Virginia Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Vision Impairment

Cerebral Visual Impairment Workshop with John Ravenscroft
Professor John Ravenscroft, PhD is the Director of the Scottish Sensory Centre, which provides career Long Professional Development for Teachers of Children with Sensory Impairment. He is based at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh and he is also the current Editor in Chief of the British Journal of Visual Impairment. He is the President of the International Council for Educators of Children with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) Europe and often lectures on cerebral visual impairment, inclusive education as well as research methods.
Professor Ravenscroft will be hosted by the Center for Movement, Health, & Disability at Old Dominion University, and will conduct a two day workshop on February 10th and 11th (2025) focused on CVI. Registration costs are $200.00 per person, lunch will be provided on the first day.

To register, please follow this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUa3sxCPmkadPTCyplVbsWmtDKwYEwIAqkfMQwfJqHo082zA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Contact Justin Haegele at [email protected] for questions.

Cerebral Visual Impairment Workshop: Featuring John Ravenscroft Thank you for your interest in joining the Center for Movement, Health, & Disability for this Cerebral Visual Impairment Workshop featuring John Ravenscroft. Professor Ravenscroft, PhD, is professor in the Moray House School of Education and Sport at the University of Edinburgh. He is also the Direc...

A great program from our neighbors at George Mason University: BEEP Baseball

Join us for an exciting Beep Baseball Learn to Play event hosted by George Mason Recreation, in collaboration with the Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes, Northern Virginia Community College, George Mason Disability Services, the Philadelphia Fire, and Bayou City Heat. The event is open to all participants over the age of 15, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn and play beep baseball, an adaptive version of America's favorite pastime. The day includes a morning clinic, a provided lunch, and an afternoon scrimmage. Come ready to engage in physical activity on the field, and don't forget your athletic gear and baseball glove if you have one. We have a limited number of slots to ensure everyone gets ample time to play.

Date: Saturday, September 7
Cost: Free

Timeline:
10am - 12pm: Skills Clinic
12pm - 1pm: Lunch
1pm - 3pm: Scrimmage

Location: George Mason University, 4611 Rapidan River Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030

For more information and registration, please visit the event webpage: https://mason360.gmu.edu/Recreation/rsvp_boot?id=2267054

Registration for Beep Baseball Learn to Play Event on September 7 Now Open!

The Metropolitan Washington Association of Blind Athletes is cohosting the event with George Mason University, Nova community college, Philly fire, and Bayou city heat. Please review the information at the below link and register
!

Beep Baseball Learn to Play Clinic - Mason Recreation BEEP BASEBALL: LEARN TO PLAY EVENT Date: September 7 Location: George Mason University, Field 4 Address: 4611 Rapidan River Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030 Registration Period: June 10 - August 30 Even...

VSDB showcased for their amazing work! Congratulations to our colleagues and alumni for reaching national attention!!

Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind prepares students to live independently The Staunton school teaches everything from job skills to independent living.

The VI Consortium congratulates Dr. Justin Haegele, our faculty liaison at Old Dominion University, for being selected as the SCHEV 2024 Outstanding Faculty Award winner!



Dr. Haegele has contributed to the field of blindness and visual impairment in many ways, including research, athletics, and promoting well-being for our students.



We are thrilled SCHEV has recognized the outstanding efforts of Dr. Haegele and are grateful to have the skills and expertise Dr. Haegele provides to the VI Consortium!



Sincerely,

The VI Consortium Faculty

ODU’s Justin Haegele Earns SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award By Victoria Bourne Professor Justin Haegele, director of the Center for Movement, Health & Disability in the Department of Human Movement Sciences and Special Education at Old Dominion University, has been named a 2024 Outstanding Faculty Award winner by the State Council of Higher Education for Vir...

UMass Boston will host two more O&M virtual informational sessions for the Virginia cohorts:

· Thursday, Oct 19 7:00pm

· Tuesday, Nov 28 7:00pm

If you are interested in attending, please email Darrick Wright [email protected]

Friendly reminder of the benefits AIMVA provides for our students who are blind/visually impaired and/or impacted by print disabilities. AIMVA is featured at the 3:18 mark by Mason faculty, Dr. Marci Kinas Jerome and Cindy George. Likewise, many may not be aware, but Dr. Michael Behrmann, at the beginning of the video, is the one who completely transformed the VI Consortium when he was awarded the grant about 16 years ago with the guidance and direction of Dr. Kay Ferrell. Highlighted also in the video is our awesome colleague, Dr. Yoosun Chung, who demonstrates the positive impact of AAC.

The Helen Kellar Institute for Human Disabilities at George Mason University For over 20 years, The Helen Kellar Institute for Human Disabilities at George Mason University helps develop and conduct comprehensive research, implement i...

What do you do when your student just doesn't want to learn a screen reader and only use their vision? We've got some tips for you if you're facing this challenge! Just join us at the MD DC AER Conference to learn more about how to possibly convince your student to use a screen reader. Registration is only $25 for non-members! https://dcmdaer.org/

Blindness doesn't stop this Virginia high school wrestler Born with a rare form of glaucoma, Garrett-Bey navigates the wrestling mat—and the world beyond it—completely blind.

George Mason University and the Virginia Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Vision Impairment announce a new course offering, EDSE 597: Special Topics, Cortical and Cerebral Visual Impairment



Dates: Every Thursday from January 27, 2022 to May 5, 2022

Time: 4:30-7:10 pm

Format: Synchronous online through web-conference

Instructor: Dr. Sandra Newcomb

Credits: 3 (University credit is awarded for this course upon successful completion)


This course is ideal for students in the blindness/vision impairment program, teachers of students who are blind and visually impaired, adapted curriculum/special education teachers, administrators, related service providers, early intervention specialists, and many more.



Please note, this is an advanced graduate level educational course; a prior degree in education or related field is necessary.

Interested individuals who are not current Mason students may apply to Mason as a non-degree student. Restrictions and admission requirements apply. Please apply soon, the deadline is in early January.



Current Mason VI Consortium students may register through the Consortium Blackboard registration page (EDSE 597-6v1).



Current Mason non-VI students may register through Patriot Web: Cortical/Cerebral Visin Imprmt - 20613 - EDSE 597 - DL1



Current ODU and Radford VI Consortium students may register through their Consortium liaison.


Course availability is dependent on minimum enrollment and other provisions stipulated by George Mason University. Course maximum enrollment does apply, please apply/register early.


More information: please contact [email protected]

Mason non-degree application link: https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now/how-apply/non-degree

Non-Degree Sub Navigation Apply Now How to Apply Freshman Transfer Graduate Accelerated Master's Military International Non-Degree George Mason University Korea Student Conduct Check Application Status Privacy Notice: Application for Admission Virtual Experience Visit Mason Meet Your Counselor Next Steps for A...

VSDB celebrating white cane day! 🦯

The VI Consortium reminds everyone October 15 is White Cane Safety Day!

Did you know all 50 states and the District of Columbia have enacted “White Cane” laws that promote pedestrian safety for individuals who are blind and visually impaired?
Virginia’s Code is below.

The VI Consortium reminds drivers, tens of thousands of Virginia residents and visitors have or are experiencing vision changes that impact their ability to drive. Many of these individuals attempt to travel as pedestrians in their communities, but
have reported in our studies their concerns over driver yielding behavior that resulted in near and actual collisions from drivers who make right on red, left on green, do not stop at stop signs or traffic lights, and in other cases (Avila, 2012, 2015, 2016, & 2017).

Please also remember to not block crosswalks when stopped at intersections. Our research has documented a number of safety factors related to pedestrian safety for persons who are blind and visually impaired when drivers block crosswalks partially or fully.

Code of Virginia
§ 46.2-932.1. Duty of driver approaching blind pedestrian; effect of failure of blind person to carry white cane or use dog guide.
The driver of a vehicle approaching a totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color (with or without a red tip) or using a dog guide shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to such blind pedestrian and dog guide, and any driver who fails to take such precautions shall be liable in damages for any injury caused such pedestrian and dog guide; provided that a totally or partially blind pedestrian not carrying such a cane or using a dog guide in any of the places, accommodations or conveyances listed in § 51.5-44, shall have all of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon other persons, and the failure of a totally or partially blind pedestrian to carry such a cane or to use a dog guide in any such places, accommodations or conveyances shall not be held to constitute nor be evidence of contributory negligence; provided, that nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the application of § 46.2-933 or § 46.2-934.
§ 46.2-933. When vehicles to stop for pedestrian guided by dog or carrying white, red-tipped white, or metallic cane.
Whenever a totally or partially blind pedestrian crossing or attempting to cross a highway in accordance with the provisions of § 46.2-923 is guided by a dog guide or carrying a cane which is predominantly metallic or white in color, with or without a red tip, the driver of every vehicle approaching the intersection or place of crossing shall bring his vehicle to a full stop before arriving at such intersection or place of crossing, unless such intersection or place of crossing is controlled by a law-enforcement officer or traffic light. Any person violating any provision of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.
§ 46.2-934. Failure to use cane or guide dog not contributory negligence.
Nothing contained in § 46.2-933 shall be construed to deprive any totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated person not carrying such a cane or walking stick or not being guided by a dog, of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon pedestrians crossing highways. Nor shall the failure of such totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated person to carry a cane or walking stick, or to be guided by a guide dog on the highways or sidewalks of the Commonwealth, be held to constitute nor be evidence of contributory negligence.

Congratulations to Mason alum, Calahan Young, who will compete in Tokyo on Team USA's Goalball team! Way to go, Calahan! We are proud of you! https://www2.gmu.edu/news/2021-08/mason-alum-fulfills-lifelong-dream-competing-paralympic-games

Mason alum fulfills lifelong dream of competing in Paralympic Games Calahan Young qualified for the USA Men’s Goalball team and will compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which begin Aug. 25.

The Virginia Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Vision Impairment offers a grant that covers up to 60% of tuition for qualified Virginia applicants who wish to become TBVIs. Our Consortium consists of three Virginia universities, George Mason University, Radford University, and Old Dominion University, that work together to train TBVIs across Virginia. We offer a variety of degree options to meet prospective TBVIs wherever they are at in their career goals, from undergraduate, to masters, and graduate certificate.

Applications for the Fall term are still being accepted at Mason through August 1, 2021. To learn more, please visit www.kihd.gmu.edu/vi or contact your local university faculty member for more information: https://education.gmu.edu/special-education/vi-consortium/contacts

Faculty Contacts | School of Education The Vision Impairment (VI) Consortium faculty contact information.

Dear VI Consortium Students:
Are you in search of an exciting summer read? Mason's online electronic library has many choices, including full access to the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness and the full books below that are specific to b/vi.

All VI Consortium students have access to these books for free on Mason's digital library. Go to https://library.gmu.edu/ paste the name of the book you would like to read and sign in with your Mason credentials (same as your Blackboard login) and follow the links to read online. If you need the book in accessible format, these books can be accessed on Bookshare and from Mason's Assistive Technology Initiative.

Here are just some of the great books related to the VI Consortium for reading; make sure to go through the list. Mason purchased digital access to great books on CVI, braille, and reading for students who are BVI. Those of you starting new jobs as TBVIs in the fall will want to read Keys to Success, as cited below.

Mason Library Electronic Books specific to BVI:

Goodman, S.A., & Wittenstein, S.H. (Eds.). (2003). Collaborative assessment: Working with students who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities. New York, NY: American Foundation for the Blind Press.

Hall Lueck, A., & Dutton, G.D. (Eds.). (2015). Vision and the brain: Understanding cerebral visual impairment in children. New York, NY: American Foundation for the Blind Press.

Kamei-Hannan, C., & Ricci, L.A. (2015). Reading connections: Strategies for teaching students with visual impairments. New York, NY: American Foundation for the Blind Press



Roman-Lantzy, C. (Ed.) (2019). Cortical visual impairment advanced principles. Louisville, KY: American Printing House Press.

Roman-Lantzy, C. (2018). Cortical visual impairment: An approach to assessment and intervention (2nd ed.). New York, NY: American Foundation for the Blind Press.

Sacks, S., & Zatta, M. (2016). Keys to educational success: Teaching students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities. American Foundation for the Blind Press.

Swenson, A. (2016). Beginning with braille: Firsthand experiences with a balanced approach to literacy (2nd ed.). New York, NY: American Foundation for the Blind Press.

Wright, K. W., Spiegel, P. H., & Thompson, L. S. (Eds.). (2006). Handbook of pediatric neuro-ophthalmology. Springer, New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-27930-X

Zihl, J., & Dutton, G. (2015). Cerebral visual impairment in children visuoperceptive and visuocognitive disorders. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1815-3

Cerebral Visual Impairment in Children | SpringerLink Cerebral visual disorders have far-reaching consequences for child development. These have profound adverse effects on children’s education and success in school and also in later life, but, unfortuna

Excellent article in JVIB by the amazing Mason ATI faculty, Dr. Kristine Neuber and Dr. Korey Singleton. Such a timely and important study on document access and navigation for students who are blind and visually impaired:
Singleton, K., & Neuber, K. (2020). Examining how students with visual impairments navigate accessible documents. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 114, 393–405.