The Bulletin Inside This Issue - Statewide Vision...

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StatewideVisionResourceCentrePOBox201Nunawading3131(03)[email protected]

TheBulletinNumber9,Wednesday14June2017

InsideThisIssueHere'swhatyou'llfind:

• PD:NDISandAssessmentVTPD…andthanksforcoming,SkillPower,NDISNoticeboard,MasterofDisabilityStudies–Vision,LowVisionDayFlierattachedordownloadfromtheSVRCwebsite

• Technology:WWDCReport,VOLab,TactileGraphics&3-DPrintingResources,SaferSwimmingviaBlueToothBeacons,EmbossedGridPaper(lowtech!)

• SportandActivities:DotPower,SwimmingCarnival,BigArtsDayReport,VictorianPremier'sReadingChallenge,What'sNewintheSVRCLibrary,DickinsonMemorialLiteraryCompetition,SchoolSportVictoria–MulticlassParticipation,BlindCricketNews

• FromtheField:SurveyonBrailleApostrophesandQuotes,InternationalAlbinismDay• News:CopyrightExcitement,DiaryDates,LifeThoughSam'sEyes–BookReview,SafeLace,StaffNews

CheckTheBulletinarchiveforbackissues!

DatesforYourDiaryHere'swhat'scomingup:

• SVRCSwimmingCarnival:4August–seebelowformoreinformation• LowVisionDayPD:15August• SSPCricketDay:22September• SVRCExpo:28November• SVRCChristmasMorningTea:6December

SeetheSVRCwebsiteformoreinformationandonlineregistration.

CopyrightExcitement!

Yes–youreadthatcorrectly.Lastweek-theCopyrightAmendment(DisabilityAccessandOtherMeasures)Bill2017passedthroughbothhouses.

ThisBillintroducestwonewexceptions:113E(forpersonswithdisabilitiesandeveryoneassistingthem)and113F(fororganisationsassistingpersonswithadisability).

Bothexceptionsextendtoimportationandexportationof

accessiblematerials,addressingourcompliancewiththeMarrakeshTreaty.Allcopyrightmaterial(print,music,video,art,etc)canbeconvertedtoanaccessibleformatforpeoplewithadisability(includinglearningdisabilitiessuchasdyslexia)providedthattheformatisnotalreadyavailableinthatformatatanordinarycommercialpriceandinreasonabletime.Acopyrightstatementdoes

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notneedtobeincluded(nomore135ZP).Reportingisnotrequired,howeverCALiswillingtocontinuemaintainingamastercopycataloguetoassistwithsharingofaccessiblematerials.

Youcanfindmoreinformationhere:https://www.copyright.com.au/2017/03/simplification-copyright-act-win-local-creators-users-australian-content/

TheBillisexpectedtocomeintopracticelaterthisyear.Wewilldefinitelybewatchingthisverycloselyandwillkeepyouupdated.

DotPower2017AsItypethisissueofTheBulletin,elevenstudentsaresingingtheParalympicssongtoLeaNagel'sguitaraccompaniment.Wehavesomelovelysingersinthegroupandtogetherstudentsandstaffhaveexploredecholocation,braillereadingandwriting,talkingandlisteningandgoalball-for-the-very-young(seephotoright).Therewasalsoaspiritedgameofsoundbingogoingonearlier.

Parentsandfriends,kinderteachers,earlychildhoodeducatorsandVisitingTeachersjoinedstafffromtheSVRCandregionstodiscussthesupportavailableinschools.TheSVRCDotPowerProgramisaimedatchildrenfrompre-schooltoyear3whowillbeusingbrailleastheirprimarylearningmedium.

Theremaining2017DotPowerdatesareasfollows:

Term3:Tuesday12thSeptember

Term4:Tuesday21ndNovember

Seefollowingpageformore.

Term2DotPowerDayFromLeaNagel,EducationalPrograms

Today'sDotPowerthemewasecholocation.Thechildrenlearnedaboutfourdifferentanimalsthatuseecholocation:thebat,dolphin,shrewandswift.Theysangtheecholocationsongabouttheseanimals,exploringtheirtactualimageandbraillename.Asawarm-uptoreadingthesongwords,thechildrensangfroma“Do-braille”sheetfeaturingthemaincontractionsusedinthesong.Theyallreallyenjoyedtheopportunityforsuccess,andthesingingencouragedsmoothflowingbraillereadingfingers(seephotoright).

Thechildrenpractisedusinganecholocationclickorclaptogatherinformationabouttheirsurroundings.Someofthechildrenmayusetheirhearingmorethantheyrealisewhentravelling.Echoorsounddampeningfloorandwallcoveringsandfurniturecancausechangesinthesoundthatechoesfromfootstepsorclicks,tapsorclaps.Thechildrenusedtheirecholocationsoundtoexploredifferentroomsandspaces,recordingtheirfindingsinabraillebookintableformat.Theywereinvitedtowriteaboutecholocationandeachchildreadtheirpieceofwritingtothegroup,whowarmlyapplaudedeachchild’seffortswiththeirreading.

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Thechildrenlistenedtosoundsmadebyavarietyofmusicalinstrumentsandclassroomitems.Theyfoundthetactualimagesandbraillewordsthatmatchedthesoundsintheirbook.Theythenplayedanenjoyablegameof“Thingo!”whichislikeBingobutwithThings!!Again,thechildrenwereusingatableformattofindandrecordinformation.Theyconcentratedhardonthegame,identifyingthebraillewords,andenjoyedthesuccessofachievingThingo!byreadingwiththeirfingers.

WefinishedthedaywithanenjoyablegameofGoalball–aParalympicsport.

Thechildrentookthebooksandothermaterialshomewiththem.Familiesandschoolsareencouragedtore-usethesematerials,asre-readingisanexcellentwaytoincreaseconfidenceinreading.Thechildrencanshowtheillustrationstofamilyorschoolmembers,pointingoutdetailssuchasatail,finsorears.Thecardscanbeusedinmatchinggamesortoplaycardgamessuchas“GoFish”or“Snap”.Thesesortsofactivitiesareafunwayofencouragingthechildrentousetheirfingerstosearchforinformation.

Manythankstotheschoolandpre-schoolstaffforhelpingoutandfortheirinterestinlearningabouthowtopresentlearningactivitiestochildrenwhoareblind.Thankyoutotheparentsforbringingthechildreninandforyourparticipationintheinformationsessions.

Informationcanbefoundathttp://svrc.vic.edu.au/educational-programs/dot-power/

Here'ssomefeedbackfromaVisitingTeacherwhoattendedtheday:

DotPowerprovidestheopportunityforchildrentoparticipateinarangeofdifferentiatedlearningexperiences.Braillereading,writing,orientationandmobilityskillsareallembeddedintheactivitiesinawaythatcatersfortheindividualneedsofthechild.

Attending"DotPower"asaTeacherwasafantasticopportunitytoseehighlevelteachingandlearningbeingmodelled.TeachingandEducationSupportstaffareabletoobservehowbrailleskillscanbeincorporatedintotheirclassroomprogram.DotPowerprovidesarareopportunitytoseepracticalteachingstrategiesinaction!

SurveyonUEBRepresentationofApostrophesandQuotationMarks Source:iceb.org

TheUEBCodeMaintenanceCommitteeisconsideringthebraillesymbolsusedtorepresentapostrophesandquotationmarks.Astatementoftheissue,alongwithproposedapproachesandexamples,isgiveninthefollowingdocument:

• quotationmarksandapostrophesinUEB(print)

• quotationmarksandapostrophesinUEB(braille)

AsurveyisbeingconductedtocollecttheopinionsofbrailleusersasguidancefortheCodeMaintenanceCommittee.Thesurveywillbeopenuntil31July2017andislocatedatwww.surveymonkey.com/r/UEB-apostrophe.

Therehasbeenmuchdiscussionontheozbrllistserv;inarecentcontribution,KathyRiessensuggestedthefollowingasanexampleofpossibleconfusion:

'AManforAllSeasons'–s'isaclosingsinglequote

Mothers'Day–s'isanapostrophe

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ABACorrespondenceSecretary,LeonaHolloway,encourageseveryonetoprovideinputsaying,Australiahasbeen"usingUEBhereforalotlongerthaninothercountries,andsinglequotationmarksaremuchmorecommonlyusedherethaninNorthAmerica.ICEBhopetocollectabroadandrepresentativeresponsefromusers,producers,proofreadersandeducators.

WWDCReportFrom:GlenMorrow

TheWWDCistheWorldwideDeveloperConference–it’sanAppleeventthatoccursinearlyJuneeachyear.Itgenerallyiswherenewsoftwareisannouncedbutthisyearawholelotofhardwaregoodnesswasannouncedaswell.

Basicallyhere’sthegoodiesIgotoutofit:

• iOS11cominginspring,lotsofnewfeatures,oneofwhichistheindoormappingformallsandairports–initiallyrolledoutintheUSbutcomingtoAustraliasoontoo.ItalsohasthisneatappcalledFileswhichisaneasierwaytosharefilesbetweendevicesandcomputers.

• macOSHighSierra–yepthefollowuptomacOSSierra.ThisbringsawholelotofappupdatesforSafari,iMessages,MailandPhotos.ItalsointroducesthenewApplefilesystem.

• newiMacswithnewprocessorsandThunderbolt3ports• newiMacProwhichisapro-gradeiMacandapro-gradepricetag.• NewiPadProwhichisa10.5”model–biggerthanthetraditional9.7”iPad.Itisavailable

now.SothetwoiPadPromodelsarethe10.5”andthe12.9”.• NewMagicKeyboardwithNumerickeypad–shipsasofthisMonday.• Musicplayer,Istillhaven’tgotmyheadaroundthisthingbutitlookslikeabignew

speakerthatyoucanusewithAirPlay

TherearenewversionsofwatchOSandtvOSaswell.

Fulldetailsavailablehere:https://youtu.be/UdDzJSPgxlo

VOLabFromPhiaDamsma,CreativeDirectorSonokidsAustralia

VOLabisanewappbySonokidsforadolescentsandadultswhoareblindorhavelowvision.ThiseducationaliPadgameisdesignedforstudentsaged14+tolearntouchgesturesandconceptsofVoiceOver,Apple’sbuilt-inscreenreaderoniOSDevices.Theappisbothentertainingandeducational,andprovidesbeginninglearnersofVoiceOverwithopportunitiestogaintherequiredfoundationskillstousetheiPadoriPhoneindependently.

InthedifferentlevelsofVOLabyoufollowtheinstructionsofastrangeprofessorinhischemistrylaboratory,inpreparationofanexperimentwithfictionalchemicals(producingamazingsounds)andwithanunknownoutcome.

VOLabwasdevelopedbecauseofademandforsuchanappforolderlearners,afterthesuccessofBallylandMagicforyoungchildren.

NowavailablefromtheAppstore.Moreinformation:http://sonoplanet.com/vo-lab.php

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TactileGraphicsand3-DPrintingResourcesTheSPEVIwebsitehasanewlistofresourcesandinformationfeaturingtactilegraphicsand3Dprinting.

Seehttp://www.spevi.net/tactile-graphics/

SaferSwimmingforPeoplewithVisionImpairments–withBlueToothBeaconsAdaptedfrom:https://www.ibm.com/systems/be/inspire/visio-buddy-for-the-blind

RuudDominicusteachesswimmingandothersportsattheKoninklijkeVisioGrave,aschoolforchildrenwithvisionimpairmentsinthesouthoftheNetherlands.Hisfocusistoincreaseparticipationinsportbychildrenwithvisionimpairments–notonlythoseathisschool,butothersacrossthecountrytoo.

“Togetherwithothersportteachersandorganizations,wearetryingtomakemainstreamsportprogramsaccessibleforblindandpartiallysightedchildrenaswell,”heexplains.“AftergettingintouchwithIBMtotalkabouthowtechnologymighthelpeliminatebarriers,wefirstdiscussedasolutionforbadminton,butendedupagreeingonfindingawaytocomeupwithasystemthatallowsblindpeopletoswimbythemselves.”

IBMBeneluxtookuptheschool’schallengeaspartofitscorporatesocialresponsibilityprogram(CSR).AteamofIBMexpertsfromallovertheworldcameupwithafirst-of-a-kindsolution.Theideawastobuildanavigationsystemintotheschool’sswimmingpoolusingsmartpersonaldevicesandbeaconswithBluetoothsensors.Thesesensorswouldhelpdeterminethepositionoftheswimmersinthewater.Theyfunctionasvirtualtripwires:ifaswimmercrossesabeacon,theirpersonaldevicevibrates,tellingthemexactlywheretheyare.

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NDISandAssessment–aPDdayforVisitingTeachersforVision–thanksforcoming!!SVRChosteditsfirstdayinawhileforVTsVisionyesterday.Wehad24teacherson-siteand4on-lineforourdayallaboutNDISandassessment.

Comments,bothwrittenandverbal,wereoverwhelminglyinfavourofthetopicspresentedandtheideaofgettingtogetherasastatewidegroup.Evenone"off-site"participantsaiditwasgreattofeelapartofthediscussions(wedidtryhardtopassaroundtherovingmic!!).

Allregionswererepresented,includingseveralVTsfairlynewtothe"vision"field.

Specialthanksgotoourguestandinhousespeakers,toRenee,whoassistedwiththeresearchandplanning,GlenandMichaelforallthetechsupport,ourSVRCteamforallthefurniturere-arranging,foodandadminsupport,theregionalVTManagerswithwhomMarionmetandgainedsupportfortheday,LeaNandLeeCfortheirhelpwiththerovingmicandLeaNforthelovelyscones!ThankyoualsotoalltheVTswhocame(orwereonline)andsowillinglycontributedtodiscussionsandfeedback.

AllparticipantswillreceiveanemailwithalinkforallthePowerPointsandhandoutsfromtheday.

Weaskedyouallforyourviewsaboutthisandfuturedays.Here’ssomeofwhatwassuggested:

Generalcomments:

• "Anincrediblyvaluableandinformativeday–thankyou."

• "ItwasgoodtoknowaboutthedaywellinadvanceandhaveregionalVTManagersonside."

• "All-dayactivitiesworkbest(maybe9.30amstartand3pmfinish)."

• "Greattogettogetherasagroup–welloverdue–weneedmoreofthesedays."

• "Shouldhavethistwiceayearatleast."

• "Wouldlikethisonceaterm."

• "Havereallymissedaccesstoqualityvision-specificPD."

• "Weworkessentiallyinisolation,sodaysliketodayareinvaluable."

Topicssuggested:

• Learningmediaassessment

• Functionalvisionassessment(beyondEVAC)

• Assistivetechnology

• AnythingintheExpandedCoreCurriculum

• Lowvisionaids

• Casestudies/problemsolvingstudentneeds

• Internationalspeakers

Theneedfor"up-skilling"aroundassistivetechnologywasalsomentionedduringtheday.Thisisalwaysanareaofneedbecauseoftheever-changinglandscape,makingitsohardtokeepup.It’salsodifficulttopresenttoalargegrouponthistopicandmeeteveryone’sneeds.Yourneedswilldependonwhatstudentsyouhaveatthetimeandwheretheyareat,soonesolutionmightbetotailoryourownPDthroughourSkillPowerofferings.Pleasereadbelow.

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SkillPoweratSVRC–shouldwechangethename??Forthepastfewyearswehaveoffered"SkillPower"sessionsatSVRC,sometimesonlineaswell.Shouldtheybecalled"OndemandPD"?

SkillPoweraresessionsmainlyontechnologyandhowtouseitorteachit,buthaveincludedothertopics.TheyarefreeandaresometimesonsetdatesinTerms2,3or4,butareincreasinglyrequestedbyVTsorschoolswhowantsmallgroupsessionsonparticulartopicsondatesoftheirchoosing.So,ifyouhaveaneedforPDonatopicofyourchoice,sendusanemailandarrangeit.Dependingonthetopic(andequipmentrequirements)wecouldevenarrangeitonline.

NDISNoticeboardOurkeynotespeakerabouttheNDISwasLeahVanPoppelfromtheYouthDisabilityAdvocacyService(YDAS):www.ydas.org.au

YDASisaVictorianstatewideadvocacyserviceforchildrenandyoungpeopleagedupto25years.Theyrunarangeofeventsandoutreachservicesandprograms,includinganNDISengagementservice.TheyhaveaveryactiveFacebookpage.PeggySoo,alsofromYDAS,isrunningsessionsforourolderSupportSkillsstudentsaboutnavigatingtheNDIS.

SchoolSportVictoria:MulticlassParticipationSchoolSportVictoria(SSV)MulticlassAthleteprogramaddressestheneedsofstudentswithadisabilityinVictorianschools.ThroughthisprogramSSVaimsinclude:toengagewithschoolstoencourageparticipationofMulticlassathletesatdivision/districtlevelcompetitions;andprovideadviceandsupporttoschoolstoensureallMulticlassathleteshaveaccesstocurrentparticipationinitiatives.

Allstudentswithaneligibleimpairmenttypemustbeclassifiediftheywishtoparticipateinrepresentativeschoolsportasanathletewithadisabilityatastateornationalchampionships.

Classificationgroupsathleteswhohavesimilarimpairmentstogetherintoclassesforcompetitionintheirparticularsport.Theclassificationassessmentprocessismanagedbythenationalfederationforthesport,inconjunctionwithothersystempartners.

• Eachsporthasspecificminimalimpairmentcriteriathatastudentmustmeetinordertoreceiveaclassforcompetition.Athletesmaybeeligibleforonesportbutnotanother.

• Notallstudentswithadisabilitywillmeetthesportspecificminimalimpairmentcriteria.Ifastudentdoesnotmeetthecriteriafortheimpairmentgroup,theywillnotbeeligibletocompeteasanathletewithadisabilityandwillberequiredtocompeteasanablebodiedstudent.

Forgeneralinformationaboutclassificationanditsroleinsportmaybefoundathttps://www.paralympic.org.au/classification/

FormoreinformationaboutSSV,contactLeesaLangley,SeniorProjectOfficer–SportDevelopmentonTuesdaysandWednesdays(03)[email protected]

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SVRCSwimmingCarnival,4August2017TheStatewideVisionResourceCentre(SVRC)ishostingafreeSwimmingCarnivalforalleligibleVictorianschool-agedstudentswithvisionimpairmentsonFriday,4August2017from9:30amto1pmattheGenazzanoFCJCollegePoolinKew.Thepoolisa25mindoorheatedpoolwithchangefacilities.Therewillbeeventstocaterforallparticipants:12.5mkickboardeventsthroughto50meventsandnoveltyrelays.Theeventwasabigsuccesslastyearandwehopethatmanycanattendthisyear.

Studentsarerequiredtoregisterinadvancetoattend.Pleasedownloadentry/medicalformsfromhttp://svrc.vic.edu.au/downloads/forms/SVRCSwimmingCarnivalRegistrationForm2017.docx,orcontactGarryStinchcombeatSVRCon(03)[email protected].

SomefeedbackfromSSPparentsaboutthe2016Carnival:

• “Mydaughterabsolutelylovedit,shehasallofherribbonslaidonoutherdressingtable.Shecameawayfeelingsopositiveandempowered.”

• “Ithoughtitwasgreattoseesomanystudentstogether–withawidevarietyofskills,allcompetingandsupportingeachother.IlovedthatthiswasarareopportunitytohavesomanykidswithVItogether,withyoungerstudentsbeingabletolearnaboutandlookuptoolderstudents…IlovedbeingabletocatchupwithparentsIrarelyseeandmeetparentsIhaven’tmetbefore.”

AndfromSSPstudents:

• “IreallylikedtheSwimmingCarnival!ThethingsIlikedthemostwerethepeopletheretohelpmeinthepool.IwasverynervousbutwhenIknewtherewerepeopleinthepooltohelpeveryone,Ifeltbetter.”

• “IreallyenjoyedthedayandmadeanewfriendattheCarnival.”

TheSVRCSwimmingCarnivalwilltakeplacethisyearonFriday4AugustattheGenazzanopool.SupportSkillsstudentswhoplantoattendtheSwimmingCarnivalwillparticipateintrainingsessionsduringtheterm.

Thisyear,theSwimmingCarnivalisopentonon-SupportSkillsStudentsaswell.PleasecontactGarryorEmmaattheSVRCformoreinformation.

Comeandbepartofthisfabulousevent!

Photos(right)showstudentsparticipatinginbackstrokeandkickboardeventsatthe2016SwimmingCarnival.

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BigArtsDay

2017BigArtsDayOut:"DoTouchtheSculptures"walkingtourofthepublicsculpturesalongSwanstonStreet,MelbourneFromMichaelDonnelly,ArtTeacher

TheCityofMelbournehasaveryrichandvariedcollectionofpublicsculptures.Manyofthestreets,buildingfacadesandparklandshaveinterestingsculpturalpieces,andmanyoftheseareaccessiblefortactualinvestigationevenif“noclimbing”isallowed.SwanstonStreetisjustasmallpartoftheoverallschemebutitprovidesamarvellousopportunitytodiscoveradiversemixofsculpturesfairlyclosetogether.Makinguseofeitherthebrailleorlargeprinttouchtourguidesfirstcompiledin2005andupdatedin2015,studentsweretreatedtoanhour’sexplorationofthecity’smainstreet.ThefirstgroupstartedatStPaul’sCathedralandwalkedupSwanstonStreet,whilethesecondgroupbeganontheStateLibraryofVictorialawnandwalkeddownhill,accompaniedbyaGuideDogsInstructor,twoorthreeSVRCstaffandtheartteacher,brandishingamegaphone.

VeryrecentlyworkstartedonbuildinganewrailwaystationundertheCitySquareso,atleastthreeoftheveryaccessiblepieceshadgonefromthetour,alongwiththefamousBurke&Willsmonumentwhichwasinanadvancedstateof"disassemblage".However,therewasstillplentytoexplore,withstudentsenjoyingparticularlythecurly"BeyondtheOceanofExistence"byLorettaQuinn,thesprawling"TimeandTide"byAkioMakigawa,andtheelongatedfiguresofAlisonWeaverandPaulQuinn’s"ThreeBusinessmen",alongwithanumberofothersculpturesweencountered.

DotryexploringmoreofthesculpturesinandaroundMelbourne,orinyourownhometown.CopiesoftheSwanstonStreettourguideareavailableatSVRCandthereisinformationonline,too.

https://walkingmaps.com.au/walk/2020

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/arts-and-culture/art-outdoors/Pages/art-outdoors.aspx

Photos(right)showstudentsandstafftouchingthesculptures.

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VictorianPremier'sReadingChallenge2017TheVictorianPremiers’ReadingChallengeencourageschildrentoreadasetnumberofbooksovertheyearandrecordtheireffortsonline.

TheVictorianPremier'sReadingChallengeisnowopenandwillrununtilFriday8September2017.Youcanreadasamemberofyourschoolcommunity,butifyourschoolisnotparticipating,youcanparticipateasahomebasedreader.

TheSVRChasmanyofthetitlesfromthePRCavailableinalternativeformatforeligiblestudents–andwe'reworkingonupdatingtheSVRCcataloguetoincludePRCbooks.

"Regularreadingfromanearlyageisvitalforsuccessatschoolandhaslifelongbenefits.TheChallengeencourageschildrentoreadmoreandpromotesaloveofreading,supportingtheEducationStatetargettohavemorestudentsreachingthehighestlevelsofachievementinreading."

FormoreinformationincludingPRCbooklists,pleasevisit:http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/events/prc/Pages/default.aspx

What'sNewintheSVRCLibrary?StaffoftheSVRCproducemanybooks,chaptersandotherresourceseachweek!Ourfirstpriorityisgenerallytextbooksandschoolnovels,butwealsoaimtoaddtothecollectionofJuniorandSeniorFictionandnon-Fiction,increasingtheaccesstoprintmaterialsforeligiblestudentswithvisionimpairments.

HerearesomeofournewertitlesavailableasWordfilesforMiddletoUpperPrimarystudents–andyes,thereissomethingforeveryone:

• AMostMagicalGirlbyKarenFoxlee

• MacbethandSonbyJackieFrench

• Minecraft:RedstoneHandbookbyNickFarwell

• OldSchool(DiaryofaWimpyKid)byJeffKinney

• TheChildrenoftheKingbySonyaHartnett

• TornadoTerror(DangerousGames)bySueGraves

Torequestoneofthesebooksoranythingelsefromthecatalogue,pleasecompletearequestformwhichcanbefoundontheSVRCwebsite.

MasterofDisabilityStudies–RIDBCTheRIDBCRenwickCentreaffiliatedwithMacquarieUniversityoffersaMasterofDisabilityStudiesfocusingonvisionimpairment.Thiscourseifofferedwithon-andoff-campusoptions.

ApplicationscloseFriday7JulyforSemester2commencement.Formoreinformationandtoenrol,visitridbc.org.auorcontactClaireFarrington,ExecutiveOfficer,RIDBCGraduateStudies,formoreinformation:(02)9872-0811/[email protected]

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LifeThroughSam'sEyes:BookReview"LifeThroughSam'sEyes"iswrittenbytheparentsofayoungmanwhoattendsSupportSkillsandiswell-knowntomanyinourcommunity.Samlosthisvisionduetobilateralretinoblastomawhenhewasalittleboyandasthosewhoknowhimwouldattest,thishasnotslowedhimdownonelittlebit!

"LifeThroughSam'sEyes"chroniclestheearlyyearsinthelifeofSam,hisparentsandsiblings–ayoungerbrotherandsister.Itrevealsthefamily'sjourneythroughthemanymedicalinterventions,hurdlesandroller-coasterrides(actualandvirtual).Sam'sdaddescribeshowthediagnosisandtreatmentunfolded."AtsixweekswehadnoticedthatSamwasn'thittingthemilestonesliketheotherbabiesinthemother'sgroup.Samwouldnotlookatusdirectlyintheeyesandtheywouldflickerarounduncontrollablytothelightandnotfocusononeparticularthing.Wewereconcernedasfirsttimeparentsandwantedanswers."

Throughoutall,thisisafamilywhofocusonthepositive.Samisdescribedbyhismumas,"myson,myfriend,myteacher,mymentor,myinspirationandmylife".

Andifyou'dlikeSam'sadvice,"Ifyouputyourmindtoit,intheendyoucandoanything.Itdoesn'tmatterwhetheryouhaveadisabilityorimpairment,orifyoufeellikeyoucan'tdoanything.Whatmattersmostisthatyoudowhatyou'vealwayswantedtodoand,moreimportantly,havelotsoffundoingit!"

Thisbookisavailableinprint,audio,andasane-book;andinbrailleorasaWordfilefromtheSVRC.Sam'sparentsinvitestudents"toreadaboutourfamily'sjourneyandwhatSamhasbeenthroughinhisyounglife."

Forprintreaders:

LifeThroughSam'sEyes:HowOurBlindSonHelpedUsSeeByJimValavanisandLisaValavanisPublishedbyGlobalPublishingGroupMtEvelyn,2016ISBN9781922118677

InternationalAlbinismDayWhen:13June2017

AccordingtotheABCwebsite,albinismaffects1000Australians.Thirteen-year-oldXanderwasinterviewedforBTNrecently.

Xanderexplains,"Withalbinism,youcannevergettan,whichmeansI'malwaysthiswhite.So,Ialwayshavetotakeextraprecautions,aswellaswearinglongsleeveshirtsIalsohavetoensurethatmyskiniswellprotectedandmyeyesaswell.ThissunscreenhelpsmefromburningcauseifIburnit'snotgoingtobethatfun."

Seethevideoorreadthetranscript:http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4682066.htm

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BlindCricketNewsFromDanPritchardOnSaturdaythe20thofMay,theyoungestandfastestgrowingblindcricketclubinVictoriaheldtheir32ndAnnualGeneralMeetingandAwardsPresentation.TheSt.PaulsBlindCricketClubthisyearhadmuchtocelebrateaftermakingitthroughtotheVictorianBlindCricketAssociation’s2DayGrandFinalforthefirsttimein5years.Whathasmadethismilestonemoreimpressivehasbeentheclub’saverageageisonly21despitehaving4membersinthesideovertheageof40.TheinvolvementanddevelopmentofyoungplayershasbeenacentralfocustotheclubanditisreflectedintheawardsthatwerehandedoutonSaturday.

16yearoldVicePresidentandDeputyThirdSelectorNathanLukewasrunnerupinthebowlingawardswithfiguresof6/77in42oversandthirdoverallintheBCategoryBattingaveraging9.33runsaninnings.

At17andplayinghissecondseasonfortheclub,JohnBolandwasrunnerupfortheBBattingCategoryscoringcloseto60runsintheyearaveraging14.75agameincludingthree4’sbutstealingtheshowandcollectingwhatisperhapsthemostsortafterawardofallwas14yearolddebutantBeauJonesbeingcrownedtheSt.Pauls2016/17MinionoftheYear.ThistrophyconsistingofaMinionfigurineisawardedeachyeartothebestandfairestrookieintheclub.BeauhadtowrestleagainstsometoughcompetitiontosecurethisonceinacareeropportunitywithoneofthecontendershavingtravelledtoIndiainJanuarytocompeteintheAustralianBlindCricketTeamfortheT20CricketWorldCupfortheBlind.ItwillcomeasnosurprisethatBeaufinishedthirdoverallforbowlingwithfiguresof2/24off10overs.Ifyou’reimpressedbythis,justwait.Beauinhisdebutseasonscored58runswith16ofthemcomingthrough4’sandone6.This6notonlysuretobethefirstofmanymoretocomebutwasalsotheonly6hitbyanymemberoftheclubthisyear.Naturally,BeautookouttheBCategoryBattingAward.

ThebarforMinionoftheYearhasbeensetprettyhighbutSt.Paulsareonthelookoutalreadyfornewrecruitstobothlowertheclub’saverageageandbeatBeau’srecords.CouldyoubethenextMinionoftheYear?

Photo(above)showsBeauandhishaulfromtheclub'spresentationnight.

CoolIdea:SafeLaceSickofremindingyourkidstotietheirshoelaces?Thisproductlockstheirshoelacesinplace.$12.95apair.Availableonlineorthroughmanysportsshoeoutlets.ThankyoutoSupportSkillsMum,Rachel,whoshowedusherkid’sshoes!

Allstockistsarelistedontheirwebsiteandyes,theycomeinavarietyofcolours(seephoto)!

https://www.safelace.com.au

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DickinsonMemorialLiteraryCompetitionFromBrailleHouseinQueensland

InaDickinsonMemorialLiteraryCompetitionupdate,prizesforwinningentrieshavebeenannounced.WiththankstotheAustralianCommunitiesFoundation–ClackFamilyMemorialFund,allsixcategorieswillaward:

• 1stprizeof$350

• 2ndPrizeof$150

Further,theBrailleHouseBoardhasgreenlightedthepublicationofthewinners’entriesinanannual“DickinsonMemorialLiteraryCompetition”book.ThebookwillbecompiledbyBrailleHouseandwillbepublishedine-braille,embossedbrailleaswellaselectronicnon-braille.

Competitioncloses25August2017.

Seewww.braillehouse.org.auformoreinformationandyourentryform.

NeedEmbossedGridPaper?VisionAustraliahavenifty50-packpadsof2x2cmgridstactilepaperfor$20includingtax.

Productcode:ES8562

StaffNewsGeoffBowenisdoingwellafterhisoperation.MarionvisitedGeoffonFridaylastweektodeliverhisgiftfromSVRC–asmileyfacedukulele!!Hereheistryinghisfirstfewchordsontheinstrument.Geoffreportsthatheisdoingmuchbetterthanafterhispreviousoperation–sothenewsisgood.WeanticipatethatGeoffwillbebackattheSVRCon1August.

FinallyWe'vefelttheiceonthebreezeandseenthephotos…itissnowingonthemtherehills!!!Staywarm…orvisituscozitisprettycozyinhere!

DebLewis(Ed)

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Statewide Vision Resource Centre presents

Educational Support for Students with Low Vision

Tuesday15thAugust2017from9.00amto3.30pm (Registration from 8.30am)

Where: Statewide Vision Resource Centre, 370 Springvale Rd Donvale Parking: Lower car park – next door at the Donvale Sports Complex

For: Class and subject teachers, integration teachers and aides, therapists, family members and visiting teachers

PROGRAM

8.30 Registration 9.00 Low Vision: What’s it like? – Staff of SVRC

10.20 Welcome & Vision Impairment – What is it & how do we assess it? – Marion Blazé

10:35 SVRC Website – Glen Morrow 10:45 Morning Tea 11.05 Strategies to Support the Student with Low Vision in the Classroom – Lee Clarke 11:50 Technology for Success at School – Lea Nagel 12:40 Lunch (includes optional tour of the SVRC) 1:20

(1.45)

Concurrent Sessions: Orientation & Mobility – Staff of Guide Dogs Victoria iPad Accessibility for Low Vision Users – Glen Morrow

2.10 The Vision Impaired Student in Your Classroom – Individual, Social and Family Perspectives – Geoff Bowen, Psychologist, SVRC

3.00 Let’s Hear It from the Students Themselves 3.30 Close

Cost (GST incl.): $88.00 per participant (onsite and offsite) Visiting Teachers or family members $44.00

Payment for onsite participants includes a light lunch (please bring your own fruit) Online registration is essential: please visit the SVRC website

For further details: phone 9841 0242 For parking and public transport information, please see the SVRC website: svrc.vic.edu.au

The Bulletin Inside This Issue - Statewide Vision...

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Transcript of The Bulletin Inside This Issue - Statewide Vision...