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VE-VHT-07: STEMfinite Possibilities

Overview

Experience hands-on adapted STEM activities for students who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Learn from practiced educators and AT Specialists about how they have adapted some of the most compelling exercises in STEM such as steganography, cryptography, coding, and engineering. Engage using simulations that impart a sense of what a student experiences when working through STEM projects with and without adapted technology.

Content Disclosure: This session is focused on case studies showcasing adapted STEM activities for students who are Blind or Visually Impaired such as steganography, cryptography, coding, and engineering. There will be limited or no information provided about similar case studies or products.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify one or more ways that STEM careers are viable possibilities for students with disabilities.
  2. Describe one or more experiential STEM activities using simulated conditions, tools and adaptations as discussed.
  3. Describe one or more analysis of functional limitations for sensory and physical disabilities, adaptations, tools, and resources in regards to STEM activities and strategies to overcome these limitations.

Primary & Secondary Strand

Vision & Hearing Technologies

Target Audience

  • Accessibility Professional
  • ADA Coordinator
  • AT Specialists
  • Alternative Media Specialist
  • Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities
  • Curriculum and Instruction
  • Disability Services
  • Educators
  • Faculty/Instructors - Higher Education
  • Instructional Technologist
  • Media Specialist
  • Teachers of the Visually Impaired
  • Visual Impairment Specialists
  • Vocational Rehabilitation

Experience Level

Introductory

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

Elementary - Secondary (K-12); Higher Education

Session Delivery Format

In-person presentation with recording

Course Schedule

This course was given at the ATIA 2022 Conference on Friday, Jan 28: 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM (EST)

Continuing Education Credits

For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Learning Center CEUs

This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours.

As this course was included in the ATIA 2022 Virtual Event series, please refer to the ATIA Learning Center CEUs page for further information on how to submit your CRC CEUs for this course to CRCC.

Speaker/s:

Jason Martin, M.A.Ed. V.I. CATIS

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Assistive Technology Specialist for the Blind

Biography

Jason Martin is the Assistive Technology Specialist for the Blind, he has a Bachelor’s degree in Radio, Television, and Film from Auburn University and a Master’s degree in Special Education and Visual Impairments from the University of Alabama Birmingham. He is also the first and only individual with the ACVREP CATIS certification in Alabama. He is a native of Talladega Alabama and attended the Alabama School for the Blind and years later returned to teach Assistive Technology to low vision, Blind, and Deaf-Blind students at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. Jason has been with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services for four years in his current position and in 2017 he was awarded Advocate of the Year by the Montgomery Area Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities. Recently, Jason spoke at Princeton University on the topic of STEM education and Blind students and has published his research in the Journal of Science Education and Students with Disabilities.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Jason receives compensation for his role with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No

Isaac Beavers, M.Ed. CRC

AIDB, Regional Director, Huntsville Regional Center

Biography

Isaac Beavers is a graduate of Alabama School for the Blind. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Alabama, a Master of Education in Rehabilitation Counseling from Auburn University, and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Isaac has worked for the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) for over 23 years. He provided direct services to consumers for 17 years as the Case Manager for the Blind at the Huntsville Regional Center, until he was promoted to Regional Director in 2014. Isaac has served on many boards and committees including: Alabama State Rehabilitation Council (2 appointments), President of the Alabama Chapter of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) l, President of the Alumni and Workers Association of the Alabama School for the Blind (ASB Alumni) (3 Terms), Co-Chairman of the Huntsville Council on Accessibility (elected 2 times), and Co-Director of College Quest (College Preparatory Program for students who are Blind or Visually Impaired). Isaac serves as an Advisory Board Member for two Rehabilitation Counseling Programs: Auburn University and Alabama A&M University. He is the creator and coordinator of 8 Transition Curricula for students who are Blind, Visually Impaired, Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Isaac has spoken at local, state, national, and international conferences. In 2015 ASB Alumni awarded him the organizations highest honor, the Lillian Ricks Award. In 2016 Isaac was recognized by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) Department of Blind Services for years of dedicated collaboration with the “Joined at the Hip” award. Isaac completed Leadership Huntsville Madison County in 2016, where his small group started the now annual Ability Career Fair for people with disabilities.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Isaac Beavers receives a salary from the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB), where he is the Regional Director at the AIDB Huntsville Regional Center.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Isaac serves as an Advisory Board Member for two Rehabilitation Counseling Programs: Auburn University and Alabama A&M University. He is the creator and coordinator of 8 Transition Curricula for students who are Blind, Visually Impaired, Deaf and Hard of Hearing - a free resource.

Marie McCumber, B.S. Ed. TVI

Ohio State School for the Blind, Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Biography

Marie McCumber is an elementary teacher at the Ohio State School for the Blind, currently teaching the 5th grade. She graduated from Ashland University in 2006 with her Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Intervention. In 2018, she completed the licensure program at The Ohio State University for Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments. She is currently attending Baldwin Wallace University to obtain a Master of Arts degree in Leadership in Technology. Previously she worked as a multiple disabilities and low-incidence teacher, serving students from preschool through the 7th grade. She is the 2012 recipient of the State Support Team Region 7 Outstanding Educator Award and a 2022 nominee for Ohio Teacher of the Year.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Marie McCumber receives a salary from the Ohio State School for the Blind as an elementary teacher and is pays hourly as a tutor for Learning Aid Ohio. She is also a published author through EduMatch publishing where she receives royalty payments.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Marie is a guest blogger through the Teach Better Team website as well as being a Teach Better Ambassador.