Hey there good people!!
Just passing along information regarding FREE virtual trainings for
students, clients, professionals, or anyone interested from the blindness
community. All are welcome! We're even starting to get people from across
the pond!!? Miss you all and hope everything is going well in your neck
of the woods.
Take care,
*Becky Keller, MA, NOMC, COMS*
*Lead Orientation and Mobility Instructor*
Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired
401 Azalea Avenue
https://maps.google.com/?q=401+Azalea+Avenue+Richmond,+VA+23227+(804&entry=gmail&source=g
Richmond, VA 23227
https://maps.google.com/?q=401+Azalea+Avenue+Richmond,+VA+23227+(804&entry=gmail&source=g
(804) 371-3093 <(804)%20371-3093>
becky.keller at dbvi.virginia.gov
Facebook: VDBVI https://www.facebook.com/VDBVI
Worldwide Web: Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision
Impaired http://www.vrcbvi.org/
YouTube: VRCBVI
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwsqnBw28gUNgMMSkH_eYci37g9XY6Qzd
"Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important
than the outcome."
*-Arthur Ashe*
[image: VRCBVI logo (small).jpg]
*VRCBVI is pleased to offer virtual training opportunities through March
and April, 2021!*
*Like our prior trainings, we will be using Zoom as our virtual platform.
If any accommodations are needed, please contact Amy Phelps
(amy.phelps at dbvi.virginia.gov ) no later than
fourteen days in advance of the training. And if you have any questions
about the registration process or virtual training sessions, please contact
Greg Chittum at 804-371-3204 or greg.chittum at dbvi.virginia.gov
. Finally, we offer certificates of
participation to individuals who need to maintain professional
certification. If you would like a certificate for a training you attend,
please email brooke.rogers at dbvi.virginia.gov
with the title of the presentation, the
beginning and ending codes, and the certification you are maintaining. *
*Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision ImpairedVirtual
Trainings - March / April, 2021 Mondays and Wednesdays *
*March 1 to April 28*
*Please note that no trainings are scheduled for March 29 and 31*
*Monday, March 1* - 1:00 to 3:00 (2 hours)
*The 2 Steps to Living a Healthy Life*
A new year means new beginnings. Make 2021 the year you begin living your
best life by living a healthy life. Learn how to prevent and treat chronic
diseases like heart disease and diabetes with a healthy lifestyle,
including accessible resources that can help you on your journey.
*Presenter *? Kim Ladd, Diabetes and Health Educator
*Wednesday, March 3* - 1:00 to 3:00 (2 hours)
*Planning to Be Your Own Boss: What to Think About When You?re Thinking
About Starting a Business*
Lots of folks dream of creating a business, but many aren?t sure how to do
it. We?ll explore the basics about how to get started?including how to
decide what business you want to go into, how to get practical advice, and
how to develop a business plan.
*Presenters*? Joanne Wiggins, Adult Basic Education Instructor, and Kris
Foley, VRCBVI Case Manager
*Monday, March 8 *? 1:00 to 2:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
*GPS Apps: The Icing on the Traveler?s Cake*
Learn about and explore three fully accessible GPS applications: Microsoft
SoundScape, Good Maps Explorer and Lazarillo. Will also discuss the pros
and cons of each app and determine when GPS applications would best be used
in the travel process.
*Presenters *? Mike Fish, Lead Technology Instructor, and Jimmy Morris,
Orientation and Mobility Instructor
*Wednesday, March 10* ? 1:00 to 2:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
*Proper Positioning for Powerful Promotion Potential*
In this session, we?ll discuss practical strategies to succeed, and even
set yourself up for promotion, in a new job. Believe it or not, the process
begins before you get the job and extends beyond a successful interview!
*Presenter *? Greg Chittum, Coordinator for Community Engagement
*Monday, March 15* ? 1:00 to 2:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
*Getting Started In The Kitchen/ Basic, Non-visual Techniques for Preparing
Foods*
What are some of the fundamental techniques that blind people use every day
in their kitchens? In this session, we will demonstrate from our VRCBVI
Training Kitchen some of the basic, non-visual techniques that many blind
people utilize on a daily basis to safely and effectively prepare meals.
How do you measure ingredients non-visually? Or pour liquids? Or use a
knife? Join us, as we demonstrate and discuss some of these essential
Independent Living Skills. Let's get started!
*Presenter*: Dave Fuller, Personal and Home Management Instructor
*Wednesday, March 17* ? 1:00 to 3:00 (2 hours)
*Conversations About Blindness - The Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the
Blind and Vision Impaired: Who We Are, What We Do, and What Does That
Information Mean to You?*
In this session, you will hear an overview of the programs available at the
Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired. Staff
will describe the classes they teach, and former students will share their
stories of how participating in a residential skills of blindness training
program transformed their lives and gave them the confidence to pursue
their personal and career goals. Spoiler alert: The transformations did
not happen as the result of passive osmosis but through hard work,
realistic self-assessment, and active participation. Find out if VRCBVI is
the right fit for you or your loved one.
*Facilitator*: Melody Roane, VRCBVI Director
*Monday, March 22* - 1:00 to 2:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
*The Power of Self-belief, Determination, and Taking Ownership*
This discussion will delve into the importance behind these key factors for
successful adjustment to blindness training. Whether you are learning at a
Center-based facility, or in your local or home environment, we will define
each area and share insights that will help one work past challenges, and
towards personal independence.
*Presenter *- Jimmy Morris, Orientation and Mobility Instructor
*Wednesday, March 24* ? 1:00 to 2:00 (1 hour)
*Braille for Beginners 1 *
Have you ever wanted to learn Braille but weren?t quite sure where to
start? Do those little dots on a page seem incomprehensible? VRCBVI?s
Braille Instructor, Domonique Lawless will introduce you to the letters of
the Braille alphabet and teach you your first Braille contractions. What if
you don?t have any Braille at your house? No problem! Grab a muffin tin or
an egg carton cut in half. Use tennis balls, ping pong balls, or crumpled
up paper to make Braille dots. This is a great hands on way to begin
learning Braille.
*Presenter *? Domonique Lawless, Braille Instructor
*Monday, April 5* - 1:00 to 3:00 (2 hours)
*Medical Care When You Have Low/No Vision*
Do you feel that you are treated differently than a sighted person when
receiving medical care? Are you given non-accessible education materials
from doctors and hospitals? Are you defined as a "fall-risk" just because
you are blind? Join this discussion to share stories and develop strategies
to advocate for yourself to receive the medical care that you deserve.
*Presenter *? Kim Ladd, Diabetes and Health Educator
*Wednesday, April 7* - 1:00 to 2:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
*No Fear Job Descriptions: Make Them Work for You*
Job descriptions can be daunting, especially for those of us who can?t walk
on water or juggle flaming swords. But they are also treasure troves of
information. We?ll explore how to approach them, how to figure them out,
and how to use them to help you move forward in your job hunt and career.
*Presenter *? Joanne Wiggins, Adult Basic Education Instructor
*Monday, April 12* ? 1:00 to 3:00 (2 hours)
*JAWS Basics Workshop*
Back by popular demand, with a twist! If you are looking for an interactive
JAWS training, then this workshop is for you! Prior to the session, on
Friday, April 9, a resource containing JAWS commands and a practice
activity will be sent to all registered participants. This way,
participants will be able to try the practice activity ahead of time and
bring their questions, problems and successes to the workshop for Mike to
address. Don?t miss this opportunity to improve your JAWS skills!
*Presenter *? Mike Villafane, Technology Instructor
*Wednesday, April 14 *? 1:00 to 2:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
*Using Job Descriptions to Prepare for Interview Questions*
As indicated in Joanne Wiggins? description for her presentation April 7,
No Fear Job Descriptions: Make Them Work for You, job descriptions are
indeed ?treasure troves of information.? In this session, we will pick up
where Joanne left off, discussing why and how job descriptions can, and
should, be used to prepare for the questions you will likely encounter in
interviews.
*Presenter *? Greg Chittum, Coordinator for Community Engagement
*Monday, April 19* ? 1:00 to 2:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
*The Basics of Oven Safety for the Blind and Vision Impaired*
In this session, we will be demonstrating and discussing the basic
fundamentals of safely operating an oven. Topics will include how to
properly set temperatures, how to safely place foods into and take out of a
hot oven, how to center dishes onto the oven racks, types of oven gloves,
and non-visual techniques for determining when oven foods are properly
cooked.
*Presenter *- Michael Triplett, Personal and Home Management Instructor
*Wednesday, April 21* ? 1:00 to 3:00 (2 hours)
*Conversations About Blindness - Do These Pants Make Me Look Fat, What
Color Should I Paint the Walls In the Guest Room, and Other Questions
Requiring Visual Feedback *
Have you ever wondered if someone would tell you whether an outfit looks
better on you or on the hanger or if you are getting good, tasteful advice
on home decorating ideas? Tune into this session for practical strategies
to help you get the visual information you need to present yourself and
your home in a positive, attractive light.
*Facilitator *? Melody Roane, VRCBVI Director
*Monday, April 26 *? 1:00 to 2:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
*Inside the Head and Heart of a Travel Instructor*
This will be a spirited panel discussion which will include a small group
of seasoned veterans from the orientation and mobility field. While
hearing about triumphant experiences, rocky challenges, and tough learning
opportunities, we hope to discover from our panel what it takes to become a
competent, confident, and successful blind or vision impaired traveler.
*Presenter *- Becky Keller, Lead Orientation and Mobility Instructor
*Wednesday, April 28* ? 1:00 to 2:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
*Braille for Beginners 2 *
Grab your muffin tins or egg cartons and log on for part two of Braille for
Beginners, an interactive intro to the Braille code. We will continue
learning the letters of the Braille alphabet and introduce some more
contractions. Let?s see if you can make your first sentence in Braille!
*Presenter *? Domonique Lawless, Braille Instructor
*Use this link to register!
<https://www.formrouter.net/forms at VRCB/VirtualTrainingsMarApr2021.html>*
--
Greg Chittum
Coordinator for Community Engagement
Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired
401 Azalea Ave.
Richmond, VA 23227
804-371-3204
vrcbvi.org
