American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Spring 2020
Inclusion in Science: Learning a New Direction (ISLAND)
www.islandconference.org
Contact: [email protected]
Date: September 12, 2020
The ISLAND Conference serves as a forum for people interested in the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Presentations are given by science teachers, access technology developers, rehabilitation professionals, and science faculty who have experience providing accommodations for a student with a disability or who are actively conducting research that promotes inclusion of people with disabilities. This year's conference will be held remotely. Registration is free, and all registered persons will receive the Zoom link the week of the conference.
Early Childhood Initiatives
https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives
Contact: [email protected]
410-659-9314, Extension 2287
The Early Childhood Initiatives of the National Federation of the Blind provide young blind children and their families with support and guidance to master the fundamental skills of literacy and travel through two programs, Braille Reading Pals and Early Explorers.
Braille Reading Pals Club
The Braille Reading Pals Club introduces young blind children and their families to literacy through Braille. The program fosters positive attitudes about Braille and helps sighted family members promote a love of reading through the shared reading of print/Braille books with their blind children. This program is designed for blind and low-vision children birth through eight years old.
Early Explorers
The Early Explorers program introduces young blind children and their families to the long white cane. Children will become more independent, confident, and curious travelers throughout life. The program provides strategies to teach children beginning cane travel skills. This program is designed for blind and low-vision children birth through eight years old.
LEGO® Braille Bricks
www.legobraillebricks.com
LEGO Braille Bricks is a playful tool to teach Braille to blind and low-vision children. The LEGO Braille Bricks concept is a play-based methodology for teaching Braille. Each brick in the toolkit retains its iconic form. The studs are arranged to correspond to Braille numbers or letters in the Braille alphabet. Each brick shows the printed version of the number or letter, allowing blind and sighted children to learn together. The Braille Bricks are being offered free of charge to schools and institutions involved in the education of blind children.
Fat Brain Toys
https://www.fatbraintoys.com/special_needs/vision_impairment.cfm
Contact: 800-590-5987
The Special Needs Center at Fat Brain Toys has compiled an extensive list of fun puzzles, games, and toys that are accessible for blind children with and without additional disabilities. In addition to a detailed description of each product, there are testimonials from parents and teachers describing how particular children enjoyed and learned from the toy.
Most kids enjoy showing off their knowledge, and a healthy splash of competition adds to the excitement. Whether you're on a long car trip or fighting cabin fever while you shelter in place, trivia games are fun for the whole family. Here are a few sites that offer accessible trivia quizzes.
Parade Magazine Trivia Questions
https://parade.com/944584/parade/trivia-questions-for-kids
50 Trivia Questions for Kids
https://www.signupgenius.com/home/trivia-questions-for-kids.cfm
That After-School Life
https://thatafterschoollife.com/trivia.html
60 + Awesome Trivia Questions for Kids
https://www.reallyareyouserious.com/trivia-questions-for-kids
Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Awards
https://learningally.org/naa
Deadline for Applications: November 30, 2020
Each year the Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Awards are presented to blind or visually impaired students who are registered with Learning Ally. Students must be completing undergraduate or graduate degrees and must demonstrate high academic achievement and service to others. Top winners are awarded $6,000, and honors winners receive $3,000.
National Association of Blind Students (NABS)
http://nabslink.org
The National Association of Blind Students is the student division of the National Federation of the Blind. With chapters in affiliates nationwide, NABS provides a host of resources for students in high school, college, and beyond. The NABS listserv and Facebook page keep students abreast of news and ideas. Produced for students by students, the NABS Now podcast focuses on stories from blind students and professionals in a variety of careers. The most recent episode deals with accessibility in the classroom. NABS Notes is a monthly blog of news and tips, including information about widely used learning platforms such as Canvas and Google Classroom.
Learning Ally College Success Program for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
www.learningally.org/collegesuccess
Contact: 800-221-4792
Learning Ally's College Success Program (CSP) strives to give students the support they need as they navigate their college journey. The CSP consists of a series of free, self-led courses and on-demand resources. Students can be paired with blind mentors who are college graduates. The curriculum helps students learn more about challenges that are unique to their college journey. College students can meet each other through a Facebook community and virtual community events. Webinars and podcasts explore topics of interest.
Sleep Problems for Children with Visual Impairment
https://cmhredcap.cmh.edu/surveys/?s=YRTMLA9K9D&fbclid=IwAR3h5BtVRAzIY66RMLkJtF9q
7pAT2EJlffu7u60NGfzgrruo-2QIMWxXlHw
or,
https://cmhredcap.cmh.edu/surveys/?s=YRTMLA9K9D&fbclid=IwAR2hnMTQzA_bP2NgQ9BQIby
cyZ6mqbycls-OdWLimP3zwE2bRp-klCK1-dA
Contact: David Ingram, 816-983-6626
Researchers at Children's Mercy Hospital are conducting a survey to learn about sleep problems in children with visual impairments. To participate you must be the parent of a child with visual impairment who is between the ages of one and seven.