Training, Courses and Educational Information

On this webpage you will find links to eLearning courses online, to instructional videos and podcasts, and to documents about educational strategies and projects.

Top searches:

• Literacy and Learning Profile (BLV), version 4, 2022
  (d’Apice, Knight, & Gentle, Silveira, 2022, Version 4)
  Version 4 of the Literacy and Learning Profile is now available. This profile summarises information drawn from a range of sources that detail the student’s vision (section 1), literacy preferences and capabilities (section 2), the literacy and technology adjustments used by the student to access the curriculum and literacy activities (section 3), and recommended vision-specific adjustments to facilitate the student’s full and equitable inclusion in education (section 4). Version 4 includes five appendices which offer guidance in completing the profile.
• Braille (?) Needs Assessment
  (d’Apice and Silveira, 2022)
  Recommending to families and professionals that a student’s learning access needs would be well met by becoming a braille user can be challenging. The Braille (?) Needs Assessment will help guide you, the student, their family and their supporting professionals when making this decision.
  The Braille (?) Needs Assessment summarises information about the student, and the main challenges they face in accessing print for sustained reading. As seen in the figure below, the BNA allows you to consider the student holistically including their diagnosis, their visual functioning, their current skills and also their preferences. Download information document Braille (?) Needs Assessment
• Blindness and vision impairment toolkit
  The free, online Blindness and vision impairment toolkit from the Department of Education Queensland supports, specifically, students who are blind/have low vision and consists of three modules: Understanding blindness and vision impairment (BVI), Supporting students, and Eye conditions.

Masters Study

• • Master-of-Disability-Studies-Education-Blindness-Low-Vision-Specialisation. The Master of Disability Studies Education: Blindness/Low Vision specialisation is offered by NextSense Institute - Australia’s leading centre for research and professional studies in the field of education and service delivery for people with sensory disabilities - in affiliation with the Macquarie School of Education, Faculty of Arts, Macquarie University Education.

eLearning

• • Accessible Science Website with activities and resources for accessible science lessons in the categories Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering and Technology, and Physical Science. Perkins eLearning.
  • Accessible UEB Online: Free, fully accessible, Unified English Braille (UEB) online literary and mathematics training programs. These programs are suitable for anyone who wants to learn braille, including families, educators and other professionals, government and education sector administrators and policy makers. Access options include visual mode for sighted people, high contrast mode for people with low vision, and non-visual mode for people who use a screen reader, with optional use of a refreshable braille display. Certificates of completion are available from NextSense for a small fee. Developed by NextSense, Sydney, Australia.
  • BLENNZ videos The public video collection of the Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ) offers short videos about a wide range of interesting subjects relating to students with vision impairment.
  • EASI: US not for profit provider of online training on adaptive technology and how institutions can provide barrier-free computer and information technology systems for persons with disabilities. Podcasts, Webinars and Online Courses.
  • Emerald Education Systems: Online education and Low Vision rehabilitation courses, including by GN Dutton, Keynote speaker at the 2013 SPEVI conference. Some free, some for a fee, such as his course Cerebral Visual Impairment in Children: A Practical Approach, about the causes of CVI, challenges a child with CVI is faced with daily, and intervention strategies for parents and teachers to help the child cope with CVI.
  • Mathematics Made Easy YouTube channel of the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI), with 30 instructional mathematics videos. Created for teacher training institutes, educators and families who support students with vision impairment to successfully participate and achieve in mathematics at primary and secondary school. Developed by ICEVI CEO, Dr M.N.G. Mani, and the International Advisory Committee of professionals in the field of mathematics and vision impairment.
  • Perkins eLearning Perkins Training and Educational Resources Program introduces webinars, presented by experts in the field of visual impairment and deafblindness. Comprehensive, accessible professional development on topics ranging from academic and vocational skills, to compensatory and adaptive skills, and beyond.
  • NextSense Institute: NextSense Institute is a centre for research and professional studies in the field of education of children with sensory disabilities. Online learning programs including interactive lectures, audio and video resources etc. Conferences, seminars and workshops available for teachers, therapists, professionals, and others who work with children with sensory impairments.
  • SVRC YouTube Channel Centre: Video Tutorials and Training videos by State Wide Vision resource Centre, Victoria (Australia). Varied subjects. For teachers, aides, and families connected to students with vision impairment.
  • Teaching Braille reading fluency.....virtually: American YouTube video to get an idea of how to teach Braille reading virtually and increase your student's skills. By Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D., CEO, TechVision, LLC.
  • TechVision: Both free and reasonably priced paid lessons as well as a blog on using excel, word and power point with screen readers along with some excellent tools for using refreshable braille displays, braillenotes and iDevices etc and more. For people who are blind or have low vision and sighted teachers, parents and other adults working with them.

Videos

• Adjusting Print for Students with Low Vision.Resource when introducing low vision aids to school staff, parents and other professionals who support the student. Accessible video animation, duration 6.28 mins, download in mp4 format. Created by Carly Turnbull. Specialist Teacher (Vision), SPEVI Past President.
• Charles Bonnet syndrome presentation by Oliver Sacks: Neurologist and author Oliver Sacks talks about the under-reported phenomenon Charles Bonnet syndrome, when people with a vision impairment experience visual hallucinations. Note people who are blind or vision impaired are often reluctant to report these hallucinations to their doctor. Video, 18.48 minutes.
• Extreme Frisbee: This video shows a new game developed by Nulkaba Public School, NSW, called Extreme Frisbee. It is published on their Youtube Channel ‘Hairy Dog Productions’ which showcases a series of games created as part of a social skills program for students who are blind or have low vision to play with their peers. The videos are created by and for students. For the ethos behind the Extreme Frisbee Game, please visit this article on the Paths to Literacy website
• Hadley’s iFocus Instructional Video Series: Great series of educational videos on how to use the vision accessibility features built into the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Examples are Using Siri, using Dropbox, checking the weather and much more.
• Independence Science: Cary Supalo is a chemistry professor who is blind. His blog and website include information that allows blind students to be successful in science and chemistry courses. Under Tactile solutions, the Science Gear Kit is designed to provide K-6th graders with all the equipment needed to perform science experiments using tactile methods. Special needs, low vision, and blind students will be able to do hands-on science activities with the kit.
• Paul Delaney - Star Man. Former Adelaide man Professor Paul Delaney, who has albinism, is a leading, internationally successful astronomer in Canada, a Professor of Astronomy at York University in Ontario, despite having a severe vision impairment. In this video (2011) he explains how he became a professor of astronomy despite the vision problems associated with albinism, and he offers advice for parents and educators: “if a child has a goal, a dream, a desire, give them every opportunity to be successful, and worry about the reality of it later on…”.
• Science Techniques for the Blind: YouTube video, by Greg Williams, PhD, Independence Science. Tips for Highschool students who are blind or have low vision to safely conduct and analyze science experiments. Duration: 6.37 minutes.
• The Experience of Blind Education: Video documentary showing interviews with professional blind citizens from Australia and New Zealand who share their experiences and thoughts on the essential skills blind students need to access the Australian National Curriculum. Created by Shane Doepel, and with introduction by Kerry O'Brien.
• Vision Camp: This inspirational video was filmed at Vision Camp 2015 of Nulkaba Public School, NSW. It is 15 minutes long, and has parents, teachers and students talking, as well as some action.

Podcasts

• Renwick Centre Podcast a regular series that discusses hearing and vision education and health - everything from new resources, emerging ideas and hot-button issues! Features recognised academics and experts from around the world to entertain you for around 15 minutes per podcast. You can listen through iTunes and Podbean.
• Vision Australia Podcasts: Range of podcasts providing valuable tips on using mobile touch screen devices.

Educational (e)Books, Documents and Websites

• Braille (?) Needs Assessment (d’Apice and Silveira, 2022)
  Recommending to families and professionals that a student’s learning access needs would be well met by becoming a braille user can be challenging. The Braille (?) Needs Assessment will help guide you, the student, their family and their supporting professionals when making this decision.
  The Braille (?) Needs Assessment summarises information about the student, and the main challenges they face in accessing print for sustained reading. As seen in the figure below, the BNA allows you to consider the student holistically including their diagnosis, their visual functioning, their current skills and also their preferences. Read more about the Braille (?) Needs Assessment
• Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) Website: Published by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). Developing resource for research articles, books, websites, blogs, strategies and support for parents, teachers, university faculty and students about CVI.
• CPR and Fist Aid skills excursion for students with vision impairment Report from Maitland Muswellbrook Vision Team (Debra Goodsir, Itinerant Support Teacher Vision).
• CVI Scotland New website on Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI). Includes first-hand accounts from both people who have CVI, and the parents of children with CVI. The information has been written by parents, but with support and advice from multiple professionals including ophthalmologists (eye surgeons), scientists and highly experienced specialist teachers of the visually impaired. CVI expert Professor Gordon Dutton is advisor on the team.
• Dandy hands: Strategies that facilitate the development of hand function for blind and deaf-blind babies. Links to Word document with resource created by M. and M. Tellefson (2008) for the website of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
• dAp Dots:
  is a collection of Braille books that help with learning and understanding the basics of the UEB Braille code. They are designed to provide an effective foundation to Braille literacy for parents and children. dAp Dots benefits children, parents and teachers. The resources are available for purchase as digital files to download. You can use these files to produce your own embossed or swell paper versions. Developed by Tricia d’Apice (Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children).
• Disorders of vision in children: a guide for teachers and carers : Chapter Four: Educating visually impaired children. Motivation for learning, Creating an optimum environment, Materials which aid functional vision, Specialist technology, Training in the use of functional vision. Published by the Scottish Sensory Centre.
• EIVIprofessionals.com: Website for teachers of the vision impaired and orientation and mobility specialists serving infants and toddlers with vision impairments (early intervention visual impairment (EIVI) professionals). Provides resources to inform practice, including intervention ideas. Illinois State University/US Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs.
• Flash Sonar: Echolocation technique taught by US mobility expert Daniel Kish. According to Daniel Kish, people who are blind can derive dynamic images not from light, but from sound. Sonar calls are sent out actively for the purpose of soliciting information in a directed, intentional fashion. The environment may be said to respond to these calls with information in an interactive process (echoes).
• Handy Hints for Teaching: Selection of entries submitted for SPEVI Competition. Compiled and edited by Phia Damsma for SPEVI.
• ImPAct MDVI: Activity based intervention. The ImPact MDVI project developed a holistic teaching approach for teachers working with children with Multiple Disabilities and a Visual Impairment (MDVI). The project has arisen out of a recognition that models of teacher preparation in the area of severe and profound special needs often lack an overall vision and strategy to achieve identified goals. The project responds to the needs and rights of children with MDVI which is to participate and be active within natural environments. Support material: the 5-step model. MDVI Euronet project.
• Independent Living Guidelines: These guidelines from the Michigan Department of Education (USA)are provided by grade level (competencies students should acquire exiting preschool, second grade, fourth grade, elementary, middle school, tenth grade, and twelfth grade); there are also assessment tools in Excel spreadsheets and resources.
• Literacy and Learning Profile (BLV), version 4, 2022
  (d’Apice, Knight, & Gentle, Silveira, 2022, Version 4)
  Version 4 of the Literacy and Learning Profile . This profile summarises information drawn from a range of sources that detail the student’s vision (section 1), literacy preferences and capabilities (section 2), the literacy and technology adjustments used by the student to access the curriculum and literacy activities (section 3), and recommended vision-specific adjustments to facilitate the student’s full and equitable inclusion in education (section 4). Version 4 includes five appendices which offer guidance in completing the profile.
• Literacy and Children with CVI Section of Paths to Literacy website focusing on literacy and children with CVI. Written by Diane Sheline, it includes an overview and implications for each phase, guidelines for modifying books for children in each phase, tips on adapting books, and 8 sample books.
• Low vision aids and technology: A guide: Free booklet (pdf-file) is the third in the series from The Macular Degeneration Foundation (MDF) Australia, following ‘Low Vision, A Guide’, and ‘Family, Friend & Carer, a Guide’. You can also order a free copy by phoning MDF toll-free on 1800 111 709.
• Relationships and Sexuality Education handbook (PDF) Handbook for educators that outlines accessible and appropriate delivery of relationships and sexuality education for students with vision impairments. Whilst it has been based on the Victorian Curriculum, it is a handbook that may be useful for educators in any location. Developed by Claire Pardo and Hei Wah (Natalie) Chan, Occupational Therapy Honours students from Monash University in Melbourne, with the Statewide Vision Resource Centre Victoria. Also for download in Word format: Relationships and Sexuality Education handbook (Accessible Word Doc)
• Resource for Equitable Access to Libraries (REAL): Training resource for Public Library Customer Service Staff (Victoria, Australia). Includes a section on print disability.
• Sociability: social media for people with a disability review For people with a disability, social media websites and applications have their own barriers. The ‘Sociability: social media for people with a disability review’ was done by Media Access Australia (2011). Australia’s most popular social media tools were tested for their accessibility. Users with disabilities then contributed their tips and tricks on how to overcome each social network’s inaccessible features. From the website you can download the full report, or access the subpages with the Sociability guides to each social media: Facebook, Twitter.
• Sound and Picture (MDVI): Project around education of children with Multiple Disabilities and Vision Impairment (MDVI). Many are pre/non-verbal or have severe receptive and expressive communicative difficulties sometimes leading to withdrawal or using challenging behaviour as a means of communication. This project has two aims: To empower educators in MDVI by developing modes of communication for these children. And to empower and enable children to play a more active role in their own learning. Comenius Lifelong Learning Programme (EU).
• Source: International online resource centre on disability and inclusion. Primarily intended for use by practitioners and academics. Books, journals, manuals, toolkits, reports, posters, audiovisual materials, websites and organisations. Many materials are from developing countries and include both published and unpublished literature not readily available elsewhere.
• Teaching and Assessment Strategies for Students with Vision Impairment or Blindness: Fact Sheet with information and embedded links to further sources. The impact of vision impairment on learning at university, communicating with students with vision impairment, teaching students with vision impairment, assessment strategies. From Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training.
• Teaching students with sensory impairments: Strategies for mainstream teachers. This project is the result of an international, collaborative effort among educators in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, who work with students with vision or hearing impairments. A resource for professionals, parents, and university students involved in fully including students with sensory impairments in our educational systems.
• The Blind Girls' Guide to Puberty - Emma-Mae Schmidt_2019:: Booklet written by Emma-Mae Schmidt (22), from the viewpoint of a young person who is blind. For the benefit of young women and their families (accessible PDF).
• The Blind Girls' Guide to Puberty - Emma-Mae Schmidt_2019:: Booklet written by Emma-Mae Schmidt (22), from the viewpoint of a young person who is blind. For the benefit of young women and their families (accessible Word dcument).
• The Effects of Thin-Ideal Internalization, Body Surveillance and Self-Silencing on the Eating Attitudes of Women with Vision Impairment_2015 Research thesis investigating body image concerns and disordered eating attitudes in women with Vision Impairment (VI), by Alexandra Jane Page, towards her studies in the B. Psych Sciences (Honours) program at the Australian College of Applied Psychology in Sydney.
• The Multisensory Handbook: A guide for children and adults with sensory learning disabilities (Paperback). Author: Paul Pagliano. Publisher: Taylor and Francis.
• Touching maths: (ToMat) is a European Comenius school partnership which started in September 2010. The topic is maths education for braille users integrated in mainstream secondary schools. For two years, the six project partners (from Norway, The Netherlands, France, Estonia, Germany and Belgium) visited each other's schools and institutions to learn more about how braille students do maths. Findings, tips, tricks and advice for braille students, mainstream maths teachers, itinerant teachers and producers of tactile drawings.
• Understanding vision impairment – Cortical Visual Impairment: iBook by Rosa Wright. The primary purpose of this iBook is to provide parents with key information about Cortical Visual Impairment (also known as Cerebral Visual Impairment or CVI). Photos and videos assist in demonstrating key points. Published by the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC). The iBook costs AUD $4.99 from the iTunes Store, but all families with a child with CVI on ELP(VI) of the RIDBC are entitled to it for free.
• Vision and the Brain: Understanding Cerebral Visual Impairment in Children: The latest book by Gordon Dutton on CVI, [Kindle Edition] from Amazon Australia. An alternative source is the publishers, AFB Press.
• WonderBaby.orgWebsite dedicated to helping parents of young children with visual impairments as well as children with multiple disabilities. Primarily an online resource for parents of young children with visual impairments as well as multiple disabilities, but a lot of vision support teachers and professionals find the website helpful too. Funded by Perkins School for the Blind.