For Parents

ASVI believes that many positive and essential changes occur when parents are included as partners in the special education of their children. ASVI provides training, access to specialized courses and meetings for parents and their children to share their experiences and ideas, as well as a forum to exchange information about resources, services and agencies. ASVI believes that education for parents with visually impaired and blind children will lead to proper intervention and access to necessary resources and contributes to the development of a more confident and successful student.

Programs

ASVI presents an evening with Dr. Linda Mamer

Dr. Linda Mamer

Dr. Linda Mamer currently works as a Resource Consultant at the British Colombia Provincial Outreach Program for Individuals with Deafblindness. She travels throughout the province going to schools that have students with Deafblindness. In addition, she consults with Supported Independent Living Residences for Adults with Congenial Deafblindness. She is a teacher, and a consultant in the areas of blindness, low vision, deafness/hard of hearing and multiple disabilities. Dr. Linda Mamer teaches University and College courses for Interveners for children that are Deafblind, Educational Assistants, Pre-school Workers, Teachers, Counselors and Consultants within Canada and the United States.

She will be discussing the following topics:

  • Uses of the iPad to benefit children with multiple disabilites and Deafblindness.
  • Instruction on how to use the iPad and how to access the many different apps that are available that promote meaningful literacy experiences for children with low vision and use of Braille.

When: Thursday May 2, 2013 from 7:00pm until 9:00pm
Where: St. Leo Centre, 6220 Lakeview Drive S.W Calgary, AB T3E 5T1

Information: please bring along your iPad, a break-out session will occur for a question and answer period. Handouts will be given out electronically in order for you to prepare in the format that you require.


ASVI welcomes the following speakers:

Elaine Zeer on the topic of the Registered Disability Savings Plan

Elaine is dually licensed as a life insurance professional as well as a mutual fund representative with World Financial Group since 2002. Her initiative is to coach and guide you through understanding what all your available choices are. She will provide thorough information about the Registered Disability Savings Plan as well as the eligibility requirements to receive this benefit.

Cathy Bell on the topic of Orientation and Mobility

Cathy specializes in Orientation & Mobility for Visually Impaired children and students with the Calgary Board of Education. She will give a brief overview of the various aspects of Orientation & Mobility, discuss the importance of parent’s understanding of what is being taught to their child and their support reinforcing Orientation & Mobility skills with their child. Parents will have the opportunity to participate under blindfold to learn basic skills ie. upper/lower protective arm techniques, dropped object search technique and general overview of two point touch cane technique.

This parent session will take place at the CNIB Building on Saturday May 11, 2013 from 9:30am until 12:30pm. There will also be a child program at the Calgary Zoo taking place during the parent session, drop  your child at the Zoo and pick up after the parent session wraps up! We are hoping to provide the perfect opportunity to take in some very informative information!