FIMC-VI Has Moved!
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FIMC-VI's offices and warehouse have moved to our new location in Tampa.

Our new address is:
FIMC-VI
1208 Wishing Well Way
Tampa, FL 33619

Please return all books and materials to this location from this point forward.
FIMC-VI's 2022-2023 Training Calendar
Online Canvas Courses
What to Do if You Are Working with a Student Who is Blind or Visually Impaired
Ongoing | July 18, 2022 - June 16, 2023
This independent, self-paced training is designed for teachers (classroom, physical education, music, art, etc.) therapists, and paraprofessionals that are new to the needs of students with visual impairments. However, any school-based personnel working with students with visual impairments would benefit from completing these modules. There are a total of 5 modules, which include videos and other activities. Participants may earn up to 5 inservice credit hours if approved by your school district.

UEB Online Math/Science
Ongoing | July 18, 2022 - June 16, 2023
Do you need a refresher on UEB Math/Science (formerly called UEB Technical)? Or are you ready to learn UEB Math/Science but would like some help along the way? Join Hayley Locker, FIMC-VI's Braille Specialist, on a journey through UEB Online's Mathematics Program.

This program is open to anyone who is involved in the education of students with visual impairments in Florida; district and agency staff, family members and caregivers, volunteers, etc. Participants will have access to both a group discussion board and up to two group meetings a month with Hayley to tackle the most challenging questions, and may earn up to 30 inservice credit hours if approved by your district.

Webinars
Florida Low Vision Initiative Updates
August 5, 2022 | 10:00am-12:00pm EST | Recorded
In this session, Kim Roberts and Tanoi Quraishi of the Florida Low Vision Initiative (FLVI) reviewed their LiveBinders platform. They also discussed FLVI services and how the referral process works. The FLVI is a Florida Department of Education discretionary project with Florida State University that provides free low vision exams and prescribed optical aids for qualifying students, as well as training support for TVIs, students, and families.

FIMC-VI Info and Updates Webinar Series
Part 1 | September 1, 2022 | 2:00pm-3:30pm EST
If you are new to teaching or to Florida, you don't want to miss this webinar. Come learn about FIMC-VI's services, including braille and large print textbooks, products from the American Printing House for the Blind, and our loan library.

Part 2 | December 8 2022 | 2:00pm-3:30pm EST
This webinar will focus on the Annual Census, including why the Census is conducted, who is responsible for completing the Census, and the steps to completing the Census.

Part 3 | March 28, 2023 | 2:00pm-3:30pm EST
This webinar will primarily address the process for ordering braille and large print textbooks from FIMC-VI and returning materials to us.

District Vision Contacts Meeting
December 2, 2022 | Tampa, FL
The Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS), hosts this annual meeting specifically for district contacts responsible for the programs for students with visual impairments. 

Student and Family Events
Florida Festival of Families - Abacus Bee
September 16, 2022 | Redeemer Winter Haven, Winter Haven, FL
The Florida Festival of Families is going where no abacus has gone before – The first ever APH Abacus Bee!

Abacus and mental math users of all ages who are visually impaired are invited to participate in the Abacus Bee. Student and family workshops focused on STEM will be offered.

Florida Cane Quest
November 5, 2022 | Wilson Middle School, Tampa, FL
“Cool Cats and Dapper Dogs” at Florida Cane Quest are invited to show off their orientation and mobility skills! Cane travelers in grades 3-12 will complete a variety of routes and tasks to earn prizes while families learn more about independence, getting around, and self-determination for their students. Visit our website soon for event details and the registration process.

Working with the Experts - Visually Impaired
Psychoeducational Assessment of Students with Visual Impairments
November 30-December 1, 2022 | Tampa, FL

Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Impairments
March 30 & 31, 2023 | In person, TBD
Dates, locations, and registration details for all FIMC-VI trainings are distributed via email and posted on our website. Past webinars and recordings can be found on the Past Events page.
Summer Learning
Photo of Andrea Wallace, Liz Anderson, and Cheri Hart standing in front of a table with various assistive technology devices at the SESI AT Expo.
FIMC-VI staff had a busy summer! Andrea Wallace, Cheri Hart, and Liz Anderson attended the Special Education Summer Institute (SESI), hosted by the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services. SESI attendees included district staff from across the state, who had the opportunity to attend presentations on a variety of topics, such as accommodations, the least restrictive environment, inclusion, and implementing the B.E.S.T. standards for students with disabilities. Andrea, Cheri, and Liz joined staff from other discretionary projects to provide a hands-on Assistive Technology Expo throughout the event.

FIMC-VI staff also attended the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) International Conference in St. Louis, MO. As always, this conference included excellent sessions on topics relevant to the field of visual impairments, opportunities for networking with other professionals, and a variety of exhibitors in the vendor hall. We will be sharing resources and other takeaways from the AER conference in this newsletter throughout the year.
FIMC-VI's 'Sharing is Caring' Corner
Learning and Growing Together
As mentioned in the above section, FIMC-VI staff were able to attend the AER International Conference this summer and learn about a variety of great resources and tools. We want to make sure you have this information too! This is our first 'sharing is caring' corner of the 2022-2023 school year. Keep an eye out for this section in upcoming newsletters.

Amanda English, Education Consultant at the Michigan Department of Education-Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO) presented a session titled "Independent Living Skills (ILS) Modules: Everything You Need to Begin Today!". She and other MDE-LIO staff developed these ILS modules as a free resource, and they include sample lessons, templates, checklists, and embedded trainings. Some of the topics are handwashing, making lunch, dressing skills, and laundry skills. MDE-LIO staff use these modules to provide monthly group evening lessons, in partnership with family members and other school staff. These modules could easily be used to implement ILS units throughout the school year.

The MDE-LIO website also has an ILS checklist as well as calendars for each age group that provide suggestions for practicing one ILS task each weekday, either at home or at school.

Be sure to check out these resources and share them with anyone else who may be interested! We also welcome any examples of how you incorporated these resources into your own practice.
Visual Aid Volunteers of Florida Request
The Visual Aid Volunteers of Florida are planning for their 2023 conference. Provide your input on whether this conference should be virtual or in-person and where it should be located by filling out this survey.

Learn more about VAVF by visiting www.vavf.org.
Southeastern Orientation and Mobility Association Conference
Calling all Florida O&M instructors! The Southeastern Orientation and Mobility Association (SOMA) conference is being held in Tampa on December 10-13 2022.

Keep reading for this message from the conference coordinator, Dona Sauerburger:

Hi guys! Everyone's excited about getting together again for SOMA's O&M conference in Tampa, where we had our last in-person conference 4 years ago. The program is the most diverse I've seen, and I'm eager to see you all again!

PROGRAM - 25 hours of ACVREP-approved sessions:
  • PRACTICAL TOPICS -- you'll come away with LOTS of ideas, resources, support, and renewed energy.
  • LESS CONFLICT OF SESSIONS: you can choose 2 out of every 3-5 sessions, since they will be repeated.
  • INTERACTIVE: Every session will engage the participants
  • JANET BARLOW COLLABORATION INITIATIVE all-day Tuesday
EXHIBITS
RECEPTION Sunday evening
BLINDFOLD PAINTING Saturday evening
COFFEE and TEA all day, and snacks and drinks during the breaks
Go to our website for information and registration - I look forward to seeing you there!
Florida Low Vision Initiative Update
Florida Low Vision Initiative (FLVI) open enrollment has started for the 2022-2023 school year: 
 
Up to sixty Florida school-age students with low vision (grades Pk4-8th) are eligible for free comprehensive low vision care, prescribed non-electronic optical tools, and optical device training. Teachers, let us provide you with the evaluation that helps you to ensure your student's access needs are being addressed and gives you the data to support the accommodations that will be used to meet your student's IEP goals. 
  
To begin this process, please submit a Request for Services using this link:  
 
 
Please contact the FLVI with any questions (850-739-3584, kmroberts@fsu.edu). Please also view our LiveBinders resource platform for more information: https://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=2678832
Grow Your Own TVIs and O&M Specialists
ONLINE TVI PROGRAM (Master of Science Program) 
  • Next cohort begins August 2023 (application deadline July 1st) 
  • Designed for general and special educators, paraprofessionals, and alt certified TVIs who want to refine or learn the specialized skills necessary to effectively teach children with visual impairments 
  • Tuition support may be available for eligible students
  • https://education.fsu.edu/visual-disabilities-grad 
 
O&M SPECIALIZATION (Master of Science Program) 
  • Next cohort begins August 2023 (application deadline July 1st) 
  • Now offered in hybrid format 
  • Grant money, tuition support, and books available for eligible students
  • Designed for anyone with a BS degree (with or without TVI or related experience) 
  • https://education.fsu.edu/visual-disabilities-grad 
  
ON CAMPUS TVI PROGRAM (Combined Bachelor/Master of Science Program) 
 
Questions? Contact Eileen Bischof at bischof@fsu.edu 
State Facilitators Needed
The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Bureau of Exceptional Education & Student Services is seeking to expand their current state facilitation roster. The FDOE's minimum qualifications to serve as a state individual educational plan (IEP) facilitator are as follows:

  • Must possess a graduate degree from an accredited university or relevant, applicable experience
  • Be able to demonstrate experience in alternate dispute resolution to include mediation or have extensive experience conducting individual educational plan (IEP) team meetings
  • Trained in the facilitated IEP process
  • Possess knowledge of and the ability to understand the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
  • Must not be employed in the school district for which they are serving as a state facilitator
  • A submitted and current resume or curriculum vitae demonstrating past facilitation experience and training as well as experience and training as it relates to the provision of special education and related services that includes the dates of those experiences and trainings
  • Submission of two professional references regarding your work in facilitation.

If you are interested in this program, please send FIMC-VI an email at information@fimcvi.org.
Thank you for reading!