Cathy spends time with Gina Fugate, computer science and technology educator, doctoral scholar, and teacher of the visually impaired.  Gina, whose vision is impacted by Retinitis Pigmentosa, is the coach of the DOT5UDOGS, the robotics team at The Maryland School for the Blind. Gina remembers her early life and how changes in technology over the years have impacted her and the students that she works with. Cathy connects coding and robotics to early learning and basic concepts that benefit all.  Gina shares her wisdom with families regarding technology and gives us a peek into what happens at robotics team meetings.   

Jenny, Cathy, and Paige demystify some computer science terms that may be new to our listeners.  Jenny tells about a free program that makes literacy accessible for readers, and Paige shares more free resources that families can access.  

Gina’s website:  

https://ginafugate.com/ 

Dolly Partin Imagination Library and American Printing House for the Blind (APH) collaboration (Braille Tales): 

https://www.aph.org/braille-tales/ 

https://www.aph.org/imagination-library-collaboration/ 

APH listing for Code and Go Mouse:  

https://www.aph.org/product/accessible-code-and-go-mouse/ 

Amazon listing for Code and Go Mouse:  

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Robot-Activity-Pieces/dp/B01A5YMCH4/ref=sr_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pNrgfjrwDzA3pq6I0C4QHpvi9QvxyK9-wiS4fKlfyTQP-CauncsPEos_fbBrbUIBebTcC3mrm87QmciC8Q5c9yL5h-oz2sMd82UeBbjW8si3NIVr2I15XGIknUZlZXS19PYjN92unvaFRbVYjf3hQLD5E8CmRU25vvqNsvt9ToSYTkXSTXAu6I3nfnwGWEn_idTQUKl31_FO51idhA8InYoH9w8jP35jWFMJBX_N1W73Jd0V0Nvq2cd-A5ygv2iCfiA31k8Dszc26qHPQYbGoq0kBL29y0Mgo_OYBLrFbEw.Oag3NzEObSy7QmBJavV86NagVRuu7wmOjYSXynF40fY&dib_tag=se&hvadid=617158356959&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9014243&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7032082735960938102&hvtargid=kwd-373741283002&hydadcr=4120_13263594&keywords=code+%26+go+robot+mouse&mcid=701f6db9163b39e8bf25e4445f14f4b3&qid=1746114328&s=toys-and-games&sr=1-4 

“Connecting Dots: A Blind Life” by Joshua A. Miele with Wendell Jamieson 

https://www.amazon.com/Connecting-Dots-Blind-Joshua-Miele/dp/030683278X?tag=googhydr-20&source=dsa&hvcampaign=books&gbraid=0AAAAA-byW6DVRTkFIq4qOZtXUOg5V4gEn&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt8zABhDKARIsAHXuD7Yvm8tNXIjM21hGLnZ95m44KpEuy9YwCvylUlaaFNky1onpy9ka1rwaAgiREALw_wcB 

National Library Service equipment and materials:  

https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/equipment-for-nls-materials/ 

First LEGO League:  

https://www.firstlegoleague.org/ 

Dash Robot:  

https://store.makewonder.com/products/dash?srsltid=AfmBOor3MsMRYAATYxQ8ZlNcFuQ0ziavl3Kq-krKYz37BuPnNzxugdBV 

Blocks4All iOS app:  

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/blocks4all/id1446492589 

Swift Playground iOS app:  

https://developer.apple.com/swift-playground/ 

Joy Player:  

https://www.aph.org/product/joy-player/ 

Seedings Book Angel Program:  

https://www.seedlings.org/free-programs/ 

Braille Institute Special Collection, referred to in this episode as Dots for Tots:  

https://www.brailleinstitute.org/library/special-collection/ 

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