ASSOCIATION FOR EDUCEDUCATIONION AND REHABILIREHABILITATION OF THE BLINDBLIND AND VISUALVISUALLY IMIMPAIREDIRED AER ReportVol. 30 No. 3 Fall 2013 Literacy Media Decisions Position Paper Released Earlier this year, the AER Board of Directors approved a new position INSIDE THIS ISSUE: paper from the AER Low Vision Rehabilitation Division. Authored by Kelly Lusk, Holly Lawson and Tessa McCarthy with advisory Vanda Pharmaceuticals input from Amanda Lueck, Anne Corn and Barry Kran, “Literacy Media Decisions for Students With Visual Impairments” addresses the becomes major AER sponsor importance of comprehensive evaluations when considering approaches Sequestration hits special to literacy instruction for students who are blind or visually impaired. “For years, Anne Corn and I have felt that the literacy needs of all education students with visual impairments were not well-addressed by current legislation or current practice [in the U.S.],” explained Kelly Lusk, O&M International Conference PhD, CLVT, one of the paper’s co-authors. “The U.S. Individuals with 2013 info Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) specifies individualized education program (IEP) teams must consider braille instruction for students Dr. Abraham Nemeth--In who are visually impaired, which is wonderful. However, the question arises, ‘What happens when braille is not necessarily the best approach Memoriam for a student?’ Current legislation offers little to no guidance for teachers …and much more! and school districts. This position paper addresses that need.” As the authors and contributors of the position paper began working Continued on p. 8 Save money. Get GEICO. Get an additional discount on car insurance as a member of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Get a FREE rate quote today. 1-800-368-2734 Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired Visually of the Blind and and Rehabilitation Education for Association Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. Average savings amount based on national GEICO New Policyholder Survey Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired Visually of the Blind and and Rehabilitation Education for Association data through August 2009. Discount amount varies in some states. Discount is not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York a premium reduction is available. Government Employees Insurance Co. • GEICO General Insurance Co. GEICO Indemnity Co. • GEICO Casualty Co. These companies are 2 subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2010. GEICO: Washington, DC 20076. © 2010 GEICO AER Report #5388 0711 5388 AER GEICO Ad.indd 1 7/12/11 2:14 PM Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind Contents and Visually Impaired President’s Message .....................................................................4 Save money. Get GEICO. Executive Director Lou Tutt Executive Director’s Message ..................................................5 Get an additional discount on car insurance as a member of the Senior Director, Marketing & Operations AER Receives Sponsorship From Vanda ............................7 Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Ginger Croce Director, Component Relations & Professional AER Board Motions .......................................................................7 Development Joelle Ward AER Celebrates 30 Years .......................................................... 13 Director, Membership & Office Operations Barbara James AER Award Nominations ......................................................... 13 Associate for Membership & Component Relations AER-Approved Program Spotlight .................................... 14 Mary Bean JVIB Article Focusing on Young AER Board of Directors 2012–2014 Children With Severe Visual Impairments ..................... 15 President District 4 Rep James Adams Timothy Hindman Sequestration Hits Special Education ............................. 16 President Elect District 5 Rep AIDB Faculty, Staff Receive Christy Shepard Ike Presley Active Shooter Training ........................................................... 18 Treasurer District 6 Rep Cliff Olstrom Julie Kay More Research Needed in Secretary Canadian Rep Transition Program Approaches ........................................ 19 Susan Spungin Vacant Report Shows Spike in Costs Immediate Past Large Division Rep of Vision-Related Diseases ..................................................... 19 President Kevin Hollinger Patricia Leader Dreams Can Become Reality! ................................................ 20 Adult Services Council of Chapter Divisions Rep Chapter News ................................................................................ 22 Presidents Rep Alberta Orr Matthew Hogel CDC Chair and Division Docket ............................................................................ 24 District 1 Rep Instructional Service Get a FREE rate quote today. Melva Stolhand Divisions Rep O&M Conference 2013 ............................................................. 26 Joyce Strother District 2 Rep All-Access CE Pass ....................................................................... 28 Marjorie Wood Related Services Divisions Rep Marking Milestones ................................................................... 28 District 3 Rep Neva Fairchild Melinda Ely La labor del Consejo Iberoamericano del Braille y de su Grupo de Ciencias ............................... 30 1-800-368-2734 AER Report editor Carol Yeh United Nations Holds High-Level AER Report designer Disability Summit ....................................................................... 32 Sherry Cooper Tech Links ........................................................................................ 32 AER Report is a forum for the discussion of diverse points of view. Opinions expressed are those of the AER International Conference author(s) and are not necessarily those of AER. AER does not review or evaluate the publications Call for Abstracts ......................................................................... 33 or products advertised in this newsletter and their inclusion does not necessarily constitute an Calendar of Events ..................................................................... 34 endorsement thereof. AER Report is published quarterly as a membership Job Exchange ................................................................................ 36 service. Chapters, divisions, and individual members are encouraged to submit items for publication to: Welcome New Members .......................................................... 38 AER Report www.aerbvi.org 1703 N. Beauregard Street, Suite 440 In Memoriam ................................................................................. 39 Alexandria, VA 22311-1744 (877) 492-2708 or (703) 671-4500 In The News..................................................................................... 40 Fax: (703) 671-6391 E-mail: [email protected] Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. Average savings amount based on national GEICO New Policyholder Survey www.aerbvi.org Cover magnifier image courtesy of Optelec data through August 2009. Discount amount varies in some states. Discount is not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York a premium reduction is available. Government Employees Insurance Co. • GEICO General Insurance Co. GEICO Indemnity Co. • GEICO Casualty Co. These companies are © Copyright 2013 Association for subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2010. GEICO: Washington, DC 20076. © 2010 GEICO SpringFallEducation 2013 2009 and Rehabilitation of the 3 Blind and Visually Impaired #5388 0711 5388 AER GEICO Ad.indd 1 7/12/11 2:14 PM President’s Message by Jim Adams, 2012–2014 AER president Recently, the AER Board of Directors spent two-and-a-half recent board meeting. New intense days in our fall board meeting where we discussed a Zealand recently had an increase wide variety of issues. Your board approved several position of 19 new members. Way to papers, committee reports and policy change recommendations go! There are now 33 AER during the meeting. However, a few committee reports and members in New Zealand, and policy recommendations were referred back to committees for perhaps they might consider review and updating. I commend our board and staff for all becoming our first international their work and support of our association. While the hours chapter outside North America. It is my belief that we can were long, it was a very productive meeting. offer valuable professional development opportunities, great networking opportunities and other member benefits for our Our International Orientation and Mobility Conference 2013 colleagues around the world. Planning Committee continues to collaborate with staff in what appears to be the making of yet another great member benefit. AER is marking its 30th anniversary in 2014. This will be a Registration is expected to surpass 500, and room blocks are crossroads year for us as we celebrate the past and look forward full. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank all involved to enhancing