KSSB provides a network of services to meet the needs of students with a visual impairment in the state of Kansas. Services extend beyond the main campus in Kansas City to reach local school districts in every corner. The local school district strives to provide quality instruction that enhances the eduction for each student. KSSB offers a variety of professional development and technical assistance opportunities to partner with the local education address the needs of students with a visual impairment.
KSSB Field Service Specialist Contacts
Pam Arbeiter: Cell: 913-424-3324 or Email: parbeiter@kssdb.org
Anna Cyr: Cell: 913-645-5324 or Email: acyr@kssdb.org
Menely Hogan: Cell: 913-645-2659 or Email: mhogan@kssdb.org
Julie Ituarte: Cell: 913-945-0769 or Email: jituarte@kssdb.org
Debbie Moody: Cell: 913-982-7712 or Email: dmoody@kssdb.org
Molly Reardon: Cell: 913-309-7041 or Email: mreardon@kssdb.org
KANLOVKIDS CLINICS
Upcoming Clinics are listed below.
For more information contact Judy Imber at jimber@kssdb.org or visit the KanLovKids Website KanLovKids.
- 9/11/2019 KSSB Campus.
- 10/10/19, Dr. Lawrence, Envision Wichita. Contact Debbie Moody
Community of Practice Seminars
The KSSB Field Services Specialists hold Community of Practice (COP) Seminars around the state of Kansas. The COP Seminars are designed for TSVI’s and COMS to collaborate and exchange ideas for instruction, adaptations and assistive technology. The participants of the regional set the goals or focus of each COP Seminars.
COP Upcoming Events
- 9/20/2019: 12:00-2:00 Salina Library McKenzie Center. Contact Anna Cyr.
- 9/19/2019: 10:00-12:00 Zoom Invite. Contact Menely Hogan
- 10/15/2019: 10:30-1:00 White Cane Day celebration, Salina. Contact: Anna Cyr.
- 10/24/2019: 8:30-3:30. COMS Community of Practice, Topeka. Contact: Menely Hogan
- 12/20/2019: 9:00-12:00. Greenbush Educational Service Center. Girard. Contact: Julie Ituarte
White Cane Day Celebrations
Statewide Events
10/15/2019
- Wichita: Sedgwick County Zoo, 9:00-2:00. Contact Debbie Moody
- Salina: Sculpter Walk, Salina, 10:30-1:00. Contact Anna Cyr
- Garden City: Lee Richardson Zoom, Garden City, 10:00-1:00. Contact Menely Hogan
- KSSB: Oak Park Mall, 11:00- 2:00. Contact Judy Imber
Professional Development Opportunities
Cortical Visual Impairment & Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2019
Audience: Service providers and families of children who are deafblind in KS.
Location: Pinnacle National Development Center – 1913 Pinnacle Way, Kansas City, KS 66111
This event is a collaborative effort between the KS Deaf-Blind Project and the Missouri Deaf-Blind Technical Assistance Project. Space is limited. Please register early through the Family and Service Provider Registration link. For questions contact Marites Altuna at maltuna@kssdb.org
TSVI/COMS Assessment Courses
Functional Vision Assessment
Date: September 12, 2019
Audience: Pre-Service TSVI/COMS (individuals currently in university programs)
Location: Lundgren Elementary School, 1020 NE Forest Ave. Topeka KS 66616
Description: This training is for Pre-Service Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment who are beginning their coursework, or for others who are interested in learning more about Functional Vision Assessments and how to conduct them. It is a required course for TASN grant fund recipients.
TASN FVA Class for Pre-Service Teacher 2019 -20 Registration Link
Learning Media Assessment
Date: December 5, 2019
Audience: Pre-Service TSVI/COMS (individuals currently in university programs)
Location: Hutchinson – Specific Location TBD
Description: This training is for Pre-Service Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment who are beginning their coursework, or for others who are interested in learning more about Learning Media Assessments and how to conduct them. It is a required course for TASN grant fund recipients.
TASN LMA Class for Pre-Service Teacher 2019-20 Registration Link – Coming Soon
Sensory Learning Kit
Date: February 6, 2020
Audience: Pre-Service TSVI/COMS (individuals currently in university programs)
Location: Wichita – specific location TBD
Description: This training is for Pre-Service Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment who are beginning their coursework, or for others who are interested in learning more about Sensory Learning Kit and how to conduct them. The Sensory Learning Kit is the Learning Media Assessment for children who have a visual impairment and additional significant disabilities. It is a required course for TASN grant fund recipients.
Expanded Core Curriculum Consideration of Needs
Date: TBD
Audience: Pre-Service TSVI/COMS (individuals currently in university programs)
Location: TBD
Description: This training is for Pre-Service Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment who are beginning their coursework, or for others who are interested in learning more about the Expanded Core Curriculum Consideration of Needs. The ECC is the unique specialized instructional areas designed to address the unique needs of a student who is blind or visually impaired. It is a required course for TASN grant fund recipients.
KSSB OnDemand YouTube Channel
The YouTube Channel contains short video presentations on a variety of topics related to instructional practices to address the needs of students with a visual impairment. The link below will open in a new window and provides the opportunity to view and subscribe to the Channel.
