for the Blind (NYSSB) Resource Center
E-mail Quarterly Newsletter – Winter 2003-2004
(See archived issues in the tool box at
http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/lsn/resourcetoolbox.htm.)
Celebrate Braille!
Louis Braille's birthday on January 4th marks the celebration of Braille Awareness Month. There are all kinds of ways to promote awareness of braille, and we encourage you to be creative as well as pro-active in enlightening as many people as possible! An excellent way to teach children (as well as adults) about braille is to visit the Braille Bug™ site at
http://www.afb.org/braillebug.National Braille Press has a braille literacy initiative, "ReadBooks! Because Braille Matters." They are distributing FREE braille book bags full of materials for children birth through age seven and their families to introduce braille at an early age and to help parents to understand the importance of true literacy for their children. Go to the NBP site at
http://www.nbp.org and follow the ReadBooks! link. Check out the braille alphabet and order books about Braille, Louis Braille and Helen Keller from http://www.nbp.org/alph.html. NBP offers great Christmas gifts for braille readers!Braille calendars are available for $5 from the Braille Institute, 741 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 900290-3594. For more information call (323) 663-111 or visit www.brailleinstitute.org.
Dotless Braille
A five-minute introduction to braille can be found at
http://www.dotlessbraille.org/Five.htm or download free bookmarks for Braille Awareness at http://www.dotlessbraille.org/bookmarks.htm. These bookmarks were created by the Resource Center, and Susan Jolly has been gracious in adding them to the DotlessBraille web site!Braille Transcribers are urgently needed nationwide in order to produce textbooks and educational materials for students who are blind. For free posters, a Call to Action Packet on AFB and Verizon's National Campaign for Literacy, Textbooks, Transcribers and Technology, and information about how you can help, visit
http://www.afb.org/verizon.asp.IDEA and IMAA Victories Not Final
The
June 25, 2003 Senate HELP Committee approval of S.1248, the Senate's version of the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), was a major victory on behalf of students with visual impairments. S.1248 includes:all critical components of the Instructional Materials Accessibility Act (IMAA), especially the creation of a national file repository, a provision notably absent from the House version, H.1350.
the Expanded Core Curriculum (from the National Agenda for the Education of Children and Youths with Visual Impairments, Including Those with Multiple Disabilities) is included among the central services to be considered in IEPs for children who are blind or visually impaired (for information about the Core and Expanded Core Curricula of the National Agenda, go to
language distinguishing orientation and mobility services for students who are visually impaired from travel training for students who are developmentally disabled.
Because the Senate's bill is significantly different from the House bill, a conference committee will need to reconcile the two versions once the Senate passes its bill. See also
www.afb.org/IDEA.asp.APH News for the latest news from APH, go to http://www.aph.org/advisory/2003adv12.html, your monthly link to the latest information on the American Printing House for the Blind's products, services, and training opportunities.
Check out APH's Envision
to teach students to use optical devices.
APHont is a font designed for students with low vision:
http://sun1.aph.org/products/aphont.html. View a special presentation about APHont at
The Mitsubishi Electric
America (MEA) Foundation Offers Funding for Technology to Help Youth with
Disabilities MEA welcomes concept papers that meet this mission.
Nonprofit organizations or projects with 501(c)(3) status that address a
significant need of young people with disabilities, have national scope and
impact, demonstrate potential for replication at other sites, and represent an
innovative approach involving technology are invited to submit preliminary
concept papers for consideration.
Examples of fundable projects include training youth with and without disabilities in multimedia and digital storytelling technology; supporting internships for blind or visually impaired students in a product evaluation laboratory; training volunteers to adapt toys for children with disabilities; expanding "Virtual Volunteering" to enable people with and without disabilities to volunteer online; and providing a Web site that serves as an online clearinghouse and online meeting space for families of children with disabilities.
The foundation accepts preliminary concept papers throughout the year. If the concept paper is approved, the organization will be invited to submit a full proposal. Concept papers can be submitted online at the foundation's Web site. See the Web site for complete guidelines and for information on
Mitsubishi company locations. Contact: http://www.meaf.org/whatfund.html.
NEC Foundation of America to Focus Exclusively on Technology for
People with Disabilities The new focus on technology for people with
disabilities replaces the dual focus on science and technology education that
the foundation featured in its first dozen years of existence. Grants will be
awarded to nonprofit organizations in support of the development, application,
and use of technology by and for people with disabilities. All proposals should
demonstrate national reach and impact.
For grant application guidelines and application procedures, see the NEC Foundation web site:
http://www.necfoundation.org.
This page is devoted to items that may be of interest to CSE Chairpersons and BOCES and district administrators. Your submissions and comments are welcome! - The Editor
There are several new announcements on the NYS Special Education Web Site, at
http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/timely.htmNew information on schools district responsibilities for maintenance costs of children placed in residential facilities from the Office of Children and Family Services
Request for Proposal for managing data collection and analysis of results of surveys completed by stakeholders involved in special education and the vocational rehabilitation process in New York State
Memo from Dr. Rebecca Cort regarding the latest three publications related to preschool special education.
No Child Left Behind Act Rules Take Effect January 8, 2004 The Federal Education Department has amended Title I Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (34 CFR Part 200) in order to incorporate the changes made by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 regarding students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Under these rules, states, school districts & schools will have the flexibility to count the "proficient" scores of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who take assessments based on alternate achievement standards. Without this flexibility, those scores would have to be measured against grade-level standards & considered "not proficient" when states measure adequate yearly progress (AYP). The number of those proficient scores may not exceed 1 percent of all students in the grades tested (about 9 percent of students with disabilities).
In other words, those students will be assessed by their achievement of standards deemed appropriate for their intellectual development, thus allowing states to more accurately gauge their progress. For the complete text of these revisions, see Federal Register Volume 68, No. 236 at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-30092.htm. See page 4 for a parent's perspective on this legislation.Information about Test Administration and testing accommodations is posted on the Office of State Assessment web site
www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa.
English Braille American Edition 1994
Revised 2002 Now Available
in Braille (# 5-35932-00) and print (# 7-35932-00) for $20.00 US from the American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206-0085. English Braille American Edition contains the rules for contracted braille. A compendium of the changes to English Braille American Edition 1994 from 1995-2002 is available for downloading in braille and print formats on the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) web site located at http://www.brailleauthority.org/downloads.html.For those unable to access the website, braille and print hardcopy may be obtained without charge by contacting Eileen Curran, BANA Chairperson, National Braille Press, 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115. Phone: 617-266-6160 x17 or Toll-Free: 888-965-8965 x17. E-mail:
ecurran@nbp.org. Information on the proposed Unified English Braille Code (UEBC) can be found at the website for the International Council on English Braille at www.iceb.org or Kim Charlson Kim.Charlson@Perkins.org can send you a copy of the UEBC Sampler in either print or braille. The Sampler was prepared and distributed by BANA to educate braille readers, teachers, rehabilitation professionals, teacher prep programs, etc. about the UEBC and provides samples of short selections written in the proposed UEBC.Check out the Braille Fonts and Sign Language fonts at
http://www.tsbvi.edu/Education/fonts.html. See a description of the new Dotless Braille font at http://www.dotlessbraille.org/screencap.htm.Booksontape.com Rent or buy unabridged audio books on tape, CD, or MP3-CD at
http://www.booksontape.com.Blink! For information about "Blink," "Blind Obsession," "Breaking Free," "Daredevil," "Helen Keller and Her Teacher," "Love Leads the Way," "The Miracle Worker," and other films featuring individuals with visual impairments, blindness or other disabilities, go to
www.disabilityfilms.co.uk.For TVI’s
OnlyNew: The Flipper Stand The Flipper is an auto-focus, full-color portable video magnifier that rotates 225 degrees to capture images near or far, in any position. The FlipperPort combines the standard Flipper device with lightweight glasses that display images from the camera unit. The Flipper Stand extends the flexibility of these products by elevating Flipper to 15 inches on a platform that allows users to view blackboards, screens, presentations easily in the classroom or audience settings. The stand also converts quickly to a desktop video magnifier once the user points the Flipper camera down towards the table. This configuration is ideal for viewing books, various objects and completing forms. For more information, or to schedule a free product demonstration, call (888) 811-3161 or go to
http://www.enhancedvision.com/flipperStand.php.Mimio for Whiteboards:
www.mimio.com
Online dictionaries that work with JAWS can be found at
http://www.freedict.com/onldict/fre.html as well as at www.onelook.com. Sign up for a daily e-mail grammar lesson at http://www.dailygrammar.com./archive.shtml.On the Road to Independence: Transition Tips for Students
ACB Scholarship Applications are Now Available
for online processing at http://www.acb.org/scholapp04-instruct.html. Each year, the American Council of the Blind provides student scholarships encompassing everything from vocational to post-graduate academic endeavors. If you need in-person assistance in addition to what is offered on the website, please contact Terry Pacheco in the ACB National Office at (800) 424-8666.National Federation of the Blind of New York State Scholarships Applicants must be residents of NYS, legally blind, and currently accepted in or enrolled in a degree program at the undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate level, and they must submit a completed application and essay. To get the jump on next year's scholarships, contact Mr. Raymond Wayne at (718) 491-0053.
2003 AFB Current Projects & Activities at
http://www.afb.org/currentprojects.asp:*
The Helen Keller Kids Museum OnlineVisit
http://www.afb.org.Accessible Games! ESP Softworks
www.espsoftworks.com (and others) create accessible games that don't require any screen reader. They have action games, pinball games, puzzle games, racing and soon an online game called Max Shrapnel (check out its development at www.maxshrapnel.com. Request your list of accessible games resources from Judi Piscitello at jpiscite@mail.nysed.gov or call (585) 343-5384, Option 1 ext. 427.
Toys for VI Kids:
http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/fall97/toys.htmStudent, Parent and Family Page
New No Child Left Behind Regulations
"The No Child Left Behind Act is designed to ensure that all children receive a quality education in this country -- and that means every single child, including those with disabilities," said U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige. "This provision strengthens two key promises of the law: accountability and flexibility. It rightly protects all parents' ability to receive information about their child's progress in school, while providing new flexibility for schools and districts in accounting for the progress made by all students, including those with the most significant cognitive disabilities."
No Child Left Behind and the regulation build on the 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) amendments -- which mandates that all students with disabilities must be tested -- by ensuring that schools, districts and states receive credit under AYP for students who are tested against different achievement standards.
"All students -- including those with disabilities -- deserve teachers who believe in their potential and who will encourage them to make progress, just as all parents and teachers ought to have the assessment information they need to target their efforts and provide all students a high-quality education," Paige said.
Under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), schools must show adequate yearly progress in making sure that all students achieve academic proficiency in order to close the achievement gap. To help evaluate progress, the law provides funding for states to design and implement annual tests for all children -- regardless of race, income or disability -- to let parents know the quality of the education their children are receiving.
"For some students, `proficiency' may look a lot different than it does for other students, but frequent assessments of progress meeting state standards are an important part of the educational process and no student should be excluded," Paige said. Instead, accommodations such as increased time or the use of assistive technology can be provided to ensure the unique needs of children with disabilities are taken into account as they participate with their peers in the assessment process. (Excerpt from a press release by the U.S. Department of Education, December 9, 2003)
NYSSB
Highlights
Capital Construction at NYSSB
By the time you receive this newsletter Severne Hall has been vacated for 2 months and construction is well under way. All of our Severne classrooms, student services and the Program Services Office have been relocated to Knight Hall. We have tried to keep all telephone extensions the same, but there may be an exception. Please be patient if you are not able to locate staff immediately. We are trying to remain as organized as we can. If you cannot locate the desired party please call the operator for assistance.
We have relocated the Special Education Quality Assurance (SEQA) offices from Lower Knight Hall and have redesigned that space, along with additional Lower Knight Hall space to accommodate classrooms and student services. The Program Services Office, along with Department Heads Sue Wheeler and Laraine Caton, are located in the Upper Knight Hall corridor. Dan Spengler, TTL and Stan Lane, Program Manager for the ICF are located within the Health Center.
The Superintendent, the Administrative Services Office and the Special Education Quality Assurance offices have moved to the Park Lewis building. Park Lewis is the old dormitory located on the East end of the campus.
When our construction is complete Severne Hall will have the following renovations:
Our goal is to be back in Severne Hall by September 2004.
Slate Pals is a pen pal program for students who read Braille and who want to write Braille letters to other students. It is sponsored by the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children and is called a Slate Pal program because slates are a handy, cheap, and easy way of writing Braille, just as pens are a handy, cheap, and easy way of writing print. If you would like to become a Slate Pal, just provide the following information to Mrs. Debbie Stein at
dkent@ripco.com. Please include your name, mailing address, age, grade, gender, and interests/hobbies as well as the number of slate pals you would like, and the gender and age range of those you would like to become your slate pals. There is no cost, but be ready to wait several weeks while a match is found. Once a match is made each applicant will get a copy of his or her new Slate Pal's Profile.Talking Pages is a non-profit lending library of audio books, available at no cost by mail to people who are visually impaired. Expenses for this free service are covered through donations. Please visit the web site -
www.talkingpages.org - to learn more about their purpose, history, and operations, and to enter a request to borrow books, or e-mail the founder, Michael Page, at talkingpages@att.net.The Association of Blind Citizens (ABC) has established the Assistive Technology Fund (ATF). The ATF is designed to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. The ABC board of directors believes that this program will allow blind and visually impaired individuals access to technology products that will have a significant impact on improving employment opportunities, increasing the level of independence and enhancing the recipients overall quality of life. The products covered by this program must retail for a minimum of $200 and a maximum retail price of $6,000. Persons eligible to apply for assistance must have a family income of less than $50,000 and cash assets of less than $20,000. For an application and more information about this fund, e-mail ABC at
atf@assocofblindcitizens.org.Guideline's Handguide detects objects up to 4 feet away. It doesn't replace the cane or guide dog because it can't detect steps or windows, but it can you tell when the person in front of you in line has moved; it stops vibrating. This battery-operated hand-held device helps people maneuver around furniture or other objects ($159.99). Call (215) 860-4455, or visit
www.guideline-technologies.com.Calendar of Upcoming Events
January 14-17, 2004 > ATIA (Assistive Technology Industry Association) 2004 Conference and Exhibition, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (877) 687-2842, e-mail
Info@ATIA.org or Web:http://www.atia.org/conf_2004.htmlMarch 29 - April 2, 2004 > International Council on English Braille (ICEB) Third General Assembly, Toronto, Canada. (416) 480-7530 or e-mail
darleen.Bogart@cnib.caSTV Postscripts: *…Good to the last dot!
"It Ain't Rocket Science" - Or Is It?
The SEE (Space Exploration Experience) Project is a NASA-funded effort to find ways to engage blind children and youth in exploring the wonders of the universe. In the project, professional scientists and educators are working together to develop and test braille and tactile, inquiry-based, hands-on space science activities. Visit http://analyzer.depaul.edu/SEE_ProjectSpace Camp for Interested Visually
Impaired Students (SCIVIS)
Talking Signs are based upon an infrared sign system that helps individuals who are blind to identify buses, trains, automated teller machines and landmarks. A sign must be equipped with a transmitter that sends infrared signals. The person who is blind or visually impaired carries a receiver that picks up these signals and decodes it into a voice message that identifies the bus number, building, rest room sign or ATM machine. The technology is available in many cities in 30 U.S. states. San Francisco's board of supervisors passed a resolution to have transmitters installed on signs in all city-owned buildings, and they're in the city's museums, tourist attractions and public transportation systems. The sign owner pays $500 for installation of the transmitter; the receiver (installed in glasses for hands-free use) costs $265. Call (800) 339-0117, or visit
www.talkingsigns.com.Effective Models for Transition Planning is a NYSED video available from the Resource Center! Fax requests to (585) 344-7026.
Share the Vision! is published quarterly by the New York State School for the Blind (NYSSB). Subscription is free and articles and suggestions are always welcome. Archived issues of the newsletter are found at
www.vesid.nysed.gov/lsn/resourcetoolbox.htm.Editor:
Judi Piscitello (585) 343-5384, Option 1 ext. 427
E-mail
In providing Share the Vision! to its readers, the School for the Blind does not endorse any products or services to which the newsletter refers. The State Education Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, services, and activities.
CD ROM Assessment Child-guided strategies for assessing children who are deafblind or have multiple disabilities:
http://www.aapnootmuis.com.For those who did not receive the Fall issue (or any other previous issue) of Share the Vision!, please visit our web toolbox at
http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/lsn/resourcetoolbox.htm.The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) has recently created a new publication on transition called "Transitioning to the Adult World...supporting young adults as they grow up". The publication is an easy to follow guide for families with children who have a brain injury. A direct link to a PDF version is:
http://www.bianys.org/Prevention/Transitioning%20to%20the%20Adult%20World.pdf. For print copies, contact Andrea Granoss (518) 459-7911.STV Postscripts:
*…Good to the last dot!