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The Bulletin
Statewide Vision Resource Centre
Number 13 Monday 15th August 2011
This issue was edited by Lyn Robinson, Statewide Vision Resource Centre.
Professional Development Activities for Term 3 & 4, 2011
For workshops: Please bring laptop, BrailleNote etc as required. No charge. No lunch provided.
Visiting Teacher Professional Development – Term 3 and 4 Tuesday 23 August
Skill power workshops for visiting teachers, teachers, aides, students etc
1. Duxbury for schools & VTS - 10.00 to 11.30am Lea Nagel & Maria Elford, VRC Wednesday 31
2. BrailleNote for Beginners - 12.00 to 1.30pm Lea Nagel, SVRC August
3. PlexTalk and Olympus - 2.00pm to 3.30pm Danny Keogh, Quantum
Dot power: Literacy-based activities for braille readers from pre-school to grade 2 Tuesday 6 September
Support for Students with Vision Impairments – The Psychologist’s Role Tuesday 20
Geoff Bowen, Psychologist, SVRC – for flier, see issue 12 September
Blind Cricket – all welcome! Information and form attached! Friday 23 September
SPEVI Day - Professional Development Day for those supporting students with
Monday 10 October
vision impairments - teachers, aides, therapists, parents etc
Special activity for students - Career day – for students, parents, teachers, aides etc Friday 14 October
Educational Expo - Access technology options
This day is suitable for teachers, aides, therapists, parents/carers, visiting teachers, Friday 25 November
STUDENTS and members of the wider community - all welcome!
Dot power Tuesday 29
Day of literacy-based activities for braille readers from pre-school to grade 2 November
SVRC Christmas morning tea Wednesday 7
All welcome! – please RSVP December
The program for 2011 is available at: http://www.svrc.vic.edu.au/Acalendar2011.doc
Career Education Starts in Pre-school
Career Day: Friday October 14th
Career day is aimed at low vision and blind students, their families and interested others from grade
5 to year 12 and beyond. We have organized a very full and exciting day with dynamic speakers,
including Human Rights Commissioner Graeme Innes, AM, who is making a special trip to
Melbourne from Canberra to address our students and families. We have a variety of service
providers who are offering individual sessions to address and support our students find work
experience placements and part time work. See attached for flier and further information.
Inside This Issue
1 Professional Development 2011, SVRC Career Day (see attached for flier)
2 The BrailleNote as a Learning Tool
3 Braille Music Camp – What the Kids Thought…
4 Guide Dogs Victoria Children’s Mobility Service News
5 VA Further Education Bursary 2012, VI Children with Multiple Disabilities
6 Quantum Online Shop, Tutankhamun Exhibition – Audio Description, Irabina Presents – An
evening of Personal Reflections on Autism
7 Contribution from former student: LED Lenser Torches as Night-Time Mobility-Aids
8 VT Day, SPEVI Victoria: Combined Agencies Day 2011, Cyber Safety Resources
9-14 SVRC Writing Competition, Staff and Student News, For Sale, Audio Books from iTunes, Fliers
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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The BrailleNote as a Learning Tool
The BrailleNote has the functionality of a computer but instead of a visual screen as a display, it has
a refreshable braille display and voice output. One of the features of the BrailleNote and similar
products that sets them aside from other technologies is the ability to edit in the braille environment.
The refreshable braille display allows the user to scroll through and read a document in braille one
line at a time. The cursor can be “routed” or placed exactly where you want it, by pressing the
cursor router button directly above the braille cell. Editing can then take place in the same way as
you would edit a word document – delete or add any text you like in braille!
The BrailleNote is a brilliant piece of equipment that greatly enhances inclusion in the classroom.
Teachers can save a copy of a worksheet that they may have prepared for the class onto a USB
memory stick, which can be loaded directly onto the BrailleNote. Answers can be added to the
document in braille and then it can be saved back onto the memory stick for the teacher to open on
their computer as a Word file. The BrailleNote handles the translation. Documents can also be
shared by sending directly to a printer for a print copy or by email wirelessly or via Ethernet.
Students adore the BrailleNote because they can, for the first time, have hundreds of books stored as
Word files in the memory or on SD card and they can flick open any book of their choice to read
with their fingers or their ears. Compare that process to requesting a braille copy of a book, waiting
for it to be produced, then storing and carting it around in volumes.
We have introduced the BrailleNote to a number of Victorian school students. It has woven its
magic in many ways, in some cases acting as a catalyst for impressive gains in literacy and
inclusion in school programs. In one case, a student who was struggling with braille literacy made
instant gains in her ability to feel the details of the braille cells. She reported that she found the
braille display much crisper than paper braille and was able to distinguish detail better. A student
who had been struggling with managing the size of unwieldy hard copy braille and her large, noisy
and frightening electronic brailler with her one useful hand, fell in love with her new, silent, small
and manageable BrailleNote. For the first time she was able to independently open documents and
speedily find the place the class was up to using the find function – space and f. Another student
who was having problems decoding words and did not yet know all of the braille contractions was
delighted to discover that when reading using the book reader function, he could uncontract a word
by routing the cursor to the word, and then the BrailleNote would read the word aloud when he
pressed space and r. The BrailleNote was teaching him braille.
All students to whom I have introduced the BrailleNote have taken quickly and easily to the menu
and operating environment. This environment,
Keysoft, was designed especially for navigation by
blind users, and has been developed over many years
in response to feedback given by users. Menus all
begin at the central point, the Main Menu. Step
through menus using space, then select using enter.
Step back with space and e for exit. If lost at any
stage, press space and h for context sensitive help.
There is not one f-key to be found! Once students
understand these basics, they go away and play with
the BrailleNote. It teaches them. The next time I see
them, they tell me what they have learned.
Enabling! Independence! Brilliant!
Lea Nagel
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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Braille Music Camp – What the Kids Thought…
From Christine Casey
In issue 11 of The Bulletin you may have read the report on the 26th National Braille Music Camp.
This week, you can read what some of the students who attended have to say about the experience.
James, grade 5, attended his first camp this year
My name is James and we went on the train ride to the music camp. When we got there we had
dinner and we went to see what the rooms were like. During the week we had part practice and then
all the parts came and sang together. My five favourite things about camp were: junior choir, part
practice, free time, when all the parts sang together and the Friday night concert. I made friends
with a boy from Queensland, his name is Anthony. I think I’d like to go again and other kids should
go as well if they know braille and like music.
Micaela, grade 6, attended her first Braille Music Camp this year
I really enjoyed Braille Music Camp, because there was lots of music which I love. It was also good
because I learnt some things in braille music I didn't know before.
Christine Casey helps me with braille music when I attend Support Skills, but a part from that I
don't get a lot of help with braille music. So the National Braille Music Camp was very helpful I
thought, even though it is only held once a year.
They also have good food at the camp.
It was my first camp and as I said before I definitively enjoyed it. I will definitely go back next
year, and if you are musical and you are learning braille music I would suggest you consider going
yourself.
There are lots of good teachers at the camp, who are experienced and willing to help you.
I hope next year the camp is just as good, or better.
Emma-Mae, grade 9, attended her second camp this year
This year, I attended the National Braille Music Camp as a student for the second time. I very much
enjoy these camps because they are helpful, they assist blind musicians like myself to gain a much
better understanding of braille music.
I learn heaps whenever I go, which is what keeps me coming back. What also keeps me coming
back each year, is the wonderful company! I have made so many friends at BMC, close friends,
who I hope shall be life-long friends. I also love the choir pieces that we perform, there is lots of
singing on the camp, and as I am a rather passionate singer,
I love to sing for extended periods of time every day with
other musicians for a week. It’s nice to go to a camp, and
get to know other blind people who have something in
common with me.
Another aspect of the camp, which I love, is the food! We
do work quite hard at these camps, so are always willing
and ready for some good food after each session! The
people who work in the kitchen at Frencham really do
provide us with more than enough fantastic food each day,
especially on people’s birthdays!
I also love the independence that we have. There are ropes
set up around the camp, so that we can follow them to get to
various places around the camp, with very little assistance
from the few sighted people that attend the camps.
I hope to attend many more camps in years to come, and I
look forward to more and more improvement in my braille
music each time I return to camp!
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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Guide Dogs Victoria Children’s Mobility Service News
Upcoming events
September 26-29 – Junior program
The theme of the program is “By Rail, Road and Air” and the students will be participating in
activities related to the different forms of transport. The program will be based at the Guide Dogs
Victoria campus in Kew and during the program students will have the opportunity to learn more
about map reading, self advocacy and other independent and safe travel skills. Having fun and
getting to know other students who have a vision impairment are two of the most important goals of
the program.
Contact Rachel Morgan on 9854 4469 for further information.
October 5-7 – Test Drive a Guide Dog program This program is for students who are interested
in having a hands-on and in-depth experience with guide dog mobility. The program is based at the
Guide Dogs Victoria campus in Kew.
Contact Alicia San Martin 9854 4493 for further information.
August 24 – Big Night Out Night travel presents a range of challenges not present during daylight
hours and The Big Night Out program is aimed teenagers who want to learn more about safe and
independent travel in the city at night.
Contact Dean Johnson on 9854 4506 for further information.
SVRC Support Skills program
The instructors in the CMS team have continued to value the opportunity to provide O&M sessions
in the context of the SVRC based Support Skills program. Each instructor facilitates one or two
sessions per term with each term having a different Orientation and Mobility theme and goal.
Recent events
July 4-8 – Senior program in Bright
Cold and wet weather did not deter students and instructors who participated in the Bright program
from getting out and about. The group still managed to participate in a range of outdoor activities
including fishing at a trout farm in Harrietville, tandem bike riding around town and getting lost in
the maze at Wandiligong. There were also lots of opportunities for students to extend their cooking
skills and the meal prepared by the students with the trout was particularly delicious.
July 13 – Guide Dog Information Day
6 students attended the program with their parents and had a terrific time learning about the various
tasks involved in caring for a dog. They also were able to take the dog for a walk and hear
information about the training and use of a guide dog.
Spy Kids, Kelly Gang and Geelong programs
The CMS team has continued to provide a range of group programs for students living in regional
Victoria. Each of the programs has a different focus and provides a wonderful opportunity for
students to get together and have some fun while developing their safe and independent travel skills.
RACV
The Children’s Mobility Service team acknowledges the support of RACV Community
Partnerships funding for children’s group programs at Guide Dogs Victoria. Education Kits and
“Look Out, Marcus! Growing up with low vision” – the kit and book are available from Guide Dogs
Victoria free of charge. Contact Dean Johnson on 9854 4506 if you would like copies.
If you would like further information about any of the services offered by Guide Dogs Victoria or
the CMS team in particular please contact us at cms@guidedogsvictoria.com.au
The Guide Dogs Victoria website is http://www.guidedogsvictoria.com.au
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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Vision Australia Further Education Bursary 2012
The Vision Australia Further Education Bursary 2012 for tertiary students with vision impairments
is now open for applications. The closing date is 31 October 2011
Vision Australia’s Further Education Bursary aims to assist clients who would not otherwise be
able to afford adaptive technology, thus increasing their ability to participate in further education.
Since 1996, 220 bursaries have been awarded by Vision Australia to students studying a broad
range of disciplines – from Arts and Music to IT and Business.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible, applicants need to:
be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian
Capital Territory, Queensland, the Northern Territory or Tasmania.
be (or become) a client of Vision Australia
demonstrate the need for financial assistance to purchase adaptive technology
be applying for, or enrolled in, a tertiary course graded Certificate IV or above.
be available to attend a presentation ceremony in May.
How to apply?
To apply for a bursary, applicants need to:
have a bursary specific adaptive technology assessment with a Vision Australia consultant
provide some documentary evidence (outlined in the application form).
complete an application form – download available from the start of August at
http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/bursary
Visually Impaired Children with Multiple Disabilities
This interesting article was found on Lea Hyvärinen’s website by Geoff Bowen. Geoff says there
are also some very good videos. Here is an extract from the website:
Multiple problems are more common in children with congenital visual impairment than in children
who become visually impaired later in life. In different parts of the world 60–80% of vision
impaired children have at least one other impairment or chronic illness. Some have more than four
impairments, each causing disability. In most countries, visual impairment of multi-disabled
children is not registered because only the “primary” impairment can be registered and that is
usually intellectual, motor or auditory disability because they are diagnosed early. It is important to
be aware of the variations of visual development in the groups of children with several impairments
so that visual disability is not interpreted as a behavioural problem or an intellectual disability.
Better health care across the world has ensured greater survival rates for the premature and very low
birth weight infants, children with syndromes, and those who have severe damage in accidents. As a
result we see an increase in the number of children with visual impairment and additional
disabilities, but neither medical nor rehabilitation services have received enough resources for
intervention to enable better quality of life for all visually impaired children. Children with multiple
disabilities often have poor assessment and intervention because many practitioners find it hard to
imagine the potential for development when they see the combination of several impairments.
However, often infants, who did not seem to have almost any potential for development during the
first few months, surprise specialists with their skills in many areas.
You can read the rest of the article including and information about prescription glasses for children
with multiple impairments at:
http://drleahyvarinen.com/2011/01/14/visually-impaired-children-with-multiple-disabilities/
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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Quantum Online Shop
You can now buy online with
Quantum, anytime.
The Quantum Online Shop will feature
most of the new Quantum product
ranges including Optical Magnifiers
and Lighting products.
Pictured opposite is a new portable
task light which works off mains or
battery power.
Visit:
http://www.quantumrlv.com.au/Shop
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, Melbourne
Museum until 6 November 2011
The Tutankhamun exhibition comes to Australia for the first time.
Revel in the splendour of Ancient Egypt as you view a dazzling array of possessions unearthed
from the boy king’s tomb. Melbourne Museum is the only Australian venue to host the exhibition.
If you would be interested in visiting this exhibition with Audio Description, please contact Janene
at Vision Australia by phoning (03) 9864 9384 Tuesday -Thursday or email Janene at
Janene.sadhu@visionaustralia.org
The ticketing for this event is through Ticketek and Janene will need numbers before commencing
negotiations for a group booking. When expressing your interest, could you please include your
preferred time to attend this event. For more information about the exhibition please go to:
www.kingtutmelbourne.com.au
Irabina: An evening of Personal Reflections on Autism
Irabina - Childhood Autism Services invites you to a memorable evening listening to the
inspirational stories of Tearnha Porteous and Reece Jones and their personal experiences of living
with autism. Tearnha Porteous is a thirteen year old girl who is diagnosed with high functioning
autism and attended Irabina in her early childhood years. Tearnha and her mum Megan will talk
about their journey from the early intervention years through to primary school, as well as their
preparation for Tearnha going to high school next year. They will discuss the challenges and
triumphs they have encountered along the way.
Reece Jones is a 25 year old young man diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder, who is currently
working as a builder’s labourer which is helping him save for a university course he is starting next
year. Reece will be interviewed by clinical psychologist Gaye McDermott, who will explore with
Reece the impact of living with Asperger’s on his social, emotional and educational development.
Our guest speakers will be available after the interviews to answer any questions you may have.
When: Monday 29th August 2010
Where: South Croydon Anglican Church, 199 Bayswater Road, Bayswater 3153
Time: 7pm- 9pm
RSVP: Please call Reception on 9720 1118.
Cost: $30 Light refreshments will be provided. Cancellation: notice of less than 48 hours prior to
the workshop – no refund. Payment for workshop is required prior to attending.
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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The Use of LED Lenser Torches as Night-Time Mobility-Aids
By Shahan Cheong
Although my eyesight was never so bad as to exclude me from doing most of the things that I love,
one area where I have always felt insecure with my vision is when I’m out at night. Street-lights
never produce enough light for me to be confident moving around after dark, and the glare from car
headlamps is extremely disorientating. I looked for a solution in a white cane, but found that it
wasn’t suited for me. I find canes, even folding ones, bulky and obtrusive objects that are difficult
to store. They weigh too much, they get in the way in public places and I found the presence of a
cane to be more of a nuisance than anything else.
In my search for a more practical night-time mobility-aid than a white cane, an obvious and simple
solution occurred to me and I purchased a powerful LED (light emitting diode) torch. Ever since I
bought it, this torch has affected an amazing and beneficial change in my after-dark mobility. I can
now clearly see where I’m going and I can spot obstacles or dangers well in advance. The torch is
compact, it’s long-lasting and it is incredibly powerful. Now that I have my own light-source with
me whenever I go out at night, my confidence has increased significantly. I’m now fully aware of
my surroundings and I can see obstacles and dangers that my white cane did not bring to my
attention.
The torch I’m currently using is a LED Lenser P6. LED Lenser is a series of military-grade
flashlights. They have solid steel bodies that can cope with rough use, they come in a variety of
sizes, each with different features, and they’re extremely bright and powerful. The model I chose,
the P6, takes two AA batteries which last for forty-eight hours. This model has an adjustable head
which can produce either a wide-angle or intense, concentrated beam depending on the setting, a
useful feature for night-time mobility. Its slim profile means it fits easily into pockets, but it’s also
large enough (17cm/6.5in long) that you can grab it quickly without having to search for it. It also
comes with a ring so that you can loop a lanyard through it and hang it from your wrist if necessary.
For persons with poor night-vision but who don’t require the use of a cane, I would strongly
recommend the purchase of one of these torches. They are a bit expensive, but they are tough, long-
lasting and extremely bright. They also make very efficient use of batteries. MAGLITES do not
compare at all with LED Lenser torches and a comparable Maglite produces only a fraction of the
intensity of light and drains batteries a lot faster than a LED Lenser of the same size. I know, I tried
using a Maglite for night-time mobility and was left extremely under whelmed by its performance.
The Maglite pale into insignificance next to the LED Lenser.
LED Lenser torches come in a wide variety of models. You can purchase them at camping and
outdoor sports stores such as Aussie Disposals, or you can buy them online. I personally
recommend the P6 model for the reasons outlined above, but LED Lensers also come in larger,
smaller, thicker and thinner models with different features, lengths of battery-life and battery-
requirements for each model. Care and time should be taken to evaluate the Pros and Cons of each
model before making a decision, but I firmly believe that they are of great benefit to night mobility.
A little bit about the author:
The contribution above is from ex-student, Shahan Cheong.
He writes: After graduating from school (Scotch College, 2005) I completed a Bachelor of Arts in
Professional and Creative Writing (Major: HISTORY) at Deakin University (Graduated 2010) and
I'm currently completing a Master of Arts in Writing at Swinburne university.
I'm 24 years old and my main passion in life is writing.
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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Visiting Teacher Professional Learning Day
Tuesday 23 August 2011 - A sneak preview from Marion Blazé
Our next PD day looks like being a packed program of reflection on services, state-of-the-art
research and technology, music and more. The program is included with this copy of the Bulletin.
On the program:
Mark Tainsh, acting assistant General Manager of the Student Wellbeing Division (that’s very
high up!!), DEECD, has generously agreed to spend another hour with us facilitating our expert
consideration of the support we provide to students with vision impairments and their schools.
Don't miss this one! This is our chance to influence decisions being made about the work we do.
Jill Keeffe will be in the country (unusual for her) and will provide us with the research
background to inform our practices.
Rob Drummond, Director of Quantum Technology is coming from Sydney to show us what a
Mac can do for students with vision impairments.
And we'll even throw in some music and more!
Make sure you register – this is not a day to miss!
NB re Visiting teacher professional learning day Term 3
Deb, Annette and Marion met with Mark Tainsh to review VT feedback from our first “Quality
Assurance Framework” workshop facilitated by Mark at our term 2 PD day (May 16). The next
workshop is between 9.30 and 10.30 on August 23, with time to document it until 11am.
Mark made a point of saying that this is an opportunity to reflect on and explore ways to strengthen
our provisions to students, but participation is entirely voluntary. VTs who do not wish to
participate should arrive at this PD day at 11am for morning tea and the remainder of the program.
SPEVI Victoria: Combined Agencies Day 2011
Monday 10 October 2011
The theme for the day is “Meeting the needs of children who are blind or have low vision and
additional needs” and an exciting program has been planned! For a copy of the program and
registration form, please see issue 12 of The Bulletin.
For more information contact the SVRC – 9841 0242.
Cyber Safety Resources
From Dolly Bhargava - Disability Specialist Speech Pathologist, Innovative Communication
Programming http://www.e-bility.com/talktogether/
“Getting Started! Using visual systems to promote an understanding of cyber bullying” was
produced using School Innovation Grant funding received from the Department of Education of
Western Australia, as part of the Director General’s Classroom First Strategy in 2010.
This resource was written by Dolly Bhargava, Disability Specialist Speech Pathologist. This
resource aims to develop the students understanding of:
Cyber bullying
Implications of being cyber bullied
Ways to use technology safely to prevent cyber bullying
Dealing with cyber bullying
The materials have been developed for older students with moderate intellectual disabilities and
other disorders. It is available as a free download at http://www.ashs.wa.edu.au/esc/index.html
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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SVRC Writing Competition
Topic: “Saying YES! Making the most of opportunities!”
Maximum words: 150
Closing date: 14 October 2011
More information: Issue 12 of The Bulletin or phone: 9841 0242
Winners announced: at the SVRC Expo on 25th November
Staff News
Lee Clarke is off to Queensland to live and work!!! It came out of the blue for us but it appears
she has been planning her move for a while. She has already arranged a job and a house – how
organised!!! We will miss Lee’s enthusiasm for all things and her skill and knowledge in the
field of vision impairment. All the best, Lee!!!
Student News
Elliott has been having a busy time of late. As well as Braille Music Camp he has recently been
on a school camp to Melbourne visiting Science Works and the Melbourne Aquarium.
For Sale
The Perkins brailler has been sold but the following items are still available. Contact Judy if you are
interested or require further information on 0457 092201
Mountbatten electronic brailler $1700.
BrailleNote mPower BT 32 cell with: WIFI card, valued at approximately $350. Oxford
dictionary approximately valued at $250. GPS, never used valued at approximately $1800.
Will sell the lot for $5500. Suitable for people with vision impairments who will find that this
technology can be used in everyday life as a student at school for education purposes, for people
in the workforce (office work) and for everyday living needs at home. Can be used with
everyday technology, example printers and computers.
iTunes for Audio Books
I suggested recently to Wendy Morley, VT - Grampians Region, that it might be worth checking
iTunes for audio books. Here is what she found.
“Thanks for searching around for the book I called about yesterday afternoon. I found several of the
Princess series of books on iTunes last night but not the first one the one suggested. It finishes up
that my student is better at searching than me and now has the book downloaded from iTunes and
on her iPad!” Wendy adds: “Some IT certainly changes the ease of access to quality resources. It
will be interesting to monitor. As a Visiting Teacher I will just have to keep pushing to unblock the
barriers to gaining these resources in such a timely way and for schools/families to keep setting
aside $ and look in this direction for resources.”
Finally
And finally thanks to everyone for their contributions to this Bulletin, especially Deb Lewis, Marion
Blazé, Annette Godfrey-Magee, Leanne Nagel and Geoff Bowen.
If you have something you would like included in “The Bulletin” please email Lyn Robinson
lynrobin@svrc.vic.edu.au
To Read the Bulletin Online: http://www.svrc.vic.edu.au/Abulletin.shtml
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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Statewide Vision Resource Centre
Career Day
Low Vision & Blind Students
14th October 2011
9.00-9.30 Registration
9.30-10.00 David Southwick
Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Education
10.00-11.00 Key Note Speaker
Graeme Innes AM
Australia's Disability Discrimination Commissioner and Race
Discrimination Commissioner for the Australian Human Rights and
Equal Opportunity Commission.
11.00-11.15 Jacki Burke CONCURRENT PROGRAM
School to Work: Making it Easy For your use
Wise Employment
Times for Interviews with Service
11.15-11.30 Morning Tea Providers
Wesley Employment
11.30-12.30 Erin Shale
Vision Australia
Anything is Possible Wise Employment
Career Educator: Balwyn High School Sensewide Employment
Wesley Employment
12.30-1.00 Bernadette Goglotti
Vision Australia
Career Educator and Parent Wise Employment
Perspective. Sensewide Employment
Wesley Employment
1.00-2.00 BYO Lunch
Vision Australia
Local shops within 3 minutes Wise Employment
Sensewide Employment
Wesley Employment
Employers Perspective: Vision Australia
Wise Employment
2.00-2.30 ANZ Bank: Rob Crestani Sensewide Employment
2.30-3.00 Coles: Tina Zelenik
3.00-4.00 Blind Employees: Panel discussion from employed low vision and
blind tax payers.
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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CONCURRENT POSTER PROGRAM
These four service providers will be offering individual concurrent session's one on one. Please see
all four if possible. You access these providers by making an appointment on the timetables placed
at the front of each area or ask SVRC staff for assistance.
Area Organisations
MUSIC ROOM Wesley Employment
Vicki Walsh
MATHS ROOM Vision Australia
Jan Hausen and Amelia Ukovic
SUPPORT SKILLS ROOM Wise Employment
Jackie Burke
TECH 1 Sensewide
Leanne Van Opijnen
SVRC Career Day
th
Registration Deadline: Monday 9 October, 2011
Ph. (03) 9841 0242; Fax: (03) 9841 0878 or Email: svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au
Parking
There is no parking available at the Statewide
Vision Resource Centre or Heatherwood
School. Please park in the lower carpark
behind the Donvale Sports Centre - the building
beside (to the north) of the SVRC. You can then
walk through the double gates and the Statewide
Vision Resource Centre is to the left.
Public transport: Bus and train
The nearest and most accessible train station is
Nunawading. Trains on the Belgrave and
Lilydale lines run through this station. A bus
also runs from Box Hill Central which also has
good train access.
The Statewide Vision Resource Center is
serviced by 3 bus routes.
902 Smart Bus, Chelsea to Airport West
271 Box Hill to Ringwood
273 Nunawading to The Pines
The 902 and 273 both leave from the
Nunawading station. It is an 8 minute trip to the
SVRC.
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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Statewide Vision Resource Centre
presents
Professional Development Day
Visiting Teacher Day
Term 3
Tuesday August 23, 2011
8.45 Come and have a coffee and a chat with your colleagues!
9.30 Continuing to strengthen provisions for students with vision impairments:
A quality assurance framework
Working together to identify the components of a quality assurance
framework:
in this session we will continue to consider the components of a Quality
Assurance Framework for students with vision impairments and our services.
We will work together to describe the necessary architecture for such a
framework, the components and map current provisions.
This session is NOT about the role of the VT but a broader consideration of
services. We will also look at where there may be a need to strengthen and
improve provision.
with Mark Tainsh, A/Assistant General Manager, Student Wellbeing Division
10.30 Workshop to collate quality assurance framework
11.00 Morning tea
11.30 What can research tell us?
Jill Keeffe & Jennifer Hassell, Centre for Eye Research Australia
12.15 New technologies at the Vision Australia Library
Noriko Kuchi, Youth Librarian, Vision Australia Library
12.45 Lunch
1.30 Supporting students’ skill development – Support Skills and special activity
days – Garry Stinchcombe and co.
2.00 Access technology and the Mac
Rob Drummond (Director of Quantum from Sydney) & Trevor Boyd
2.45 The power of music! – Dot Power, braille music and braille music camp
Christine Casey & Lea Nagel
3.30 Close
Cost: $44.00 (includes GST)
Registration is essential and please let us know of any dietary requirements
Phone 9841 0242, fax 9841 0878 or email svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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VictorianBlindCricketAssociationInc.
Patron Max Walker Email secretary@vbca.org.au
President Alf O’Neill
Secretary Nick Pepper
BH: (03) 9699 3111 42 Mountfield St.,
AH: (03) 9386 2167 Brunswick
Victoria 3056
Pavilion (03) 9822 7713
Schools Blind Cricket Programme
When: Friday 23rd September 2011
Time: 9:30am to 2:30pm
Who: all students with vision impairments in years 4 to 12
Where: please meet at Cricket Pavilion
Victorian Blind Cricket Association's grounds
454 Glenferrie Road Kooyong (at the rear of Vision Australia)
RSVP essential by: Friday 3rd September 2010
The Victorian Blind Cricket Association in conjunction with the Statewide Vision Resource Centre
extend an invitation to attend the Blind Cricket come and try / coaching clinic day.
Attendees will learn the art of blind cricket through a range of activities and games designed to
enhance team work and the individual's hand eye / hand ear coordination skills. Parents /
guardians and Visiting Teacher are also encouraged to attend the day. Staff from the Statewide
Vision Resource Centre will be in attendance.
Blind Cricket in Victoria is an open aged mixed gender sport with players receiving
accommodations depending on age, abilities and level of vision enabling the participation of all
players regardless of age, gender or vision levels. Blind Cricket is a great way to keep fit as well as
build up social networks.
There is no cost to participants to attend this programme and a sausage sizzle lunch and a soft
drink will be provided to all students attending the day.
If you would like to attend this programme registration is essential via the Statewide Vision
Resource Centre by completing the attached registration form (and permission / medical form for
non-Support Skills students) by Friday 2nd September 2010. Please note that no student will be
permitted to participate in the programme unless the VBCA registration form is completed and
signed by parent or guardian. The VBCA registration form is a separate document to any
document which the SVRC may require to be completed.
Further information about this day can be obtained by contacting Rod Pritchard by phone on (BH)
8842 5878, (AH) 9754 7308, (Mob) 0401 718 926 or email to pritchardrojo@bigblue.net.au or
Garry Stinchcombe (BH Wed-Fri) 9841 0242 or email to stinchcombe.garry.g@edumail.vic.gov.au.
The VBCA hope you will take this opportunity to explore the benefits of playing blind cricket and we
look forward to meeting with you on the day.
Alf O’Neil Deb Lewis
President Manager
Victorian Blind Cricket Association Statewide Vision Resource Centre
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au
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PO Box 201
Nunawading 3131
CONSENT FORM Tel: (+613) 9841 0242
BLIND CRICKET DAY 2011 Fax: (+613) 9841 0878
Email: svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au
I, (insert parent/guardian name) being
the parent/guardian of (insert student name)
who attends (insert name of school)
give consent for my child to participate in the Statewide Vision Resource Centre's Blind
Cricket Day 2011 run in conjunction with Victorian Blind Cricket Association.
I give permission for staff of the Statewide Vision Resource Centre to keep a file with
relevant information regarding my child, and to send reports and feedback to my child's
school and/or visiting teacher [if applicable].
I give consent to use and reproduce photographic/video/film/digital images of my child –
for educational and/or promotional purposes including reproduction in the SVRC
newsletter (The Bulletin), inclusion on the SVRC website, demonstration during
professional development programs etc. Please attach comments or exclusions.
I authorise the teacher in charge to consent, where it is impractical to communicate with
me, to my child receiving such medical or surgical treatment as may be deemed
necessary.
I agree to meet the expense of my child being returned to home. I understand that such an
arrangement may be due to illness, injury or in the opinion of the teacher in charge there is
non co-operation of any description by my child.
I understand that computers, cameras, cash and other valuables which are brought on the
day are the student's responsibility and are to be brought at their own risk.
Signed Date
Print name
NOTE: Students who do not attend Support Skills are very welcome to come,
but will also need to complete a Confidential Medical Form.
Please call or email for a copy.
Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 svrc@svrc.vic.edu.au www.svrc.vic.edu.au