PROGRAM

SPEVI 2003 Program

The conference program will focus on increasing the skill and knowledge base of tertiary educators, school teachers, specialists in vision impairment, parents and individuals who themselves have a vision impairment. Three keynote speakers from overseas have already agreed to contribute, Dr. Lilli Nielsen, Dr. Diane Wormsley and Dr Anne Corn. All are international experts in their particular fields (multiple impairment, braille literacy and low vision).

Keynote Speaker - Dr Lilli Nielsen R

Dr. Nielsen has been working with learners with vision impairment with and without other impairments since 1967. Much of her work has been in her capacity as an education adviser at Refsnaesskolen National Institute for Blind and Partially Sighted Children and Youth in Denmark.

She is a pre school teacher and a psychologist. She achieved her Ph.D. based on a research project looking at spatial relationships in congenitally blind infants. She has developed the ACTIVE LEARNING approach to working with individuals with vision impairment. Lilli was knighted by the Queen of Denmark in 1997 in recognition of her extensive work in education of the blind in her country.

Her work includes the authorship of several books about educational approaches for learners who are autistic, developmentally threatened or multiply impaired. Her methods have been met with great interest around the world and she has lectured and consulted extensively particularly on the education of children with vision and multiple impairments. Several of these trips have been to Australia.

Keynote Speaker - Dr Anne Corn

Dr. Corn has been a professional working in the fields of vision impairment for many years. Her early work was as a teacher of students with visual impairments in the states of Illinois and New York. She has taught at college and graduate levels since 1976. Following completion of her doctorate she taught at the University of Texas in Austin. Since 1992 she has been at Vanderbilt University where she is Professor of Special Education at Peabody College and holds a second appointment in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre.

She prepares teachers and leadership personnel in the education of students with vision impairments. Her research and publications are primarily in the area of low vision although other topics of inquiry include early braille readers, access to transportation and issues impacting upon adolescents.

For the past seven years she directed Providing Access to the Visual Environment (Project PAVE) which combines research and the provision of comprehensive low vision services to children throughout the state of Tennessee. Recent publications include data on the impact of optical devices on children's reading speeds and expectations for their own visual functioning.

Keynote Speaker - Dr Diane P Wormsley

Dr. Wormsley has been a professional in the field of vision impairment and blindness since 1968, when she began teaching at the New York State School for the Blind. Since then she has taught at Narbethong School for Visually Handicapped Children in Queensland, Australia and has also taught in a two-teacher International Primary School in Papua New Guinea. She received her Ph.D. and M.Ed. from the University of Pittsburgh in the area of education of the vision impaired and her B.A. in English Literature from Elmira College in upstate New York.

She taught at Illinois State University in the Teacher Preparation Program and was Regional Director for American Foundation for the Blind, first in San Francisco, and then in Atlanta where she began AFB's National Initiative in Literacy. She was most recently Education Manager at Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia before coming to Pennsylvania College of Optometry where she is currently an Associate Professor and Program Director for the Professional Preparation Program for Teachers of Children with Visual and Multiple Impairments.

Program for Monday 13 January

8.30am: Entertainment

8.50 am: Housekeeping

9.00am: Official Welcome and Opening

9.30am: Enabling children with low vision to extend their visual reach - Dr Anne Corn

10.30am: Making computers useable and accessible for children with a vision-impairment: Simple solutions for teachers and itinerant support teachers - George Maitland

10.30am: ICEVI - Dr Mani

10.30am: New assessment technologies for a new century - Gillian Gale

11.00am: Morning tea

11.30am: Inclusive practices in early tactile literacy development - Fran Telec

11.30am: The Essential Learnings Framework and curriculum planning for students who have a vision impairment - Margaret Griffin and Kathryn Turnbull

11.30am: Echolalia and the development of functional language in children who are blind - Annette Clarke

12.00pm: Promoting early hand skills: Foundations of pre braille activity - Amy Lear and Tricia Geniale

12.00pm: Vision impairment budget bonanza: Ploy and counterploy - Michael Steer

12.00pm: Employment - How did we get there? - Kerri Weaver

12.30pm: Quality of upper limb movement: Functional implications for the child who is blind - Stephanie J Kain

12.30pm: A Core Curriculum for professionals working in Early Intervention with children with low vision and multi-disabilities - Marianna Buultjens

12.30pm: Children with Cortical Vision Impairment: Implications for education - Carolyn Palmer

1.00pm: Lunch

2.00pm: (Workshop) The complexities of text: A range of alternatives to conventional tactual illustrations (45 min) - John Richardson

2.00pm: (Workshop) The role of tactile books and kits in the development of emergent braille literacy (45 min) - Maureen Ward

2.00pm: (Workshop) Using a functional braille literacy approach with children with visual and multiple impairments (2 hours) - Dr Diane Wormsley

2.45pm: (Workshop) The benefits of conducting regular whole class braille lessons for a fully integrated braille student: A case study (45 min) - Shane Doepel

2.45pm: (Workshop) What's needed in the South Pacific Countries (45 min) - South Pacific Delegates

3.30pm: Afternoon tea

4.00pm: (Workshop) Peer support program for school students with a vision impairment in New Zealand (45 min) - Peter Madden

4.00pm: (Workshop) Have wheels! Where do I go? (45 min) - David Gray, Grant Brannock and Patricia Thompson

4.00pm: (Workshop) Having fun grappling with concepts (45 min) - Kathleen Freeman

4.45pm: Finish

Program for Tuesday 14 January

8.30am: Entertainment

8.50am: Housekeeping

9.00am: An Eye to the Future: Towards better learning in children with multiple dysfunctions - Dr Lilli Nielsen R

10.00am: Communication partner strategies that promote interactions with children who have vision impairments and additional disabilities - Kylie Witt and Annette Clark

10.00am: Taming the information tsunami: Essential skills for teachers of vision impaired students - Leonie Cheetham

10.00am: Presentation of research - comparative study of the adaptive behaviours in students who are blind in inclusive education - Fran Telec

10.30am: Morning tea

11.00am: An analytic study of Hindi reading errors of visually impaired children studying in special schools of northern India - Sushama Sharma

11.00am: Turn any environment into a MSE with the 6 Step Method - Grant Brannock

11.00am: Destabilising vision as the ascendant category - Paul Pagliano

11.30am: Access to the Victorian Secondary Mathematics Curriculum for students who rely on braille - Sherry Cunningham

11.30am: Using new developments in Chatroom Technology as a tool for inclusion - John Ravens Croft

11.30am: Extending Horizons - A video presentation - Robyn Miller and Fay Jennison

12.00noon: Classroom preparation for a prep student who is blind - Faye Squires

12.00noon: Launching into cyberspace: The Renwick College Online Learning Community - Michael Steer

12.00noon: Resourcing multidisabled students - Grant Mathiesen

12.30pm: Lunch

1.30pm: (Workshop) Teaching braille another way - the challenge of isolation and limited expertise (1 hour) - Denise Pellow

1.30pm: (Workshop) Selecting outcomes for educational practices with the Expanded Core Curriculum with students with visual impairments (1 hour) - Dr Anne Corn

1.30pm: (Workshop) Making the IEP a living document - A school review - Lesley Skilton

2.30pm: (Workshop) There are Screen Readers and there are Screen Readers! (1 hour) - Tom Macmahon

2.30pm: (Workshop) Making meaning from visual references in literacy (1 hour) - Kathryn Turnbull and Margaret Griffin

2.30pm: (Workshop) A better understanding: Data-based information as a way of informing policy and practice (1 hour) - Gwen Nagel

3.30pm: Finish

3.30pm: O & M Interest Group Meeting

Program for Wednesday 15 January

8.30am: Entertainment

8.50am: Housekeeping

9:00am: The "Active Learning Approach" in practice. Links between theory and practice - Dr Lilli Nielsen R

10:00am - You're Blind? So What - Julee-anne Bell

10:00am: Promoting social inclusion of pupils with visual impairment in mainstream schools in Scotland - Marianne Buultjens, Joan Stead and Mary Dallas

10:00am: From early learning to functional activity - Pam Hobler and Sheralyn Hastie

10.30am: Morning tea

11.00am: Driving and nondriving with low vision - Dr Anne Corn

12.00pm: BrailleNote hereafter - Ramona Mandy

12.00pm: SCI-VIS - Space Camp for interested visually impaired students - Sherry Cunningham

12.00pm: Explore - Say and Play! - Kerrie J McLean

12.30pm: From metal frames to micro-chips: The role of technology in early braille literacy - Lee Kumutat

12.30pm: The 'ins' and 'outs' of the satellite class at James Cook High School - Frances Shone

12.30pm: Reaching out to the future - Sandy Joint

1:00pm: Lunch

2.00pm: Helping my child with braille literacy without becoming "Dotty" - Dr Diane Wormsley

3.00pm: How to get children to pay attention - Grant Brannock

3.00pm: Eyes to the board - Michelle Knight

3.00pm: East Timor: Report on ICEVI project - Frances Gentle

3.30pm: Afternoon tea

4.00pm: (Workshop) How to run a Smell Hunt: The finding of treasure scents - Michael Donnelly

4.00pm: (Workshop) Humour in the classroom - Paul Pagliano

4.00pm: (Workshop) In hindsight - Kerri Weaver

5.00pm: Finish

Program for Thursday 16 January

8.30am: Entertainment

8.50am: Housekeeping

9.00am: Hotspots in paediatric ophthalmology and optometry - Dr Glen Gole and John Mountford

10.00am: SPEVI - Moving Ahead: Eyes to the Future - Leanne Smith

10.30am: Morning tea

11.00am: The origins in Australia of schooling for children who are blind or vision impaired - Michael Steer

11.00am: The state of vision education in Aotearoa New Zealand - Gwen Nagel

11.00am: "All my own work!": Independent artist vs co-active collaborator: The fine line art teachers to the blind and vision impaired tread - Michael Donnelly

11.30am: Whose needs are we meeting? - Patricia Thompson

11.30am: Numeracy and students with vision impairment - Carolyn Palmer

11.30am: The future of accessibility of off-the-shelf and OEM applications like PocketPC based Windows CE portable platforms - Charles Mullins, Jr

12.00pm: "Putting Humpty Dumpty together again - Anticipation and prediction in braille reading - Dr Diane Wormsley

12.00pm: Developing a music program for children 0 - 48 months - Jacquelyn Conn

12.00pm: Do it yourself: A teaching package to encourage independence in children who are blind - Christine Johnston

12.30pm: Lunch

1.30pm: Mathematics, science and graphing software - Tom Macmahon

1.30pm: Communication strategies for the student with multiple impairment - Kerrie McLean

1.30pm: Leber's Amaurosis - Faye Squires

2.00pm: Exam preparation for students with vision impairment - Frances Gentle

2.00pm: Supporting students with vision impairment in an integrated setting - Kerryn Hocking

2.00pm: Multisensory environments - Dr Paul Pagliano

2.30pm: Annual General Meeting

4.00pm: Finish

Program for Friday 17 January

8.30am: Entertainment

8.50am: Housekeeping

9.00am: Everything I know about braille literacy I learned from my friends - Dr Diane Wormsley

10.00am: The three B's - Books, babies and braille - Aynsley Kingstone

10.00am: Considerations for reading for students with low vision - Bronwyn Hein and Jennifer Bevan

10.00am: A teacher with a vision impairment, a personal perspective - Garry Stinchcombe

10.30am: Morning tea

11.00am: Early childhood publications: Their value for families and professionals - Leanne Boucher, Judy Reese and Sandie Mackevicius

11.00am: Happenings in Fiji

11.00am: Learning stories': a Te Wahriki based assessment and it's significance for early childhood learners who are blind or vision impaired - Su Hilliard and Virginia Rowe

11.30am: Disability Awareness Programs (Workshop) - Tricia d'Apice

11.30am: A review of a method for teaching concepts to children with CVI - David Gray

11.30am: Optimal learning environments. Learning by means of self-activity. Learning by interacting with a parent or teacher (Workshop) - Dr Lilli Nielsen R

12.15pm: Happenings in Samoa

12.15pm: Happenings in Papua New Guinea

12.15pm: Happenings in Solomon Islands

12.45pm: Lunch

1.45pm: (Workshop) Teacher preparation (60 min) Keynote speakers and Australian personnel involved in training

2.45pm: Summary and Conclusion

3.15pm: Finish

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

LATE/ONSITE - From 12 December 2002
SPEVI Member - $550.00
SPEVI Non-member - $605.00
Day Registration - $200.00
Parent Registration (Wednesday Only) - $150.00

All fees are inclusive of GST.
All prices quoted are in Australian dollars.
SPEVI Members must be financial for 2002-2003 period.

REGISTRATION ENTITLEMENTS

FULL REGISTRATION

Conference Sessions

Pocket Program

Final Program / Abstract Book

Conference Satchel

Morning & Afternoon Teas

Lunch

Welcome Reception

DAY REGISTRATION

Conference Sessions

Pocket Program

Final Program / Abstract Book

Conference Satchel

Morning & Afternoon Teas (on the day of registration only)

Lunch (on the day of registration only)

PARENT REGISTRATION

Conference Sessions

Pocket Program

Final Program / Abstract Book

Conference Satchel

Morning & Afternoon Teas (on the day of registration only)

Lunch (on the day of registration only)

GENERAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF REGISTRATIONS
Your registration will be acknowledged in writing by facsimile or mail, however attenance at the conference and the associated accommodation bookings are only confirmed upon receipt of payment.

Registration fees are based on date of receipt of payment (not based on date of receipt of registration forms).

ALTERATIONS MUST BE IN WRITING, VIA:
1. E-mail (preferred): spevi2003reg@icms.com.au

2. Fax: +61 7 3844 0909

3. Post: SPEVI 2003 Conference Secretariat
c/o ICMS Pty Ltd
PO Box 3243
SOUTH BRISBANE QLD 4101 AUSTRALIA

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
Cancellations received up to 11 October 2002 will receive a refund of registration fees, less an administrative charge of $100.00, after the conference.
After this date, refunds will be at the discretion of the Organising Committee.
Any eligible refunds are issued after the conclusion of the conference.

PRIVACY POLICY
In registering for this conference relevant details will be incorporated into a delegate list for the benefit of all delegates (name and organisation only) and may be made available to parties directly related to the conference including SPEVI, ICMS Pty Ltd, venue and accommodation providers (for the purpose of room bookings and conference options). Key sponsors may be given a list of delegates at the conclusion of the conference for marketing purposes. Should you wish for your name not to be forwarded to sponsors, please indicate on the registration form.

SOCIAL PROGRAM

Sunday 12 January 2003 - WELCOME RECEPTION

An invitation is extended to all delegates to attend the Welcome Reception. Renew old friendships and make new acquaintances as we welcome you to the 2003 SPEVI Conference. Talented musicians will provide 'relaxing' entertainment by the poolside in support of a wonderful conference ahead.

Time: 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Venue: Radisson Poolside
Cost: Inclusive in Delegate Registration Fees (please indicate on the registration form if you will be attending)
Additional Tickets: $20.00 per person

Monday 13 January 2003 - HAPPY HOUR

After your first day of professional addresses, presentations and workshops, relax and unwind at Trap 9 Bar, downstairs from the conference rooms where reasonably priced snacks will be available. You are free to make your own arrangements for dinner and you will find a suggestion of restaurants/cafes on the Social Notice Board at the conference venue.

Time: 5.00pm - 6.00pm
Venue: Trap 9 Bar
Cost: Drinks at Happy Hour prices at your own expense

Tuesday 14 January 2003 - "GO TROPICAL" CONFERENCE DINNER

Where would Queensland be on the map, if it wasn't for the palm trees, tropical fruit, tropical weather and tropical people? Be imaginative in your dress style and "Go Tropical". This will be the conference dinner to remember with not only more talented musicians and performers, but the night will include surprise giveaways, trivia fun and games throughout the evening. The conference dinner will be held at the Radisson Resort, with a magnificent three-course buffet and selection of Australian wines to complement the evening. The winner of the Inaugural Heather Grainger Award will be announced on this night.

Time: 7.00pm - 12.00 midnight
Venue: Doral-Pinehurst Rooms
Cost: $60.00 per person

Wednesday 15 January 2003 - FREE NIGHT

Private bus transport will be available dropping off and picking up from two set destinations. You can choose where you dine and with whom. The Social Committee will confirm drop off points during social updates at the conference. Those families who have attended the 'Family Day' may also like to take advantage of the bus, joining with others to treat yourself to 'a meal out on the town'.

Thursday 16 January 2003 - FAREWELL BARBECUE

Remember that night in New Zealand that was memorable to all - lots of dancing and singing! Well, warm up those feet and vocal chords - you will be in for another fun loving, memorable night. And for those who sing and dance on the inside, come along to laugh and applaud and be yourself - a wonderful multicultural experience for all educators. The night may include 'mystery' award presentations based on nominations throughout the week. A final chance to share those fun times with old friends and new friends before we all return to our own homeland.

Time: 6.00pm - 10.00pm
Venue: Radisson Resort
Cost: $28.00 per person

And for those staying in-house at the Radisson, the Social Committee can be contacted for up to date information on morning exercise programs, walks around the property and any other social possibilities. Additional activities may be organised at time of interest.

ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION

Radisson Resort Gold Coast has spacious guest rooms with a unique and comfortable blend of natural fabrics, stone and timber finishes. All rooms feature a private balcony or courtyard, many with pool or golf course views. All conference sessions and social events will be held on-site at the resort to enable delegates to spend maximum time relaxing and little time travelling.

Accommodation has only been reserved at the conference venue, Radisson Resort Gold Coast, for conference delegates. Bookings for Radisson Resort Gold Coast must be made through the Conference Secretariat prior to 11 December 2002.

RADISSON RESORT GOLD COAST
Palm Meadows Drive
Palm Meadows Qld 4211
Website: www.radisson.com/goldcoastau

Families are well catered for with the following room types available:

Single Resort Room - $137.00 per room, per night
King size bed, sofa lounge*, ensuite bathroom, coffee and tea making facilities

Twin Resort Room - $137.00 per room, per night
Two king-single size beds, sofa lounge*, ensuite bathroom, coffee and tea making facilities

Garden Spa Room - $167.00 per room, per night
King size bed, sofa lounge*, ensuite bathroom with spa bath and separate shower, coffee and tea making facilities

Ultima Suite - $217.00 per room, per night
Separate lounge room with sofa lounge* and bedroom, two bathrooms, coffee and tea making facilities

Interconnecting Room (for two adults and two children under 13 years) - $264.00 per room, per night
Two resort rooms with internal interconnecting door

Please note: * Sofa beds available instead of sofa lounge, on request only.

Rollaway beds are available for $33.00 each on request

Booking early is advisable to secure your preferred room type as availability is limited.

DEPOSIT
To guarantee your room a deposit of one night's accommodation must accompany all bookings.
Reservations will not be made until payment is received.
The deposit will be credited to your account at the hotel, with the balance payable upon departure.

Note: The accommodation deposit is payable to ICMS Travel Trust and should be made separately to the registration fee payment.

ARRIVAL TIME
Normal check in time is 1.00pm.
Should you wish to guarantee your room before this check-in time, it is recommended that you book and pay for the room the evening prior to your arrival. The deposit will be forfeited if the room is not occupied on the advised date of arrival.

CHANGES TO ACCOMMODATION BOOKINGS
Any bookings received after 11 December 2002 will be subject to hotel availability. All amendments can continue to be directed to the Conference Secretariat.

CANCELLATIONS AND NO SHOWS
The deposit will be forfeited if the room is not occupied on the advised date of arrival. Any cancellations received within 30 days of the commencement of the Conference may forfeit the first night's accommodation deposit.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Please indicate your personal support needs, such as pre-conference O&M, Sighted Guide, etc on the Registration Form.
Should you have any other concerns, please contact the Conference Secretariat.
Arrangements have been made to have facilities available for dog guides.

ALTERNATE FORMAT MATERIAL
People registering for the conference who have special needs in terms of alternate format material need to indicate this on the regsitration form.
The Conference Secretariat and Organising Committee takes no responsibility for the provision of material in alternate format if not indicated on your registration form.

The Radisson Resort Gold Coast offers fully supervised Kid's Club facilities on request for other days of the conference, operating between 9am - 4pm daily for $5.50 per child, per hour - ages 5 to 12 years. Bookings need to be made at Reception at time of arrival. Alternatively, you may wish to enrol your children in a Vacation Care Program. "Nexus" is a facility that is located at Carrara (cnr Nerang-Broadbeach Road and Chisholm Road), approximately 5 minutes drive from Radisson Resort. It is a centre that has N64's, Playstations, mini cinema, pool tables, trampolines, basketball, minigolf, 25m swimming pool, skating ramps and a café for lunch and refreshments. Children aged 7 years and over (children under 7 years must be accompanied by an adult) can spend the day there using the equipment and facilities. Please contact "Nexus" to enquire about costs and make bookings for your children on telephone: +61 7 5596 6733.

Location and Attractions

Queensland's Gold Coast has all the sights and attractions you could wish for in a meeting destination. This vibrant region of golden beaches, exciting theme parks, wildlife parks and sub-tropical rainforests stretches from the border with New South Wales, north to Stradbroke Island and west to the Hinterland. The area is safe and pristine, the locals are friendly, and the shopping is spectacular.

The Gold Coast beaches have something for everyone and within a short drive you will find Queensland's selection of Theme Parks - Warner Bros. Movie World, Dreamworld, Sea World and Wet 'N' Wild Water Park. Other places of interest include Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, Stradbroke Island and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Follow the roads inland from the sand and surf and a magical world unfolds. A world of lush rainforests, national parks, quaint villages, craft shops and spectacular views awaits you in the Gold Coast's Hinterland.

Venue

The Radisson Resort Gold Coast has been selected as the venue for the SPEVI Conference in 2003. This magnificent contemporary resort is an oasis of serenity located between the white sandy beaches of the Gold Coast and the Hinterland's sub tropical rainforest. It is set in the beautiful surroundings of the renowned Palm Meadows and Lakelands championship golf courses.

Located (driving time):

6 minutes from Jupiters Casino and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre

7 minutes from the beach and Broadbeach Mall (the Gold Coast's restaurant "Mecca")

15 minutes from Surfers Paradise

25 minutes from Coolangatta Airport

1 hour from Brisbane Airport