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.

The Kansas Instructional Resource Center, Kansas School for the Blind & TASN are excited to present: 

Title: Introduction to the Brain, Visual System, Neuroplasticity, and CVI
Date / Time: March 9, 2021 9:00-11:00 am (via Zoom)

Register at:  opens in a new windowhttps://www.ksdetasn.org/events/LuEOWw

Description: 

DON’T MISS THIS EXCITING EVENT!

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Lotfi Merabet, OD, PhD, MPH

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology  Harvard Medical School

Director, opens in a new windowThe Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute

Staff Optometrist, Vision Rehabilitation Service Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Dr. Lotfi B. Merabet is a clinician-scientist investigating how the brain adapts to visual impairment. He completed his doctorate degree in neuroscience (University of Montréal) and clinical doctorate in optometry (New England College of Optometry). He then continued his post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical School, Boston University, and the MGH Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging. This was followed by a Master’s degree in Public Health (Harvard). In 2010, he joined the clinical and research faculty of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear. His work is currently supported by the NIH/National Eye Institute, Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund, and the Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Research Fund. He currently serves on the Education and CVI Steering Committees of the Perkins School for the Blind, and is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Carroll Center for the Blind and the National Braille Press.

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: 913-424-3324opens phone dialer or Email: parbeiter@kssdb.orgcreate new email

Anna Cyr: North Central Kansas. Cell: 913-645-5324opens phone dialer or Email: acyr@kssdb.orgcreate new email

Menely Hogan: Western Kansas.  Cell: 913-645-2659opens phone dialer or Email: mhogan@kssdb.orgcreate new email

Julie Ituarte: Southeast Kansas. Cell: 913-945-0769opens phone dialer  or Email: jituarte@kssdb.org create new email

Debbie Moody: South Central Kansas Cell: 913-982-7712opens phone dialer or Email: dmoody@kssdb.orgcreate new email

Molly Reardon: Northeast Central. Cell: 913-309-7041opens phone dialer  or Email: mreardon@kssdb.orgcreate new email

Judy Imber: Orientation and Mobility and KanLoveKids. Cell: 913-645-5843opens phone dialer or Email: jimber@kssdb.orgcreate new email

KanLovKids Clinics

KanLovKids 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 Molly Reardon at mreardon@kssdb.orgcreate new email 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 TSVIs and COMSs to collaborate and exchange ideas for instruction, adaptations, and assistive technology.

Professional Development Opportunities

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