June 2023 - NOMC - lists.nbpcb.org

Article Beyone City Sidewalks
by debandjeff＠allophone.com 20 Aug '24

20 Aug '24

Hello Everyone, I have attached several articles that may be of interest to some of you. If you have some articles that you feel may be of benefit to us, please attach it and send it out. Jeff

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Need for Cane Travel instructors in Houston
by ebell＠pdrib.com 29 Jun '23

29 Jun '23

Dear NOMC, The National center is in urgent need for a couple of cane travel instructors who will be getting to Houston, tomorrow by early afternoon, maybe 2:00 or 3:00. The need is to provide some hotel orientation to some Pre-ets students that afternoon, working from the main hotel to one of the overflow hotels. I know this is short notice but if you will be in Houston tomorrow by early afternoon and are interested in helping, please email me directly at: ebell at latech.edu <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> Thanks Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu <http://www.pdrib.com> www.pdrib.com ************* "I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops." -- Stephen Jay Gould

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Introducing the National Certification in Access Technology for the Blind
by admin＠nbpcb.org 27 Jun '23

27 Jun '23

National Blindness Professional Certification Board National Certification in Access Technology for the Blind For complete information on the National Certification in Access Technology for the Blind, go to NCATB Certification Process <https://nbpcb.org/ncatb/> The NCATB is a three-year renewable credential and is the only certification which can attest to an individual having met rigorous standards in the area of access technology teaching for the blind using Structured Discovery (SD) methods and principles. Individuals who are interested in applying for NCATB certification are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with all of the information included here. The Structured Discovery paradigm is grounded in the Consumer-Based Model of Rehabilitation and has had unsurpassed outcomes for more than seven decades. One of the key tenets of this approach to access technology teaching is that successful professionals must master the nonvisual skills for competently using technology that they are expected to teach. Strong problem-solving strategies and techniques are developed to effectively utilize both mainstream and access technology. It is also crucial to understand how an individual's internalized attitudes--as well as public attitudes--about blindness have on personal expectations and aspirations. The preparation process for individuals teaching under the Structured Discovery model is heavily focused on the development of personal experience in learning and using the skills that blind persons depend on for safe and effective living. Beyond theoretical and academic exposition, Structured Discovery is based on hands-on learning, trust in the effectiveness and appropriateness of nonvisual skills, and an unwavering conviction in the normalcy and capacity of individuals who are blind to maintain their own independence and make decisions about how they live their lives. Proper preparation to become certified as an Access Technology for the Blind instructor is dependent upon successful completion of either a University-based program or apprenticeship that is sanctioned by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board. This includes a minimum of 480 hours of immersion at an NBPCB-approved center followed by proficiency demonstrated through a successful internship or apprenticeship completed at an NBPCB-approved center. Demonstration of this ability is documented through the verification of teaching competency form that is signed off by the NBPCB-Approved training representative who oversees the immersion and/or teaching program. Individuals who wish to seek NCATB certification but who have not completed one of these formal programs will need to write a letter to the NBPCB board of directors that details their preparation experience, knowledge, skills, and disposition to teach Structured Discovery Access Technology as part of their application. Successful applicants who earn the designation of NCATB maintain this status for a period of three years and are entitled to all rights and responsibilities therein as long as active certification status is maintained and the NBPCB Code of Conduct is upheld. Application Process Individuals seeking NCATB certification must submit the following: * Completed application form * Personal essay explaining interest in becoming an Access Technology SD certified instructor * Resume * Two letters of support from persons who can attest to the applicant's character, motivation, teaching ability, and fitness and suitability for the profession * Verification of Immersion form * * Payment of all applicable fees Examination Process Once an application has been approved, the individual seeking certification is then eligible to proceed with the following examination process. * Submit Verification of Teaching Competency form (provided directly by the supervisor or applicable person.)* * Participate in an interview conducted by the NCATB evaluation panel. * Take the NCATB written examination *Individuals who have not completed a formal program of preparation recognized by the NBPCB must seek guidance from the NBPCB office on how to properly complete the Verification of Immersion and Verification of Teaching Competency forms. Individuals will also need to submit a letter to the NBPCB board outlining their own personal AT training and preparation to be an AT instructor. Note: Applications will not be processed nor will individuals be allowed to sit for the written examination without all supporting documentation and payment of application fees. All required documents must be sent directly in separate attachments to the NBPCB Office at admin at nbpcb.org <mailto:admin at nbpcb.org> . Questions or request for application materials may be directed to: NBPCB Office PO Box 2373 Ruston LA 71273 318 299-7340 admin at nbpcb.org <mailto:admin at nbpcb.org> q NBPCB Office PO Box 2373 Ruston LA 71273 318 299-7340 <mailto:admin at nbpcb.org> admin at nbpcb.org <http://www.nbpcb.org> www.nbpcb.org <https://www.nbpcb.org/pages/lookup.php> Click here to verify the status of NBPCB certified professionals

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reminder: 2023 Cane Walk
by debandjeff＠allophone.com 24 Jun '23

24 Jun '23

Hello Everyone, Here is the information regarding the times and location of the 2023 Cane Walk. I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the Cane Walk, and again thank you for being a part of this important event. Jeff Altman MA NOMCT CVRCB SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2023 8:45 AM- 10:30 AM CANE WALK SESSION I Boardroom 331 Wondering if your child should use a cane? Curious about how a cane works? Learn and experience the Structured Discovery Method of travel at these special workshops (not listed in NFB agenda). Parents, teachers, blind/VI children, and siblings are welcome. Instructor: Jeff Altman, NOMCT, CVRCB 11:00 AM- 12:45 PM CANE WALK SESSION II Boardroom 331

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Rehabilitation Conference Agenda and Reminder
by admin＠nbpcb.org 21 Jun '23

21 Jun '23

*** Agenda now available, follow link below *** *** Reminder: Deadline for registration is June 25 *** Registration is now open! National Blindness Professionals Certification Board presents: Contemporary Issues in Rehabilitation and Education for the Blind 22nd Annual Rehabilitation and Orientation and Mobility Conference The Hilton Americas-Houston 1600 Lamar Street Houston, TX 77010 800-236-2905 Saturday, July 1st, 2023 8:30 am - 7:30 pm CDT Come and join us! Once again, this year's conference will be action packed with a variety of new speakers, topics, and hands-on events. Participate in the only National Conference focused on Structured Discovery teaching and education for the blind. Presentations and breakouts including: * Keynote: Glen Shepard, world renown expert on management and leadership. * <https://www.glennshepard.com/> https://www.glennshepard.com/ * Discover the tenants of Structured Discovery as a professional and within training centers. * Learn new strategies that you can implement in your classroom or teaching environment. * Become informed about the Vocational Rehabilitation system and policies and the intent of informed choice * Share ideas and network in multiple rehabilitation disciplines, including Braille, home management, cane travel, and assistive technology. For a copy of the agenda, click here: <https://www.dropbox.com/s/oj2g4gkulpu27ay/2023%20NBPCB%20Anual%20Rehab%20Co nference%20Agenda.docx?dl=1> 2023 Rehab Agenda Register here: <https://nbpcb.org/members/er.php?eid=519> https://nbpcb.org/members/er.php?eid=519 Cost before June 15th - $85 Cost after June 15th- $100 Online registration closes on June 25th. Registration can also be made in-person. Visit the National Blindness Professionals Certification Board website to learn more about a career in changing lives: <http://www.nbpcb.org> http://www.nbpcb.org NBPCB Office PO Box 2373 Ruston LA 71273 318 299-7340 <mailto:admin at nbpcb.org> admin at nbpcb.org <http://www.nbpcb.org> www.nbpcb.org <https://www.nbpcb.org/pages/lookup.php> Click here to verify the status of NBPCB certified professionals

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South Africa: NOMCs wanted for one week
by ksims＠latech.edu 15 Jun '23

15 Jun '23

Hello all, Sending this again as the forwarded message may not have been received by all. Please contact Marc with any questions. ---- South Africa: NOMCs wanted for one week Would you like to be part of a team to train teachers and staff in basic O&M at the Athlone School for the Blind in Cape Town, South Africa in October? The You Cane Give Initiative seeks two NOMC instructors to join our four-member team. The other two team members are a third NOMC instructor and a special educator skilled at providing professional development for teachers. Dates: October 7 through 16. Depart the US on Saturday, Oct. 7. Conduct program activities at the school the week of Oct. 9. Depart Cape Town on Sunday, Oct. 15 and arrive in the US on the 16th. You are welcomed to stay longer to go on a wildlife safari or do other sight-seeing. Expenses: You Cane Give will pay for all meals, hotel, local transportation, and 25 percent of airfare. We can also assist you with some fund-raising support if needed. About You Cane Give (YCG). YCG, <http://www.youcanegive.org> www.youcanegive.org is a Tennessee-based nonprofit that donates refurbished white canes around the world where they are not available or affordable by recipients. Thus far we have delivered 1,968 white canes for the blind to people in 29 countries. We receive both new and used canes from blind individuals all over the United States, we gather groups of people together to refurbish them, and then we either mail the requested canes or send the canes with groups of people traveling overseas. About the Athlone School for the Blind in Cape Town. In March 2023, a team of 5 of us delivered 250 white canes to the Athlone School and conducted a series of trainings for students and teachers. The school has about 305 blind students from kindergarten through high school, each from lower income families. A third of the students are boarding, while the rest are day students. There is only one orientation and mobility instructor on staff. The school is therefore eager for us to return to train their blind and sighted teachers on basic white cane travel instruction techniques so they can continuously promote greater independent travel by the students. The headmaster would also like to have some parents and local non-profit staff members participate in this training as well. If you would like to learn more about this opportunity to join our team, please contact us by Wednesday, June 21, 2023. You can reach me at: Marc Companion Email: <mailto:marcc2vt at gmail.com> marcc2vt at gmail.com Phone: 802-373-0250 Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you! Marc Kristen J. Sims, MEd. NOMC NCUEB Instructor, Orientation and Mobility Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 210 Woodard Hall 318-257-4554 <mailto:ksims at latech.edu> ksims at latech.edu

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Current list of Instructors for the 2023 Cane Walk
by debandjeff＠allophone.com 14 Jun '23

14 Jun '23

Hello Everyone, First of all, thank you to everyone that has volunteered, your participation is truly appreciated, and will be of great benefit to all of these young people and their families. Here is the current list of instructors for the Cane Walk. This is a really terrific group of volunteers, and if others would like to participate, that would be great. As you can see, not everyone is able to attend both sessions, so if you can fill a potential gap, please let me know. Jeff Altman MA NOMCT CVRCB Cane Walk 2023 Instructors Jimmy Morris Becky Keller, Carley Mullen (both sessions) Ron Brown Merry-Noel Chamberlain (Both Sessions) Michell Gip (both Sessions) Roland Allen Sarah Patnaude (8:45, and possibly 11:00) Scott-Michael Tokunaga, (11:00 only) Ben Vercellone (both sessions) Patrick Thibodeaux (both sessions) Joseph Nguyen (11:00, and possibly 8:45) Justin Salisbury, Kristen Sims (both Sessions) Two O&M Interns (both sessions) Christopher Misterka (one or possibly both sessions) Domonique Lawless (Session 1) Priscilla Yeung (session 1)

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South Africa: NOMCs wanted for one week
by ksims＠latech.edu 14 Jun '23

14 Jun '23

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Tomorrow is the Deadline for Early Registration: 22nd Annual Rehabilitation Conference
by admin＠nbpcb.org 14 Jun '23

14 Jun '23

Registration is now open! National Blindness Professionals Certification Board presents: Contemporary Issues in Rehabilitation and Education for the Blind 22nd Annual Rehabilitation and Orientation and Mobility Conference The Hilton Americas-Houston 1600 Lamar Street Houston, TX 77010 800-236-2905 Saturday, July 1st, 2023 8:30 am - 7:30 pm CDT Come and join us! Once again, this year's conference will be action packed with a variety of new speakers, topics, and hands-on events. Participate in the only National Conference focused on Structured Discovery teaching and education for the blind. Presentations and breakouts including: * Keynote: Glen Shepard, world renown expert on management and leadership. * <https://www.glennshepard.com/> https://www.glennshepard.com/ * Discover the tenants of Structured Discovery as a professional and within training centers. * Learn new strategies that you can implement in your classroom or teaching environment. * Become informed about the Vocational Rehabilitation system and policies and the intent of informed choice * Share ideas and network in multiple rehabilitation disciplines, including Braille, home management, cane travel, and assistive technology. For a copy of the draft agenda, click here: <https://www.dropbox.com/s/xd6mxii4v1tajxh/2023%20Anual%20Rehab%20Tentative% 20Conference%20Agenda.docx?dl=1> 2023 Rehab Draft Agenda Register here: <https://nbpcb.org/members/er.php?eid=519> https://nbpcb.org/members/er.php?eid=519 Cost before June 15th - $85 Cost after June 15th- $100 Online registration closes on June 25th. Registration can also be made in-person. Visit the National Blindness Professionals Certification Board website to learn more about a career in changing lives: <http://www.nbpcb.org> http://www.nbpcb.org NBPCB Office PO Box 2373 Ruston LA 71273 318 299-7340 <mailto:admin at nbpcb.org> admin at nbpcb.org <http://www.nbpcb.org> www.nbpcb.org <https://www.nbpcb.org/pages/lookup.php> Click here to verify the status of NBPCB certified professionals

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Current list of Instructors participating in the Cane walk
by debandjeff＠allophone.com 13 Jun '23

13 Jun '23

Hello Everyone, Below is the list I have at this point for the Cane Walk. If you are not on the list, and you wish to be a part of it, please let me know as soon as possible. Some of you have told me verbally that you will participate, but I may have forgotten that you did so, so please look at the list, and let me know if I missed you. Also if you plan to participate, please let me know if you will be available for just one, and which of these, or both of the sessions,. The first one runs from 8:45 am to 10:30, and the second one begins at 11:00 am, and runs to 12:30. Your help will truly be appreciated . Jeff Cane Walk 2023 Instructors Jimmy Morris Carley Mullen Ron Brown Merry-Noel Chamberlain Michell Gip Roland Allen Sarah Patnaude, Scott-Michael Tokunaga, (11:00 only) Ben Vercellone (both Patrick Thibodeaux (both) Joseph Nguyen Justin Salisbury,

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