Category: Advocacy Resources

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Advocacy Resources Bridges Blog Information Resources Series: Jumping Into January 2023

Jumping Into January

The Bridges Helpdesk Returns and is Growing!

2022 is over, and it’s time to jump into 2023! Join us as we explore revamped and new resources to help you on your Transition journey – through school and beyond!

  • January 3: The Bridges Helpdesk Returns and is Growing!
  • January 10: JAWS Screen Reading Software Offers Even More in 2023!
  • January 17: Resources from the Maryland Library for the Blind!
  • January 24: Technology and Tools Available for Free at APH!
  • January 31: Changes to AIRA’s On-Demand Visual Interpretation Services

In this first installment of our “Jumping Into January” series, we share updates about us, the Free Bridges Helpdesk.

Where Have We Been?

In August 2022, our grant funding was put on hold. As a result, we were forced to temporarily suspend our operations.

Now, we are back and so eager to work with you! Please reach out to us anytime!

What is Staying the Same?

The Bridges Helpdesk provides ready access to accurate and up-to-date information tailored to the needs of Maryland blind/low vision transition-age youth, their families, their educators and service providers, and their community allies. We still provide individual support as well as relevant resources and guidance to help you decide which bridges you need and how you want to build them.

We also still offer dedicated blind adults and blindness education experts who are at your service. We remain prepared to answer a wide variety of questions and are eager to invest the time to ensure that you get thorough and helpful answers.

And, as evidenced by this post, Transition Tip Tuesdays are back!

What is Different?

We are growing and transforming into a “technical assistance center.” Technical Assistance Centers provide high-quality and directed information and support to help stakeholders solve problems and grow in understanding and their abilities to address future obstacles. In addition to the Bridges Helpdesk and Transition Tip Tuesdays, we are developing a searchable and accessible Maryland Bridges Technical Assistance Center Resource Library. We will also be providing administrative support to the Maryland Blind/Low Vision Steering Committee, a group comprising national advisors, state and local stakeholders and service providers (representation from each LEA/PA) in the field of blind/low vision education.

Our Bridges Helpdesk represents an important area of technical assistance: intensive, sustained TA support. Transition Tip Tuesdays. Our upcoming searchable and accessible Bridges Resource Library provide universal, general TA support for blind/low vision transition-age youth and their support systems. Our provision of administrative support to the Maryland Blind/Low Vision Steering Committee represents targeted and specialized TA support to this group of educators and service providers of Maryland’s blind/low vision transition-age youth.

What Does This Mean?

Our growth from a Helpdesk to a Technical Assistance Center means we can serve our existing stakeholders (Maryland’s blind/low vision transition-age youth, their families, their educators and service providers, and their community allies) better and that we can reach out to even more stakeholders.

In other words, you can still rely on the Helpdesk’s prompt and thorough responses to inquiries and, once the Resource Library goes live, all stakeholders will have a one-stop-shop for resources, information, and support.

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

Voice mail: Call (443) 320-4003, leave a voice mail message, and we will return your call

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

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Advocacy Resources Bridges Blog Employment Resources Independent Living Resources Information Resources Recreation Resources Series: Blind/Low Vision Consumer Groups, May 2022

Blind/Low Vision Consumer Groups — Students in the NFB and the ACB

With summer nearly upon us, we invite you to join us as we explore the two largest blindness/low vision groups in the United States throughout the month of May. Regardless of whether you plan to participate in a convention this summer, we will cover the ins and outs of these organizations and how they can provide support to transition-age students.

In this fourth installment of our organization exploration, we hear from student leaders in each consumer group.

Maryland Association of Blind Students

Qualik Ford serves as president of the Maryland Association of Blind Students. In this interview, he shares information about what the Maryland Association of Blind Students does and how to contact them.

American Council of Blind Students

Aaron Espinoza serves as president of the American Council of Blind Students. In this interview, he shares information about what the American Council of Blind Students does and how to contact them.

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

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Advocacy Resources Bridges Blog Employment Resources Independent Living Resources Information Resources Recreation Resources Series: Blind/Low Vision Consumer Groups, May 2022

Blind/Low Vision Consumer Groups— ACB and NFB 2022 National Conventions

With summer nearly upon us, we invite you to join us as we explore the two largest blindness/low vision groups in the United States throughout the month of May. Regardless of whether you plan to participate in a convention this summer, we will cover the ins and outs of these organizations and how they can provide support to transition-age students.

  • May 3: Overview of ACB and NFB
  • May 10: ACB and NFB 2022 National Conventions
  • May 17: ACB and NFB Statewide
  • May 24: Students in the ACB and the NFB
  • May 31: Parents and Families in the ACB and the NFB

In this second installment of our organization exploration, we share information about in-person and virtual options for the ACB and NFB conventions taking place this summer.

Why It Matters

National conventions are a great time for blind/low vision individuals to connect and learn from one another. Through various sessions, exhibits, and activities, the blind and low vision community shares resources, discusses best practices, and provides a massive support network that spans nationwide. There are also many opportunities for educators, rehabilitation professionals, friends, and family members of blind/low vision people to participate in and benefit from national convention. Bridges Helpdesk staff have attended and benefited from national conventions, and we welcome your questions about these exciting and transformative experiences.

ACB Convention

The 61st annual national convention of the American Council of the Blind will feature virtual-only sessions, in-person sessions, and combined virtual and in-person sessions. ACB is using this conference format for the first time at the 2022 convention.

NFB Convention

The 82nd annual national convention of the National Federation of the Blind will take place in person and also offers an online registration component for those who are unable to make it in person.

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

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Advocacy Resources Bridges Blog Educational Resources Employment Resources Independent Living Resources Information Resources Series: Blind/Low Vision Consumer Groups, May 2022

Blind/Low Vision Consumer Groups—About the ACB and NFB

With summer nearly upon us, we invite you to join us as we explore the two largest blindness/low vision groups in the United States throughout the month of May. Regardless of whether you plan to participate in a convention this summer, we will cover the ins and outs of these organizations and how they can provide support to transition-age students.

  • May 3: Overview of ACB and NFB
  • May 10: ACB and NFB 2022 National Conventions
  • May 17: ACB and NFB Statewide
  • May 24: Students in the ACB and the NFB
  • May 31: Parents and Families in the ACB and the NFB

In this first installment of our organization exploration, we will provide an overview of these two consumer groups and share how they can enrich the lives of those who are blind/have low vision.

Introduction

The two largest and most active blindness/low vision consumer-driven groups in America are the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Both of these organizations feature national conventions every summer, regularly advocate on Capitol Hill for accessibility and rights for the blind, and foster opportunities for mentorship for blind people across the United States. Many blind Americans choose to participate in these organizations in some capacity, whether they want to volunteer, need assistance or mentoring, are seeking community, or most often some combination of the three.

The Importance of Mentorship

Finding a community within the membership is part of what makes these groups so successful and effective. Maybe you are the only student at your school with blindness/low vision, or the only person in your family.

Many members of both of these organizations did not know any other blind people before joining. These organizations are an opportunity to connect with individuals who share similar life experiences, and with that comes a perfect place to learn from one another.

Members can have conversations about how they accomplish a task and trade ideas about how to navigate particularly visual situations. In this way, all members share information with one another, and everyone benefits as they add more tools to the toolbox. Mentorship, both formal and informal, is a cornerstone of both of these organizations in terms of practical and emotional support.

Special Interest Groups

Both ACB and NFB have special interest groups within their organizations. These groups are focused on a hobby, profession, or topic and allow all participants to learn and share about that particular subject. For example, both organizations have a Lawyers’ group where blind lawyers and prospective law students can network and learn from those in the profession. Both organizations also feature an art or crafting group where one can learn all about all this nonvisual creativity.

Usually, these special interest groups will have a meeting at the national convention. Even if you are not going to either convention, many of these groups meet virtually throughout the year, and you can feel free to reach out to the contact person listed on the website to learn how you can start attending meetings.

Explore the lists (ACB Special Interest Affiliates List and NFB Divisions, Committees, and Groups List) and see what matches your interests. You never know – someone out there may just have the nonvisual tip that you have been looking for or are ready to welcome you with open arms into their community!

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

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Advocacy Resources Bridges Blog Educational Resources Series: Assessment Accommodations, April 2022

Assessment Accommodations April: Guides to Testing Accommodations for Blind/Low Vision Students in Maryland

For individuals with disabilities, accommodations make the difference between access to opportunities and being shut out of those opportunities. Accommodations, while vital, vary from individual to individual and depend on many different factors. Join the Bridges Helpdesk as we explore understanding, identifying, and advocating for accommodations in the area of assessments, including quizzes and tests, state-required tests, and tests required for college admission and for earning college credit.

Join us as we explore blind/low vision-related accommodations, from definition through application on high-stakes tests.

  • April 5: Accommodations versus Modifications
  • April 12: Categories of Assessment Accommodations
  • April 19: Importance of Using Assessment Accommodations Consistently
  • April 26: Guides to Testing Accommodations for Blind/Low Vision Students in Maryland

In this fourth installment of our “Assessment Accommodations April” series, we share “Guides” to testing accommodations for tests required by the State of Maryland and “Guides” to tests required for college entrance and for college credit. These guides can help students, families, and educators understand which accommodations are available on any given test. This understanding will help all members of the IEP team identify and consistently provide needed accommodations to adequately prepare students for high-stakes testing and post-secondary education and employment.

Guides to Testing Accommodations for Blind/Low Vision Students in Maryland

College-related Exam Guides

College Entrance Exams (PSAT®, SAT®, and ACT®) for Blind/Low Vision Students Guide

College Board Credit-Earning Exam Accommodations for Blind/Low Vision Students Guide

International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge Assessments Credit-Earning Exam Accommodations for Blind/Low Vision Students Guide

Maryland Assessments Guides

For Kindergarten Students

Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) for Blind/Low Vision Students Guide

For Students Grades 3-8 and High School

MCAP for English and Math for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Students Guide

MCAP for Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Social Studies, and Government for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Students Guide

MISA (Science) for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Students Guide

Alternate MCAP and MISA for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Students Guide

For English Language Learners

WIDA Screener for Kindergarten for Maryland Blind/Low Vision for Students Guide

WIDA Screener for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Students Guide—Paper Tests

WIDA Screener for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Students Guide—Online Tests

WIDA Kindergarten ACCESS for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Students Guide

WIDA ACCESS for ELLs for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Students Guide—Paper Tests

WIDA ACCESS for ELLS for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Students Guide—Online Tests

WIDA Alternate ACCESS for Blind/Low Vision for Students in Maryland Guide

For Students with “Significant Cognitive Disabilities”

Alternate MCAP and MISA for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Guide

WIDA Alternate ACCESS for Blind/Low Vision for Students in Maryland Guide

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.