About Us : Newsletters : VITP Visionaire Summer/Fall 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 2
Summer/Fall 2001
In Use - Vision Clinic!
The joint establishment of the NCCU/GMS Vision Clinic, housed in the Currin Building of the Governor Morehead School campus, is now in operation. This clinic, shared by The Governor Morehead School for the Blind, The North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind, and The North Carolina Central University Visual Impairment Training Program, is designed to support the low vision education and training of on-campus students/clients, as well as provide support services to individuals around the state.
Referrals for the clinic have already been received through the Governor Morehead School, the NC Division of Services for the Blind, and the Governor Morehead Outreach Program. In its short 45 days of operation, the clinic has already provided evaluations and follow-up services to 8 individuals from 7 different counties around North Carolina.
NCCU-VITP students enrolled in EDEC 5511 - Advanced Aspects of Low Vision, assist Dr. Walker with intake interviews, functional assessments, consultation, and follow-up training to students and clients. Through these clinical experiences, NCCU-VITP students are being exposed to the application of low vision techniques, procedures, and practice, the coordination of comprehensive low vision services, as well as the myriad of issues related to low vision service delivery. Weekly low vision seminars are also conducted which support the clinical work and provide a well-rounded learning experience in low vision.
VITP Wish List
Electronic Travel Aids
Videos (Thief of Bagdad, Tommy, Whales of August, Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken)
SmartBoard - Installed 8/25/01!
Mimio (Whiteboard capture device)
Computer Equipment
Office Supplies (paper desperately needed!)
Distance Education
While the VITP Faculty have been offering course content by means of the NCIH Teleclassroom and the Internet since the Program was started, this summer brought the need to provide Distance Education via more traditional delivery methods - by actually driving to a location and teaching.
This summer started the VITP's Licensure track for professionals living in and near the Scotland County, North Carolina area. Eight professionals from surrounding areas are meeting with Dr. Brad R. Walker each Monday this summer for 7 hours of intense instruction in the class Structure and Function of the Human Eye. This course is the first of three that will be offered so that these professionals can become licensed as Teachers of the Visually Impaired.
The need to provide this course by means of a more traditional method was necessitated by the lack of a teleclassroom facility in that area of the state during the summer.
Future classes offered will be Intro to O&M, taught by Dr. Laura Bozeman, and Methods & Materials for the Classroom Teacher.
Orientation & Mobility News
Nine students and two staff returned in early July from the annual student trip to Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights, New York. This was an interactive, "hands-on" opportunity and lots of fun. Guiding Eyes underwrites the annual trip and students had great opportunities to learn as well as develop products for their portfolios.
The following people embarked on this unique trip: Dion Ousley, Ruth Holroyd, Barbara Moore, Sandra Prater, Karen North, Grace Bullen, Dana Fox, Donna Ward, Laura Bozeman, and Ray Dragon.
Upcoming activities for the O&M students include providing sighted-guide to GMS Short-term Session students visiting the State Fair in October, volunteering at the NC Technology Expo in November, and the VITP-O&M annual trip to The Seeing Eye in January. All activities provide practical experience for the students in all O&M areas, and may be credited as course-work.
Assistive Technology Expo
The VITP will again be assisting the NC Assistive Technology (AT) Program with the 2001 AT Tech Expo, to be held at the North Raleigh Hilton on Nov. 1 & 2.
Students from O&M and VI will offer sighted-guide and brailling services, Dr. Walker, Dr. Bozeman, and Ray Dragon will be assisting in the technology labs, and Dr. Walker and Mr. Dragon will be presenting at the "Super Size It" workshop to be held Friday. That workshop will focus entirely on technology for the VI population.
The Expo is held annually, and focuses on the assistive technology needs of all areas of the special needs population. This year's introduction of the "Super Size It" came about at the insistence of the VITP to provide more information on AT as it applies to vision. Screen magnification, voice output, web accessibility, and reading programs are just some of the areas to be covered.
If you would like more information on attending, contact the NCATP at 919-850-2787. If you wish to volunteer with the VITP, contact Dr. Walker or Dr. Bozeman.
Deafblind Project Gearing Up
Last year, funds were allocated by the NC General Assembly that called for the NCCU-VITP to add a two-tiered training program in deafblindness. Despite some administrative and funding delays, the Deafblind Training Project is finally gearing up for a launch.
Pamela Broadstone, from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas has completed the initial program planning which will bring a graduate-level specialty to the Visual Impairment Training Program, as well as establish a certificate program for Deafblind Intervenors. Approximately $40,000 worth of equipment and materials have been ordered in support of this training through funds granted by the Division of Education.
Curricula for both programs, as typical of all programs within the VITP, are designed to meet the needs of local and distance education students. Courses for both programs are expected to be presented in a combination of on-campus programming, short-term campus delivery, teleclassroom, and internet/web-based support. Initial courses, Introduction to Deafblind and Introduction for Deafblind Intervenors are currently being developed and should be available to interested students within a short period of time.
Hello and Howdy
After many long months during a university-wide hiring freeze, the VITP has, at long last, a new secretary.
Ms. Lisa Sutton joined us early this summer from a position with the NY State government system. She brings with her a vast amount of experience, and a wealth of people skills. She is a refreshing addition to the VITP family, and we welcome her, and look forward to a long relationship.
Sports Camp Recap
The Visual Impairment Training Program hosted a Sports Education Camp for Students with Visual Impairments June 17-21, 2001. The project was funded through Western Michigan University and the US Association of Blind Athletes. Brian Whitmer, a VI Professional at Athens Drive High School, served as Activities Coordinator and Laura Bozeman was the Site Director for the camp. The Camp is designed to give students the opportunities to learn athletic skills, teamwork, develop social skills, and improve motoric skills.
Twenty students, ages 10-15, and approximately 40 volunteers had four, fun-filled days. Athletes and volunteers from surrounding universities and the community mentored and assisted the participants to share experiences and help athletes realize individual goals.
For further information or to volunteer for next year, contact:
Dr. Laura Bozeman
919-715-6342
laura DOT bozeman AT ncmail DOT netMr. Brian Whitmer
919-816-0877
bwhitmer AT wcpss DOT net
NC National Agenda Survey
Recently, a group of concerned stakeholders representing parents, teachers, administrators, state education personnel, and other interested parties, have come together to work on the development of a North Carolina Agenda for the Education of Children and Youths With Visual Impairments, Including Those With Multiple Disabilities. To this end, we are seeking the critical opinion from all parents, professionals, consumers, and interested parties regarding North Carolina's overall educational services for toddlers, children, and youths with visual impairments or multiple disabilities. Once identified, your opinions will identify critical areas for improvement and help shape the direction for solutions.
The Visual Impairment Training Program strongly supports this initiative, providing support during the creation and publication of the survey initially, and providing web space so that the survey may be obtained online.
Please take a moment to complete the NC Agenda Survey -
http://www.nccu-vitp.net/nc_agenda/
Improvement requires input - your responses will help to shape the future of vision services in North Carolina. All responses will remain completely confidential!