APH News: August 2014

Exciting New APH Products Announced!

Read on to learn about these new products – now available!

• APH Sizzlin’ Summer Savings Sale
• NEW! Instructional Materials for Wilson Reading System Student Kits
• NEW! Replacement Items for APH SMART Brailler by Perkins
• APH Braille Book Corner

“Full Steam Ahead!” 2014 Annual Meeting Registration Now Open

Don’t miss the keynote address: “A Message From the Engine Room: Imagining and Building Full-Steam Ahead Technologies,” by Smith-Kettlewell Associate Scientist Dr. Josh Miele.

Online registration for the 146th Annual Meeting of Ex Officio Trustees and Special Guests, to be held October 16 – 18, at the Downtown Louisville Hyatt Regency is now open. Registration information can be found on the APH website: archive.aph.org/annual-meeting/2014/.

Additional information on the site includes a link to hotel reservations, an agenda for the event, a list of related meetings, information about our keynote speaker, and much more.

Deadline for registration is September 28, 2014. For more information, contact Janie Blome, 800-223-1839, ext. 367, or email jblome@aph.org.

Wings to be Presented this Year!

APH is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Louis M. Tutt as the 2014 recipient of our highest honor, the Wings of Freedom Award, which will be presented during Annual Meeting. Mr. Tutt, Executive Director of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), is a past Ex Officio Trustee (EOT) of APH, serving over 30 years in that capacity. As an EOT, Lou served on every standing advisory committee of APH, and multiple times on some. His support and counsel have been instrumental in the operations of the organization for decades.

Congratulations, Lou, and thank you for your dedication, commitment, and support!

“Teacher Talks” Return To Annual Meeting!

The 2013 Annual Meeting saw the debut of a new event, “Teacher Talks”, in our Product Showcase. These informative Thursday afternoon talks featured outstanding teachers from the field sharing their wisdom and knowledge about the use of APH products from a teacher’s perspective. We are pleased to offer this dynamic event again, and encourage you to make your travel plans to arrive in Louisville in time to visit with this year’s remarkable teachers. From 2:00 – 4:30 pm on Thursday, October 16, teachers Sandy Rosen (SFSU professor and COMS and sensorimotor guru), Beth Ramella (NIP presenter and national expert on teaching students with cortical visual impairment), and Kristie Smith (Fred’s Head author and power user of APH products) will be on hand to share their expertise and great ideas about using APH products with your students. Come hear what these educators have to say, and while you’re there, check out the latest products available from APH!

A Once in a Lifetime Celebration!

During the Centennial Festival of Riverboats, taking place Oct. 14th – 19th, historic riverboats will provide the backdrop as Louisville plays host to a six-day festival of food, bourbon, music and art at the internationally-acclaimed Waterfront Park. Enjoy live music, sample the finest spirits in the world and experience history, first-hand, as we celebrate The Belle’s Big Birthday Bash and enjoy all that life on the river has to offer, with activities going on along the waterfront every day.

We will be part of the celebration with our opening session aboard the Spirit of Peoria, but you might want to check out some of these other exciting activities as well. All activities will be open daily during festival hours, beginning at 11:00 am and running until 9:00 or 10:00 pm.

You can tour historic and modern boats, visit a display of model boats, and check out a line-handling area, educational displays and river career booths. Don’t miss the upscale festival cuisine and a selection of unique merchandise from vendors, including businesses and attractions selling arts, crafts and the official merchandise of the Centennial Festival of Riverboats! Of course you will want to experience one of the things Kentucky does best – bourbon – by visiting the Bourbon Pavilion and enjoying some of Kentucky’s finest bourbon, while the downtown Louisville skyline provides the perfect background for enjoying live music performances on two Waterfront Park stages. It’s a party one hundred years in the making. You won’t want to miss it!

APH Policies Regarding UEB Transition

In November 2012, the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) voted to adopt Unified English Braille (UEB) as an official code for the United States. In October 2013, BANA conducted its first UEB Transition Forum, convened to facilitate the planning of a coordinated transition between existing braille codes and UEB. Participants at this meeting collectively chose the date of January 4, 2016, as the date by which most phases of the transition to UEB will be completed or plans for completion will be in place. This date, Louis Braille’s birthday, was affirmed by BANA at its November 2013 meeting.

Following these votes, APH has been engaged in analyzing what this change will mean for the textbooks and educational materials APH provides to students who are blind and visually impaired in the United States and its outlying areas. General information on APH’s UEB Transition Plan is indicated below.

• Orders for textbooks in subjects using literary braille (i.e., social studies and language arts), not previously transcribed, will be produced in UEB for the 2015-16 school year.
• Orders for textbooks in technical subjects (i.e., science and mathematics), not previously transcribed, will be produced in UEB and/or UEB with Nemeth Code for the 2015-16 school year.
• Textbooks previously transcribed will be available in their original codes, following APH’s policy of not duplicating previously transcribed textbooks and supplementary materials.
• APH will transcribe assessment materials in the codes requested by customers who contract with APH to make assessments accessible in hardcopy and/or refreshable braille. APH recognizes that assessment materials must be available in the code that is used most efficiently by each test taker (as indicated on his/her Individual Education Plan or 504 Plan). APH is committed to providing multiple formats for these high stakes assessments.
• APH will gradually transition instructional and assessment-related catalog products and materials to UEB and UEB with Nemeth Code throughout the next several years.

The American Printing House for the Blind is committed to the highest standards of access to educational materials, textbooks, and assessments for students who are blind and visually impaired. APH remains committed to its customers and partners, and looks forward to working collaboratively as the United States transitions to Unified English Braille.

Read the full APH press release on our Press Releases webpage.

Call for Field Evaluators for the Light Reflection & Refraction Kit

APH is seeking field evaluators for the Light Reflection & Refraction Kit. This is a graphing tool designed for middle and high school science students with blindness and low vision. The tool is used to quickly construct ray diagrams related to many light phenomena, including reflection by plane, convex, and concave mirrors; diffuse reflection; refraction; and transmission through convex and concave lenses.

The graphing tool allows students to construct ray diagrams by placing pieces (e.g., arrows) onto a working board. With the use of hook and loop materials, graphics created by this tool are easy to manipulate, which adds more freedom in teaching and learning. Students in inclusive settings can also use this tool to work together with their sighted peers.

Field testing will begin in September 2014 and extend to November 2014. Field evaluators will use a prototype with multiple students with blindness and low vision and then complete and return a product evaluation form at the end of the testing period. Because the number of prototypes is limited, field test sites will be selected based upon geographic location, number of available students, and type of instructional setting.

If you are interested in serving as a field evaluator, please provide the following information:

1. Your name, title, school/agency, and type of setting (e.g., residential, itinerant)
2. Number of available students (with ages, grade levels, and primary reading media indicated)
3. Your preferred medium for reading evaluation materials. Please also let us know if you have difficulty using MS Word, since we are considering asking evaluators to fill out an evaluation form electronically.
4. Your complete contact information (phone number, mailing address, and e-mail address)

Please send this information to Denise Snow at dsnow@aph.org by August 31, 2014. Should you have any questions, please contact Core Curriculum Project Leader Li Zhou at lzhou@aph.org or 800-223-1839, ext. 424. Thank you!

Adapting a Social Skills Curriculum

Brett Page, ED.S., NCSP, and School Psychologist, visited APH in July to continue his work on adaptation and creation of a foundational Social Thinking® skills curriculum for students with visual impairments and blindness. Social Thinking® involves explicitly teaching what we do in our interactions with others: we think about them. How we think about people affects how we behave, which in turn affects how others respond to us, which in turn affects our own emotions and future actions. Individuals with effective social thinking skills have better capacity to develop and maintain quality social relationships at home, school, and in their communities.

Michelle Garcia Winner and her colleagues have created a wealth of books, curriculum and associated materials to explicitly teach Social Thinking skills to individuals from preschool through adulthood who are sighted. Brett’s project will take Garcia Winner’s foundational Social Thinking book, Thinking About You, Thinking About Me, 2nd Edition and explain how to apply her Social Thinking intervention framework with individuals who are visually impaired and blind. The final product will include a practitioner’s guidebook for Thinking About You, Thinking About Me, 2nd Edition, plus a separate book of core interactive Social Thinking® activities, games, and essential materials. Social Thinking® interventions are aimed toward students ranging from below average to superior cognitive abilities in elementary, middle, and high school. Look for more information in future issues of APH News as the product nears the field test stage in 2015. Thanks to Brett for developing this much needed product for our field! For additional information about this product endeavor, or to share your comments regarding the need for this type of product, please contact Karen J. Poppe at kpoppe@aph.org.

New! Source for Refreshabraille 18 Leather Case

Executive Products has designed a nice form fitting case to hold APH’s Refreshabraille 18. Protect your valuable investment with this snuggly fitting leather carrying case with straps.

The case lets you operate the Refreshabraille while standing or walking or for use on a surface like a tabletop.
You can connect the charger while the unit is still in the case, and the case contains a storage area where you may hold additional small items.

Oldies but Goodies: The "Established" APH Product Series: ROLLBUSTERS!

The original RollBusters are foam rings that keep your monocular from rolling away and provide some protection from impact. Place one ring around each end of your own monocular. The rings friction-fit to the monocular and have flat surfaces on their outside edge so that the monocular is prevented from rolling. RollBusters come in a set of five pairs, with four different sizes. The sizes of the inside diameters are: triangles – 25 mm; squares – 28 mm; pentagons – 30 mm; and hexagons – 40 mm (there are two pairs of the 30 mm size).

RollBuster II mini-bags also provide some impact protection and keep monoculars in reach during classroom activities, while protecting them from rolling. The RollBusterII comes in two kid-friendly styles. The mini-duffel bag fits monoculars up to 4 inches in length and up to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The mini-backpack fits monoculars up to 5 inches in length and up to 1 3/4 inches in diameter or a monocular which is oval or irregular in shape. The bag has a strip of extra hook and loop material stitched to its underside to allow attachment to a flat surface. The RollBuster II is included as a part of the Envision I kit, which is a training program that uses stories and activities about Emmy the Emu (pictured on the front of the RollBuster II) and other high interest characters to teach students to use distance optical devices.

Note: Monoculars are not included with the original RollBusters or the RollBuster II.

If you have any suggestions for other products you would like to see highlighted in this monthly feature, please send your comments to Monica Turner at mmturner@aph.org.

Treasures From the APH Libraries

The APH Barr Library supports research initiatives at APH, while the Migel Library is one of the largest collections of nonmedical information related to blindness in the world. Although the collections do not circulate, arrangements can be made to use the materials on-site. In addition, an ongoing digitization effort means APH will continue to make materials available through the online catalog at http://migel.aph.org.

From the Barr Library: Bledsoe, Thomas A. “General Catalog of Volunteer-Produced Textbooks at the American Printing House for the Blind.” International Journal for the Education of the Blind (1962). Reprint.

This document served as a progress report of the Catalog of Volunteer-Produced Textbooks, which was established in 1959 as a precursor to what we now know as the Louis Database. Unlike the listings in Louis, however, many of these books were being lent out, as opposed to being sold, to users. In 1962, APH sent out a memorandum to volunteer transcribers, articulating that the purpose of the Catalog was to “coordinate the reporting efforts of all agencies, groups, and individuals producing literature for the blind on a volunteer basis, and … make possible a single point of reference for schools, students, and blind readers in need of a particular title.”

The Catalog was divided into two categories: transcriptions that were in process, listed from intention reports, and completed transcriptions, cards which signified that a textbook was available for usage. At the time of Bledsoe’s writing, the Catalog, in card-index form, was expanding at a rate of 100 items per week and contained approximately 10,000 entries for books in Braille, large type, disc recordings, and tape. Likewise, the Louis Database currently contains information on approximately 403,761 titles in accessible formats.

From the Migel Library: Floyd, A. L. "The White Cane and the Baseball Bat." Baseball Magazine Dec. 1934: 307-08.

This brief article was written by a blind baseball fan to describe the thrill and excitement of visiting the ball park for a game. Although the animated reactions of the crowd were part of the fun, he chose to sit as near the field as possible. When he was that close to the action, he could tell what kind of hit was made by the distinct crack of the ball on the “slugger.” He enjoyed the accents used by the umpires, interaction between players, and the sound of the ball hitting either the grass or the players mitt. Every noise that came off of the field was a unique illustration of the drama being played out in front of him. Although the article is incomplete, it reminds anyone who likes going to baseball games how important the atmosphere of the ball park is to the enjoyment of the game, right down to the calls of the vendors walking through the crowd. This article has been digitized for Internet Archive and is available at https://archive.org/details/whitecanebasebal00alfl.

APH is working with the Internet Archive to digitize portions of the M.C. Migel Library. Search the phrase “full text” to find these items at http://migel.aph.org. The digitized texts are available in a variety of formats, including DAISY, Kindle, EPUB, PDF, etc.

Contact Library staff: library@aph.org, 800-223-1839, ext. 705

Social Media Spotlight

In Case You Missed It:

The Cherokee written language, Cherokee syllabary, is now available in braille. Read more here: http://www.ktul.com/story/26074789/cherokee-language-now-available-in-braille

"Like" APH at Our Facebook Page!

We invite you to visit our Facebook page and "Like" us! You can find APH at these social media sites: Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Flickr, Pinterest, and at our blog, Fred’s Head from APH.

APH Welcomes New Ex Officio Trustees

Tony Woodell, the World Services for the Blind, replacing Larry Dickerson.

Geoffrey Barney, the Missouri School for the Blind, replacing Patricia Yocum.

APH Travel Calendar

August

August 7, 2014
Jefferson County Public Schools Inservice
Louisville, KY

August 8, 2014
NIP Event: ISVI-P
Jacksonville, IL

August 12-13, 2014
Alabama Visionaries Conference
Pratville, AL

August 18-19, 2014
National Federation of the Blind’s BELL (Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning) program; APH Technology Training
Baldwinsville, NY

August 18-21, 2014
BVA 2014
Sparks, NV

August 20-21, 2014
Functional Vision & Learning Media Assessment
Newark, NJ

September

September 17-20, 2014
Envision 2014
Minneapolis, MN

September 22-25, 2014
Firebrand Community Conference
Portsmouth, MA

September 27, 2014
Indiana Vision Expo 2014
Indiana State Library in IN

October

October 23-24, 2014
Functional Vision & Learning Media Assessment
Watertown, MA

October 24, 2014
MN TBVI & COMS Statewide Conference
Baxter, MN

October 30-November 2, 2014
National Rehabilitation Association, 2014 National Training Conference
De Moines, IA

November

November 10-12, 2014
AVRT (MACRT-ASERT)
Colorado Springs, CO

APH Sizzlin’ Summer Savings Sale

Load up a world of savings on selected APH products with APH’s Sizzlin’ Summer Savings Sale 2014, July 1—September 30. As always, first come, first served.

archive.aph.org/sale

NEW! Instructional Materials for Wilson Reading System Student Kits

Card Sets w/Carry Case:6-79505-00 — $139.00

Print/Braille Magnetic Tiles and Journals:6-79506-00 — $59.00

Related Items

Wilson Reading System Braille Readers:

• Student Reader One: 6-79502-00 — $18.00
• Student Reader Two: 6-79503-00 — $16.00
• Student Reader Three: 6-79504-00 — $18.00

Wilson Reading System Large Print Student Kits:

• Student Reader One and Workbooks 1A and 1B: 8-79501-SK1 — $37.00
• Student Reader Two and Workbooks 2A and 2B: 8-79501-SK2 — $37.00
• Reader Three and Workbooks 3A and 3B: 8-79501-SK3 — $37.00

The Wilson Reading System(R) (WRS) is a research-based reading and writing program.

WRS is a complete curriculum for teaching decoding and encoding (spelling), beginning with phoneme segmentation. Unlike other programs that overwhelm the student with rules, the language system of English is presented in a systematic and cumulative manner so that it is manageable. It provides an organized, sequential system with extensive controlled text to help teachers implement a multi-sensory structured language program.

NEW! Wilson Reading System Instructional Materials

WRS Card Sets with Carry Case include:

• Sound Cards w/CD-ROM
• Word Cards
• Syllable Cards
• Carry Case

Sound Cards

Sound combinations and consonant and vowel phonemes are printed on one side of these flashcards; keywords, pronunciation and substep codes are printed on the reverse. Each card has both large print and braille. All WRS materials use a color-coding and numbering system for organization. Cards are color-coded, ivory, salmon, and green for low vision users. Tactile symbols alert the braille reader to the type of card. A CD-ROM is included with all information in accessible formats.

Word Cards

The two sets of word cards reinforce the concepts taught in the Wilson Reading System and are designed for one-to-one instruction. Steps 1-3 words are selected from the A vocabulary level, but are appropriate for both Level A and B students. Steps 1-3 AB offer specific A or B cards. Each card has both large print and braille. Words are embossed in uncontracted braille followed by contracted braille. Nonsense words are in uncontracted braille only.

Syllable Cards

A selection of words from Steps 1-3 segmented into syllables, with one syllable per card. Cards have both large print and braille.

Wilson Reading System Magnetic Journal with Letter Tiles includes: One folding Magnetic Journal with several color-coded Large Print/Braille Letter Tiles.

The Magnetic Journal with Letter Tiles allows students to manipulate word parts in preparation for written work. Each tile includes large print and braille. Additional tiles have been added to the original Wilson Reading System set to include letter combinations in contracted and uncontracted braille. Tiles are color-coded in ivory, salmon, and green for low vision users. Tactile symbols alert the braille reader to the type of tile.

Notes

Braille workbooks, supplemental worksheets, Teacher Brochure, and WADE (Wilson Assessment of Decoding and Encoding) sheets will be available in the future. These will complete the Braille Student Kits.

Wilson Reading System Instructional Materials are needed to work with the WRS Large Print and Braille Student Kits.

Recommended grades: 2 and up.

Wilson Reading System is a registered trademark of Wilson Language Training Corporation.

NEW! Replacement Items for APH SMART Brailler by Perkins

Power Adapter: 1-00821-00 — $19.00

Rechargeable Battery: 1-00822-00 — $20.00

Related Item

APH SMART Brailler by Perkins: 1-00820-00 — $1,895.00 plus shipping — INTRODUCTORY PRICE, until September 30, 2014

For Brailler Only: ADDITIONAL SHIPPING CHARGE: All shipments will incur actual UPS shipping rates based on the destination. Free Matter shipping not available for this item.

Note: The APH SMART Brailler by Perkins and the replacement items ARE available with Quota funds!

Last month we were excited to introduce the APH SMART Brailler by Perkins, which provides immediate feedback to a child or adult who is learning braille. Feedback is available via text-to-speech and a screen that displays SimBraille & large print of what is brailled in uncontracted or contracted braille.

Recommended ages: 3 years and up.

Note: Young children should be supervised during exploration and pre-braille activities.

For your convenience, we now offer a replacement power adapter and rechargeable battery. The battery is user-replaceable using a small screwdriver.

APH offers a number of recreational books in braille (Quota funds can be used). Each of these titles was originally transcribed and produced by APH for the National Library Service which has graciously granted permission for this offering. As usual, these titles have been added to the APH Louis Database where you can find thousands of titles produced in accessible formats.

Note: all books are produced upon receipt of orders, therefore, please allow several weeks for delivery.

Abe Lincoln at Last
by Mary Pope Osborne: T-N1982-60 — $26.00
Annie and Jack set off in their next adventure to find the third item needed to help Teddy fix his wayward spell. The magic tree house whisks them back in time — first to Washington, D.C., then to Indiana — as they search for Abe Lincoln. Part of the Magic Tree House series. Grades 2-4. *(AR Quiz No. 148462, BL 3.5 Pts 2.0)

Poison
by Bridget Zinn: T-N1990-40 — $86.00
When sixteen-year-old Kyra, a potions master, tries to save her kingdom by murdering the princess, the poisoned dart misses its mark and Kyra becomes a fugitive, pursued by the King’s army and her ex-boyfriend Hal. Some violence. Grades 6-8. *(AR Quiz No. 156966, BL 5.2 Pts 9.0)

Titanic Tragedy: A New Look at the Lost Liner
by John Maxtone-Graham: T-N1981-00 — $96.50
Maritime historian reexamines the 1912 sinking of the British steamship Titanic. Discusses the technological inventions onboard the ship — Morse code and the Marconi wireless — that led to the rescue of survivors. Details the vessel’s construction and highlights the significance of the shortage of lifeboats.

Man in the Empty Suit
by Sean Ferrell: T-N1987-90 — $96.00
A time traveler always spends April 1, 2071, celebrating the hundredth anniversary of his birth with his past and future iterations. The year he turns thirty-nine, though, he discovers his forty-year-old self murdered. The clock is ticking for him to solve — and prevent — the crime. Some adult content.

Here and Now: Letters 2008-2011
by Paul Auster and J.M. Coetzee: T-N1994-20 — $84.50
Collection of letters exchanged between J.M. Coetzee, Nobel Prize winner for literature, and Paul Auster, author of Moon Palace, begun in July 2008, shortly after they met. Coetzee and Auster discuss the nature of friendship, cultural taboos, and books they have read, among other topics. Some adult content.

*Accelerated Reader quiz number, book level, and point value. For more information on the Accelerated Reader program, see the January 2006 APH News or www.renlearn.com/ar/