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National Family Conference Session Recordings

The National Family Conference was held August 12-14, 2005. All of the sessions were recorded to be made available to families via the Internet.

• Opening Session Keynote National Family Conference 2005
  Dr. Deborah Hatton (8/12/2005)
  
  
• Taking The Lead For Your Child And Yourself
  Kevin E. O'Connor, CSP (8/13/2005)
  
  We teach best when we model for our children. Leadership, initiative, advocacy, and self-care are essentials for our children...they start with us.
  
  
• Maximizing Test Performance Through Awareness And Accommodations
  Carol Allman, Ph.D. (8/13/2005)
  
  Because assessment is an integral aspect of education, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 has prompted new and definitive steps schools must consider in the assessment arena for all students. In response to NCLB, assessment occurs on a regular basis and often forms a basis for long-term educational decisions. It is, therefore, important for parents, students, family members, and caregivers of children with visual impairments to develop an awareness of the assessment process and the accommodation used. A recently developed "Checklist of Accommodations" is provided to participants.
  
  
• Getting Ready For School, Getting Ready For Life: The Importance Of Including Your Child In Key Activities Of Daily Living
  Sandra Lewis (8/13/2005)
  
  One of the most powerful strategies for preparing young children for school is to include them in the daily activities and routines that occur in the home. Through these activities, children can develop the foundation for meaningful language, concepts, motor and life skills that facilitate positive outcomes as school-and in life!
  
  
• Early Literacy Development, Laying The Groundwork
  Tom Miller (8/13/2005)
  
  Literacy begins with communication and connection between the child and caregiver. This session focuses on the steps of early literacy development and highlights the Perkins Panda as a tool to facilitate this essential skill.
  
  
• Parents Learning Braille=Literacy For A Child
  Nafisa René Keels (8/13/2005)
  
  What does literacy mean? Parents are given hypothetical situations of literacy levels and encouraged to discuss what literacy really means. They are encouraged to discuss what functional literacy skills are needed in work settings and how Braille makes that possible for those who are blind or visually impaired. Facilitated discussions lead to the parents' role in literacy acquisition and how becoming Braille literate parents is important for a child to become Braille literate. Two Hadley courses designed to teach family members and professionals the Braille code long distance are reviewed: Introduction to Braille (Online and Text Versions) and Contracted Braille. The audience is able to first hand browse through books and materials used in each course. This also accompanies a preview of the video and a sample of the online version of Introduction to Braille through a Power Point presentation. The session ends with a short Braille game and prizes.
  
  
• What Parents Need To Know About IDEIA
  Susan LaVenture, Julie Urban (8/13/2005)
  
  Presenters give and explanation of what parents need to know about the basic principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004 (IDEIA) and what this means for students with visual impairments. Additionally, new national legislative information about the changes under the reauthorization of IDEIA is shared.
  
  
• Grandparents Speak Out
  Will Evans (8/13/2005)
  
  Panel of grandparents discuss their roles and responsibilities of grandparenting. What should you do? What should you not do? What did you do that you wished you had not done. The audience ask questions of panelists.
  
  
• We're In This Together--Preparing For Transition Into The Adult World
  Susan M. Dalton and featuring additional student panel presenters: Sandra Murillo, Senior, Thornwood High School Erick Martinez, Freshman, Illinois State University Kristy Coon, Senior, Harlem High School Carmen Fonseca, Senior, Thornwood High School (8/13/2005)
  
  Learn about the roles of students, parents, educations and the community in working together in the transition process and meet with current students to hear what steps they are taking to become better prepared for life beyond the classroom.
  
  
• Expanded Core Curriculum: What, Why, And Most Of All, When
  Cyral Miller (8/13/2005)
  
  An overview of the expanded core curriculum, related resources for families and professionals, and creative ideas for overcoming the universal shortage of time for getting to these important skills.
  
  
• Let's Talk: Conversations With Children Who Have Multiple Disabilities
  Marianne Riggio (8/13/2005)
  
  This session addresses basic elements of a good conversation and strategies for initiating conversations with children who are at the "not yet verbal" or early levels of communication development.
  
  
• Orientation And Mobility For Adolescence
  Ginger Irwin, COMS (8/13/2005)
  
  Independence is important to an adolescent. A visually impaired one wants no less. Travel for a visually impaired teen is more than just walking with a cane. For some parents it's hard to let go and allow them out into the world. But, as a parent you can make sure they are prepared. Make sure your child's O&M program includes all the "other" skills they will need to navigate the world.
  
  
• Preparing Youth For A Guide Dog Lifestyle
  Theresa Duncan, Lori Cassels (8/13/2005)
  
  In this session we share strategies for introducing children to the incredible benefits of the human-animal bond and orientation and mobility techniques for helping youth to travel with a Guide Dog.
  
  
• Teen Panel
  Debbie Naucke (8/13/2005)
  
  Teenagers with visual impairments share their experiences and talk about school, friends, technology and independence.
  
  
• Blind Athletics: An Inside Look From Two Countries Worlds Apart
  Jim Vargo and Henry Wanyoike (8/14/2005)
  
  The role and services that are provided for athletes who are blind or visually impaired are explored from the United States and Kenya perspectives, including collaborative efforts between the two countries.
  
  
• Improving Transition Service Delivery By Partnering With Parents
  William Bielawski and Rich Zabelski (8/14/2005)
  
  Improving Transition Service Delivery Requires Parent/Teacher Partnerships: Transition Service Delivery System can be improved by uniformly implementing the "expanded core curriculum" and developing and strengthening the partnerships between parents and teachers. By providing parents and teachers with specialized materials, training, and support both parents and teachers can effectively provide the necessary instructional time and effort, at home and in the classroom, needed to prepare the visually impaired child for the transition to adult life.
  
  
• Believing You (Your Child) Can Do, Parent-Child Beliefs About Physical Activity-Going In Positive Directions
  Lauren J. Lieberman, Ph.D., Tristan G. Pierce (8/14/2005)
  
  The session shows the results of two projects. The first is a three year study on parent-child beliefs about physical activity. This study (conducted at a sports camp for students with visual impairments, blindness, and deafblindness) incorporated the use of parent and child questionnaires, talking pedometers, and parent resource manuals. The second project is the result of a six-month field test of a new book that teaches students how to access community-based physical activities, how to make needed modifications, and how to become a self-advocate. By combining these two projects, the session identifies needs and provides positive directions for students and their families.
  
  
• The 3 C's To Greater Independence
  Jay Stiteley (8/14/2005)
  
  This 90-minute workshop reviews, reasserts, and in some cases redefines the issues facing students who are blind or visually impaired. The three "C's" are: College, in the broadest sense of the world; Computers, emphasizing basic skills for utilizing today's technology; and "Cane-nine", reflecting essential skills of independent travel. Activities are designed for professionals, parents and students to provide information, to provoke thought, and to lead to positive affirmation and/or change.
  
  
• Social Skills Development For Children And Youth With Visual Impairments
  Tom Miller (8/14/2005)
  
  This session offers an overview of the impact of visual impairment on social skills development and a discussion of strategies for parents and professionals.
  
  
• Dad's Panel
  Jeff Miller, Moderator (8/14/2005)
  
  Fathers play an integral role in the lives of their blind/visually impaired children. Mothers aren't the only ones with issues to face. This session allows open discussion and answers to related issues about being the father of a child with visual impairments.
  
  
• Educating Children With Multiple Disabilities
  Millie Smith (8/14/2005)
  
  Infants and toddlers with visual and multiple impairments need help from their families and learning partners to make sure that they have the quantity and quality of sensory experiences that lead to the development of early sensor and motor learning skills. These experiences are the social foundation upon which trust and confidence are built.
  
  
• Partnerships And Advocacy
  Jean Ann Vogelman (8/14/2005)
  
  Families become the historical gatekeepers of information. Learning how to disseminate that information to the medical, educational, and recreational communities is crucial. This session delivers to parents and professionals specific strategies on how to positively collaborate with one another through this multi-year process.
  
  
• What Lies Ahead: On The Way To Literacy
  Suzette Wright (8/14/2005)
  
  Early language and concept development, exploratory and hand skills, and experiences with books and Braille, or other most appropriate medium, form the basis for learning to read and write. How caregivers can support young children with visual impairment on their way to literacy? Explore new information gathered to update the informational handbook, On the Way to Literacy.

©2005, American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.