What Is AER (PNW) & Why TVIs Need It: Family Engagement, Collaboration, and Access Arcade.

In episode four of the CATT Cast, host Heather from CATT Northwest spotlights two voices from the 2026 Pacific Northwest AER spring conference, themed “Kaleidoscope of Collaboration,” and explains AER as the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Guest Janet George (DSB) describes AER as a professional space for connection, networking, and sharing information, and shares key takeaways from her session on strengthening family engagement through the Expanded Core Curriculum: TVIs aren’t alone, agencies and schools can collaborate, and families must be active partners. She also summarizes her closing keynote about teachers’ powerful impact, high expectations, and serving as a bridge between students and parents. Guest Garrett Whitmyre, PNW AER president, explains how conferences break down TVI “silos,” reduce isolation, and recharge educators, and he discusses his Access Arcade presentation—an inclusive gaming platform for students using adaptive switches—created to increase meaningful participation and agency for students with multiple disabilities.

Thriving in Blind and Low Vision Education with APH’s Dr. Craig Meador & Paul Schroeder. Host Heather spotlights keynotes from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Annual Meeting in Louisville, KY, where over 400 professionals gathered under the theme “Thrive.” APH President Dr. Craig Meador discusses thriving as taking hold of challenges, the importance of supportive environments for students and educators, advocacy as central to the TVI role, trusting IEP teams, and celebrating wins. APH Vice President Paul Schroeder reviews his keynote panel with AER and NFB leaders, encourages educator collaboration with consumer groups, and reflects on incremental policy change amid federal government disruptions, ongoing employment and web accessibility barriers, and the impact of APH initiatives like Monarch and needed training.

Find CATT-NW at the WA State School for the Blind (WSSB)

The CATT program is funded by a federal appropriation and works in partnership with the American Printing House for the Blind (APH).

The contents of this podcast were developed under a contract authorized by the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Kick off the new Fireside Chat series with the trainers from the Northwest Center for Assistive Technology Training (CATT-NW): Dr. Ting Siu, Leslie Edmonds, and Eli Sanchez! 

Hear highlights about #POSB25 from keynote speaker Dr. Hoby Wedler and POSB founding directors Sara Larkin and Susan Osterhaus. This year's conference was held in Fremont, CA. Learn more about POSB and consider attending next year! https://sites.google.com/iaedb.org/posbsteminstitute

Find CATT-NW at the WA State School for the Blind (WSSB)

The CATT program is funded by a federal appropriation and works in partnership with the American Printing House for the Blind (APH).

The contents of this podcast were developed under a contract authorized by the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Hear highlights about #CTEBVI25 from keynote speaker Jenny Wheeler and longtime CTEBVI member Jonn Paris-Salb. This year's conference was held in Burlingame, CA. Learn more about CTEBVI and consider attending next year! https://ctebvi.org

Find CATT-NW at the WA State School for the Blind (WSSB).

The CATT program is funded by a federal appropriation and works in partnership with the American Printing House for the Blind (APH).