About Us : Newsletters : VITP Visionaire Spring 2001
Please Note: As this is an archive of a previous newsletter, information may no longer be applicable. At time of original publication, however, all information was verified as accurate. The format of this publication may differ from what was originally published, and may include ommissions such as no longer-relavent contact information.
Vol. 3 Number 1
Spring 2001
New Deafblind Program
The North Carolina Central University - Visual Impairment Training Program (NCCU-VITP) is founded on a NC General Assembly mandate from House Bill 230 of 1995. This legislation provides continuing funding for faculty and resources needed to prepare VI Teachers and O&M Specialists for North Carolina and the surrounding areas. In response to new legislative action taken by the NC General Assembly of 2000, this new project expands on the original mandate. The new legislation has called for the Department of Early Intervention and Education (DEIE), in conjunction with the NCCU-VITP, to expand programming that will address the critical educational needs of deafblind and multi-handicapped individuals through North Carolina.
Through this proposed Deaf-Blind Intervention Project, the NCCU-VITP will be contracted by DEIE for a sum of $65,000 per year for a three-year period, to develop, implement, and coordinate a statewide program for Deaf-Blind Intervenor Training as well as provide Graduate-level Pre-service Personnel Preparation Training. In addition, two in-service workshops for advanced training will be provided each year. This training will address Deaf-Blind and Multi-handicap issues for working field professionals, pre-service professionals, and families of infants, toddlers and youth with deaf-blindness or multiple-impairments.
This project establishes a $65,000 budget for the first six-month period to cover program development costs and part-time funding for qualified visiting faculty. With the continuing funding provided by the North Carolina General Assembly, an additional $65,000 for each of the two remaining years will be used to cover costs for a full-time, visiting-faculty as Deaf-Blind/Multi-Handicap Training Coordinator, and project operations expense. The General Assembly has identified that with successful completion of the three-year project period, additional funding will be made available to the project through recurring budget allocations. Funding for this project is sought through the newly established DEIE Deaf-Blind Program (RCC 1201121500 - Fund 1201).
Graduate Assistants - Program Assistance
Ever wondered who some of those people are when you call the VITP offices? If they aren't faculty, chances are they are the valuable staff resource - Graduate Assistants (GA's).
Graduate Assistants are graduate students who work part-time for the VITP, performing many important tasks that keep the program running smoothly. The duties & services they perform are: assisting people who call requesting program information, organizing our Resource Library and keeping it running smoothly, and assisting with the creation of program materials.
Currently, the VITP has 3 part-time Graduate Assistants - Sharmaine Franklin, Rhonda Long, and Dana Wiley. Sharmaine came to us as a Library Sciences major to assist with our Resource Library - she was so fascinated by what she was learning in that capacity that she has since enrolled in the VITP!
Sharmaine, Rhonda, and Dana keep the VITP running smoothly by putting together program materials, and answering inquiries from interested parties.
Next time you call or drop by for a visit, say hello to these wonderful, invaluable people!
Orientation and Mobility News
Great News!!! The first 2 graduates of the O&M program have received their international certification from the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. June Guyton graduated with a M.Ed. in Special Education with an emphasis in Visual Impairment and Pat Edgecomb completed the add-on accreditation. Both graduates were employed before completing their internship. Congratulations, June and Pat!
In June, seven students from the O&M program were invited to visit Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights, New York to learn about and work with dogs that are trained to guide people with visual impairments. This trip is one of 3 that are available to students in the O&M program and all are completely sponsored by the generosity of the dog guide school folks. The 2 other dog guide schools who host our students are: The Seeing Eye in Morristown, New Jersey and Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, Michigan.
Dr. Laura Bozeman, Coordinator of the O&M program was asked to guest lecture at the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU). The Director of the O&M program at NTNU, Dr. Sophie Chang, is applying for international accreditation from the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI) and has asked for Dr. Bozeman's assistance. Dr. Chang and Dr. Bozeman are collaborating on a research project to assess anxiety levels of O&M students during street crossings.
The new national O&M examination is complete and ready to go. Under the direction of Ms. Eileen Sifferman and Dr. William Wiener, the Certification Exam Committee of Division 9 spent 3 years developing/validating questions for the exam. The examination is for professionals who are just entering the field and will be administered by the Academy for the Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).
NCCU VITP Awarded Grant to Host Sports Camp
The Visual Impairment Training Program will host a Sports Camp for Students with Visual Impairments June 18-20, 2001. The project is funded through the Western Michigan University and the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes. The NCCU-VITP faculty and staff will collaborate with Brian Whitmer, a VI Professional at Athens Drive High School, who will serve as Activities Director. Laura Bozeman will be Site Director for the camp.
Students with visual impairment who are ages 10-17 may attend. The Camp is designed to give students the opportunity to learn athletic skills, teamwork, develop social skills, and improve motoric skills. Athletes from surrounding universities will mentor and assist the participants to share experiences and help athletes realize individual goals.
For further information, contact:
Mr. Brian Whitmer919-816-0087 bwhitmer@wcpss.net
Dr. Laura Bozeman919-715-6342 laura.bozeman@ncmail.net
Web-Site Redesign
The VITP website has a new look! Our webmaster, Ray Dragon, spent some time this past summer completely redesigning the site - new graphics, new navigation, and new features. The site:
http://www.nccu-vitp.net
still contains all of the information it has provided since its inception three years ago - registration information, courses offered, and faculty/staff contact information - but now includes expanded information on our courses offered via distance education, a new section spotlighting our teleclassroom, a dedicated Professional Development School section, and for the first time ever - photos of VITP faculty, staff, students, and activities.
Mr. Dragon considered his highest priority for the redesign to be maintaining accessibility, while still providing a pleasing visual experience. The newly redesigned site is easier to navigate, with all navigation located conveniently along the left side of each page. Information is now organized by "activity" and steps the visitor through the site - application forms, course of study descriptions, detailed course information and prerequisite requirements, registration information, detailed, up-to-date course syllabi, courses offered or supported online, and faculty, staff, and program contact information.
Maintaining a website the size of the VITP's is never an easy job, nor is it one where one can rest on their laurels. Mr. Dragon continues to maintain, update, and tweak the site to ensure accessible, up-to-date information. Take a look at the site, and let us know what you think by contacting the webmaster at either ray DOT dragon AT ncmail DOT net or at 733.5440. Your suggestions and comments can help to make the VITP's website the premier vision program site in the world.
Vision Clinic Update
Materials and equipment have begun arriving for the new Vision Clinic. The equipment should be available sometime within the next few weeks.
These materials will provide initial help to Governor Morehead School's preschool program and the K-12 staff, Rehab specialist, as well as clinical support to VITP students.
The Vision Clinic will be used during the Summer 2001 session to support EDEC 5511 (Advanced Aspects of Low Vision) that will be under the instruction of Dr. Brad Walker.
O&M Trip to Seeing Eye
Students in the O&M Program traveled to Morristown, NJ and New York City, NY to have integrated, functional experiences from the Seeing Eye and other vision resource agencies and direct service professionals. The trip was fully sponsored by The Seeing Eye and is open to O&M students and related vision professionals.
The first 3 days of the trip were spent in Morristown at The Seeing Eye, a dog guide school that breeds, raises, trains and matches dog guides for people who are visually impaired. Students learned about the referral process for a person desiring a Seeing Eye dog and about training activities during the 1- month stay for students who come to the facility to receive their dog. The O&M students also shadowed the trainers as they worked dogs in their final month of training. Trainers work with the dogs on various commands as well as routes to and within establishments around the quaint areas of Morristown. The culminating activity was for each O&M student (under blindfold) to take a "spin" with the dog around town. The dogs (Tracey, Jackson, Knight, Belle and others) were quite patient with their "green" masters. Many students described the experience as "liberating".
Next, students traveled by train from NYC to Sands Point to visit the Helen Keller National Center which specializes in resources and services to people with dual sensory impairment. Gene Burquoin and Patty Kelly headed the welcoming committee and provided a wonderful, interactive set of activities for the O&M students. The highlight of the visit was the Student Panel of 4 folks with deaf-blindness who were available to talk to the group and answer any questions. All of the participants on the panel had Usher's syndrome and were in various stages of the disorder. There were varied communication systems, as well. Two panelists used tactile sign, one person was able to hear well enough to function auditorily and one was able to see the interpreter signing from a distance of 5 feet. The panelists' stories were humorous, touching, and certainly informative.
The last stop on this excursion was the American Foundation for the Blind. First off, the suite in the Penn Plaza building was designed with good contrast, lighting, and some tactile clues to assist people who have low vision or blindness. The result is an office environment that is attractive and subtly provides important visual cues. The unending array of pictures, writings, and memorabilia of Helen Keller's life was wonderful. Students also listened in on folks who were taping books for the Talking Book program.