<p> OH, THE CHANGES I’VE SEEN!</p><p>(to the rhyme of Oh, the Places You’ll Go!-by Dr. Seuss) Rona Shaw, Ed.D., Dominican College, Rockland County, New York</p><p>In her 26th year at Dominican College, Rona Shaw has been musing over the changes she’s seen, and a long dormant poet is trying to resurface…..</p><p>I’ve seen some great changes And many more on the way I can buy a brailler on ebay, you say? Well, this certainly is quite a new day…</p><p>For so many years, you know I’ve been a TVI on the go Joan Chase gave me my start- she taught me the art And then those sweet kids just got to my heart</p><p>Joan talked about some Natalie lady That low vision stuff seemed pretty weighty! Let’s set it straight, it was ‘69 And I still think this field is mighty fine.</p><p>If you chose print back then- was it large or small? Or maybe you chose Braille and no print at all. Use both, you now say? My, my- a new day!</p><p>Controlled speed tape recorders seemed pretty neat And I thought talking books just couldn’t be beat Audible goal locators and sound balls Might be heard throughout all the halls. I loved all this stuff, and couldn’t get enough.</p><p>And then came Optacon -- pretty nifty But now the choices are well over fifty! Now JAWS and BrailleNote give us voice. More, more, you say- Well then, let’s take a look- Mountbatten, Daisey, Magic, Zoomtext and OpenBook And PIAF can a picture cook In an instant, a raised line book! There’s more I know, but I can’t keep them straight All I know is that this technology is great!</p><p>Books in braille came in to school the very last Let’s hope IMAA makes that a thing of the past. Equal access to the curriculum Is only right and not just a ho-hum.</p><p>TVI, COMS, RT- I wondered how one could know of it.. Now you can ask ACVREP for your how-to kit Or ask AER, which grew from AAWB and AEVH in ‘84 These two merged to become much more.</p><p>OD, OS, OU, Oh my! I studied all night with a sigh. Then we had ONH, RLF and ROP Now we’ve added CHARGE and CVI Why, why, why-we want to know We hope someday to make them go.</p><p>Braille and vision skills we must assess Or those students will be in a real big mess. LMA, AT, FVA and a clinical Years ago, this was all so radical! More alphabet soup is my plea OK-just add these to the IEP!</p><p>A Core Curriculum for all- reading, math, science, and more But for VI kids to succeed, they also need an Expanded Core. Specialized skills just for them Some are braille, low vision, and O&M. </p><p>With a National Agenda of goals to guide us The case for service becomes less arduous These goals are stated to preserve For all kids what they deserve They will succeed-oh yes, indeed. How can a teacher ever learn so much? It’s easy now- your computer you must touch. No need to get on the train or into your car You can learn most of what you need without going too far. Now, a training program can be at your fingertips Training and a certificate with few long distance trips!</p><p>And while such ruminations are usually from one about to retire It’s not happening yet; I’ve still got some fire.</p><p>So many changes during these years Many more ahead, not to be feared. Keep working together as a team To make our children become all that they seem. So do not stray-please stay, stay, stay We are off to great changes-off and away! </p>