AFB eNews

July 2008

Diabetes: A Guide to Caring for Yourself When You Have Vision Loss

Successful management of diabetes—even under the most ideal circumstances—requires great discipline, not to mention specific knowledge, skills, and tools for self-care. However, when vision loss enters the picture, diabetes may become very difficult to manage alone without the proper tools and resources.

Most diabetes equipment cannot be used safely by people with vision loss, as it is designed with the assumption that the user will be able to see enough detail to use it properly. Few items—such as blood glucose meters and insulin pumps—have speech output capabilities or screens that are readable for people with low vision. Regular and small print are standard for diabetes-related information, equipment instructions, and prescription labels, making everyday self-care somewhat challenging for the visually impaired.

The good news is that, for the last 20 years, many diabetes care professionals, equipment manufacturers, and people with visual impairment have been working tirelessly to address these challenges. Now there are more viable, accessible resources and techniques available to help people with visual impairments manage their diabetes than ever before.

To ensure these resources and techniques are readily available to all who need them, a new section on diabetes has been added to AFB Senior Site. The section outlines the American Association of Diabetes Educators' (AADE) AADE 7 Self-Care Behaviors™, a set of lifestyle changes that are necessary to manage diabetes effectively: healthy eating, being active, monitoring, taking medication, problem solving, healthy coping, and reducing risks.

The guide, written by Ann S. Williams, Ph.D.,C.D.E.—a nurse with 20 years of experience as a diabetes educator—outlines each self-care behavior in detail, along with information on how it can be adapted to address the onset of vision loss, and provides practical tips and offers the resources necessary for individuals to continue to manage their diabetes effectively and independently.

News and Announcements

AER Presents 2008 C. Warren Bledsoe Award
The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) has presented its 2008 C. Warren Bledsoe Award, which honors the outstanding contribution to the literature of the field of visual impairment and blindness, to Christine Roman-Lantzy, author of Cortical Visual Impairment: An Approach to Assessment and Intervention, published by AFB Press. The award will be presented at the July 2008 AER International Conference in Chicago, Illinois.

The current leading cause of visual impairment among children, cortical visual impairment (CVI)—also known as cerebral visual impairment—occurs when visual dysfunction is caused by damage or injury to the brain. The definition, nature, and treatment of CVI are the focus of great concern and widespread debate, and this complex condition poses challenges to professionals and families seeking to support the growth and development of visually impaired children. On the basis of more than 30 years' experience working with children with CVI, Dr. Roman-Lantzy has developed a set of unique assessment tools and systematic, targeted principles whose use has helped children with this condition learn to use their vision more effectively. Cortical Visual Impairment is a one-of-a-kind resource that provides readers with both a conceptual framework with which to understand working with CVI and concrete strategies to apply directly in their work. For more information, contact AFB Press at 212-502-7651 or online at www.afb.org/store.

AFB and AER to Hold Division Day
AFB has initiated a new collaborative effort with the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) Divisions for the Deaf-blind and Multihandicapped, Infants and Preschool, Education Curriculum, and Itinerant Personnel, and other key national organizations and content experts, to be part of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). The ECC solution is seen by many school districts and agencies as a key area for building effective teaching practices for children birth to 21 years of age who are blind or visually impaired. The goal of this initiative is to enhance the materials and tools available to instructional personnel and families and thereby improve the quality of programming for students who are blind or visually impaired.

AFB and AER will present a division day program on implementing the ECC for all students during AER's Conference in Chicago, Illinois, on July 23, 2008. For more information, visit AFB's Calendar of Events or contact Mary Ann Siller at siller@afb.net.

Braille Literacy: A Functional Approach
AFB presents Braille Literacy: A Functional Approach, a hands-on workshop for teachers who provide braille instruction to children and adults, including those who have additional disabilities, developmental delays, or deafblindness; speak English as a second language; or have other learning challenges. The workshop will be held September 18-20, 2008, at AFB's National Literacy Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and will be presented by Dr. Diane P. Wormsley, Brenda Brodie Endowed Chair and Professor of Special Education at North Carolina Central University.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Shirley Landrum at slandrum@afb.net, or call 404-525-2303 to request an application. All applications must be received by Thursday, August 7, 2008.

JVIB Unveils New Column on Assistive Technology
In the latest issue of the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), technology expert Jay Leventhal, editor in chief of AccessWorld®: Technology and People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired, introduces his new column "Technology Q&A."

Jay's first column will provide tips on how to make standard computers more accessible for people with low vision without spending a dime. "Technology Q&A" is designed to give readers more practical information on assistive technology and how it is being used in education, on the job, and at home. Each column responds to readers' questions or concerns, and this month's installment answers a question submitted by a case manager at an independent living center who needed help in working with elderly clients. We want to hear from you! Send your technology questions to Jay at jaylev@afb.net.

Professional Feedback
If you're a professional visiting AFB CareerConnect®, we would love to get your feedback. Please visit the Professional Feedback section to participate in our brief survey.

We're also looking for feedback from users who have participated in AFB's online course, Bridging the Gap. The course, offered by AFB's National Literacy Center, is available free of charge to all professionals interested in improving their awareness and understanding of issues faced by adults who are visually impaired and have low literacy skills. If you've previously taken the course, please participate in our user survey. We would love to have your feedback.

2008 DOTS Summer Issue
The 2008 Summer issue of DOTS (Development of Teacher Support) for Braille Literacy is available now to view online.

AFB Blog
Check out AFB's blog to meet AFB Communications intern Michelle, and read about eye safety around the holidays, accessible communication devices, and more!