Concurrent Sessions

Thursday, December 8

10:45 - 11:45 am

"Tactile Illustrated Books for Children with Visual Impairments: Conception, Productions, International Synergy, Research"

• Philippe Claudet, Director, Les Doigts Revent; Founder, Typhlo & Tactus

"The Dots Talk: What We've Learned From 10 Years of the Braille Challenge"

• Nancy Niebrugge, Assistant Vice President of Programs and Services and Director of The Braille Challenge, Braille Institute of America
• Cay Holbrook, Associate Professor, University of British Columbia
• Anna Swenson, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Fairfax County Public Schools
• Sheila Amato, Adjunct Professor and Retired Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments

  Handouts • The Dots Talk - What We've Learned [Word] • The Dots Talk - Update [PowerPoint]

"The Evolution of Braille"

• Frances Mary D'Andrea, Chair, Education and Outreach Committee, Braille Authority of North America
• Judy Dixon, Chair, Braille Authority of North America

"The Buck Stops Here: Promoting Independence Through Financial Literacy and Money Management"

• Holly Lawson, Assistant Professor, George Mason University

"Teaching Functional Literacy Skills to Students with Significant Disabilities and Visual Impairment"

• Christine Moe, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, University of Northern Colorado

"Implementing the English Language Learner Framework at the California School for the Blind (Part 1)"

• Cheryl Kamei-Hannan, Assistant Professor, California State University, Los Angeles
• Sharon Sacks, Director Of Curriculum, Assessment, and Staff Development, California School for the Blind
• Lizbeth Barclay, Coordinator of the Diagnostic Assessment Center, California School for the Blind
• Marcia Silver, Speech and Language Assessment Specialist, California School for the Blind
  

  Handouts • Implementing ELLF at CA School for the Blind - Part 1 [Word] • Implementing ELLF at CA School for the Blind - Part 2 [Word]

"iLiteracy: Making Literacy Fun by Using the iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone with Students Who Are Blind and Visually Impaired"

• Donna Brostek Lee, Assistant Professor, Western Michigan University

"Circle Time Braille: FREE Emergent Literacy Kits"

• Diane Brauner, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Diane Brauner COMS, Inc.

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

"Tactile Emergent Literacy"

• Louise Comtois, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Retired
• Joanne Thibodeau, Occupational Therapist, Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille Institut Raymond-Dewar

"UGH MATH - Even TVIs Need the Right Tools: How Personnel Preparation Programs Can Change the Math Dilemma"

• Patricia Myers, Director, Teacher Certification Programs: Visual Impairments and Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Marshall University Graduate College

"Assessment as the Foundation for Literacy Instruction"

• Deborah Hatton, Associate Professor, Vanderbilt University

"Assistive Technology: Enhancement or Impediment to Literacy?"

• Ike Presley, National Project Manager, American Foundation for the Blind

"Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners using the ELLF for Children Who Are Visually Impaired (Part 2)"

• Cheryl Kamei-Hannan, Assistant Professor, California State University, Los Angeles
• Sharon Sacks, Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Staff Development, California School for the Blind
• Lizbeth Barclay, Coordinator of the Diagnostic Assessment Center, California School for the Blind
• Marcia Silver, Speech and Language Assessment Specialist, California School for the Blind

"A Model of Effective Instruction: Implementing Instructional Strategies Emphasizing Frequency and Variety in Literacy Tasks for A Young Braille Reader"

• Tracy Shimer, Teacher of Students With Visual Impairments, Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities, Isle School District

"A New Approach To Learning Braille Contractions"

• Stephanie Herlich, Low Vision Coordinator, California School for the Blind
• Helene Holman, Education Products Director, Exceptional Teaching, Inc.
  

  Handouts • A new Approach to Learning Braille Contractions [Word] • A new Approach to Learning Braille Contractions [pdf] • Progression of Contractions chart [Word] • Contraction List - Braille Version [brf] • Learning Braille Contractions - Pricing [Word]

"Reading for Meaning - Fluently"

• Carol Ann Kane, Reading Specialist, Read Naturally

4:15 pm - 5:15 pm

"Literacy and Numeracy Instruction: Strategies and Supports Leading to Improved Student Results"

• Callie Brusegaard, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Brimhall Elementary School

"Flying Fingers, Continued..."

• Liz Barclay, Coordinator, Assessment Program, California School for the Blind
• Stephanie Leigh Herlich, Low Vision Coordinator, California School for the Blind

  Handouts • Flying Fingers... Continued [PowerPoint] • Flying Fingers Resources [Word] • Poor Reading Characteristics and Strategies [Word]

"Writing For the Ear: Student Radio Production Using Studio Recorder Software"

• Diane Raab, Teacher of Students with Visual
• Impairments, Arizona State School for the Blind

"Special Considerations for Using the Basic Reading Inventory on students with Visual Impairments"

• Loana Mason, Braille Literacy Project Leader, American Printing House for the Blind
• Irene Topor, Associate Professor of Practice Programs in Visual Impairment, University of Arizona

"From Their View: Student and Family Perceptions of Learning Braille"

• Sharon Sacks, Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Staff Development, California School for the Blind
• Cheryl Kamai-Hannan, Assistant Professor, California State University, Los Angeles

  Handouts • Getting in Touch [PowerPoint]

"How To Use Specific Colors and Lighting As Part of an Ergonomically Correct Reading Environment"

• Elaine Kitchel, Low Vision Project Leader, American Printing House for the Blind
• Kerry Isham, Field Services Representative, American Printing House for the Blind

"Using the I-M-ABLE (Individualized Meaning Centered Approach to Braille Literacy Education) Practice Guide"

• Diane Wormsley, Brenda Brodie Endowed Professor, North Carolina Central University

"Early Literacy for Young Children With Visual Impairments (ELVI): Year One"

• Cay Holbrook, Associate Professor, University of British Columbia
• Adam Wilton, Doctoral Student, University of British Columbia

Friday, December 9

9:45 am - 10:45 am

"ITS for Literacy! - Important Tactile Skills"

• Karen J. Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader, American Printing House for the Blind

"A Video Clip Library for Personnel Preparation Programs: Focus on Literacy"

• Ellen Trief, Professor, Hunter College, City University of New York

"On-Line Hub for Information About Literacy"

• Charlotte Cushman, Perkins School for the Blind

"She Reads Funny: Psychosocial Aspects of Reading With Low Vision"

• Cynthia Bachofer, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

"Smell, Eat, Touch, See and Hear Your Way Through Literacy"

• Lisa Fulmer, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Maryland School for the Blind
  

  Handouts • Smell, Eat, Touch, See and Hear Your Way Through Literacy [PowerPoint] • She Reads Funny [PowerPoint]

"A Toolbox for Braille Literacy: Combining Technology, Hardcopy Braille, Slate and Stylus and Auditory Tools to Enhance Achievement K-12"

• Deborah Hartz, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Arizona School for the Blind
• Samuel Ace, Principal, Arizona School for the Blind
• Shawn Bourgeois, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Arizona School for the Blind

"Braille Reading Instruction: It's More than Braille Contractions"

• LeAnn Nannen Alexander, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
• Luanne Blaylock, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Pulaski County Special School District
• Kristen Buhler, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Northwest Regional ESD
• Jo Ellen Croft, Educational Vision Specialist, Pulaski County Special School District
• Kate Dilworth, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments/Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Columbia Regional Program
• Cay Holbrook, Associate Professor, University of British Columbia
• Eleanor Pester, Braille Project Leader, American Printing House for the Blind
• Izetta Read, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Santa Barbara County Education Office
• Deanna Scoggins, Braille Reading Teacher, Kentucky School for the Blind, Retired
• Mila Truan, Reading Specialist, Tennessee School for the Blind, Retired
• Robin Wingell, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Santa Barbara County Education Office
• Cathy Senft-Graves, Research Assistant, American Printing House for the Blind

"Filling Your Mathematics Toolbox: Effective Strategies and Aids for TVIs"

• Patricia Myers, Director, Teacher Certification Programs: Visual Impairments and Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Marshall University Graduate College

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

"What Can The Field of Visual Science Tell Us About Readers With Low Vision?"

• Marva Gellhaus, Low Vision Specialist, South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

"Improving Reading Speed and Comprehension Using Repeated Reading"

• Mackenzie Savaiano, Doctoral Student, Vanderbilt University

"Reading, But In The Best Way for Me: Interventions and Support for Development of Functional Literacy in Pupils with Severe Visual Impairments"

• Astrid Kristin Vik, Huseby Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired
  

  Handouts • Reading, but in the Best Way for Me [PowerPoint]

"Using Low Vision Technology to Support Literacy"

• Ike Presley, National Project Manager, American Foundation for the Blind

"I Read It, I Just Don't Get It"

• Frances Mary D'Andrea, Instructor, University of Pittsburgh

"Parents in Touch With Literacy: What Works"

• Donna McNear, Independent Consultant
• Denise Colton, Parent
• Heather Jones, Parent
• Kathy Pratt, Parent

"An Interwoven Developmental Approach: Early Literacy Experiences and the Expanded Core Curriculum"

• Tanni Anthony, Supervisor of Low Incidence Disabilities, Colorado Department of Education
• JC Greeley, Program Coordinator, Anchor Center for Blind Children

"Creating Literacy Skills Kits to Target the Expanded Core Curriculum"

• Lisa Pruner, Education Consultant, State of Connecticut Board of Education and Services for the Blind
• Catherine Summ, Education Consultant, State of Connecticut Board of Education and Services for the Blind
  

  Handouts • Things to Consider when Assembling Literacy Skills Kits [Word] • Possible Resources for Compiling Literacy Skills Kits [Word] • Literacy Skills Kit - Color Handout [Word]

3:15 pm - 4:30 pm

"Reading More Than Words: A Continuum of Skills for Teaching Tactile Graphics"

• Dawn Wilkinson, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and Assistive Technology Consultant, Easter Seals Arkansas
• Bryan Ayres, Director, Technology and Curriculum Access Center, Easter Seals Arkansas
• Lucia Hasty, Chief Executive Officer, Rocky Mountain Braille Associates

"Unlocking Literacy Potential: Validity, Consistency, and Administration Procedures of the National Reading Media Assessment"

• Jessica Bachicha, Project Coordinator, Department of Affiliate Action, National Federation of the Blind
• Edward Bell, Director, Professional Development and Research, Institute on Blindness, Louisiana Tech University

"Braille Reading - Developing The Decoding Skill"

• Catharine Johansson, National Agency for Special Needs Education, Sweden
• Anders Ronnback, Special Education Teacher, National Agency for Special Needs Education, Sweden

"There Are Many Ways to Make A Thermometer: What We Learned From Analyzing Math Worksheets Prepared by Participants in a Research Study"

• L. Penny Rosenblum, Associate Professor of Practice, University of Arizona
• Tina Herzberg, Assistant Professor, Director of Special Education-Visual Impairment Program, University of South Carolina Upstate

"Promoting Literacy for Students with Visual and Multiple Disabilities"

• Betsy Flener, Independent Consultant, Low Vision Education Specialist

"Incorporating Literacy Skills Into a Young Child's Life: Its an Everyday Event!"

• Melissa Evers, Preschool Teacher and Early Interventionist, Visually Impaired Preschool Services
• Mary Lesousky, Teacher of Student with Visual Impairments anbd Developmental Interventionist, Visually Impaired Preschool Services
• Margaret Vinsel, IECE Developmental Interventionist, Visually Impaired Preschool Services

"Expanded Core Curriculum: Literacy Strategies for Education and Employment"

• Mary Ann Siller, National Consultant in Blindness and Low Vision Services, World Alliance for Visual Empowerment
• Karen Blankenship, Assistant Professor of the Practice, Vanderbilt University
• Kay Ratzlaff, Coordinator jor Instructional Resources Services, Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired
• Karen Ross, Director, Education Services, Carroll Center for the Blind
  

  Handouts • Expanded Core Curriculum: Strategies for Education, Employment, and Socialization [PowerPoint]

"A Tactile Approach to Accessing Apple Devices"

• Larry Lewis, President, Flying Blind LLC

Saturday, December 10

9:30 am - 10:30 am

"Down and Dirty Data: Data Collection Strategies for the Real World"

• Tessa Wright, Assistant Professor of Practice, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
  

  Handouts • Down and Dirty Data [PowerPoint] • Down and Dirty Data [Word]

"Create Stunning Tactile Graphics withPhoenix and Firebird"

• Lucia Hasty, Chief Executive Officer, Rocky Mountain Braille Associates

"Response to Intervention (RtI) For Students with Visual Impairments"

• Betsy Flener, Independent Consultant and Low Vision Education Specialist

"All Students Can Achieve 3000 and Beyond: Implementing the Achieve3000 Web-Based Reading Program with Visually Impaired Students"

• Helen Boduch Hahn, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Kansas State School for the Blind
• Steven Hahn, Adaptive Technology Specialist, Kansas State School for the Blind

"Applying the Results of the ABC Braille Study to Real Life Teaching: One Teacher's Interpretation"

• Anna Swenson, Braille Literacy Consultant, Fairfax County Public Schools
  

  Handouts • ABC Braille Study [PowerPoint] • Resources and References for Teachers [Word] • Book Level Comparison Chart [Word]

"Talking to Young Children with Visual Impairments: Implications for Oral Language Comprehension in the Preschool Classroom"

• Adam Wilton, Doctoral Student, University of British Columbia
• Catherine Greeley-Bennett, Doctoral Student, Florida State University

"Lightbox to Literacy for Students Who Have CVI"

• Christine Roman, Director, Pediatric View, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, and CVI Project Leader, American Printing House for the Blind

"What Should We Say When..."

• Cay Holbrook, Associate Professor, University of British Columbia
• Kim Zebehazy, Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia