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EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairment
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EMPOWER VI Special Announcement
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Every month, we send out an email to highlight special announcements that can benefit our subscribers. These announcements may include timely updates or valuable
resources.
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Opportunities for Students
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EMPOWER VI Opportunities
We have two virtual and free opportunities through our EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairment (EMPOWER VI) project for students who are blind or have low vision
(B/LV).
Youth Mentorship Program
Open to juniors, seniors, and students in 18-22 programs, this virtual program (July-May) pairs students 1-to-1 with a B/LV adult mentor to help them work toward
a post-school goal of their choosing. This is a great fit for students who may still be exploring their future and could use personalized guidance and support as they plan. To learn more and access the referral and application links, go to our
mentorship
page. Additionally, check out our accessible
Mentorship
Flyer.
Youth Advisory Board
Open to juniors, seniors, and students in 18-22 programs, this virtual school-year-long program invites students to share lived experience, provide feedback, and
contribute to material/resource development for the EMPOWER VI project. Board members meet once monthly (Sept- May) with the option to serve two years. This opportunity is ideal for students who have a clear sense of direction, strong support systems, and
a desire to give back to the broader B/LV community. To learn more and access the application link, go to our
student
advisory board member page. Additionally, check out our accessible
Student Advisory
Flyer.
Both opportunities are designed for self-motivated, self-directed students, and the right fit may depend on where a student is in their journey. Some students may
also be well-suited for both!
Please share the flyers widely. If you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to
in...@empowervi.org.
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Level Up: Social and Life Skills Apps and Websites
Looking for fun and practical ways to help build social and everyday life skills? Join us as we share engaging apps and websites designed to support hygiene, household
chores, safety, social and emotional skills, navigating the community, and more. While the tools align with K–12 learning levels, they are appropriate for learners of various ages who need support building functional, real-world skills.
WHEN:
May 27th, 12pm CT
WHERE: Virtual, Zoom
To access the registration form, select the button below.
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New Map It! Transition Module
The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) introduces “Map It: What Comes Next? Blind/Low Vision Module,” a free, online, interactive training designed for
transition-aged students who are blind or have low vision.
The training utilizes four questions:
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Who Am I?
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What Do I Want?
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What Tools Do I Need?
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How Do I Get There?
This module is designed to provide students who are blind or have low vision with information and skills they will need for a successful transition from a secondary (high school) to a postsecondary (college/training
program) setting. Some topics included in the training are self-determination skills, effective use of assistive technology, and transition planning. Students will complete a series of self-assessments to help them identify their goals and develop strategies
to achieve them. All interactive materials are saved and compiled in an electronic portfolio.
To access the resource, select the button below. Please note that full access requires registration through DCMP by a parent, guardian, or teacher. Parents and
guardians can learn more about this process through the EMPOWER VI Course: The
Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP)
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Opportunities for Families
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READY: Raising Empowered Adaptive Determined Youth
READY is a virtual, interactive workshop series for parents and families of blind and low vision high schoolers.
During the 4-part series, you will better understand the fundamental skills your teen needs to successfully transition
to adulthood, and how you can take on a more intentional, informed role in preparing them. Find information about Perkins Transition Center Workshops here:
Summer
Workshops.
WHEN:
Every Tuesday, from May 19 to June 9, 6 pm-7:30 pm CT
WHERE: Virtual
COST:
$120 for up to 2 attendees
To learn more and register, visit the linked button below.
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Tennessee Disability Pathfinder Webinar: Navigating Financial Assistance Resources for Technology and Equipment
Navigating funding options for life-changing technology and much-needed equipment can be difficult. Whether you are exploring options for yourself, supporting a loved one, or assisting clients,
this webinar will offer practical guidance and valuable resources to help make essential devices more affordable and easier to access for Tennesseans.
WHEN:
May 21st, 11:30 am CT
WHERE: Virtual, Zoom
You can register by selecting the link button below.
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Word Learning and Vocabulary Development in Blind Children Research
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is approved to study word learning and vocabulary development in children who are blind in hopes of developing age-based language
norms, since they do not currently exist. They are looking for participants! For more specific information about the project and the NIH research grant that is funding this research, please read
Lindsay
Harris Wins NIH Grant to Study Word Learning in Children Who Are Blind.
Your child is eligible to participate if they:
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Are aged 5-14 at the time of the research session
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Met the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of blindness by age 2 (very limited vision in the better eye, typically ranging from 3/60 to 1/60)
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Reside in the United States or Canada and speak a variety of American or Canadian English as their primary language
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Hear English at least 3 hours a day
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Have access to a computer with a camera, a microphone, and an internet connection
Your child is not eligible to participate if they:
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Have been diagnosed or suspected of having an Intellectual Disability, Hearing Loss, Deafness, or Deaf-blindness
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Are unable to sit and respond to questions for 10-15 minutes at a time
Please select the linked button below to visit the PenLAB website to sign up for the study, and please forward the link to anyone you know who is eligible (or has
an eligible child) to participate!
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Opportunities for Professionals
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Collaborative Approaches for Orientation and Mobility for Students
who are DeafBlind
Supporting Orientation and Mobility (O&M) for students who are deafblind is a highly collaborative process that involves the integration of touch and communication
within motivating routines. Come join Dr. Amy Parker and the Southeast DeafBlind Collaborative to learn how to support students meaningfully and to engage team members in celebrating student progress.
Dr. Amy Parker is an Associate Professor of Special Education at Portland State University. She has worked with people who are deafblind and their families as an
advocate, community support, technical assistance specialist, and O&M specialist.
WHEN: May 21st, 1:30- 3:00 pm CT
WHERE: Virtual
(Zoom)
You can register by selecting the link button below.
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The contents of this newsletter were developed under a grant from the Department of Education Award 84.327R230008. However, the content does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of
Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
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