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.
White Cane Day Celebrations – 10/15/2020
How are you preparing for White Cane Safety Day celebrated on October 15 worldwide?! Here are some ideas!
- Check out opens in a new windowLex Gillette’s Facebook video demonstrating how he uses Aira to find out which pair of Jordan’s he should wear.
- Register for the opens in a new windowWhite Cane Day Celebration
that will be held via Zoom on 10/15/20 at 10:00 a.m.!
KSSB Field Service Specialist Contacts
Pam Arbeiter: Wyandotte/Johnson. Cell: 913-424-3324 or Email: parbeiter@kssdb.org
Anna Cyr: North Central Kansas. Cell: 913-645-5324 or Email: acyr@kssdb.org
Menely Hogan: Western Kansas. Cell: 913-645-2659 or Email: mhogan@kssdb.org
Julie Ituarte: Southeast Kansas. Cell: 913-945-0769 or Email: jituarte@kssdb.org
Debbie Moody: South Central Kansas Cell: 913-982-7712 or Email: dmoody@kssdb.org
Molly Reardon: Northeast Central. Cell: 913-309-7041 or Email: mreardon@kssdb.org
Judy Imber: Orientation and Mobility and KanLoveKids. Cell: 913-645-5843 or Email: jimber@kssdb.org
KANLOVKIDS CLINICS
KanLoveKids provides low vision clinics around the state of Kansas. Seven low vision optometrists and two low vision ophthalmologists, located in eleven locations throughout the state, provide evaluations at the clinics for students who have a visual impairment. Upcoming Clinics are listed below. For more information contact Judy Imber at jimber@kssdb.org or visit the KanLovKids Website.
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.
- 8/7/2019: 9:00-12:00. Girard Kansas. Contact Julie Ituarte
- 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
- 9/25/2019: 11:00-1:00. Wichita. Contact Debbie Moody
- 10/16/2019: 12:00-2:00. WyCo-JCo. Contact Pam Arbeiter
- 10/19/2019: 12:30-2:30. Girard, KS. Contact Julie Ituarte
- 10/24/2019: 8:30-3:30. COMS Community of Practice, Topeka. Contact: Menely Hogan
- 11/15/2019: 12:00-2:00. Lawrence Kansas. Contact Molly Reardon
- 12/4/2019: 2:00-3:30. Zoom Invite. Contact Menely Hogan
- 12/13/2019: 12:00-2:00 Moxie Junction. Contact Debbie Moody
- 12/20/2019: 9:00-12:00. Greenbush Educational Service Center. Girard. Contact: Julie Ituarte
Statewide 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
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
- Description: This event is a collaborative effort between the KS Deaf-Blind Project and the Missouri Deaf-Blind Technical Assistance Project. Space is limited.
- Registration: Please register early through the Family and Service Provider Registration link. For questions contact Marites Altuna at maltuna@kssdb.org
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.
- Registration: TASN FVA Class for Pre-Service TSVIs Registration FVA 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.
- Registration: TASN LMA Class for Pre-Service TSVIs Registration for LMA
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.
- Registration: TASN SLK Class for Pre-Service TSVI’s Registration Link – Coming Soon
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.
- Registration: TASN ECC Class for Pre-Service TSVI’s. Registration Link – Coming Soon