OIB-TAC February Webinar: Navigating the Early Stages of Adjustment

Join OIB-TAC on February 16, 2024, for our next webinar on navigating the early stages of adjustment. As professionals, we recognize that a new diagnosis of vision impairment can bring feelings of sadness, fear, frustration, and even stubbornness, which can impede an individual from seeking or accepting help.  What can we do to facilitate growth in this early stage?  Join Jennifer Ottowitz, CVRT and Older Blind Specialist with OIB-TAC to explore supportive strategies, which can guide you in your work with individuals as they navigate through this challenging journey from the initial reactions and emotions associated with vision impairment to find the path to adjustment.

Click here to register for the February Webinar!

New Course from OIB-TAC: Teaching Braille to Adults

OIB-TAC is excited to share that we have a new course available, Teaching Braille to Adults.

Adults of all ages who are blind or have low vision may benefit from learning braille. This course provides strategies and suggestions for instructors of adult learners on how to approach braille learning, use assessment and instructional strategies for reading and writing braille, and keep adults motivated during the learning process. Additionally, course participants will learn how to customize instruction for individuals who are deaf-blind, speak English as a second language, and have other comorbidities. Note that this course is for professionals who already know the braille code and provide braille instruction to adults.

Course Objectives:

1.  Identify strategies, resources, and tools for instruction in reading and writing braille.

2.  Recognize approaches for providing individualized learning opportunities that are meaningful and relevant to the adult braille learner.

3.  Increase confidence in conducting assessments and planning instruction for adults with all levels of ability.

Course Instructors:

The course material was originally produced by Hadley and updated by Dr. Natalina Martiniello, Kendra Farrow, Polly Abbott, and Jennifer Ottowitz, all certified vision rehabilitation therapists.

This course is available for 6 ACVREP and NBPCB credits.

Click here to learn more or enroll in the course!

Division on Aging and Vision Loss February Watercooler: February 20, 2024, 1 PM Eastern – Low Vision Exams

February is Low Vision Awareness month, so join us February 20th for a conversation with Dr. Dawn DeCarlo. Dr. DeCarlo previously served as the director of the University of Alabama -Birmingham Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation and is currently the CEO of Sight Savers America. She will lead us in a discussion on low vision exams and why it is important for us to encourage them for consumers.

Below is the link to the ZOOM meeting.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86810635365

VisionServe Alliance's Focused on the Future 2024 Leadership Conference

Help shape the future of our field! Join us at VisionServe Alliance's Focused on the Future 2024 Leadership Conference, April 14-17, 2024, at the InterContinental Kansas City, Missouri. Leaders and their teams are attending this conference to help chart the course for our field. The powerful Open Space format allows you and your team to help set the agenda in real time and collaborate during multiple breakout sessions

throughout the day – each focused on one of the most pressing strategic issues facing the BVI community. The Open Space format expands participation, maximizes team building, strengthens leadership skills, and provides invaluable networking opportunities.

Visit VisionServe Alliance’s conference registration website to learn more and register by March 15th. Enjoy a discounted group registration rate for you and your team and special room rate.

WellSky Webinar: Reimagining the aging & disability workforce

Please see the below announcement from WellSky:

The workforce shortage has reached crisis levels in fields like vocational rehabilitation, personal care, and home and community-based services.  Join WellSky for this webinar that will provide you with an actionable approach to hire and develop talented people who can serve your aging and disability clients. You will learn how to:

1. Care for your team with a process to build trust and ignite commitment
2. Connect with staff using behavioral profiles to increase understanding
3. Coach people to unlock their full potential
4. Contribute to success with “stay interviews” that identify new opportunities
5. Congratulate wins with a systematic, repeatable process

The United States faces a significant shortage of skilled workers who can provide compassionate care for older adults and people living with disabilities. Discover affordable solutions to recruit and retain talented people though well-defined career paths and rewarding work conditions. Register today!

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