Spring 2012 newsletter

VIEWS
VIEWSletter
For children who are blind or have low vision
Spring 2012
VOLUME 10
Issue 1
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Camp Opportunites
Check out this issue for
This March break certainly has crept up on me! It is hard to believe that
winter is over. Perhaps I am still waiting for it since it feels as though
southern Ontario has had an extremely long fall, with only a small taste of
winter.
Lots of things have happened since Christmas…lots of things that will
benefit families in the spring and summer of 2012. You will have to read the
VIEWS letter to get all of the details, but I want to give you a sneak peak
about the exciting projects and opportunities that are in the works for our
children.
Our Math Team has been working hard spreading their seeds of knowledge
throughout the province. There have been training programs in each of the
teachers' home boards, as well as Brantford and Windsor. Some of the
team members are going to share their knowledge at the upcoming
conference for the Ontario Association for Mathematics Education (OAME)
in Kingston. This is exciting news, as the workshop aspires to help
Ontario's math teachers to think about universal design (which includes our
children) when teaching math. Many teachers who have received the
training are reporting the positive impacts and benefits that this new
knowledge is having on their students. Thank you to our math team for their
dedication, determination and passion for our children!
Just around the corner is the Canadian Vision Teachers Conference, taking
place from April 3-5 at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel In Richmond Hill.
Thursday April 5th, has been created especially for parents and families.
Admission on April 5 is FREE for parents, and all of the other days of the
conference are offered at a discounted price. This conference promises to
continued on page 2
Happy Spring!
VIEWS AND
THE ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM
VIEWS has an exciting new
partnership with the ROM!
VIEWS members and that includes the
family can email Paula Rankin at
[email protected] for admission tickets.
So let's get the word out and make use
of this incredible opportunity and explore
the ROM!!
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 1
President’s Message continued
be an excellent opportunity for you to learn about supports that can assist your child, while networking
with other families and service providers of children who are blind or have low vision. We hope you
will join us! Please contact Julie Spry for the parent discount code at [email protected].
In mid-April, there is the AT4US event at W. Ross MacDonald School for the Blind in Brantford. This
is an opportunity for parents, educators, students, educational assistants, family members and
service providers to have hands-on opportunities to "see" a myriad of technological devices, designed
for our children, in one location!
The Short Term Programs are still going strong, with an extra special session being planned for
families in May. The focus of the weekend will be on strategies for mental wellness.
Once again, the summer camp opportunities for our children are available, with openings in both the
VIEWS Music Camp for Braille Users and VIEWS Camp Freedom. Presently, there are also a few
spaces available at the VIEWS Family Week at Lake Joseph. Please contact Janet Vanderwerf for
registration information at [email protected]. These children's camps fill up fast, so
please contact Janet early, if your child is interested.
Paula Rankin is looking after the free tickets to the ROM. They are available now. Please contact
her at [email protected].
The Bata Shoe Museum has been taking accessibility seriously. Recently, they have created tactile
opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision in an attempt to give meaning to some of
their exhibits. If you can make it to these exhibits, please provide feedback, as they really do want to
hear from you.
I have the opportunity to work with some really amazing Canadians on challenges faced by people
who are blind or have low vision. I also have the opportunity to live in an area of our province that is
breeding roundabouts, which are completely inaccessible for people who are blind, have low vision or
deaf/blind. The Canadian group is in the process of creating a Position Paper on Roundabouts,
however, our region "just can't wait", so I chose to talk to the region, as a delegation. Some of the
board members felt that our membership would like to know about that, therefore, we have included a
copy of my submission. The ideas shared at this meeting were more to give concrete ideas of what
other places are doing regarding roundabouts, rather than providing a position paper for the
Canadian advocacy group. The Roundabouts Paper is just about complete, and we will include it in
our VIEWS letter and on our website, when it becomes available.
I know that I have missed things… I always do! To all of you Special Education Advisory
Representatives (SEAC) for Blind/Low Vision, thank you for all of your work… for our wonderful
Board of Directors, you are amazing, inspirational people that I love creating magic with… for all of
the people out there who work with or for our children, either directly or indirectly, you really are
making a difference, thank you… and for all of the parents… WOW! Aren't our children amazing!!!
Keep up the good work - these children we are raising today, will be paying our pensions tomorrow.
2011-2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dawn Clelland—President
Jody Lowrie—Secretary
Deb Barclay—Information Co-ordinator
Tony Figueiredo—Director
VIEWSletter March 2012
Nancy Pereira--Vice President
Janet Vanderwerf--Treasurer
Cathy Ausman--Director
Kate Jovanovska--Director
Page 2
Canadian Vision Teachers’
Conference 2012
Richmond Hill, Ontario
April 3-5, 2012
Parent/Educator Day- Sponsored by VIEWS
WHEN:
Thursday, April 5, 2012
WHERE:
Sheraton Parkway North Hotel
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Keynote Speaker:
Kevin E. O'ConnorPast President of the national Association of Parents with Children Who Have Visual Impairments,
Chicago, Illinois U.S.
"Their Future and Yours Too:
Getting Ready for the Next Right Step."
WHAT:
Pick from a variety of sessions in areas such as:
- CNIB services
- Physical Education for students who are blind or have low vision
- O&M for babies
- Cortical Visual Impairment
- Preparing for Kindergarten
- NOAH- National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation
- Technology for high school and beyond
- STP Weekend Camps for blind/low vision students ages 7-21
- Music Therapy
- Use of iPhones, iPads and iPods with students who are blind
For further information, please contact Julie Spry at
[email protected]
PLEASE NOTE:
Parents are welcome to register and attend the entire conference from
April 3-5, 2012, at a reduced rate.
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 3
AT4US
Technology Fair
For Students Who Are Blind or have Low Vision,
their Vision Itinerant Teachers, and interested Parents
Wednesday, April 18 & Thursday, April 19, 2012
at the W. Ross Macdonald School in Brantford
Students will have the opportunity for hands-on experiences with a variety of assistive
devices, software, hardware, O & M GPS devices, as well as displays of O & M
games and maps and an array of items to assist with ILS and supports for the
essential skills needed by our students.
This Technology Fair is sponsored by:
Vendors, CNIB, and W. Ross Macdonald School
Participants will register for one of the following half-day sessions.
Wednesday, April 18
-
9 - 12
Wednesday, April 18
-
1- 4
Thursday, April 19
-
9 – 12
There is no fee for registration.
Lunch is the responsibility of the participant.
Those interested in attending can register with:
Kerri Readings
Vision Resource Services, W. Ross Macdonald School
[email protected]
(519) 759-0730, Ext. 219
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 4
SHORT TERM PROGRAMS
2011-2012
W. Ross Macdonald School
Brantford, ON
Date
Theme
Age Group
Apr 20-22,
I.T.
Age 12+
2012
Independence
through
Musical
2012
Extravaganza
Age 13-21
Weekend
May 26,
2012
Open Minds, Healthy
Minds
IT Makes the Difference
Come and join our tech team. Improve your technological
skills and learn the latest and greatest. Be on the cutting
edge
Technology
May 4-6,
Content
Musical Extravaganza Weekend
Rescheduled from February due to storm
Parents
Open Minds, Healthy Minds
Conference for
Parents
The Conference is to support families on their journey
through life.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT JULIE SPRY: [email protected]
CHECK THIS OUT!
This following link will take you to the CNIB Library's Guide to Finding Books Online. Popular
sources of online audio, text, braille and video, both fee-based and free are listed.
http://webcluster.cnib.ca/Public/Help_content.aspx?Help_Topic=e_delivery#spoda
This following link will take you to the CNIB Library's Guide to Finding Books Online. Popular
sources of online audio, text, braille and video, both fee-based and free are listed.
Looking for online audio books for children? Check out the Suggested Links on the Children's
Discovery Portal home page found at:
http://webcluster.cnib.ca/child/common/Home.asp
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 5
VIEW S CAM P FREEDO M
Sunday, July 15 - Friday, July 20, 2012
Arrival and Registration between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Our goal is to provide a fun, interactive, residential program which focuses on
helping develop independence in daily living skills.
Staffing:
Specialists, Orientation and Mobility
aRehabilitation
Specialists, ILS Councillors and Itinerant Teachers for the
Blind and Visually Impaired. All of our professionals are
creative, fun, enthusiastic and have many years experience
working with the blind and visually impaired.
Pre-requisites:
be able to complete toileting skills independently.
aMust
be blind or have low vision.
aMust
aMust be socially interactive.
Cost:
$325.00
Location:
W. Ross Macdonald School
350 Brant Avenue
Brantford, Ontario
Accommodation:
Air conditioned dormitory style
Contact camp registrar for information package at [email protected] or
telephone Janet @ 519-834-2920 ASAP, as space is limited.
VIEWS residential camps are coordinated by parent volunteers and made
possible by generous donations from caring individuals.
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 6
Programs Offered:
Staffing:
Pre-requisites:
Cost:
Location:
Accommodation:
Instruments Include Piano, Drums, Guitar, Keyboard ~
Braille Music ~ Choir ~ Voice ~ Drama ~ Social and
Recreational Activities
experience working with children who are
a Allblindstaffor have
have low vision.
Music instructors have university degrees specializing
a in music education.
a
a
a
a
Must be able to read the Braille alphabet
Must be able to perform own daily living skills
Must have appreciation of music
Must be 8 - 21 years of age
$375.00
W. Ross Macdonald School
350 Brant Avenue
Brantford, Ontario
Air conditioned dormitory style
Contact camp registrar for information package at [email protected] or
telephone Janet @ 519-834-2920. Please submit paperwork by Friday, May 25, 2012.
We will be contacting all applicants by Friday, June 8, 2012.
VIEWS residential camps are coordinated by parent volunteers and made possible
by generous donations from caring individuals.
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 7
CNIB SHADES OF FUN DAY 2012
Calling all principals, teachers, parents and students!
Please join the many Canadian schools in CNIB's
Shades of Fun day on Thursday, May 24 – a day
like no other in celebration of Vision Health Month.
In their workplaces, schools and homes across the
province, people wear their sunglasses to protect
their eyes and choose a fun fundraising activity.
Thank you for joining this movement of Canadians dedicated to vision health.
By participating in Shades of Fun, you will contribute to CNIB's vital services for people
with vision loss. How? By helping CNIB provide life-changing programs and services to
people with vision loss, educate students about vision health, fund ground-breaking
research and so much more.
We hope you can join us on May 24, 2012
For more information, please contact [email protected]
MEMBERSHIPS
Please take a moment to
renew your
VIEWS
membership.
Your renewed membership
is very important for us to
ensure your information is
current so that you may
receive the VIEWSletter and
notice about our camps and
other activities.
Membership fee is only
$20.00 per year!
Please see the Membership Form at
the end of this Newsletter
BATA SHOE MUSEUM
Toronto's Bata Shoe Museum is excited to begin offering
multi-sensory programs throughout the museum's
galleries.
Tours are designed with universal access in mind, but
specifically support visitors who are blind or have low
vision.
Our guides bring exhibits to life with vivid descriptions,
artifact handling, tactile diagrams, and material samples.
From delicate Chinese bound foot shoes, to sturdy
astronaut boots, this unique museum offers an intriguing
look at over 4,500 years of world history and truly has
something for everyone.
Tours are free with admission, but do require advance
notice. Please contact Andrea Field at
[email protected] or 416-979-7799 ext.242 to
organize a booking. Please allow approximately 90
minutes for a tour.
Join us on a journey through history, fashion, and art!
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 8
SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES AT LAKE JOSEPH CENTRE
Lake Joe. Enriching lives, making memories. It's more than a summer camp. It's a place where
people who are blind or partially sighted can develop new skills, make friends, learn new activities,
and be themselves in a safe, friendly environment.
Join us this summer and enjoy:
o Fun-filled programs for kids, teens, adults and families
o Outdoor activities like waterskiing, boating, hiking and swimming
o Music, crafts, campfires and other relaxing leisure activities
o The natural beauty of our vast waterfront and newly-renovated, fully accessible facilities.
Child and Youth Session (1 week = $400)
8-18 years of age
?
Sunday July 22 to Saturday July 28, 2012
SCORE III (Please contact the SCORE Program at [email protected])
13 to 15 years of age
?
Sunday July 22 to Saturday July 28, 2012
Adult Sessions (1 week = $600)
19 years of age and older
?
Saturday June 30 to Friday July 6, 2012 – Stay over not available
?
Sunday July 8th to Saturday July 14, 2012 – Deaf Blind Clients & Peter's Bus
?
Sunday August 19th to Saturday August 25th, 2012 – Stay Over Available
?
Sunday August 26th to Saturday September 1, 2012
Adult Double Session (2 weeks = $1300)
19 years of age and older
?
Sunday August 19th to Saturday September 1, 2012
Family Camp Sessions (1 week = $600 per adult, $900 per family (2-4)) over 5 pp $225 for
immediate family member
?
Sunday July 29th to Saturday August 4th, 2012
?
Sunday August 5th to Saturday August 11th, 2012 – VIEWS
?
Sunday August 12th to Saturday August 17th, 2012 – CNIB Event Prep During this
session
Note: Check-in is 2 p.m. and check-out is 10 a.m.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please visit
www.lakejo.ca or call our new Lake Joe News Line at extension 5502.
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 9
Greetings from CNIB Lake Joseph Centre!
2012 – Lake Joe Camp Abilities
CNIB Lake Joe is proud to be offering a new goal based athletic program during the week of July
22nd through 28th! During this session participants will spend three days enhancing their athletic
skills in one area of specialty. Skilled experts in the chosen disciplines will be on hand to provide one
on one coaching will guide participants to their performance goals. Skilled experts will be on hand to
provide one-on-one coaching and mentoring help each participant reach performance goals.
Programs available are sailing, canoeing/kayaking, cycling/running and swimming.
Camp will involve a lot of sports, games, and activities throughout the day. If you have not been active
very much this year, we advise you to become involved in some light to moderate activities like
stretching, running, walking, riding bikes, rollerblading, jumping rope, swimming, and any other
physical activities which you enjoy.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please visit www.lakejo.ca or call our Lake Joe
News Line at extension 5502.
We look forward to making memories with you.
Sincerely,
Lake Joe Staff and Volunteers
CNIB Lake Joseph Centre
R.R. #1 Mactier, ON P0C 1H0
T: 705-375-2630
Toll Free: 1-877-748-4028
F: 705-375-23223
www.lakejo.ca
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 10
HOLD YOUR SPOT
for Northern Exposure 2012
Due to popular demand, CNIB Lake Joseph Centre is expanding the
Northern Exposure Program! This year’s program includes two sessions,
running from Monday, May 29th to Thursday, May 31st, 2012 and
again from Monday June 4th to Thursday June 7th, 2012.
Rate: $255 per person (students, teachers, and/or chaperons)
Registration Details
Please fax or email this form with the information completed to confirm
your registration:
Desired Session (May 29-31 or June 4-7):
Name of School or School Board:
Contact Name:
Contact Person’s Phone Number:
Contact Person’s Email Address:
No. of Participants:
(including chaperones/organizers):
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 1 877 748 4028
or [email protected]
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 11
Northern Exposure 2012
What Is Northern Exposure?
Northern Exposure is a recreational program that fosters interaction
between blind and partially sighted school-aged youth in a safe, accessible
and fun environment.
Who Participates In Northern Exposure?
Participants are blind and partially sighted elementary and high school
students, along with parents, teachers and educational assistants (EAs)
from across Ontario.
Where is the CNIB Lake Joseph Centre?
Located in the heart of Muskoka, two hours north of Toronto, Ontario, Lake
Joe is a world leader in providing people with vision loss with life-changing
experiences. Lake Joe’s innovative programming and facilities excite and
inspire blind and partially sighted children, youth, families and adults meet
new friends, experience exciting new adventures and leave with memories
that will last a lifetime.
Here are just some activities students can enjoy at Lake Joe:
Swimming
Sports
Paddle boats
Voyageur canoes
Fishing
Campfires
Nature hikes
Canoeing
Sing-a-longs
Horse shoes
Kayaking
Pontoon Cruises
Shuffleboard
COME JOIN THE FUN!!!!!!
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 12
ROUNDABOUT PRESENTATION
My name is Dawn Clelland. I am a resident of Kitchener and I come here today, wearing three hats. I
am President of VIEWS, a not for profit, support and advocacy group for children, who are blind or
have low vision, and their families. We work in partnership with the Ministry of Education, to create
positive educational opportunities for our children. We work collaboratively with the CNIB, and other
stakeholders, to ensure best possible outcomes for people who are visually impaired.
I am also a member of a national group called the Consumer Advocacy Committee. We look at
international best practices, for universal design, and create standards and recommendations, which
are presented to the appropriate governments. We recently completed a guideline for Accessible
Pedestrian Signals, and are currently creating guidelines for safe, accessible roundabouts, using the
most up to date best practices, in design.
Thirdly, and most importantly, I am the parent of a 13 year old daughter, who is blind. She is a
wonderful musician, playing piano, drums and clarinet. She is funny, charismatic, optimistic and
composes the most beautiful songs, inspiring everyone she knows. My daughter is fearless… she
swims, wakeboards, downhill skis and bikes. Her goal is to represent her country in the Olympics,
downhill skiing. A great deal of effort, expense and love has gone into the development of Alyssa,
from service agencies, such as the CNIB, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and us, her
family. Our goal has been to raise a child who is strong, capable and independent, able to be a
contributing, tax-paying member of society.
A large part of being independent is the ability to travel safely from one location to another. People
who are blind or have low vision are pedestrians, by necessity, rather than by choice. If our sidewalks
and streets are not accessible for them, then they become isolated and restricted to specific routes of
travel, if any are available. The more roundabouts created without state of the art, universally
designed features built in, the more limitations we are choosing to place on them. This goes in
complete opposition to their human rights, under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,
subsection 6, Freedom of Mobility. It is also in contradiction with our provincial governments
philosophy of universal design, as is evidenced by the AODA.
I love our community! I think we have done some pretty amazing things with our downtowns. I
believe our region gets a lot of things right, and I truly think that you operate with the best of
intentions. I know, however, that our streetscapes are not blind friendly.
I have twins – one sighted – one blind. When we walk to the market, my son will make a beeline. My
daughter, however, will need assistance. Not because she does not know her way – we go there
every week. But, because we have no tactile markings on our streets to indicate the crosswalk, my
daughter will often veer into traffic. Because, the slope of our curb cuts are often too shallow and do
not have effective tactile indicators, often she will miss the fact that she is even crossing the road.
We cut little lines in our sidewalk, which are often not cane detectable in the ideal conditions of
summer, to indicate the entrance to a street crossing. Yet, studies have already been completed
identifying ideal indicators for all exceptionalities, in winter or summer conditions. These are now
standards in the industry.
We have the interesting perspective that some intersections are so dangerous that sighted people
need pedestrian signals, yet, we believe that the blind should be able to safely cross, by using their
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 13
hearing. All pedestrian signals must be accessible. The current practice of having the CNIB request
an accessible pedestrian signal is paternalistic and inequitable. Imagine your world being limited to
the routes somebody teaches you, while everybody else gets to travel anywhere they want. That is
the world our region has created for their blind citizens. We should be going with best practices for
accessibility in a consistent, planned manner and then communicating that with the Grand River
Accessibility Advisory Committee, rather than having it on a case by case basis. For the citizen, who
is blind, consistency is essential for independence. All APS buttons need to be in the same place, so
they can locate them.
In my work with the Consumer Advocacy Committee, I have had the opportunity to discuss our
roundabout situation with Dr. Bastian Schroeder, one of the lead researchers on the Institute for
Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) at the NC State University. There has been a great
deal of research completed on improving safety for sight-impaired pedestrians at roundaboutsWhen I
explained our Homer Watson roundabout, to him, he was quite surprised and said that roundabout
would be in contradiction to the Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way, in his country.
They have been actively researching this challenge for almost a decade and have created some
terrific ideas I would like to share with you today.
There are different treatments for different lanes of roundabouts when installed in communities.
All roundabouts need clear indicators to define direction of travel for pedestrians, which could include
low landscaping, such as grass or low shrubs or railings. There needs to be Tactile Walking Surface
Indicators (TWSIs) to indicate when you are going to enter and exit the street crossing. The CNIB
has a standard for these TWSIs, which is readily available through them. I have included a drawing
taken from “Clearing Our Path”, a CNIB publication..
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 14
Single lane roundabouts, with lower traffic volume, need sound strips, which are just slightly raised
mounds of pavement, creating sound when the tires go over it. It requires pedestrian activated
flashers, and ideally, raised sidewalks as indicated in the picture I have included.
Visualization taken from ITRE website.
Multi lane roundabouts require pedestrian signals. The one they found most effective was the
Pedestrian Hybrid Signal (also known as the HAWK). I have included a picture, with my presentation.
When there is no pedestrian, the signal is dark. When the button is activated, it flashes yellow, then
goes to a steady yellow, giving traffic time to slow and then stop. When the steady red is displayed,
the audible, vibrating tactile indicator alerts the pedestrians that it is safe to cross. It then flashes red
during the pedestrian clearance interval. On a street with a wide median between incoming and
outgoing lanes of the roundabout, there will be two such HAWK pedestrian crossings. This makes the
time shorter for traffic to be halted for each lane of traffic.
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 15
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon
A Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (also
known as a HAWK Signal) installed at
a two-lane roundabout in Golden, CO
for evaluation under NCHRP Project 378a.
The signal is intended to stop vehicular
traffic when a pedestrian activates the
signal and intends to cross.
Schematic of the phasing sequence of the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon/HAWK Signal
Image from FHWA
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Raleigh, NC 27695-8601
Tel: 919.515.8899 | Fax: 919.515.8898 | E-mail: [email protected]
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VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 16
After a lawsuit in Oakland County, Michigan, studies have shown that there really is no
safe, accessible method for visually impaired and blind pedestrians to cross more than
two lanes of traffic, at a roundabout. The only real option is to create an above or
below ground pedestrian crossing. In this presentation, I have included some websites
that you can use for more information.
The other really awesome thing about accessibility is that it benefits everyone. I printed
this using a larger font. Wasn't it much easier for you to follow along, rather than
having to put on your reading glasses? Accessibility just makes sense for everyone.
Creating accessible streets is not something that just happens, it is something we must
choose to happen. If we are not following the best practices available to us, then we,
as a community, must acknowledge that we are choosing to create public places, which
are only public to people without special needs. The technology is available, the
research has been done, let's live up to our reputation as a forward-thinking,
progressive community and follow the standards discussed here today.
Further Reading Opportunities
- Link to the Final Report of the Oakland County, Michigan lawsuit. This document contains research
results of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB, aka HAWK Signal) and a Rectangular Rapid-Flashing
Beacon (RRFB) system at both two-lane and three-lane approaches to roundabouts.
http://www.rcocweb.org/Lists/Publications/Attachments/126/HAWK%20Final%20Report%202011.pdf
- Link to our NCHRP 674 report. This contains findings from the Raised Crosswalk (RCW) and a PHB
installation at a multilane roundabout, findings from three single lane roundabouts without treatments,
and findings from a channelized turn lane with a flashing yellow beacon and sound strips.
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_674.pdf
- Link to the US Access Board proposed rulemaking (PROWAG).
http://www.access-board.gov/prowac/nprm.htm
- Link to ITRE accessibility website, which includes a lot of publication links and downloadable .pdf
files of presentations on the topic.
http://www.itre.ncsu.edu/ITRE/research/Pedestrian-Accessibility/index.html
http://www.itre.ncsu.edu/ITRE/research/Pedestrian-Accessibility/publications.html
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 17
In the past we have extended invitations to teachers and students of blind and low vision
students, from nearby boards, to join us for our “Ways to Work” Day.
This year is no different.… please join us as WRMS presents:
“Ways to Work” Day
Thursday, April 12 from 12:45 – 3:45pm
This year's keynote address will be given by two of our former students,
Annette and Jason Carman.
Biography:
A native of Langton, Ont., Annette Lisabeth-Carman grew up on a tobacco farm and
came to Brantford to attend W. Ross Macdonald, where she was introduced to goal ball,
a sport for the blind and visually impaired. Annette progressed in the sport to become a
national-level athlete. She attended two world championships, winning silver in 2002
and gold in 2006. As well, she played in two Paralympic games, winning gold in Athens.
Annette is a gold medallist and world champion athlete who was also just honoured as
part of Wilfrid Laurier University's 100th anniversary celebrations as one of 100 alumni
selected because they represented a living legacy who inspire lives of “leadership and
purpose”. She retired from goal ball in March 2010 to work full-time at Lansdowne
Children's Centre, where she helps children with autism. "I work with kids from age four
to eight and they all have various degrees of autism," she said. "I love what I do. It is an
amazing experience helping them and knowing that even the slightest difference can
help them down the road. It helps me as well. They teach me as much as I teach them."
Growing up in Mount Pleasant, Jason was always close enough to the school to
participate in swimming and our musical program. Jason performed in many
performances here at W. Ross, as well as winning the Keighley Jewellers Jr. Rose Bowl
Trophy at the Kiwanis Music Festival. He has always enjoyed working with his hands
doing many woodworking projects as well as landscaping. Jason currently works for
Sifton Properties Limited as the Operations Manager where he looks after the day to
day operations of 373 town homes.
Annette and Jason married in 2009 and on Feb 12, 2012 gave birth to their first child,
Ainslie. Annette and Jason will talk about the struggles of having visual impairments,
setting goals for themselves as individuals and as a couple, and working together while
reaching their goals as individuals. Jason will also touch on how his and Annette's lives
changed when 4 years ago he was able to get his licences and has been driving ever
since.
Check out the next page for info on registering for a session!
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 18
These two former students have been through a lot and have worked and
pushed each other through the tough times as well as the good times.
Come and here what they have to share!
There will also be a choice of two plenary sessions that students may
register for as well
If you are interested in joining us for the day please email Shelley Conliffe,
Work Experience Teacher, for a complete registration and session form which will be
emailed directly to you. ([email protected])
If you are planning on attending, all forms MUST be completed and returned by
Thursday, April 5, 2012..
Connecting About and Through Mathematical Learning
Registration is now open for OAME 2012 … May 10th-12th in Kingston!
Register now to get all the best sessions before they fill up!
http://www.oame.on.ca/main/index1.php?lang=en&code=home
See below the description of one of the workshops presented by some vision
resource teachers from your neck of the woods:
What Math Sounds and Feels like. UDL: High and Low Tech Tools for Teaching
Students with Visual Impairments
Presented by Matthew Charles (HPEDSB), Joanne Shuttleworth (KPRDSB) and
Maggie Batson (W. Ross Macdonald, Vision Resource Services)
This workshop will focus on UDL from a blind/low vision viewpoint in mathematics.
Participants will learn about a variety of software and manipulatives available for
creating UDL accessible tactile, visual and auditory manifestations of mathematical
concepts that are beneficial to all students including students with visual
impairments. Participants will also understand how these programs and products
relate directly to the Ontario Math Curriculum and current mathematical pedagogy.
This workshop will be a hands-on learning experience.
OAME – Ontario Association for Mathematics Education
VIEWSletter March 2012
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1090 Don Mills Road, Suite 200. Toronto ON. M3C 3R6
Telephone: 416-422-4222 • Toll free: 1-800-567-6755 • Email: [email protected] • Web: www.ami.ca
January 24, 2012
Dear VIEWS members,
We are writing today to inform you of a major rebranding effort being
undertaken by Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) during the first quarter of
2012.
As you may know, in 2010 we changed our name from the National
Broadcast Reading Service (NBRS) to Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) to
better reflect our expanded service offering and more clearly
communicate our organization's goal to make all media accessible to
all Canadians.
Building on that name change we are rebranding our two services, the
Accessible Channel-TACtv (providing all programs with open
described video and closed captions) and VoicePrint (news and
information reading service) under the AMI brand umbrella. Effective
January 30, 2012 the TACtv brand will be replaced with AMI-tv and on
March 5, VoicePrint will be rebranded as AMI-audio.
This single brand strategy will enable us to more efficiently and
effectively build awareness and cross promote our services amongst
the growing population of blind and low vision Canadians who benefit
from having the media of everyday life made accessible.
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 20
To that end we ask that VIEWS help promote our accessible services
and our rebranding efforts throughout your organization and personal
networks.
AMI is committed to increasing the accessibility of media in Canada
within the broadcasting system and on the numerous new devices and
platforms such as smartphones and tablets. As a first step we are
currently working with the Canadian broadcasting industry to promote
the availability of described video programming for all broadcasters,
and will be launching a “DV Guide” on our website later this spring. All
broadcasters will help promote this new service. This is just one
example of the positive role the Canadian broadcasting system has
taken in making media accessible.
We would like to thank VIEWS for your continued support of our nonprofit organization and for promoting greater inclusivity and
accessibility for blind youth in Canada.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Best Regards,
David Errington
President & CEO
ACCESSIBLE MEDIA INC.
1090 Don Mills Road, Suite 200. Toronto ON. M3C 3R6
Telephone: 416-422-4222 • Toll free: 1-800-567-6755 • Email: [email protected] • Web: ami.ca
VIEWSletter March 2012
2
Page 21
Blind/Deafblind Additional Qualification Courses 2012
In an effort to increase the number of qualified Vision and Deafblind teachers in the
province, VIEWS will once again, consider covering the cost of tuition for Blind and
Deafblind Parts 1, 2 and Specialist courses being offered through Nipissing in
Brantford in July 2012.
Priority will be given to those candidates who live in distant locales.
Criteria used to determine who might qualify to receive the funds include:
?
Areas where there are no qualified Blind or Deafblind teachers or there is great
geographical distance between these teachers.
?
Participants applying for either Part 2 or a Specialist will require a letter
confirming the participant is working with Blind or Deafblind students and signed
by their superintendent.
Those wishing to apply for these funds should contact
Dawn Clelland, President of VIEWS at: [email protected]
Applicants must outline the above criteria and how it relates to them.
There are limited funds, so application should be made as soon as possible.
When emailing Dawn please enter AQ course in the subject line.
AQ Course
Access 2 Entertainment Card
This card is a 2-for-1 pass
sponsored by Easter Seals
which allows CNIB clients and persons with disabilities
to attend movie houses and other attractions throughout Canada allowing an attendant to pass free.
There is a $20 fee for this card and it is good for 5 years.
To apply for the card, forms can be taken off their website at: www.access2.ca
1
2-for-
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 22
Your vision is so much more than 20/20: A Real Story
Binocular Vision Dysfunction: A Missing Link in Learning Disabilities?
By Dr. Patrick Quaid, Optometrist, F.C.O.V.D., Ph.D
Private Practice, IRIS The Visual Group Partner Optometrist (Guelph, Ontario)
USA Board Certified & Fellowship Trained in Vision Therapy
UK & Canadian Registered Optometrist
Adjunct Clinic Faculty, University of Waterloo
Take a trip with me. Imagine you are13 years old and sitting in front of your homework. Your
mom has just made you a nice hot cup of hot chocolate as she knows it takes time for you to get
your homework done. As you start to read, you notice that your eyes start off on the page nice
and smooth, but what bothers you is the knowing what will happen after a few minutes – like it
always does. On your third line of text sure enough, the “line dance” starts. You find it hard to
keep your place and you find yourself rubbing your eyes and feeling like you have to look away.
This is always hard work, but you know you have to get through it. After all, you have no other
choice but to complete your homework as you really want to keep up with your friends at school
– who seem to learn with such ease. How you wish that you knew why you struggle with reading.
In addition, your speech has always been an issue. The fact that words get “stuck” (why “B”
words more so than others is a mystery) does not help and you feel ostracised from your peers –
which is not a new feeling. As you try to stop day-dreaming you drift back to your story and find
that now the words are drifting in and out of being double – like it usually does, but that is normal
VIEWSletter March 2012
Page 23
– right? Now the headache is starting and of course it is always in the same place, around my
eyes. Mom is worried but I know she is trying her best as she has had my eyes examined already
but was told by everyone that my eyes are fine and I do not need glasses. Why then do I see
double and blurry sometimes.......I hate reading.
The story you have read was the life of Dr. Patrick Quaid for 3 years in high school. His older
brother was the only reason he made it through high school (he read to Patrick every day to help
him cope). In addition, Dr. Quaid had a severe stammer (think of The Kings Speech movie – not
far off) and was also dealing with this at a time in Ireland when learning disabilities were not
talked about but put down to “he will grow out of it”. However, Dr. Quaid’s mother (who passed
away one week after his PhD defence from ovarian cancer) got to see him defe
nd his doctoral
thesis in vision science at the University of Waterloo in 2005. It took 3 years of therapy from age
13 to 16, but it is indeed true that “mamma knows best”. Kay Quaid always knew there was an
issue with Patrick’s eyesight as she herself had a lazy eye and never had it treated and she knew it
had affected her–
causing her to drop out of high school at fifteen years old from constant
headaches. She was determined not to let this happen to her son. She sought out an optometrist
with an interest in “binocular vision dysfunction” (i.e. eye co-ordination issues) and also had
Patrick treated with thebest speech and language pathologist she could find. She worked part time as a nurse in oncology but she could not think of the cost – only that history could not repeat
itself. At the age of 25, Dr. Patrick Quaid was the youngest person to be both an Optometrist and
receive a Doctorate in Vision Science from the University of Waterloo. In short, mom hit a home
run.
Binocular vision dysfunction is a broad term which described issues from eye turns (termed
“strabismus”) to not being able to see despite glasses correction (called a lazy eye or
“amblyopia”). However, the mostimportant point to understand from this entire article is that
most binocular vision cases actually havenormal looking eyes in terms of appearance
VIEWSletter March 2012
and
Page 24
usually the child sees 20/20 - but it is the co-ordination of the eyes whilst reading that is the
issue. One of the most common binocular vision issues is a condition called Convergence
Insufficiency (basically the eyes cannot turn inwards whenreading which causes double vision
and fluctuating vision–
remember the symptoms above?). So why don’t kids complain of
symptoms...the problem is that if you havealways had abnormal vision it is quite hard to know
what “normal” is. Dr. Quaid remembers even turning his head so that his nose would block the
line of sight of one eye (never knew why he did it – but of course it was to avoid seeing double,
he knows that now – but not at the time). Amazing how kids will adapt. Dr. Quaidcan provide
you with literally hundreds of peer reviewed references on this topic ([email protected]). If
you e-mail him, he will send a link from his FTP site to you directly). There is however one
irrefutable fact about vision and proper eye co- ordination – you need it to read. I think we can all
agree that the “University of My Eyeballs” (also known as common sense) tell us this.
Dr. Quaid is in fact on the vergence of publishing a ground-breaking paper (which took 2 years to
complete) which specifically links reading ability to binocular vision dysfunction and to a number
of other components of eye function. There are also advanced tests (such as a Visagraph tracing,
which in essence is a goggle with infra -red cameras that can track eye movements when reading
in real time). You can actually see from second to second where on the page your child is actually
looking whilst in the process of reading ( i.e. where the rubber hits the road). The assessment is
objective in nature and thus not really open to subjective interpretation (the Visagraph reports
words per minute read in addition to recording the sessionas the child sees
when reading). The
results of this ground-breaking study clearly show that a number of tests not normally considered
part of a routine eye examination(such as Visagraph recordings )
are specifically warranted in
children specifically identified as learning disabled by school boards. I hope VIEWSwill help
increase awareness of this area of eyecare which is so vital
to learning impaired children (and
adults) everywhere. If anyone would like to be e-mailed a video file of a child when reading
normally and a child with binocular vision dysfunction reading (in real time) please feel free to
contact Dr. Quaidpersonally ([email protected]). Remember, binocular vision dysfunction
affects up to 1 in 10 of the general population and thus plays a big role in visio
n impairment. To
wit, just amblyopia and strabismus alone result in more vision impairment that all eye diseases
combined (and yes, Dr. Quaid has references for this statement also).
Dr. Quaid was born and raised in Ireland. After studying Optometry and working at
Moorfield’s Eye Hospital in the UK he came to Canada to attain his PhD in Vision Science at
the University of Waterloo. He currently also sits on the Editorial Board of the Journal
Optometry & Vision Development in addition to sitting on the Quality Assurance Committee at
the Ontario College of Optometrists. IRIS The Visual Group is a Doctor owned network
(www.iris.ca).
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