Department of Human Services - Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Strategies for Teaching Students with Visual Impairments

The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NJCBVI) is proud to announce its annual Teachers’ Conference on October 25 and 26, 2012 from 9:00am to 3:00pm and will take place at The Conference Center at Mercer, 1200 Old Trenton Rd.,West Windsor, NJ. The Commission will be sponsoring education workshops for teachers of students who are blind or visually impaired.

The NJCBVI will introduce adaptive materials, demonstrate equipment, and suggest strategies that are geared for the unique and individual needs of our students.

This symposium is funded with IDEA funds awarded to the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Five Professional Development hours will be given at the conclusion of each day. Participants are allowed to attend one day only.

Continental breakfast and registration will be held between 8am-9am. Lunch is on your own. Food is not permitted to be brought into the facility.

Complete the registration form below. Once received, you will be sent an e-mail confirmation with directions to the conference. You may attend one workshop on one day.

Workshop registration is closed.

Workshops October 25, 2012 - Day 1

1. Middle School Low Vision/Large Print (4-8): This workshop focuses on strategies for working with low-vision students in grades 4-8. The educational implications of various visual impairments and appropriate classroom modifications will be discussed. Adaptive technology, educational materials and instructional approaches will be reviewed. The impact of low vision on the development of reading and math skills will be explored.

2. High School Low Vision/Large Print (9-12): Classroom strategies for working with low vision students in high school. The implications of various visual impairment and the student’s knowledge of their eye condition will be explored plus the review of accommodations through the use of materials, technology and instructional
strategies.

3. Middle School Braille (5-8): Instructional strategies and adaptive materials will be presented for academic middle school students who read braille and use assistive technology. Attention will be given to specific content areas and a display of adaptive educational aids will be available.

4. High School Braille (9-12): Classroom strategies and tips for working with students in secondary education programs who use braille as their primary reading medium. How to accommodate these advanced, independent students through instruction, use of specialized materials and technology will be presented. Grade and content-specific issues will be discussed.

5. M.D Low Vision: This workshop focuses on strategies for working with multiply disabled low vision students. The educational implications of various visual impairments and classroom modifications will be discussed. Adaptive technology, specialized materials and instructional strategies will be reviewed.

Workshops October 26, 2012 - Day 2

1. Preschool-3 Low Vision/Large Print: For teachers of preschool through grade 3 students using print as their primary reading medium. Skills include concept development, symbolic play, learning letters and numbers and instructional strategies. Adaptation of activities to include the maximum use of residual vision, fine motor, gross motor and auditory skills to develop literacy and play skills. The use of low-vision aids and audio books will be presented as related to the K-3 curriculum.

2. Preschool-K Braille: This workshop explores the implications of common eye conditions and the use of adapted toys, along with pre-braille and un-contracted braille skill development for students with low vision or blindness. Active learning is encouraged through classroom modifications, interactive play, assistive technology and specialized teaching techniques.

3. Elementary Braille (1-4): This workshop explores classroom instructional strategies and materials for working with students who read un-contracted and contracted braille on an academic level. The use of various adaptive educational aids and assistive technology will be discussed and demonstrated.

4. Students with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI): This workshop is for teachers of students diagnosed with visual impairment due to the neurological inability to recognize and interpret visual images. Understanding of the characteristics of CVI will be discussed along with strategies and materials used to enhance the development of visual responsiveness. Ways to incorporate visual techniques into daily instructional routines and use of alternative sensory input will be presented.