[MDPOBC] January Note

Tue Jan 7 13:52:40 UTC 2020

Hello all,
Happy New Year! I hope you got a much needed break to start 2020. Many things are happening please share with your teams! Remember the entire calendar of events and other info is always available on the TVI Portal<https://sites.google.com/view/tviportalmaryland/home>.

January 2020 events
AER info
CPD credits
Discover your Inner Artist
How to Make College Easier: Choosing the best accessible materials
Maryland Braille Challenge
MD parents Winter Celebration
NFB Maryland Scholarship open
Summer Conference: World of Possibilities
Parents Learning Together
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January 2020 Glaucoma Awareness Month

4: Louis Braille's Birthday!

10: Communication & Literacy for Complex Learners. Maryland School for the Deaf. Registration is now closed

11. Communication & Literacy for Complex Learners. Maryland School for the Deaf. Registration is now closed

11: GRIT in the Home Part 2 Register here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdu9tVF4QgVPH-7iSKVOcstWCf4f0oDtZTpz3IW49F7CUYNcw/viewform>

13: CVI Live! Ask the Expert Series Webinar with Ellen Mazel -How do I select what is best for my student?<https://zoom.us/meeting/register/324350287ec1999b7c24e00bf0acd2b8>

15: Conscious Discipline Workshop "Come Connect with Us" (For parents and staff MSB - Early Learning Building.  5:30 - 6:30 pm dinner, 6:30 - 7:30 pm presentation, Child care available, RSVP to 410-444-5000, ext. 1285)

17: Low Vision Clinic (Contact Sharon Whited with questions sharonw at mdschblind.org)

18: Maryland parents of blind children Winter Celebration. 10am-2pm, 200 East Wells St. Baltimore. Questions contact Melissa Sheeder atmelissas at mdschblind.org<mailto:melissas at mdschblind.org> or cell at 410-868-2779

20: For students: How To Make College Easier: Choosing the Best Accessible Materials. RSVP by January 13th by calling Qualik Ford 301-312-9813 or email him at qsford at outlook.com

23: For parents: Webinar Understanding Autism and Communication<https://zoom.us/meeting/register/58fe3f3d8bebc4027c24e00bf0acd2b8>

25: Discover Your Inner Artist short course for students to learn about and create art Register here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeljSyIVQZtki-HTWosvMy0mUIyu54PDMrjpR8icnv4vXpzjQ/viewform>

25: Parents Learning Together event for parents of visually impaired children to meet each other, network, and build bonds. Register for Parents learning together here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1fAR41BCV8lOV_oxUmIdGpENR90wm0NYdESlwQJvEHZv2-Q/viewform>

27-29: Free 2 days of Snow Skiing at Deep Creek Lake, MD for kids. Contact Trudy Pickrel 301-501-1818. (More dates available during the year)
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DC/MD AER Conference
Calling all DC and Maryland Vision Professionals! The Program Committee of the DC-MD Chapter of AER is excited to share the new date of our annual conference, closing the Gap for our Students and Clients, presented in partnership with the Maryland State Steering Committee for Programs serving Students with Visual Impairments.

We want to see all professionals serving students and adults on March 19 and 20, 2020 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Annapolis. Join us for two days of professional learning, collaboration and socializing with our colleagues and friends.
To make this a great event, we need you to share your knowledge and experience. Please consider Submitting an AER Proposal<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecJM4GG9u2hdjjQpKlUhH2QbIUKwKM-Vjtld2sug5DRszDxQ/viewform?usp=sf_link>. We know that many of you are doing innovative and impactful work, so make sure you are sharing your expertise with others.

The Save<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zk0SohCClFotD2UV08MHOSTn2ty3j8cS6soNWsNkDqk/edit?usp=sharing> the Date for AER<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zk0SohCClFotD2UV08MHOSTn2ty3j8cS6soNWsNkDqk/edit?usp=sharing> and AER Call<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecJM4GG9u2hdjjQpKlUhH2QbIUKwKM-Vjtld2sug5DRszDxQ/viewform?usp=sf_link> for Papers<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecJM4GG9u2hdjjQpKlUhH2QbIUKwKM-Vjtld2sug5DRszDxQ/viewform?usp=sf_link> can be found on our AER<https://sites.google.com/dcmdaer.org/dc-mdaer/home> website<https://sites.google.com/dcmdaer.org/dc-mdaer/home> and on our AER Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/dcmdaer/> page. Visit early and often for updates and news.
Register for the AER conference HERE<https://sites.google.com/dcmdaer.org/dc-mdaer/conference-registration?authuser=0>

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CPD credits
Don't forget about our CPD credit course! Check out all the info here on our CPD credit course<https://sites.google.com/view/tviportalmaryland/cpd-credits-in-maryland>. Montgomery
County is in the lead with people registered and taking the course! If you are almost up for certification this course counts as 1 CPD and will give you your braille credits!

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Discover Your Inner Artist

The Maryland School for the Blind presents a creative workshop facilitated by Renee Kirby, Artist and MICA graduate. With artistic guidance and support, our staff will assist students on subject matter, medium choice and application to begin their art piece. The possibilities are endless.

January 25, 2020 @ MSB Early Learning Building, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Lunch provided)

An exciting opportunity to create art that could be entered into APHs "Insights" Art competition! APH InSights Art 2020 is an art competition and exhibition for visually impaired and blind artists of all ages. Take advantage of guidance from our staff to create artwork that could be part of history! Deadline for entries is March 27, 2020. For more information and for competition rules, go to aph.org

Register for Discover your inner artist event here<https://forms.gle/nXnD989N86QxUDiN9>

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HOW TO MAKE COLLEGE EASIER: CHOOSING THE BEST ACCESSIBLE MATERIALS

A hands-on workshop for graduate students, college students, or high school juniors and seniors who plan to attend college.
Date:  January 20th, 2020
Time:  10:00 am - 3:00 pm (lunch provided)
Place:  Meet at the Jernigan Institute, 200 E. Wells St. Baltimore, MD

This workshop will help students answer such questions as:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of PDF files, Word files and audio files?

What is ePub3 and how can I use it?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Kindle Books?

How do I use VitalSource?

...and more
The workshop will be directed by Amy Mason a renowned assistive technology trainer.  Successful students such as Kathryn Webster, President of the National Association of Blind Students will share their experience about obtaining accessible materials.
Sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind, National Federation of the Blind of Maryland and the Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
RSVP by January 13th by calling Qualik Ford 301-312-9813 or email him at qsford at outlook.com<mailto:qsford at outlook.com>
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Maryland Braille Challenge!
February 8, 2020

Just a few friendly reminders about the 2020 Maryland Regional Braille Challenge!

Encourage your students to sign up! All braille reading abilities are welcome.  Beginning braille readers have the option of attending the day long Mini-BELL program.  Students who would benefit from this program are those in grades 1-5 who are learning the alphabet and some contractions.

Share with your student's information about the writing contest! Students are asked to write a space adventure story.

Find registration and contest information at this link: Registration and Contest Information<https://www.marylandschoolfortheblind.org/current-events/outreach-events/> for the Braille Challenge

Nominate a student for the Sidney Iubelt Memorial Spirit Award. This award is given to a student who demonstrates a love of braille.

Check out this fun song about the Maryland Regional Braille Challenge: 2020<https://youtu.be/yNJtota15Us> Maryland Regional Braille Challenge Theme Song<https://youtu.be/yNJtota15Us>

Sign up to Volunteer for the Braille Challenge

All info on Braille challenge on the Portal<https://sites.google.com/view/tviportalmaryland/braille-challenge-2020>

Questions Contact Jacky Otwell: jacquelineo at mdschblind.org<mailto:jacquelineo at mdschblind.org>

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MDPOBC'S Winter Celebration

The Maryland Parents of Blind Children is hosting a winter celebration. Your whole family is welcome to join in on the fun.
Date: January 18, 2020
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: The National Federation of the Blind: 200
East Wells St. Baltimore, MD 21230

What to look forward to: Winter crafts, awesome snacks, root beer floats, participation in a time capsule, assisting with a service project

We are making care packages for children who are a part of the House of Ruth organization. Please consider donating any of the following items: Shoe boxes, Winter themed wrapping paper (no Christmas trees or Santa's), School supplies, Crayons/colored pencils, Small puzzles, Coloring books or activity, books, Travel size toiletries, Gloves, Small toys (play dough, cars), Stress balls, Flash cards or story books
To see a full list of items needed including non-perishables please visit: https://hruth.org/ways-to-give/wish-list/
For more information or to RSVP please contact Melissa Sheeder at melissas at mdschblind.org<mailto:melissas at mdschblind.org> or cell at 410-868-2779.

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NFB Scholarship Program:

Each year, the NFB of Maryland awards the John T. McCraw scholarship to two students in the amounts of $2,000 and $1,500 each.  NFBMD may award a third scholarship to a former McCraw scholarship recipient.

*Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and community involvement.

*Application materials must be submitted (online or postmarked) by 11:59PM on April 15, 2020.

To be eligible, applicants must: Be legally blind in both eyes; Be a legal resident of Maryland or be pursuing post-secondary studies at a school in Maryland; Be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program in the Fall of 2020; and Attend the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in owson, Maryland from November 6 - 8, 2020 (scholarship finalists will receive convention assistance).

To apply:

*Submit an application using the online<http://nfbmd.org/scholarship/apply> application system<http://nfbmd.org/scholarship/apply>; or *Download, complete, and email or mail in a<http://nfbmd.org/scholarship/apply> hard copy application form<http://nfbmd.org/scholarship/apply>
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Summer conference: World of Possibilities
RSVP for our summer conference around the education of blind and low vision students in Maryland.
Dates: July 9-10, 2020
We want to hear from you about what sessions would be of interest to you! RSVP here for summer conference<https://forms.gle/g2HojsRMxzhyxoU76>
You are experts! Present at our conference! Submit a proposal for summer conference here<https://forms.gle/g2HojsRMxzhyxoU76> More info coming soon!
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Parents Learning Together

It can be difficult raising a child with a visual impairment, but you don't need to go it alone. Join us for a fun, experiential activity, networking and sharing of stories at a parent workshop.
Saturday, January 25, 2020, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Maryland School for the Blind Early Learning Building. Lunch will be provided.
Register for Parents Learning Together Here<https://forms.gle/rgBTYjPWVrpQKTWn6>
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Maria Hernandez Legorreta
,Conchita
(Conchita)
Statewide Low Incidence Specialist (Blind and Low Vision)
Cell: 530.908.3547

Check out the Maryland School for the Blind's YouTube page with all of our past webinars. Subscribe to receive notifications when we post new ones: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCaTTXax5a1I42lz9CTQj7Q

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