The Special Education Vision Project was started in January, 2006. The project is a collaboration involving the Millet Learning Center, the Special Needs Vision Clinic, and the Institute for Innovative Blind Navigation.
1. To maintain a multi-disciplinary oversight group with membership from at least the following professions: Optometric Low Vision/Pediatric Vision Specialist; Occupational Therapist; Physical Therapist; Pediatric Nurse; School Psychologist; Orientation and Mobility Specialist; Special Education Classroom Teachers; and Consultant for Visually Impaired Children.
2. To provide complete and regular vision examinations for all students in Special Education at the Millet Center, Transitions Center, and for inclusion classrooms throughout Saginaw County (not excluding populations outside Saginaw County that express interest).
3. To compile an information data base about vision and disability types (autism, POHI, CI, etc.) and make it available on line.
4. To design "programs/pilots" that target specific kids: First Pilot
5. To design (as necessary) classroom specific, developmentally appropriate "vision training"
6. To generate grants to support the Vision Project (SISD + Special Needs Clinic + IIBN)
7. To create a "smart classroom" assessment team. A "smart classroom" is where high technology solutions are targeted at specific kinds of disabilities, such as special lighting and reduction of peripheral stimuli.
8. To design research projects in cooperation with the university, medical, and business communities.
9. To develop multi-disciplinary vision assessment approaches, and to coordinate examinations and summary reports.
10. To develop multi-disciplinary inservice training modules to help teachers, support staff, and parents to understand vision, particularly the vision of their students. Put these training modules on line.
11. To eventually link the Special Education Vision Project with the larger development of C.A.T. (Center for Assistive Technology- a Medical Educational/ Optometric/ Governmental coalition)
1. Parent releases are required in all cases.
2. Payment for examinations and glasses are an ongoing issue
3. Design of parent "briefings" should begin soon
4. A plan for teacher inservices by building and unit should begin soon
5. Ask the clinic intern to research the different types of problems identified
6. Consider getting the Bay City optician to help us create adaptations
7. Contact lenses may be an option for these kids
8. We can make these students VI if we want
9. Provide a summary report for the CA60 records after the pilot is complete
10. Contact the Saginaw Community Foundation for support; develop a plan
11. Explore getting the SISD to hire Dolores and Nancy
12. Turn the behavioral planning over to the Millet Behavioral team
13. Contact Roger Kahn, Saginaw State Government, about restoring the clinic grant
Control of the Oculomotor muscle system
Behavioral Plan for children who lose or break glasses
Center for Assistive Technology