Braille and Nonvisual Access Technology Workshops

Professional Development Opportunities in Braille and the 2002-2003 Schedule for Braille and Nonvisual Access Technology Workshops from the National Federation of the Blind
 
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is offering to rehabilitation and special education staff members a self-study program leading to successful completion of the National Literary Braille Competency Test administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
 
Also available are companion workshops in Braille and nonvisual information access technology at the world-renowned International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind (IBTC) in Baltimore, Maryland.  Those satisfactorily completing a workshop receive a certificate of completion.  There are three workshops scheduled as follows: November 7-9, 2002; February 6-8, 2003; and April 17-19, 2003.  Students are encouraged to arrive Wednesday evening preceding classes and are free to stay over at the Center on Saturday evening in order to accommodate return schedules on Sunday.  The instruction, housing (in bedrooms at the Center), daily breakfast, and two coffee breaks per day are free of charge to all eligible staff of schools and agencies, underwritten by a grant from the U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration.  Other meals and incidentals are the responsibility of the participant.
 
Employers are requested to make time available for the training as professional development and encouraged, if possible, to cover from in-service training funds the cost of travel to and from Baltimore and reimbursement to participants for other meals and incidental expenses.  Some of the project's resources, however, are now available to assist with air and ground transportation so that entities without sufficient funds may also send eligible participants.  Participants are encouraged to request such assistance if needed.  
 

The activities of the project are designed to improve the Braille and nonvisual access technology skills of personnel responsible for stimulating Braille literacy among clients in rehabilitation agencies for the blind and among blind students.  As a result of the training, professionals will increase their knowledge base and competence in Braille and, consequently, will be able to set more constructive goals for their clients and students. At the same time they are provided the opportunity to learn state-of-the-art Braille and nonvisual access technology through exposure to three days of intensive work at the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind at the National Center for the Blind in Baltimore. 
 
Utilizing an excellent self-study manual entitled Braille: A Code for Success, prepared by the National Federation of the Blind and available without charge to those enrolled in the self-study phase of the project, we equip students for the Literary Braille Competency Test administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and recognized as the national standard for general competency in Braille. Trained mentors--all successful blind users of Braille--are available to help with problems and offer advice.  In addition, the project is offering the Braille and Nonvisual Access Technology (BNAT) training workshops to familiarize rehabilitation and education personnel with the latest technological innovations in Braille reading, production, and writing, as well as in other nonvisual media. 
 
Applications for the workshops and for enrollment in the self-study program are currently being accepted, and an enrollment form is attached to this notice.  Please reproduce as many copies of the form as needed.
 
For more information contact: Allison Joyce, BNAT Director
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
(410) 659-9314, Ext. 330
Email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 

 -------------------- Application -----------------------
2002-2003 SCHEDULE
Braille and Nonvisual Access Technology (BNAT) Seminars
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
 
November 7-9, 2002
February 6-8, 2003
April 17-19, 2003
 
Participants may arrive Wednesday afternoon or evening preceding the seminar and leave prior to 11:00 a.m. the Sunday following.
 
With approval from the project director, in most cases air travel and, with receipts, ground transportation up to $50.00 will be provided by the project.  In all cases the instruction, lodging at the National Center for the Blind, daily breakfast, and two coffee breaks per day are provided without charge.  Individuals are responsible for lunches, dinners, and incidentals.
 
To register, fill out both sides and return the following to Allison Joyce at the National Federation of the Blind:
* By fax (recommended): (410) 685-5653;
* By e-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>  (include all information); or
* By Mail: 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230
 
(Please type or print)
 
_____Please register me for the Braille self-instruction program 
 
Choice of Class: ___ Nov. 7-9, 2002  ___ Feb. 6-8, 2003
___ Apr. 17-19, 2003
 
Name _______________________________________________
 
Agency/School ________________________________________
 
Street Address ________________________________________
 
City ____________________ State __________ Zip__________
 
Work Phone _______________ Home Phone ________________
 
E-mail ______________________________________________
 
Position in Rehabilitation or Education ______________________
 
Type of Position:
___Administrative    ___Professional/Counseling 
___Professional/Job Placement ___Instructional/Training
___Technical/Clerical Support  ___Other (Describe)
 
____________________________________________________
 
Please note: Applicants must be employed directly in some aspect of Braille instruction or production in a rehabilitation or educational setting.  Of qualified applicants, spaces will be filled in each workshop on a first-come first-served basis.  Space in each workshop is limited.
 
Relevant Experience: ____ Years ____ Months
 
Level of Relevant Experience (to be used for course preparation):
 ____ Extensive ____ Moderate  ____ Beginner
 
Accessible Media Requested: Print materials in 14-point type will be provided to each trainee. Please specify the need, if any, for training materials in alternate media by checking one of the following additional formats available:
_____Braille _____Computer Disk
 

Please note below any dietary or other special needs you have in attending a three-day workshop:


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