The American Printing House for the Blind has partnered with Thinkerbell to create a new Braille teaching tool and learning device titled, "Polly." Shivam Agarwal and Donna McClure-Rogers tell us about the device, the intended outcomes, and the many ways it will positively impact a student's education and independence. To find out more and join the "Polly" wait list please visit https://www.aph.org/polly-wait-list/.

Going into our 5th season and our 81st (!!!!) episode we thought it was time to mix things up a bit. Last year we tasked on campus musical masterminds the Semi-Modulars with creating a new theme for our show and we're so happy to share it with you for the first time. We talk with band members Brandon, Destiny, Heather, Joel, and their fearless leader Daniel Butler about the creative process and how they came up with the new song.

We love the Semi-Modulars here at A Sense of Texas and hope you do too. To check out all the albums they've created over the years visit https://thesemimodulars.bandcamp.com/ and download all your favorites. 

With graduations happening all around the country it's an important time to think about the skills our students are taking with them as they transition to adulthood. We thought this was the perfect time to bring on Dr. Michele McDonnall from the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision to talk about the work they do to help people with blindness and low vision get into the workforce.

For more information on the NRTC please visit their website at https://www.blind.msstate.edu/

Also, with graduations upon us that means we're rapidly approaching summer and we'll be taking a break. Our next episode will arrive September 15. Enjoy your summer!

Virginia Rose, Founder and President of Birdability, along with Freya McGregor, Director of programs and outreach, and an occupational therapist, discuss the group's goals and their personal journeys that led them to birding. 

Through education, outreach and advocacy, Birdability works to ensure the birding community and the outdoors are welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible for everybody.

TSBVI competes in athletics and performing arts with other schools for the blind in Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Louisiana through the South Central Association Schools for the Blind. As we just wrapped up our annual track and performing arts event, we wanted to debrief with one of our Athletic Directors, Coaches, and two of our Senior female athletes.

Housing one of the foremost collections of materials and technology used to advance the education of blind, low vision and, Deafblind people in the world, the Museum at the American Printing House for the Blind is showing how the contributions of the past can create better outcomes in the future. APH Museum director Mike Hudson is here to tell us about some of the exhibits on display at the museum and what they have planned for the future. 

To find out more about the museum go to https://aphmuseum.org/ to plan your visit. 

When evaluating a student to determine eligibility for special education and to develop an educational plan, it's critical to take into account a student's accommodations specific to their visual impairment. Marnee Loftin has been a leader in this work for quite some time. We're lucky to have her on the podcast.

Here ares some links to many other great resources available online:

Additional podcasts to check out:

https://www.thetestingpsychologist.com/258-assessment-with-visually-impaired-kids-part-1-w-dr-carol-evans-marnee-loftin-dr-terese-pawletko-may-nguyen-and-stephanie-herlich/

https://www.thetestingpsychologist.com/260-assessment-with-visually-impaired-kids-part-2-w-dr-carol-evans-marnee-loftin-dr-terese-pawletko-may-nguyen-and-stephanie-herlich/

Video Resource from Improving Literacy:

https://improvingliteracy.org/videos/visual-impairment-and-dyslexia-video-series

Curriculum Resources from TSBVI: https://www.tsbvi.edu/tsbvi-publications

Some of the most vital learning at a residential school happens outside of the classroom. TSBVI Residential Director Matt Schultz joins us to discuss how creating a positive environment in our dorms can facilitate learning in the classroom as well as at home with their families. Also joining us are Darius, Pedro, and Michael from the TSBVI Wildcat Wrestling team to tell us about how their experiences with athletics are helping them progress in their journey to adulthood. 

Our conversation continues as Lynne McAlister and Deanna Peterson provide their professional perspectives on children's behavior, and what can sometimes be misinterpreted as misbehavior. Later in the episode we are also joined by James Coleman, who shares a relatable parental view on the matter!

Free behavior guidance tool can be found here: https://www.tsbvi.edu/tsbvi-publications#publications

Further discussions about the topic: Coffee Hour

Lynne and Deanna's contact info:

[email protected]

[email protected]