The Vision Research ROPARD Foundation The Vision Research ROPARD Foundation

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FOR MICHIGAN FAMILIES

The Michigan Parents of Visually Impaired (MPVI) maintains an ongoing calendar of events at:  Michigan Calendar of Events

FOR ALL FAMILIES:

SUMMER BRAILLE CAMP

Kristina Constant wants to bring the gift of Braille to youngsters who are blind or at risk for blindness.

Constant, who lost her vision when she was 19, is studying for a master's degree at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. This summer, as part of her master's project, she and four other teachers plan to run a Braille Enrichment for Learning and Literacy (BELL) program in Springfield. The low-cost two-week day camp will be open to western Massachusetts children ages 4 through 12.

The BELL camp will be held weekdays, July 16 through 27, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the National Federation of the Blind of Greater Springfield Chapter House at 910 Liberty St. The cost is $20 per child, or $25 per family.

Along with learning the basics of Braille, campers will also take part in music and games, cooking sessions and lessons in navigating on their own.

"We want them to have some fun," Constant said in a telephone interview from New York.

Constant, 29, daughter of Richard and Carol Constant of South Hadley, said she learned in the fourth grade that she would eventually lose her sight due to a degenerative eye disease. The South Hadley public schools arranged for the training she needed to cope in the sighted world and now she wants to do the same for other children, she said.

Constant said studies have shown that only 10 percent of blind children learn Braille, the system of raised dots that enables people with low eyesight to read unassisted.

Reasons for the low rate of Braille literacy for children are varied, she said, including reliance on other adaptive measures such as large print on computer screens or audio assistance. But those measures don't help blind children learn how to write and spell, skills that are essential to academic success, Constant said.

"It's a lot harder to do math without any way of writing it," she said. She also said that learning Braille gives blind children "a greater sense of independence."

"You don't have to wait for someone to set up an audio book for you or read to you," she said. "You can read it yourself."

For information about the camp visit www.nfb.org/bell or contact Constant at kristinaconstant66@gmail.com">kristinaconstant66@gmail.com or 218-2339. The BELL camp is sponsored in part by the National Federation of the Blind of Greater Springfield and by donations. To donate, send contributions to NFB Regional Center, P.O. Box 3512, Springfield, MA 01101.

June 21 - 28, 2013
Leader Dog Summer Experience - FREE
Rochester, Michigan

Leader Dogs for the Blind Summer Experience is a free, one-week camp experience for 16 and 17 year olds that is all about fun, learning new things, challenging yourself and making new friends. But most importantly… it's one week of strengthening your independence in new ways. Throughout the week of Summer Experience some activities are:

o    Low ropes challenge course and other team building activities

o    Tandem biking

o    Rock wall climbing

o    Day with a Leader Dog

o    Learning to use an accessible GPS that participants get to take home

For more information visit our website http://www.leaderdog.org/programs/youth/index.php. Application deadline is April 1, 2013.

 Networks Set To Launch Video Descriptions

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Penrickton Center for Blind Children Presents:
An “ACTIVE LEARNING” CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 5 & 6, 2013

Given the opportunity, any child can learn! Active Learning, an innovative approach developed by Dr. Lilli
Nielsen, focuses on establishing motivating learning environments for children with multiple special needs. Join
Ms. Patricia Obrzut, M.S., O.T.R/L., as she provides you with this fresh and pioneering approach. Learn how to
increase functional independence and developmental skills while reducing stereotypical, self-injurious or aggressive
behaviors. This exciting conference will feature lecture, video and demonstrations. Active Learning equipment
and materials will be on display throughout this conference.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Tuesday – November 5, 2013
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. REGISTRATION
8:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Active Learning vs. Passive Learning
 The history and philosophy of Active Learning
 Establishing rich environments to encourage active learning vs. passive learning
 The role of play as a developmental tool in learning
 Understanding the dynamic learning circle and the role disability plays in disrupting this process
 Identifying strategies to encourage developmental learning
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. LUNCH – on your own
1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Active Learning Equipment & Tools
 Active learning as an instrument for decreasing self-injurious behavior, self-stimulatory behaviors or aggressive behaviors
 Use and demonstration of equipment that facilitates an Active Learning environment: the Little Room, Resonance
Board and the HOPSA-dress
 Facilitating skills in spatial relations, object concept, increased muscle strength, weight bearing, unsupported sitting,
standing and walking
Wednesday – November 6, 2013
8:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Active Learning Equipment & the Five Phases of Educational Treatment
 Use and demonstration of equipment that facilitates an Active Learning environment: the Essef Board, Support Bench,
Multi-Functional Table
 Facilitating cognitive skills, fine and gross motor skills, improving muscle strength and dexterity, improving weight
bearing, unsupported sitting, and standing
 Understanding and identifying the emotional and intellectual levels of the special needs child. Identifying the role of
the adult in promoting skill development
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. LUNCH – on your own
1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. From Assessment to Curriculum
 Assessing a child’s developmental level with the use of the Functional Scheme
 Establishing a rich and appropriate Active Learning curriculum. Physical layouts for the classroom or playroom
 Strategies for implementing Active Learning in the home, school and therapy environment
 Community resources

Schedule Subject To Change
“ACTIVE LEARNING” CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFORMATION
First Name:_______________________________________Last Name:_____________________________________________
Address:______________________________________City:_______________________________State:______Zip:_________
Telephone: (______)_____________________________Email:____________________________________________________
Organization Affiliation: ___________________________________________________________________________________

ACCOMMODATIONS AND TRAVEL
The Holiday Inn Southgate is approximately 15 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The room rates start at $109.99 a night.
For hotel accommodations, please contact The Holiday Inn Southgate directly at (734) 283-4400 or www.hisouthgate.com
About The Active Learning Theory
Danish psychologist, Dr. Nielsen is the world renowned expert and creator of “Active Learning.” She is the author of numerous
books and papers, and the inventor of such Active Learning aides as the Little Room, Support Bench, and HOPSA-dress. Dr. Nielsen
is the premier authority on visually impaired learners with special needs and creator of the FIELA Curriculum and Functional
Scheme Assessment. She has practiced Active Learning for over 40 years and was awarded the Knight Order of the Dannebrog for
outstanding achievements in her field.
Observe Active Learning in Practice
Penrickton Center for Blind Children has implemented an Active Learning approach and curriculum for over 20 years. An optional
tour of our child caring center is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5th at 4:00 p.m. and is located only 10 minutes from the Holiday
Inn Southgate. Transportation is available.

We kindly request that children not be present during lectures for the benefit of all participants.

For Further Information Contact Patty Obrzut, 734.946.7500 or patty@penrickton.com
Penrickton Center for Blind Children
26530 Eureka Road / Taylor / MI / 48180
(734) 946-7500 / Fax (734) 946-6707 / www.penrickton.com

REGISTRATION FEES
Registration Fee: $125.00 if paid by October 1, 2013
$150.00 if paid after October 1, 2013
$100.00 Parent of a special needs child
Payment Enclosed $_____________
Visa/MasterCard/Discover/Am.Express #_________________________________________ Expiration Date:________________
Address:___________________________________City:__________________________State:______Zip:_________
________________________________________________________
Signature

Please complete and return with check or purchase order made payable to: Penrickton Center for Blind Children
All Registration fees are non-refundable. Fees may be transferred to another person. 26530 Eureka Road
Certificate of Completion will be presented at the conclusion of the Conference. Taylor, MI 48180
Check Here if interested in C.E.U.’s _______ 734.946.7500
patty@penrickton.com
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