Training and Dissemination

Training Activities

Vision Specialist in Vocational Rehabilitation: (funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration) providing a special certificate in blindness rehabilitation for rehabilitation counselors and rehabilitation counseling graduate students. (LeJeune)

Minnesota Low Vision Training Project: A two year project to provide both a needs assessment and training of staff from the Bureau of Blind Services (LeJeune)

Continuing Education for Mississippi Teachers of Students with Vision Loss: Annual Workshop held on the campus of Mississippi State University and specialized training at school districts. (LeJeune)

Technical Assistance, Instruction and Consultation to School Districts: School Districts with Students with Vision Loss can contract with the Center to provide a variety of services, including braille instruction. (Cavenaugh & LeJeune)

Regional and State Training Programs: for state rehabilitation agency personnel that focus on the use and applicability of current computer access technology used by persons who are blind or visually impaired. Recent Training was conducted in Wyoming, Indiana, South Dakota, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Idaho. (LeJeune)

On-Line Independent Study Courses

Managing the Randolph-Sheppard Facility: An Introduction to Business Management for New Facility Managers & BEP Counselors The objective of the course is to expose new facility managers and business counselors to the Randolph-Sheppard Management System. CRC and CEU credits will be available to those who successfully complete the course. (Cavenaugh)

Successful Placement of the Older Blind Consumer The objective of the course is to teach counselors how to help older persons with visual impairments achieve their employment goals. (Cavenaugh)

Dissemination Activities

Publications and Monographs: various RRTC Projects are available on the Web, in other electronic formats, in print, and in other accessible media. (Lynda Goleman)

Outreach: Staff provide technical assistance and presentations nationwide on a variety of projects and topics (contact individual P.I.)

Computer Access Training Teaching Laboratory: the latest synthesized speech, braille embossers, and large print access peripheral equipment, as well as PDA devices such as a BrailleNote, Braille and Speak, Type and Speak, and Braille-Lite.

Recent Presentations of RRTC staff

Cavenaugh, B & LeJeune, B.J. (2009, January). Update on braille literacy program. Mississippi Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Jackson, MS.

Cavenaugh, B. (2008, October). Development of assessment tools to measure independent living outcomes of older consumers with visual impairments. Presented at Division of Services for the Blind annual meeting, Ft. Smith, Arkansas. (Invited)

Cavenaugh, B. (2008, November). A B C's of braille. Vision Enhancement & Technology for Students with Visual Impairments: Teacher's Workshop. Mississippi State University.

Cavenaugh, B. (2008, November). Guidelines to teaching and refining braille skills: Grades 5-high school. Vision Enhancement & Technology for Students with Visual Impairments: Teacher's Workshop. Mississippi State University, September 23.

Crudden, A. & Sansing, W. (2008, July). An assessment of consumer needs: Results of focus groups from a state vocational rehabilitation agency. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Chicago.

Crudden, A. & Sansing, W. (2008, April). Competitive employment: Strategies from public agencies. Paper presentation at the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind annual spring meeting. Bethesda, MD.

Crudden, A. & Sansing, W. (2008, April). Competitive employment: Successful strategies from public agencies. Paper presentation at the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind annual spring meeting. Bethesda, MD.

Pilkinton, M. & Crudden, A. (2008, March). Teaching an addictions course in a BSW program. Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the Social Work Baccalaureate Program Directors. Sandestin, FL.

Pilkinton, M. W. & Crudden, A. (2008, October). Persons with disabilities: Substance abuse patterns and treatment issues. Paper presentation at AL/MS Social Work Education Conference. Auburn, AL.

Giesen, J. M. & Cavenaugh, B. S. (March, 2008). Needed specificity in disability research: Race//ethnicity AND disability type. Presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Charlotte, NC.

LeJeune, B.J. & McDonnall, M.C. (2008, October). Consumer's Perspectives on Psychosocial Adjustment of Persons Aging with Hearing and Vision Loss. Southeast Regional Institute on Deafness, Atlanta, GA.

LeJeune, B.J. (2008, October). Vision Loss and Brain Injury. Alabama Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Huntsville, AL.

LeJeune, B.J. & McDonnall, M.C. (2008, July). Consumer's Perspectives on Psychosocial Adjustment of Persons Aging with Hearing and Vision Loss. International Conference of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Chicago, IL.

LeJeune, B.J. (2008, July). Brain Injury and Vision Loss: Challenges and Strategies. International Conference of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Chicago, IL.

LeJeune, B.J. (2008, July). Current Issues in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. International Conference of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Chicago, IlL.July.

LeJeune, B.J. (2008, May). Transition to Success, Transition Conference of the National Federation of the Blind - Mississippi Chapter, Jackson, MS.

LeJeune, B.J. (2008, may). Successful State Strategies for Improving Services to Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired, Spring Meeting of the Mississippi Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Jackson, MS.

Sansing, W.K. (2008, July). Demographic Trends in Aging and Sensory Loss. Presentation at the International Conference for the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Chicago, Ill. (Refereed).

Sansing, W.K. (2008, November). A Workshop in Demographic Trends in Aging and Sensory Loss: Perspectives in the United States & Canada. Presentation at the Northeast Regional Conference for the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Stowe, Vermont. (Invited).

Sansing, W.K. (2008, November). New Methods for Demographic Analyses of Population and Prevalence Data for Service Agencies and Administrators. Presentation at the Northeast Regional Conference for the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Stowe, Vermont. (Invited).

Sansing, W. (2008, April). An Update on Research Within the Title VII, Chapter- 2 Independent Living Programs. Presentation at the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind annual spring meeting. Bethesda, MD.

Instructional Workshops

LeJeune, B.J. (2008, December). Medical Aspects of Blindness and Low Vision Workshop Minnesota Services for the Blind. (Topics included Anatomy & Physiology of the Eye, The Big Five: Major Causes of Vision Loss in the United States, Other Major Causes of Adult Onset Vision Loss, Eye Diseases in Children, Traumatic Brain Injury and Vision Loss Implications of Eye Disease on Independence and Employment), St. Paul, MN.

LeJeune, B.J. (2008, November). Fall SCILS Training Workshop. (Topics included: New Adjustments to the 7-OB Data Collection Form, Vision Loss and Brain Injury, Macular Degeneration Updates, and Independence Reclaimed Curriculum.) Newark, NJ.

LeJeune, B.J.(2008, September). Introduction to Teaching a Student who is Blind Educational Mandates: Legal responsibilities, The Expanded Core Curriculum. Braille Literacy, Vision Enhancement & Technology for Students with Visual Impairments: Teacher's Workshop. Mississippi State University.

LeJeune, B.J. (2008, September). Perkins Panda Early Literacy Program, Braille Literacy, Vision Enhancement & Technology for Students with Visual Impairments: Teacher's Workshop. Mississippi State University.

LeJeune, B.J. (2008, May). Adjustment/Acceptance to Vision Loss and Theories of Adjustment. Minnesota Psycho-Social Adjustment to Vision Loss State Conference, St. Paul, MN.

LeJeune, B.J. (2008, May). The Grieving Process. Minnesota Psycho-Social Adjustment to Vision Loss State Conference. St. Paul, MN.

LeJeune, B.J. (2008, May). Barriers to Adjustment & Coping Strategies. Minnesota Psycho-Social Adjustment to Vision Loss State Conference. St. Paul, MN.

LeJeune, B.J. (2008, May). Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury, Vision Loss and Implications for Rehabilitation. Minnesota Psycho-Social Adjustment to Vision Loss State Conference. St. Paul, MN.