07/14/2011

In the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, AFB works with many other agencies in the blindness and low vision fields. These other agencies often share information with us to reach a broader audience. Below are a few of the more recent announcements we've received. To view all announcements, you can visit AFB's Announcements page.

REVISED! Light Box

This newly revised Light Box has a lighted translucent white work surface, providing a high contrast background for opaque materials and a source of illumination for colored transparent and translucent items. It also includes a dimming control to meet the needs of individual students. When used with unique sets of materials designed by the American Printing House, this Light Box helps students use their residual vision by developing awareness of light, color, and objects. The Light Box and materials assist in the instruction of tracking, scanning, eye-hand coordination, visual discrimination, and visual perceptual skills.

The Light Box can be used flat or tilted at three angles. Built-in ledges hold overlays in position. Cool, fluorescent bulb is housed in a tough plastic body measuring 25 x 15 x 5 inches. Includes cover.

How can you use a Light Box? Here's a list of 50 uses.

NEW! GAMES for People With Sensory Impairments (Book)

This valuable book initiates exploration and stimulates the reader's creativity and resourcefulness!

Physical education teachers and activity/recreation directors find GAMES for People With Sensory Impairments: Strategies for Including Individuals of all Ages to be practical, relevant, and realistic. Adapted physical education (APE) professors find it to be a valuable tool when teaching future APE teachers.

The authors, Lauren Lieberman and James Cowart, draw on their extensive experience in teaching students of all ages who have visual impairments, blindness, deafblindness, and multiple disabilities.

For more information or to purchase either the Light Box or GAMES, contact the American Printing House for the Blind.

Phone: (800) 223-1839

E-Mail: info@aph.org

URL: http://www.aph.org/advisory/2011adv07.html

Employment Mentoring Project for both Students and Professionals who are blind

Whether you're a student looking for your next big step after graduation or a professional who's interested in helping recent grads, the Mississippi State University's Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision wants you to connect.

This project is being conducted to determine whether pairing students who are blind with mentors in their career fields will help them find employment.

If interested, both potential students and mentors are asked to fill out an eligibility survey beforehand.

Mentors: http://tiny.cc/mentor-professionals

Students: http://tiny.cc/mentor-students

For more information, contact Jamie O'Mally at Mississippi State University's Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision at rrtc2@colled.msstate.edu or toll free: 1-800-675-7782

Dr. Kay Alicyn Ferrell to Answer Questions on FamilyConnect's "Ask the Expert" Blog

FamilyConnect and AFB Press are excited to announce a special opportunity for families to interact directly with one of the foremost experts on blindness and visual impairment in early childhood, Dr. Kay Alicyn Ferrell. Dr. Ferrell will personally respond to questions posted on the FamilyConnect "Ask the Experts" blog, July 18-29.

This one-of-a-kind opportunity gives families the chance to have their questions and concerns addressed by a top expert, in a forum that will share helpful answers with FamilyConnect members, other families, and professionals. Dr. Ferrell is Professor at the School of Special Education and Director of the National Center on Severe and Sensory Disabilities, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, at the University of Northern Colorado, Greely. She was the principal investigator of the groundbreaking Project Prism, the first study of child development in 50 years to focus on children with visual impairments and the ways in which their development is similar to or different from that of typically sighted children.

In addition, Dr. Ferrell will also be answering questions about her newest book, Reach Out and Teach: Helping Your Young Child Who is Visually Impaired Learn and Grow. This invaluable resource for both parents of children with visual and multiple impairments and the professionals who work with them, provides information and strategies about promoting child development from birth to school age.

Reach Out and Teach is currently available from the AFB Press bookstore. Parents who wish to read the book prior to participating in the "Ask the Expert" event July 18-29 can purchase it at a special 10% discount by using the coupon code FC2011.

Out-of-Sight Science Experiments (Book)

Who says science isn't fun?

Get kids excited about hands-on science using ordinary materials, like straws, plastic bottles, cups, magnets, clay, sand, and paper clips. Each step-by-step experiment is simply explained for young blind and low-vision scientists. Make balloon rockets, musical instruments, acid rain, volcanoes, glaciers, moving hands, and more!

Don't wait for chemistry or biology class to explore the sciences—get some experience under your belt now! No prior experience is required. Safely uses household materials.

A perfect and safe summertime activity for parents and kids!

Contact: Customer Service, National Braille Press

Phone: (617) 266-6160 ext. 520

Email: orders@nbp.org

URL: http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/SCIENCEEXP.html

Author AFB Staff
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