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Field Services

Welcome to the Department of Field Services

Kansas State School for the Blind Field Services team offers a network of services to support school districts, vision professionals and families throughout the state of Kansas. KSSB is the point of contact for anyone interested in the education of students who have a visual impairment from birth to 21. Field services representatives are located regionally throughout the state to partner with local education agencies. 

KELLY MCHUGH SMITH

Kelly McHugh Smith smiles wearing a black shirt

CHRIS GRAY (BRAILLE TRANSCRIBER)

Chris Gray has short curly blonde hair, wears rectangular glasses and a gray sweater, and smiles at the camera.

MENELY HOGAN (TSVI/COMS)

Menely Hogan smiles for the camera. She has long, wavy brown hair.

SABRINA McADOO (TSVI/COMS/EC)

Sabrina McAdoo has long, dark grey hair, wears an olive green shirt and smiles for the camera.

ANNA CYR (TSVI/COMS)

Anna Cyr has chin-length, curly blonde hair, wears glasses, a navy blue blouse and smiles for the camera.

AMBER HANSON (TSVI)

Amber Hanson has long blonde hair, wears a black and white striped shirt and smiles for the camera.

LAURA MITCHELL (TSVI/COMS)

Laura Mitchell smiles wearing a teal dress and yellow sweater

RACHEL GHRAM (TSVI)

Rachel Ghram, smiling for the camera with long light brown hair and bangs and wearing glasses

AUNDRAYAH SHERMER (TSVI/COMS)
Director of Field Services

Aundrayah Shermer has short brown hair, wears a maroon polo shirt and smiles for the camera.

Office: 913-305-3016

ashermer@kssdb.org

The Field Services team is available to provide unique assessments for students who have a visual impairment as well as provide technical assistance and professional development to educational teams at the local level. In addition, the KSSB Field Services team includes Early Childhood and Family Support Specialists, Kansas Deaf-Blind Project, Kansas Instructional Resource Center, KanLovKids regional and statewide Low Vision Clinics, and KSDE-TASN Pre-Service TSVI/COMS project to help recruit and retain vision professionals in the field.

How Can We Partner with You?

KSSB Field Services is a statewide resource for schools and families with a child who has a visual impairment, including those with additional needs and/or deaf-blindness. Many of the resources are available free-of-charge to your district, however, a nominal fee is charged for some services and when direct services are provided for unique situations in high need areas.  If in need of support, use the Request for Services Button below.

Review the KSSB Services and Price List 2023-24 for current cost for services requested.

REQUEST FOR SERVICES

Assessment Services:

Functional Vision Assessment: to determine the student’s ability to use his or her vision in a variety of settings and describe the impact of vision loss on learning. Included in the FVA is instructional and environmental modifications, accommodations and suggestions related to specialized instruction.

Learning Media Assessment: to determine the most effective learning medium for literacy and communication. Recommendations include appropriate formats for instruction such as print, auditory, tactual, digital or a combination.

Orientation & Mobility Assessment: evaluates the ability to travel safely in both familiar and unfamiliar home, school and community environments.

Assistive Technology Assessment: completed to determine accessibility of provided instructional materials and the most effective mainstream or assistive technology needed to access the educational curriculum.

Community of Practice:

Field Services Representatives facilitate regional Community of Practice Collaborative Seminars for Teachers of Students who have Visual Impairments, O&M specialists, para-educators or braillists.

Technical Assistance:

Field Services representatives provide on-site or web-based technical assistance for special educators, classroom teachers, administrators and others working with a student who has a visual impairment.

Training Opportunities:

Field Services representatives collaborate with the Deaf-Blind Project and KIRC to host the annual Vision Symposium and trainings related to effective instructional practices which support students’ learning/sensory needs. The trainings are offered throughout the calendar year with focus on both the core and expanded core curriculum. To view upcoming events, visit Professional Events.

Sponsor Signature Events:

Field Services representatives assist with Expanded Core on the Road Events, Trailblazers Weekend Events and Extended School Year summer programs which are offered annually to support the needs of students who have a visual impairment throughout the state of Kansas.

Need a Service Provider?

Locating a service provider in the certification area of visual impairment, orientation and mobility or deaf-blindness can be challenging. KSSB is willing to assist your school district to identify a service provider through the Kansas TSVI/COMS Preparation and Mentorship project. This project supports the training of educators to become certified as teachers of students who are blind or have a visual impairment or certified orientation and mobility specialists through finances and mentoring.

Download the Field Services Map in PDF

Field Services Map jpg File

LYDIA MORENO

Lydia has long, straight red hair. She smiles and wears a dusty rose long-sleeved top.

Connie Ortega (TSVI/COMS)

Connie Ortega has white and brown hair up in a bun, wears glasses and a white blouse and smiles for the camera.

PAM ARBEITER (TSVI/COMS)

Pam Arbeiter has long, curly brown hair, she wears a black blouse and smiles for the camera.

JULIE MARSTON (TSVI)

Julie Marston has curly brown hair, wears round glasses and a black sweater, and smiles for the camera.

SHELLANNE THOMPSON (COMS)

Shellanne Thompson has long red hair, is wearing square glasses and a black shirt, and smiles for the camera.

LEAH ENRIGHT (COMS)

Headshot of Leah Enright, with long blonde hair, smiling for the camera.

MANDY SMITH (COMS)

Mandy Smith has long brown hair, wears a purple shirt and smiles at the camera.

ERIN MEYER (TSVI/COMS)

Erin Meyer has short blonde hair, is wearing rectangular blue glasses and a black jacket, and smiles for the camera.
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