The Bulletin - Statewide Vision Resource Centre |svrc.vic.edu.au/wp-content/bulletin/2015-05.pdf ·...

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Statewide Vision Resource Centre PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 (03) 9841 0242 [email protected] www.svrc.vic.edu.au

The Bulletin Statewide Vision Resource Centre

Number 5 Friday 17th April 2015

Professional development activities for 2015 Download fliers for the SVRC PD programs: www.svrc.vic.edu.au/PL.shtml.

Event Date Skill Power 9.30 BrailleNote basics – Lea Nagel, SVRC 11.30 Pearl+Openbook+Duxbury to hard copy braille – Lea Nagel, SVRC 1.30 Victor Reader Stream – Garry Stinchcombe, SVRC

Tuesday 21 April

Art4Kids with VI? @ Heidi – flier in issue 4 or see website Wednesday 29 April Vision Impaired Students with Additional Impairments – flier attached Monday 4 May Skill Power 9.30 iPad for blind users – Lyn Robinson, SVRC 11.30 JAWS: +Excel for graphing, +PowerPoint – Danny Keogh, Quantum 1.30 JAWS: what’s new, +braille displays, Q&A – Danny Keogh, Quantum

Wednesday 6 May

PE Day – primary and secondary students – flier in issue 4 or see website Monday 18 May Skill Power 9.30 ZoomText – Trevor Boyd, Quantum 11.30 EMU Readit Air, Readit Scholar & Prodigi – Tony Wu, Humanware 1.30 BrailleNote basics – Lea Nagel, SVRC

Wednesday 20 May

Skill Power 9.30 Brailliant/BN with iPad & laptop – Ramona Mandy, Humanware 11.30 Victor Reader Advanced – Ramona Mandy, Humanware 1.30 Practical braille labeling (school&home) – Garry Stinchcombe, SVRC

Wednesday 3 June

Dot Power – information coming soon Tuesday 16 June Skill Power 9.30 Braille Music – Lea Nagel, SVRC 11.30 iPad Solutions! – Lyn Robinson, SVRC 1.30 NVDA introduction – Lea Nagel, SVRC

Wednesday 15 July

Skill Power 9.30 O&M (topic to be confirmed) – staff from Guide Dogs Victoria 11.30 Pearl camera & OpenBook – Trevor Boyd, Quantum 1.30 iPad with Mountbatten – Trevor Boyd, Quantum

Wednesday 29 July

Skill Power 11.30 iPad solutions! – Lyn Robinson, SVRC 1.30 QuickTac+Duxbury+Embosser to tactual images – Lea Nagel, SVRC

Wednesday 12 August

Skill Power 11.30 MU Readit Air, Readit Scholar & Prodigi – Tony Wu, Humanware

Wednesday 26 August

Inside this issue 1 PD activities for 2015 2 EVAC: New referral form, Apps and Accessories – Notes Plus & iStick 3 Braille Music Camp 2015 4 WBUAP Onkyo world braille essay contest: JSPEVI Call for papers, PD from David Hornsby 5 SWVR students take on Highpoint Shopping Centre 6 Play on Alexandra! 7 Perkins reading platform, New Cheat Sheets, Post-school options for students with disabilities expo

8-20 Space Camp 2015, Staff and student news, PD program, EVAC forms

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EVAC: New referral form and general information From Annette Godfrey-Magee Staff of the SVRC and the Department’s Legal Division have been negotiating for over a term to bring our EVAC form more in line with departmental requirements. These two new documents, one the actual referral form and the second a general description of the purpose of EVAC are attached and are now available on our website:

Referral form - http://svrc.vic.edu.au/Arefevac.pdf General information - http://svrc.vic.edu.au/Aevac_general_info.pdf

Apps and Accessories: Two ideas from SPEVI Conference From Lyn Robinson

Notes Plus Notes Plus allows you to write with your finger or stylus on the iPad using the app’s notepaper or imported documents. It has several features which are of interest including: Make your own notebooks. Choose the lines and the colour of the paper you want. As well as lined paper there are also lines for graph paper and music notation Erase mistakes easily, using an undo button or an eraser Select the thickness and the colour of the pen you want to write with. Change handwriting to text. Circle a word you have written on the iPad and the app will convert it to

text. Tidy up shapes e.g. draw a triangle, circle it and the app will create perfectly smooth lines for you. Pinch enlarge the screen to make the text or diagrams bigger, it also works with Zoom Quick delete by crossing out the handwriting Type your work if you prefer Use the apps web browser to copy pictures or text from the internet and paste into your notebook Create folders and file documents Sign documents or write using “Close-up writing mode” Import external PDFs and make notes on them Cost is $12.99

iStick Need a way to transfer files easily from computer to iPad without an internet connection? The iStick might be the answer. The iStick is the first USB Flash Drive for iPhones and iPads. No internet connection required. Move files from your computer to your iPhone or iPad. Easily remove photos or files from your iPad to free up

storage space on your device. Available in: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB You need to download the iStick app from iTunes onto

your iPad before you can use the iStick. The app is free. Cost of iStick: from $79.00 Find out more about iStick at www.hypershop.com/HyperDrive/iStick/

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Braille Music Camp 2015 Information provided by Jordie Howell, Music Teacher, SVRC By now those of you who have been attending Braille Music Camps will have received your application and medical forms for the 2015 camp. I encourage you to fill them in and send them back to Roma as soon as possible. For those of you who are coming to camp for the first time this year, please email Roma Dix at: [email protected] or phone 0248 711086. Once again the time has come around for us to be thinking about the travel arrangements for the National Braille Music camp. This year the 30th Braille music camp will be held at Frensham Girls School, Mittagong NSW from Saturday 20 to Saturday 27 June. I have booked seats on the XPT, leaving Melbourne’s Southern Cross station on Saturday morning at 8:30 am, Economy Class in car D. You will need to purchase your own ticket from Melbourne to Campbelltown. The reference number is: MDP346 The cost is $124.50 return with your Blind Person’s Travel Pass. You must buy your ticket at a main station by the 20th of May, or purchase your ticket over the phone through New South Wales Trainlink: Ph: 132242. Press 3 for group bookings. After this date seats will become available to the general public. Remember to take your concession card with you when purchasing your ticket. Remember the following points: 1. Please provide me with your parents’ contact details in case of emergency. Also any medical

information. 2. Bring warm casual clothes (not too many, the minimum.) 3. Bring a luggage pack that you are able to carry yourself. 4. Bring your instruments! 5. Mark your luggage pack and instruments in both braille and print. 6. You may bring your lunch or you may buy it on the train. Approximately $30 will cover both

trips. 7. Do not bring any bedding as this is all provided for at the camp. 8. Remember to bring your instruments! Please note that the National Braille Music Camp is an independently run organisation. It is not a program run by the Department of Education. We have arranged staff to supervise students, however this is a private arrangement and any travel insurance must be purchased by individual families. If you have questions pertaining to travel arrangements please feel free to email me: [email protected] Or ring me: Home: 9878 9053 or mobile: 0402 308 484. Looking forward to seeing you at Braille Music Camp and sharing in beautiful music making, Kind regards, Jordie Howell Music Teacher, SVRC

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The 13th WBUAP Onkyo world braille essay contest Apologies for providing incorrect information earlier. For more information see: www.svrc.vic.edu.au/bulletin/2015-04.pdf The topics are as follows:

Is Braille Still Relevant in the Age of Technology? The Positive Experiences of Living with Blindness: Opportunities That Can Come from

Being Blind. The Impact of Music on My Life: Socially &/or Professionally.

SPEVI Journal: Call for papers This year marks 15 years since the first SPEVI journal was rolled off the printing presses. The decision to produce the journal was made at the 1999 SPEVI Conference in Sydney (SPEVI changed its name from ANZAEVH during this conference). The inaugural Editorial Committee consisted of four well-respected Australian leaders in the field of vision impairment, Mike Steer, Paul Pagliano, Gillian Gale and Fran Telec. In 2006, there was a Fran “change-over”, with Fran Telec departing and Fran Gentle joining the Committee. This year the Committee farewells Gillian Gale and welcomes Sue Spooner and Sue Silveira. The Committee recognises, with thanks, Gillian’s substantial contribution to the success and quality of the journal since 2000. The JSPEVI Editorial Committee invites contributions to the 2015 issue. Topics appropriate for the journal include, but are not limited to, reports of original research studies; literature and book reviews; conceptual policy or position papers; descriptions, reviews or evaluations of instructional curricula; or reports from organisations/agencies that provide services for children and youth with vision impairment and their families. Please find attached the JSPEVI Call for papers and reports, and the JSPEVI Guidelines for contributors. The Call for papers and guidelines are also available on the SPEVI website, http://www.spevi.net/spevi/spevi-publications.php#tab2. Please note that 30th June 2015 is the closing date for submissions.

Reading, Writing & Spelling PD: David Hornsby & Deb Sukarna Source and more information: http://www.davidhornsby.com.au/ Saturday 2 May: Comprehension – Developing Deep Level Thinkers (Fiction)

Prep to Year 2 with David Hornsby Years 3 to 9 with Deb Sukarna

Saturday 9 May: Reading Assessment Prep to Year 2 with David Hornsby Years 3 to 6 with Deb Sukarna

Saturday 23 May: Assessment of Writing and Spelling Prep to Year 2 with David Hornsby Years 3 to 6 with Deb Sukarna

Wednesday 27 May: Reading, Writing and Thinking with a Comprehending Focus – Developing Thoughtful Literacy Prep to Year 6 with David Hornsby

Where: Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre, Cnr Bell Street and St Georges Road, Preston. Cost: $210 per person (Morning Tea, lunch and handouts provided) Enquiries: Paula Welham – email: [email protected] / mobile: 0402 421864

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SWVR students take on Highpoint Shopping Centre Report from Deb Davidson, Visiting Teacher SWVR visiting teachers (Vision) launched their 2015 group program with a trip to Highpoint Shopping Centre on Tuesday 10th March. Twelve students from the region, including three from Geelong, participated in the day. Students, SWVR visiting teachers (vision) and mobility instructors, Simon and Paula, travelled together by tram from Footscray Station to Highpoint. Once at Highpoint, the first port of call was the Apple Store where students participated in a ‘school’ field trip where students were given tips on ways to troubleshoot common problems that might arise with iPads and iPhones. Working in pairs, students then set about the task of demonstrating their trouble shooting skills by making a short ‘how to’ video using iMovie. Staff from the Apple Store were impressed by the mastery of some students to use voice over to effectively access their devices. Following the morning session at the Apple Store, it was off to the food court to buy lunch. Low vision and blind students worked together to find out what food choices were available and supported each other to independently purchase their lunch. Not surprisingly, KFC and Subway proved popular choices! After lunch, students worked in teams of three to undertake an orientation challenge around the shopping centre. Students had a list of shops to visit and collected stickers as proof of their visit. Teachers and mobility staff watched on as each team worked independently on problem solving and self-advocacy skills to find their way around the large shopping centre. All teams managed to complete the challenge, with one team completing the challenge 15 minutes ahead of the other teams! Overall, it was a terrific day offering the opportunity for students to work together with their peers to develop independence, solve everyday problems and to build new friendships. The visiting teachers would like to extend thanks and appreciation to Paula and Simon for their fantastic support throughout the entire day, and particularly for devising a fun and challenging orientation activity. Photos (right) show students using iPads to complete challenges including producing movies!

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Play on Alexandra! Here is a lovely article written by one of Alex’s teachers, Angie Bosnic, that was recently printed in the school magazine – reprinted here with Alex’s permission.

"Long Live the Arts!" This is what Alexandra’s heart speaks. She breathes and consumes music with hunger and passion. Lucidly, she talks about classical music, especially Schubert and expresses her thirst for the vibrancy and rhythms of Irish Folk Music. Alexandra has Cerebral Palsy which impedes on muscular control and movement. Subsequently, Alexandra has impaired hand movements; this is a frustration for her, only because she cannot play a musical instrument.

Alexandra has attended a number of Music Camps outside of school and does so at every opportunity. She revels in singing (her real musical instrument) and takes voice lessons at school. In 2013 Alexandra was part of the composition team for the school play Twelfth Night. Drama and also comedy are her loves. She knows the joy and the healing power of laughter and of that wonderful human quality ‘creativity’.

Alexandra is a successful Year 12 student facing the challenges of this demanding year. She completed a Year 12 subject last year with high success. She has aspirations to attend university. Being an independent, articulate, intelligent and resilient young woman she is likely to achieve her dreams, which naturally, lie in the area of the Creative Arts and also Mental Health.

Alexandra is also visually impaired and as such, uses specialised equipment for reading and writing — BrailleNote. She is extremely competent and readily keeps up with her peers. In 2014, with great courage and self-determination Alexander volunteered to be part of SPEVI (South Pacific Educators of Vision Impairment) at their 2015 Biennial Conference. She submitted a paper on Surviving Secondary School as a Blind Student, which was accepted and she was invited as a guest speaker to present her paper to an audience of professionals from the field of vision impairment and to parents.

Prior to this admirable contribution to our society, in 2008 Alexandra presented the opening speech on behalf of Vision Australia at the Victoria Day celebration. In 2012 she gave two presentations to trainee volunteers at Very Special Kids about her life and her involvement in Very Special Kids. Further that year, she spoke with the Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Alex Chernov on behalf of Guide Dogs Victoria. Alexandra’s community involvement, confidence, strength and articulateness have attracted many complimentary comments and have made her a role model.

Alexandra’s energy to be involved and make a difference is commendable. She has been part of the Support Skills Program that is co-ordinated through Statewide Vision Resource Centre whereby she has had the opportunity to meet with many students who are also vision impaired. Their collective experiences and communication are a valuable resource for all and definitely a support for each other. Through this program Alexandra has been able to develop many friendships with teachers and with students.

When you speak with Alexandra you cannot but be impressed with her maturity and sense of self. She is fiercely independent. In class, she is self-functioning. Her only requirement is for her wheelchair to be wheeled in and out of classes. Alexandra is skilfully able to articulate her needs and deals directly with her teachers. She loves sitting with her peers and being one of the crowd. She is most appreciative of this connection and when students respond to her and show good will in opening doors and wheeling her about. It’s like music to her ears!

Music is her love, but indeed so is her family. How can it not be as an only child in a Greek family! Yes; the food, the family gatherings, the fun, the loudness and love are there in abundance to enrich her life as she enriches the life of her extended family and Koonung Secondary College.

As Shakespeare said "If music be the food of love, play on"! Play on Alexandra!

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Do you use a Perkins Brailler? If so, you may be interested in a simple inexpensive aluminium extension to the Perkins Brailler that provides an effective reading platform of 90mm. This means up to 9 lines of braille can be read without paper feed, a feature particularly useful for maths. This reading extension is available for $18 plus $7 postage and suits the Classic Perkins Brailler. It involves replacing the two upper Phillips head screws of the metal back plate with the two thumb screws supplied. The extension is attached by slackening the thumb screws to enable the aluminium bracket to be slotted in place and then secured by tightening the screws. When in place there is no obstruction of the margin setting levers. The extension can be quickly removed and attached by velcro to the top of the Brailler for transport. Please note, this extension is not a professionally machined and highly finished product, rather an amateur job handmade with care from mill finish aluminium extrusion – but it works! Please direct any queries related to this product to Claire Garrett by email to [email protected] or phone (03) 9598 4854.

New “Cheat Sheets” We’re always adding to the SVRC website – and this week, the new offerings include:

Audacity with JAWS (also attached and with thanks to Helen Caldow): http://svrc.vic.edu.au/CSaudacity.pdf

Using wireless to get a visual display of the BrailleNote on the iPad – there are two versions, one of which includes a BrailleNote-iOS Bluetooth connection and command list, available as a PDF or braille file: http://svrc.vic.edu.au/CSiPadBNcon&com.pdf

Please see all the Cheat Sheets at: http://svrc.vic.edu.au/CS.shtml. Items are grouped as follows:

Braille and braille/audio technology Braille code (EUB) Expanded core curriculum iPad/iOS PC/Windows technology Other sources of information

Post-school options for students with disabilities expo When: 27 May 2015 from 1pm to 5pm Where: Heatherwood School Further information: (03) 9842 8319 Visit service providers for information about:

TAFE colleges Employment services Recreation Day placements

Futures for young adults Accommodation Supported employment

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Space Camp 2015 From Dan Oates, Space Camper extraordinaire Registration is up and running! Just go to the SCIVIS website: www.tsbvi.edu/space. There is a document following the link with the registration information. Please pay particular attention to the information in the document. When a parent or chaperone registers for SCIVIS, they will be creating a new account for each trainee. PLEASE keep your information from registration as I don’t have access to getting those for you. If your parents are registering the own child you should ask them to share that information for you. You should get an email within hours of registration with the account information. Once that email is received you can go right back in and fill out forms. But we aware the medical information should not be completed until 60 days before SCIVIS. CHAPERONE REGISTRATION – there is no place for a chaperone to register. We will be developing another online registration – something along the line of Survey Monkey, etc. Good luck with registration!

Staff & student news Charlie Roberts’ baby was born 15 April – a little girl, Olive Sarah Roberts

weighing 7lb 1oz. Charlie, Jess and Olive are healthy and happy!!! Jeni Blake from SEVR is on Long Service Leave for the first two weeks of term 2. Provisional appointments have been made in SWVR for the following positions which

commence term 2: o Hilary Frost: Vision/Generalist - fixed term 2015 0.8 o Fiona King: Physical-Health/Generalist - ongoing 0.6 o Rachel Morck: Special Education/Generalist - fixed term 3 years 0.8 o Charlie Roberts: Vision - Geelong term 2 & 3 0.4

Lisa Zarb is extremely proud of her two VCE students from last year. Tess Whelan has begun her degree in Applied Public Health/Global Studies at Australian Catholic University and Ashlee Cremona is studying Law/Psychology at LaTrobe University after being awarded Dux of Thomas Carr College. Both girls were also worthy recipients of the Vision Australia Bursary.

Visiting Teacher, Sophie Michael, reports that Alexandra (see article above) has been nominated for the Whitehorse Student of the month which she is incredibly thrilled about!

SVRC vacancies: there are two positions being advertised through DET Recruitment Online – apply by 28 April 2015: o Education support – Vision impairment (Level 1-1 Time fraction 0.7) Ref 1016433 o Technical/production support – Vision impairment (Level 1-3 Time fraction 0.8) Ref

1016434

Finally Editors Deb Lewis and Lyn Robinson would like to thank everyone for their contribution to this issue of The Bulletin, and in particular Marion Blazé, Frances Gentle, Jordie Howell and Jane Jensen. If you would like to contribute to The Bulletin please email [email protected]

To read The Bulletin online visit: www.svrc.vic.edu.au/Abulletin.shtml

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Statewide Vision Resource Centre

presents

Educational Support for Vision Impaired Students with

Additional Impairments

When: Monday 4 May 2015 from 9.00am to 3.30pm (Registration from 8.30am)

Where: Statewide Vision Resource Centre, 370 Springvale Rd Donvale

Parking: Lower carpark – next door at the Donvale Sports Complex

For: Teachers, aides/assistants, therapists, family members and Visiting Teachers

8.30 Registration

9.00 Simulation of a Vision Impairment – Staff of SVRC and Guide Dogs Victoria

10.15 Vision Impairment – What is it? How do we assess it? – Marion Blazé, SVRC

10.45 Morning Tea

11.10 Cortical Vision Impairment – Annette Godfrey-Magee and Geoff Bowen, SVRC

12.00 Tactual PECs for Communication – Geoff Bowen, Psychologist, SVRC

12.30 Lunch – A light lunch will be provided

1.00 Strategies to Support Students in the Classroom – Helen Caldow, Visiting Teacher, North-Eastern Victoria Region

1.40 iPad for Students with Vision and Additional Impairments – Lyn Robinson, SVRC

2.10 The SVRC – How Can We Help? – Staff of the SVRC

2.30 Challenging Behaviours – Geoff Bowen, Psychologist, SVRC

3.30 Close

Cost: $66.00 including GST (maximum onsite participants: 60)

Visiting Teachers or family members $22.00 Payment includes a light lunch (please bring your own fruit)

$55.00 for participation via video conference

Registration is essential – by Monday 27 April For further details or for an invoice: phone 9841 0242 or email [email protected]

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Parking There is no parking available at the Statewide Vision Resource Centre or Heatherwood School. Please park in the lower carpark behind the Donvale Sports Centre - the building beside (to the north) of the SVRC. You can then walk through the double gates and the Statewide Vision Resource Centre is to the left.

Public Transport: Bus and train The nearest and most accessible train station is Nunawading. Trains on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines run through this station. A bus also runs from Box Hill Central which also has good train access. The Statewide Vision Resource Center is serviced by 3 bus routes. 902 Smart Bus, Chelsea to Airport West 271 Box Hill to Ringwood 273 Nunawading to The Pines The 902 and 273 both leave from the Nunawading station. It is only an 8 minute trip to the SVRC.

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Educational Vision Assessment Clinic (EVAC) General Information

Students who have a significant vision loss are eligible to receive additional educational support from the Statewide Vision Resource Centre (SVRC) and Visiting Teachers for Vision Impaired with the Department of Education and Training (DET). Students attending an Independent School Students who are attending independent schools and are vision impaired, established by an appointment at EVAC, are eligible for access to the support and resources of the Statewide Vision Resource Centre. Students attending a Catholic School The Catholic Education Office (Melbourne) provides Visiting Teacher support for children with vision impairments. Children in Catholic schools can also access the support and resources of the Statewide Vision Resource Centre by establishing eligibility through attendance at EVAC. The purpose of the EVAC is to determine the eligibility to the resources and support of the SVRC and to visiting teacher support-vision. What is the Education Vision Assessment Clinic? EVAC is the facility which the DET, the Catholic Education Office and Independent Schools use to establish the eligibility of your child to access SVRC and Visiting Teacher support. EVAC is run jointly by DET and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne. EVAC is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals which include a paediatric ophthalmologist and orthoptist employed by the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Education Officers and an Educational Psychologist who are employed by DET. EVAC assessment comprises two stages, a clinical assessment at the Eye and Ear Hospital and for those children who have a significant vision loss and a functional assessment which will be conducted at the school by an Education Officer. Prior to attending the EVAC clinic parents are asked to have seen their own ophthalmologist within the past twelve months. Attendance at this Clinic does not replace treatment by the student’s eye specialist.

32 Gisborne Street East Melbourne Victoria 3002 Australia Locked Bag 8 East Melbourne Victoria 8002Australia Telephone +61 3 99298666 TTY +61 3 99298052 Facsimile +61 3 9663 7203 Infoeyeand ear.org.au www.eyeandear.org.au

Statewide Vision Resource CentreEducation Vision Assessment Clinic

PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131

Telephone (03) 9841 0807 Facsimile (03) 9841 0878

Email: godfrey‐[email protected] Email: [email protected]

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A student is eligible for SVRC and Visiting Teacher support if the student has sufficiently low vision to be regarded as partially sighted (i.e. distance vision with glasses, if needed, is worse than 6/18 – or its equivalent – and/or a visual field reduction to less than 20°) or is legally blind i.e. distance vision with glasses, if needed, is worse than 6/60 or equivalent and/or a visual field reduction of less than 10°. There is no cost to either the family or the school for this assessment. How to apply to EVAC In order for your child to be assessed by EVAC there are several steps. Please complete this application form and sign and the date the consent section on page 5 of the Application Form. Please note that without your consent, EVAC is unable to obtain relevant medical reports, assessments and information.

1. The EVAC team, including the paediatric ophthalmologist, will review your child’s ophthalmologist information prior to inviting you to attend a clinical assessment at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

2. You will be offered an EVAC appointment if your child’s vision, as stated by your ophthalmologist, is significantly reduced.

3. Your child will be asked to attend the EVAC clinic where he/she will be assessed by an orthoptist, and a paediatric ophthalmologist. You will also have the opportunity to meet with an Educational Psychologist and two Education officers. The role of the Psychologist is to assist you in understanding this process and to discuss any educational or behavioural concerns you have regarding your child and their engagement in education. The role of the Education Officers is to observe the clinical assessment, support this assessment with age appropriate suggestions and highlight the educational implications of your child’s vision to those who will be working with him/her in their school environment.

4. At this assessment, if your child’s vision falls within the partially sighted range (acuity of less than 6/18 or a field loss of less than 20°) a functional vision assessment will be completed at your child’s school by one of the Education Officers.

5. A report, with a photograph of your child on it, will generally be sent to you, prior this report being sent to the DET Catholic or Independent (as the case may be) personnel who will be working with your child. This report initiates Visiting Teacher’s involvement. Visiting Teachers working within government schools are employees of the DET. The Catholic Education Office (CEO) employs a team of Visiting Teachers that work in Catholic Schools. Visiting teachers in independent schools are funded by the Association of Independent Schools.

6. You, and any professional you nominate, will get a copy of the clinical assessment report. What to expect when you come to EVAC The team at EVAC consists of Educators specializing in vision impairment, an Educational Psychologist, who also specializes in the needs of children who are vision impaired, an Orthoptist and a Paediatric Ophthalmologist. We sometimes have ‘Registrars’ (first year ophthalmology students) in attendance who find this clinic very educational and provides them with a wonderful opportunity to learn from unique children. The EVAC team aims to get as much information as possible about your child’s vision and how it is likely to affect them educationally. Tests may include

acuity on an eye chart by reading or matching letters or pictures reading near print sizes looking at eye movements checking spectacle prescriptions examination of eye health

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In order to examine the health of the eye, eye drops usually need to be administered to dilate the pupil. It is helpful to bring a hat and/or sunglasses because this dilation will make your child’s eyes more light sensitive for the remainder of the day. Because the Educators are involved in these assessments, they can take accurate and current information to the school when they follow up the eligible children. This informs their assessment of the functional vision of the children and forms the basis of their recommendations about adaptations required in schools. Your child will also be photographed, with your permission, during the functional assessment at school. This photograph will be on the Education Officers functional vision report and will help the Visiting Teacher to identify your child when they attend your school. The majority of referrals come from the Early Childhood Service of Vision Australia. These children are referred in the year prior to starting in school. We find that approximately one third of these children are found to have vision which has improved to a level which makes them no longer eligible for additional support for vision when they start school. There are several reasons for this. At this stage of their development many children are much better able to respond to tests involving letters or even pictures, and this allows for more reliable and accurate test results. At EVAC, we also try to encourage cooperation and allow children sufficient time to respond reliably to the testing, rather than hurrying them through a clinical test. Also, there are several congenital vision impairments which are known to improve as children get older. Most students attend the clinic only once, but sometimes review appointments are recommended. For example, vision may have improved to the point where additional support is no longer required. Conversely, if deterioration has occurred, further assessment may be needed to ensure educational support and programming is appropriate. An assessment from EVAC that a child is ‘ineligible for support’ is good news because it indicates that the child’s vision has improved or their ability to be tested has improved. A child cannot test better than their vision will allow. They can always test worse if they choose not to cooperate, or don’t understand the task. Eligibility Criteria Eligibility for support is based on the World Health Organisation’s criteria, which defines three ‘ranges’ of vision. All vision assessments are with both eyes open and wearing the best spectacle correction possible. The ‘normal’ range is between 6/6 to 6/18 acuity. The ‘partially sighted’ range is from worse than 6/18 to 6/60. The ‘legally blind’ range is from worse than 6/60 to ‘no light perception’. These categories can also be determined by fields of view, regardless of the acuity. A child with a field of view less than 20º is in the ‘partially sighted’ range. A child with a field of view of less than 10 º is considered legally blind. Children found to be in the partially sighted or legally blind range are eligible for support from the Statewide Vision Resource Centre and Visiting Teacher Support. Children who are legally blind are eligible for both of these supports and also a level of funding. In State Schools this is called PSD (Program for Students with Disabilities) funding. Children who are legally blind are also eligible for a ‘Blind Pension’ when they turn 16 years. Regardless of the outcome at the EVAC assessment, the Education Officers will make contact with the child’s school to explain the outcomes at the EVAC clinic and discuss the implications and concerns about how your child will cope at school. The EVAC Clinic is situated at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, 32 Gisborne Street, 4th Floor of the Smorgan Family Wing, East Melbourne. It is conducted on a Wednesday morning.

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All referrals to this Clinic should be addressed to:

Ms Marion Blazé or Ms Annette Godfrey-Magee Education Officers for Vision Impairment (EVAC)

P O Box 201 NUNAWADING Victoria 3131

Contact details:

Telephone: 9841 0807. Fax: 9841 0878. Email:

[email protected]

[email protected] Please do not hesitate to contact Marion Blazé (0409 860 251) or Annette Godfrey-Magee (0419 157 748) 9841 0807 if you require any further information regarding the clinic and its operations.

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32 Gisborne Street East Melbourne Victoria 3002 Australia Locked Bag 8 East Melbourne Victoria 8002Australia Telephone +61 3 99298666 TTY +61 3 99298052 Facsimile +61 3 9663 7203 Infoeyeand ear.org.au www.eyeandear.org.au

Statewide Vision Resource Centre Education Vision Assessment Clinic PO Box 201 Nunawading 3131 Telephone (03) 9841 0807 Facsimile (03) 9841 0878 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Educational Vision Assessment Clinic

Application Form (EVAC)

The EVAC is the facility the Department of Education and Training uses to establish eligibility to the support and resources of the Statewide Vision Resource Centre (SVRC) and Visiting Teaching Support (Vision). Children who have a significant vision loss are eligible for these supports. A student is eligible for additional educational support if the student has sufficiently low vision to be regarded as partially sighted i.e. distance vision with glasses, if needed, is worse than 6/18 – or its equivalent – and/or a visual field reduction to less than 20° or is legally blind i.e. distance vision with glasses that is worse than 6/60 and/or field loss of less than 10° (Please see attached information) The purpose of this form is to:

Provide your consent to the EVAC team assessing your child for the purpose of providing support and resources from the Statewide Vision Resource Centre and Visiting Teacher support to both your child and his/her school.

Give permission for the EVAC team to collect information from your child’s treating ophthalmologist.

Give permission for the EVAC team to gather and share personal, school and medical details for the

purpose of providing SVRC and Visiting Teacher supports.

I would like to be sent information on: (please tick box/es)

Better Start for Children with Disability funding

Guide Dogs Victoria – Children’s Mobility Service

Insight Education Centre for the Blind and Vision Impaired

Vision Australia Children’s Service

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Date of Referral: ……………………………….

Patient/Student Details

Surname …………………………………… Given Names …………………………………..

Date of Birth ……………………………….

Male Female

Address …………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Country of Birth………………………………………………………………………………...

Preferred Spoken Language ……………………………………………………………………

Is an Interpreter required at your Clinic visits? Yes No

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Status:

Not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

Aboriginal, not Torres Strait Islander

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Torres Strait Islander, not Aboriginal

Medicare Card No. …………………………... Expiry date ………………………………….

Position on Card ………………………………………………………………………………

Health Care Card No. ……………………….. Expiry date …………………………………..

Pension Card Number ………………………. Expiry date …………………………………..

Parent/Guardian/Carer Contact Details

Surname ………………………………Given Name: …………………………………………

Address …………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Telephone (H) (W) ……………… (Mobile)………………………………………………….

Email……………………………………………………………………………………………

Relationship to Patient…………………………………………………………………………

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Other Parent/Guardian/Carer Contact Details (optional)

Surname ………………………………Given Name: ………………………………………….

Address …………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Telephone (H) (W) …………………………… (Mobile) ……………………………………..

Email ……………………………………………………………………………………………

Relationship to Patient ………………………………………………………………………….

School Details

School (proposed school) ………………………………………………………………………

Year Level ……………………………………………………………………………………..

Address …………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name of Principal ………………………………………………………………………………

Contact Person ………………………………………………………………………………….

Telephone ………………………………………………………………………………………

Other Relevant Personnel at school ……………………………………………………………

Local Doctor or GP Details

Following the EVAC assessment a report from this appointment will be sent to your GP.

Doctor’s Name ………………………………………………………………………………….

Clinic Name …………………………………………………………………………………….

Address …………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Telephone …………………………………… Fax ……………………………………………

Permission for the EVAC team to contact and share information: Yes No

Ophthalmologist:

Following the EVAC assessment a report from this appointment will be sent to your ophthalmologist or relevant hospital department. (If an ophthalmologist has not been seen in the last twelve months, this should be arranged prior to referral)


Name ……………………………………………………………………………………………

Clinic Name …………………………………………………………………………………….

Address …………………………………………………………………………………………

Telephone ………………………………………. Fax ………………………………………...

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Other Professionals Working with your child:

Following the EVAC assessment a report from this appointment will be sent to any practitioner or hospital department you nominate to receive this information.


Name of Paediatrician……………………………………………………………………………

Clinic Name……………………………………………………………………………………..

Address………………………………………………………………………………………….

Telephone……………………………………………………………………………………….


Name and Role of other Professional ……………………………………..................................

Profession ……………………………………………………………………………………....

Clinic Name …………………………………………………………………………………….

Address …………………………………………………………………………………………

Telephone ………………………………………………………………………………………

Other Agencies working with your child: (e.g. Guide Dogs Victoria, Vision Australia, Insight) Permission for the EVAC team to contact and share information: Yes No

Name …………………………………………………………………………………………..

Profession/Agency …………………………………………………………………………….

Address …………………………………………………………………………………………

Telephone ………………………………………………………………………………………

Referral Details

Referred by ……………………………………………………………………………………..

Address …………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Telephone …………………………….. Mobile ……………………………………………….

Date of Referral …………………………………………………………………………………

Reason for Referral: Assess eligibility for Visiting Teacher support and access to the resources of the Statewide Vision Resource Centre.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Signature of Person referring …………………………………………………………………..

Please Print Name ………………………………………………………………………………

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Consent The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital

Consent for Information Release I understand it is the usual practice of the Hospital to release information in my medical record to my treating doctors and General Practitioner. The Hospital will also forward anonymous information to The Department of Human Services for statistical purposes. In ordinary circumstances no other information in my medical record will be released to a third party without my consent.

Signature of Patient/Guardian ………………………………………………………………….

Date ……………………………………………………………………………………………

Department of Education and Training

PERMISSION TO COLLECT, USE AND DISCLOSE INFORMATION

I consent to the Department of Education and Training, collecting, using and disclosing information to:

Establish the eligibility of my child to access the resources and support of the Statewide Vision Resource Centre and Visiting Teacher support, and

If my child is assessed as eligible, for the Education Officer to complete a functional assessment at my child’s school and provide the school and Departmental Regional staff with a written report that identifies the educational implications of my child’s vision impairment.

To discuss EVAC’s assessments and outcomes with school staff, the visiting teacher and DET Regional Personnel to identify and make relevant adjustments to my child’s educational program.

I confirm the following:

I have received, read and understood the general information and privacy information provided with this form.

I understand how my/my child’s personal information and health information (vision) will be collected, received, used and disclosed.

I consent to the Department of Education and Training (DET) photographing my child for the purpose of identification and administration of EVAC reports and case files.

I understand I may withdraw my consent for DET to collect, use and disclose information as stated in this application at any time.

I understand that without my consent, DET is unable to assess my child’s eligibility for access to SVRC resources and Visiting Teacher support.

Sign Parent/Guardian/Carer…………………………………………………..………Date……/……./…… Please Print Name………………………………………………………………………………....................

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Department of Education and Training

Important Privacy Information

The Department of Education and Training (DET) values the privacy of every individual and is committed to protecting all personal and health information collected. In Victoria, the laws that set privacy requirements are the Health Records Act 2001 and the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. These laws set out what we must do when we collect, use, handle and destroy personal and health information when we provide a health service, such as the services provided by the staff members of the Educational Vision Assessment Clinic (EVAC) that are employed by DET. The Health Records Act is most relevant to the services provided by DET through EVAC and it says: Personal information is information or an opinion (including information or an opinion which is on a database), whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained from the information or opinion. Health information is information or an opinion about the physical, mental or psychological health of a person, the disability of a person; a person’s expressed wishes about the provision of services to him or her, which is also personal information. Health information includes other personal information that is collected to provide, or in providing, a health service such as services provided by DET through EVAC. Collection of personal and health information by DET through EVAC DET collects information through EVAC for the purpose of assessing the eligibility of your child to access SVRC resources and Visiting Teacher support. DET also collects information through EVAC for the purpose of providing information to schools and Department Regional personnel who coordinate these supports for your child. In order to assess your child’s eligibility, we collect information through this Educational Vision Assessment Clinic Application Form and through conducting a functional assessment of your child. We also collect medical reports, assessments and other relevant information, ophthalmologist and other professionals working with your child. EVAC staff employed by DET also photograph your child for the purpose of identification and administration of its reports and case files. This occurs during the functional assessment. Use and disclosure of personal and health information by DET through EVAC For the purposes of assessing eligibility we use and/or disclose information as follows: EVAC staff employed by DET discuss personal information and health information with EVAC staff that are employed by the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital the for the purpose of assessing your child’s eligibility. For government schools, copies of your child’s functional and clinical reports are sent to the team leader of the Visiting Teacher Service in each region. For Catholic School they are sent to the individual Visiting Teacher and for Independent schools these reports are sent directly to the school. The clinical reports provide evidence of eligibility to access DET supports and to provide relevant information for Visiting Teacher programming intervention. The functional report will have a summary and explanation of the clinical findings. We discuss both the clinical and functional findings with the visiting teacher and/or DET regional personnel for the purpose of identifying educational programs and adjustments to your child’s program. Please note that in Victoria, registered schools are either government, independent or Catholic. Government schools are a part of DET, Independent and Catholic schools are separate and independent legal entities to DET.If health information is disclosed to school staff, they are required to comply with the Health Records Act 2001. If personal information is disclosed to school staff, they are required to comply with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (or the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) where relevant). Disclosure or use will otherwise only occur if permitted by law. In some instances DET may be compelled by other laws to disclose information held about your child to other bodies such as a regulatory agency, law enforcement agency, court or tribunal. Accessing personal and health information. Your child or their authorised representatives (e.g. parent and guardian or carer) can access the personal and medical information held by DET. Please note that Information from your child’s medical file is held by the Eye and Ear Hospital. An application to access your child’s educational file can be made via an email to the Information Management Division of DET on [email protected]. Withdrawing Consent Consent to EVAC staff employed by DET collecting, using and disclosing person and health information may be withdrawn at any time by writing to Marion Blazé or Annette Godfrey-Magee. Before withdrawing consent we recommend first discussing your decision with either Marion or Annette. Withdrawing consent means that DET will not be able to assess and /or provide support from SVRC and Visiting Teachers to your child and his/her school. For more information please contact Marion Blazé 0409 860 251 or Annette Godfrey-Magee 0419 157 748. Office: 9841 0807

The Bulletin - Statewide Vision Resource Centre |svrc.vic.edu.au/wp-content/bulletin/2015-05.pdf ·...

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Transcript of The Bulletin - Statewide Vision Resource Centre |svrc.vic.edu.au/wp-content/bulletin/2015-05.pdf ·...