Visual Impairment and Blindness

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Teaching iPhone with VoiceOver to Adults
Photo of an older woman and text, "Introducing Seniors to an iPhone"
Strategies for introducing an iPhone with VoiceOver to an adult family member who recently lost his/her vision
Teams Tip: Efficient Navigation in Teams
Teams Tip: Efficient Navigation in Microsoft Teams
This blog post will cover some tips for efficient navigation throughout Microsoft Teams
An Introduction to Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment
A student and her educational team head to class in the rain

Support the educational needs of students with Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)

Virtual Learning Starter Kit: Quick Assist
Graphic of Title Text
Quick Assist provides a simple, free, built-in distance troubleshooting option for vision professionals and students who use Windows computers.
Virtual Learning Starter Kit: Windows Computers
Title text with background graphic of a laptop
Computers running Windows offer a highly capable and accessible platform suitable for facilitating virtual learning.
Our Cooking Adventure is Done... So Now What??
3 images of tech: Ruby, ZoomText, Magnifier and text, "Tech: Transition Students"
We are sad to say that our month of Meal Kit fun has come to an end... but that doesn't mean our blogging has to! Find out what our next topic will be!!
Splashtop Secure Remote Access, Remote Support and Collaboration Solutions for Educational Institutions
The Splashtop log, a large computer connected to three smaller ones
An overview of Splashtop secure remote access software for education
Virtual Computer Instruction: Lessons Learned
The sound blaster external sound card
How to teach computer technology remotely successfully.
First Week with the Mantis Q40: What I Have Learned so Far
Mantis Q40 braille display: a Braille Display with QWERTY keyboard
This blog describes my initial thoughts on the Mantis Q40
The No Barriers Summit
A mountain climber with helmet and bakcpack on top of a mountain range
Whether you have a disability or other debilitating condition,the No Barriers Virtual Summit will help you find opportunity even in the midst of adversity.
Teaching Strategies for Students Who are Blind/VI with Multiple Disabilities in the Sensorimotor Stage of Development
Ivan is hugging a blue cylinder.

Participants will learn about the Sensorimotor Stage of Development,the Van Dijk Approach,levels of learning in the Sensory Learning Kit and more.

A Virtual Field Trip with Erik Weihenmayer
Erik Weihenmayer on the summit of Denali with clouds and snow covered mountain ranges in the background
A story of our virtual graduation speaker, one of the most adventurous and brave blind persons to have ever lived and our virtual field trip.
Virtual Graduation
A graduate in cap and gown holding a diploma with an earth globe connecte to a computer mouse
A narrative about creating a virtual graduation for a school of the blind and visually impaired
Cooking without Looking: Meet the Chefs!
Photo collage of Cooking Without Looking logo, Hello Fresh bag, Dinnerly bag & tray of food being pulled out of the oven
Take a minute to read about the four fabulous student chefs who will be sharing their stories exploring AT, practicing the ECC, and more in the kitchen!
Creating Engaging Adapted CVI-Friendly Books with Nothing but Free Apps and an iPad
Sesame Street character smiles while holding toothbrush and toothpaste
Learn how to use free apps to create engaging digital content for students with CVI!
Chromebook and Low Vision: Maximizing Success
Chromebook flipped into a tablet orientation with keyboard resting face down on desk
Set yourself and your low vision student up for success when working with Chromebooks!
Review: Snap and Read
Snap and Read LOGO text is Snap and Read in front of a compass
Snap and Read is a browser based tool that has many useful features for the visually impaired, notably CVI, but it is not accessible for blind students.
E.A.R.S. - Free ECC Audio Lessons
Image of ear silhouette and text, "E.A.R.S. Free ECC Audio Lessons"
Try these virtual audio lessons that teach adaptive daily living skills - including basic O&M skills!
Remote Instruction Tip: Using Screen Recording to Create Fun Voiceover Activities
Screenshot of control center with arrow pointing towards the screen recording icon
This video tutorial demonstrates how to teach your student to use Screen Recording while using Voiceover
Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment: An Overview and Understanding May-June
photo of ellen mazel

Blended Workshop on CVI: causes, assessment and strategies 

Dates: May 15, 16, and June 5, 6, 2020

 

Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment: An Overview and Understanding -Watertown
photo of ellen mazel

Blended Workshop on CVI: causes, assessment and strategies 

Dates: March 6, 7, and April 3, 4, 2020

 

JAWS Topics: Phonetic Announcement
Graphic of title text: JAWS Topics: Phonetic Announcement
Phonetic Announcement is both a useful feature and an annoying one
The Learning with Computers textbook series
A USB cable shaped like a person's head with a Learning logo
A curriculum for a basic middle to high school computer course
A Quick and Easy Guide to basic, crucial keyboard shortcuts for using Windows computers
Y, X, and CTRL keys on a keyboard
Basic Windows keyboard shortcuts that have been most helpful for quickly and efficiently teaching BVI k-12 students to navigate and use Windows
From Hospital to Home: Using Early Visual Functioning to Support Families
Mother and baby at a eye exam

From Hospital to Home: Using Early Visual Functioning to Support Families

From Hospital to Home: Using Early Visual Functioning to Support Families
Mother and baby at a eye exam

From Hospital to Home: Using Early Visual Functioning to Support Families

Educational Needs of Students with Visual Impairments: An Introduction
Image of a girl walking with a white cane

What does a school district need to know about the needs of students who are blind or visually impaired?

Simplifying Browser Use
Cartoon of frustrated computer user with a scowl on face
Simple techniques and shortcuts to easily access web content with common browsers and a screen reader.
The Equalizing Power of Assistive Technology versus the Reality
Sign showing various disability symbols: wheelchair, deaf, VI, and mute
In spite of vast technological innovation, a significant portion of the BVI populations’ technology use lags significantly behind the general population
Help! My VoiceOver is On but it Won't Speak!
Graphic of title text: Help! My VoiceOver is On but it Won't Speak!
VoiceOver may be enabled on your iOS device, yet it may be stuck with its volume off.
Ellen Mazel discusses UMass Boston's Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) courses
Perkins and UMass logo

Ellen Mazel discusses UMass Boston's Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) courses

Screenreader Comparisons
Collage picture of person using computer, headphones Screenreader title and JAWS logo
A review of 5 of the most common screen readers for persons who may know little about screenreaders but need some insights.
CAI and Self-Determination
Image of person walking with white cane superimposes over computer
A brief examination of research that explores the relationship between self-determination and computer aided instruction (CAI).
TVI Career Day: inspiring students to become TVIs
Poster text, "Teachers to Students with Visual Impairments give students the power to Braille," with hand over sim Braille
Where does the national shortage of TVIs and schools merge brilliantly? The answer is quite simply, Career Day!
Keyboarding for Young Children
Picture of a person's hands typing
Experiences and suggestions for teaching keyboarding to Pre-K and early elementary BVI students in a group class (computer lab)setting.
UEB Math Online
Logo for website UEB Online
UEB Online’s new Braille mathematics program introduces students to Braille mathematical symbols and expressions.
Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment: An Overview and Understanding (Spring 2020)
photo of ellen mazel

3 Day Blended Workshop  focuses on CVI: causes, assessment and strategies 

Dates: April 7, 8, and 15, 2020

 

Text Game Adventures
Screenshot of a text adventure game text
A brief examination of a couple of websites that offer accessible, online text only games.
JAWS Topics: Navigating Menu Bars
Graphic of title text: JAWS Topics: Navigating Menu Bars
Once you have opened up a program, you will want to know how to navigate around its menu bars.
JAWS Topics: Basic Navigation
Graphic of blog title: JAWS Topics: Basic Navigation
In order to use a screen reader like JAWS, you need to know the basics to navigation.
Why We Bought the Ruby 7 HD
Graphic of blog title: Why We Bought the Ruby 7 HD
The Freedom Scientific Ruby 7 HD has a great combination of features that are ideal for students who have low vision.
Microsoft Office Alternatives
MS Office and ALternatives with logos
A brief examination of the cost of Microsoft Office and alternatives for a VI student.
Improved View in MS Word!
Graphic of title text: Improved View in MS Word!
Use the Page Width Microsoft Word zoom setting to improve your visual access to documents without having to change the font size!
ACT WorkKeys Accessibility Part II (.pdf conversion for easier accessibility)
Screenshot of copy paste procedure
Converting a semi accessible .pdf textbook quiz into a completely accessible quiz in MS Word.
Remote Desktop Computer Lab Management Software
Screenshot of teachers workstation display, showing 9 student screen displays
Remote Desktop Computer Lab Management Software can help create a more enjoyable learning experience for teachers and students
Assessment of Students with CVI: Reliable Scoring of the CVI Range (Winter Session)
Student and teacher working

An in-depth course in scoring the CVI Range to improve your reliability in assessing children. Extensive knowledge of CVI is a prerequisite.

The What's the Complexity Framework: Designing a visually accessible school day for the child with CVI
Little girl with CVI

Use the "What's the Complexity" Framework to design a visually accessible school day for for children with CVI.

BrailleNote Touch Plus: An Update
Graphic of title text: BrailleNote Touch Plus: An Update
The BrailleNote Touch Plus was recently announced by Humanware
Calculus for Beginners and Artists
Image of home page "Calculus for Beginners and Artists"
A VI advisory on an MIT sponsored site that teaches Calculus
Access to High-level Mathematics Using LaTeX
Text of title graphic: Access to High-Level Mathematics using LaTeX
Blind individuals can achieve quality access to high-level mathematics using LaTex code.

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