Vision Midwest Conference – New Madison Blind and Low Vision Conference Gets Rave Reviews From Attendees

Successful Weekend Conference of Educational, Sports and Leisure Presentations/Activities

Madison, October 25, 2010 – The Vision Midwest Conference, a new blind and low vision conference at the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison October 22-24, finished its over 120 presentations to rave reviews from consumer and professional attendees calling it “the best conference we’ve ever attended” and a “unique” conference that’s a “breath of fresh air.” The conference featured almost 100 presenters in educational sessions from adaptive cell phones and sensory gardening to stem cell research and dog guide etiquette in the workplace; sports from blind bowling to yoga with the Visually Impaired Yoga Mat; and leisure presentations including tactile tours at the Chazen Art Museum and a presentation on home brewing techniques for the visually impaired. Presenters came from throughout the U.S. (representing 16 states and Washington, D.C.), from Canada and from New Zealand.

The conference Exhibitor Hall featured 32 booths with vendors for adaptive sports and sports equipment, assistive technology, braille printing/publishing, diabetes care, dog guides, electronic reading devices, low vision devices, medical eye care and research, professional associations and more.

About 12 State Inc.

12 State Inc. is a Madison, WI-based nonprofit organization holding an annual blind and low vision conference, the Vision Midwest Conference. 12 State seeks to advance educational opportunities and accessibility in all phases of life for blind and low vision individuals, and provide for greater public awareness of blind and low vision issues.

12 State Inc.
5818 Driftwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53705
Email: VisionMidwest@gmail.com
Web: www.VisionMidwest.org

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Power Showdown, Worldwide Sport Created for Blind, At Vision Midwest Conference

Dr. James Mastro, former Paralympian and Olympic wrestling alternate, to give demonstrations

Madison, WI – The Vision Midwest Conference, a new blind and low vision conference at the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison October 22-24, 2010, announced today that Dr. James Mastro, Professor of Professional Education and Physical Education at Bemidji State University in Minnesota, will give demonstration at the conference of Power Showdown, a game originally designed for the blind that combines elements of air hockey and ping pong.

Power Showdown, better known in other parts of world where it is called “Showdown” and played competitively, has gotten more exposure in the United States recently due to Dr. James Mastro’s efforts at blind athletic camps. Played on a specially designed 12’ x 4’ table with a 6” wall around it by blindfolded players, the game uses an audible beeball hit with bats under a centerboard screen with goals at either end and depends on hearing and hand coordination. One of the strengths of the game is its diverse age appeal from children through seniors. More information on the sport is available at the official Swedish website for the sport.

The first annual Vision Midwest Conference by the nonprofit 12 State Inc. features over 120 sessions presented by experts from the United States, Canada and New Zealand covering numerous topics including assistive technology, careers and employment, education, leisure, medical treatments, public policy, sports and more. Power Showdown joins the sports of running, tandem bicycling, GPS hunts, bowling, self-defense and yoga in the programming.

About 12 State Inc.

12 State Inc. is a Madison, WI-based nonprofit organization holding an annual blind and low vision conference, the Vision Midwest Conference. 12 State seeks to advance educational opportunities and accessibility in all phases of life for blind and low vision individuals, and provide for greater public awareness of blind and low vision issues.

12 State Inc.

5818 Driftwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53705
Email: VisionMidwest@gmail.com
Web: www.VisionMidwest.org

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October 7, 2010

Braille Symposium Featured at Vision Midwest Blind and Low Vision Conference

Two-Day Braille Symposium Offers Presentations by Wisconsin and National Professionals

Madison, WI – The Vision Midwest Conference is coming to the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison October 22-24, 2010 that features a two-day Braille Symposium for consumers and professionals Friday and Saturday, covering sessions from making a braille child shape book to learning math/science braille code (Nemeth Code).

The first annual Vision Midwest Conference by the nonprofit 12 State Inc. features over 120 sessions presented by experts from the United States, Canada and New Zealand covering numerous topics including assistive technology, careers and employment, education, leisure, medical treatments, public policy, sports and more. The Braille Symposium is one of three symposia in the programming.

The Braille Symposium reflects the continuing importance of a written code for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Braille Symposium Presenters (alphabetically):

Mark Carson, Midwest Sales Director for HumanWare, Chicago, IL

Jeremy Curry, Director of Training at GW Micro, Fort Wayne, IN

Mary Ann Damm, Treasurer Wisconsin Braille Inc., NLS Certified Transcriber and National Braille Association (NBA) Certified Textbook Transcriber and co-author of NBA Braille Formats Course

Dr. Gaylen Kapperman, Professor and Coordinator of Visual Disabilities Program at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL

Dr. Arthur Karshmer, Professor and Chair, Department of Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Director of The Universal Math Lab, University of San Francisco

William Powell, Assistive Technology Manager at BOSMA Rehabilitation Center and Lecturer III at Indiana State University; Literary Braille Transcriber NLS; Lifetime Member, National Braille Association, 26 Years as a teacher for K-12 students, 15 Years as a college level Instructor, Indianapolis, IN

Geri Taeckens, Commissioner Michigan Commission for the Blind

Wisconsin Braille Inc. Members

Colleen Wunderlich, North Central Regional Sales Manager at Freedom Scientific, Chicago, IL

Presentations:

Friday, 10/22

8:30 AM: “Overview of Braille – Infancy to Adulthood” William Powell
10 AM: “Notetakers for Blind Consumers – Classroom, Wayfinding and Personal Benefits” Jeremy Curry
1 PM: “JAWS and Focus Braille Display” Colleen Wunderlich
2:30 PM: “Nemeth Code” Dr. Gaylen Kapperman

Saturday, 10/23

8:00 AM: “It Takes a Whole Village” Geri Taeckens
10 AM: “Make-a-Shape Book” Wisconsin Braille Inc. Members
1 PM: “Braille Notetakers” Mark Carson
2:30 PM: “Problems with Translating Print into Braille” Mary Ann Damm
4 PM: “AutOMathic Block System for BVI Independent Math Learning” Dr. Arthur Karshmer

About 12 State Inc.

12 State Inc. is a Madison, WI-based nonprofit organization holding an annual blind and low vision conference, the Vision Midwest Conference. 12 State seeks to advance educational opportunities and accessibility in all phases of life for blind and low vision individuals, and provide for greater public awareness of blind and low vision issues.

12 State Inc.
5818 Driftwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53705
Email: VisionMidwest@gmail.com
Web: www.VisionMidwest.org

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For more information contact Samantha Ninnemann by email at Samantha.Ninnemann[at]wisconsin.gov or by phone at 608-266-5209

Diabetes Symposium Featured in New Blind and Low Vision Conference – Vision Midwest Conference

Diabetes Symposium Offers 14 One-Hour Presentations by Professionals

Madison, September 28 – A new blind and low vision conference is coming to the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison October 22-24, 2010 that features a three-day Diabetes Symposium for blind and visually impaired consumers and professionals, Friday and Saturday, and diabetes programming for a general audience (with and without visual impairment) on Sunday.

The first annual Vision Midwest Conference by the nonprofit 12 State Inc. features over 120 sessions presented by experts from the United States, Canada and New Zealand covering numerous topics including assistive technology, careers and employment, education, leisure, medical treatments, public policy, sports and more.  The Diabetes Symposium is one of three symposia in the programming.

From “Grocery Store Survival – Strategies and Tips on the Label and Beyond” to “Diabetic Retinopathy” to “Exercise for Those Who Hate to Exercise” the Diabetes Symposium presentations cover numerous aspects of diabetes (presenters and presentations listed below).

The Diabetes Symposium reflects the importance of proper health care and management of diabetes to prevent vision loss.  Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness and visual impairment in the U.S. and the National Institute of Health estimates 40-45% of Americans with diabetes also have diabetic retinopathy in some stage.  While diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss and blindness, proper treatment can prevent vision loss.

Diabetes Symposium Presenters (alphabetically):

Stacey Anderson (Madison, WI) RN, CDE, Diabetes Nurse Educator/Chronic Care Specialist, Dean Health Systems

Dr. Jennifer Eddy (Eau Claire, WI), MD, University of Wisconsin Associate Professor of Family Medicine

Dr. Justin Gottlieb, MD, University of Wisconsin-Madison Assistant Professor & Director, Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Diane Kernan-Schroeder (Hines, IL), RN, MSN, BC-ADM, CDE, Diabetes Clinical Nurse Specialist at Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital

Jerry Munden (Charlotte, NC), VP Business Development at Prodigy Diabetes Care

Dr. Emily Parker (Baraboo, WI), OD, Davis Duehr Dean Low Vision Optometrist

Naomi Wedel (Madison, WI), MS, RD, CD, CDE, BC-ADM, Clinical Specialist for Insulin Delivery Systems, Roche Diagnostics Corporation

Presentations

Friday, 10/22:

8:30 AM: “Grocery Store Survival – Strategies and Tips on the Label and Beyond” Noami Wedel
10 AM: “VIP Accessible Diabetes and Medical Equipment” Jerry Munden
1 PM: “I Have Diabetes – What is it I Have?” Noami Wedel
2:30 PM: “It’s Harder for Diabetes to Find You When You’re Moving” Diane Kernan-Schroeder
4 PM: “Getting a Leg Up on Diabetes Means Not Losing Your Feet!” Diane Kernan-Schroeder

Saturday, 10/23:

8:30 AM: “What Your Adaptive Diabetes Equipment Can Tell You” Diane Kernan-Schroeder
10 AM: Professionals Discussing Diabetes and Visual Impairment Diane Kernan-Schroeder
1 PM: “Diabetic Retinopathy” Dr. Justin Gottlieb
2:30 PM: “How to Get the Most Out of Your Health Care Team” Noami Wedel
4 PM: “Alternative Medicine – Complimentary and Hoaxes and Frauds” Noami Wedel

Sunday, 10/24

8:30 AM: “Diabetic Retinopathy” Dr. Emily Parker
10 AM: “Healthy Eating on a Budget – Can it be Done?” Stacey Anderson
1 PM: “Diabetic Foot Ulcers” Dr. Jennifer Eddy
2:30 PM: “Exercise for Those Who Hate to Exercise” Stacey Anderson

About 12 State Inc.

12 State Inc. is a Madison, WI-based nonprofit organization holding an annual blind and low vision conference, the Vision Midwest Conference.  12 State seeks to advance educational opportunities and accessibility in all phases of life for blind and low vision individuals, and provide for greater public awareness of blind and low vision issues.

12 State Inc.
5818 Driftwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53705
Email:  VisionMidwest@gmail.com
Web: www.VisionMidwest.org

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“WOW! This is very exciting!”

“The Math & Science Lab alone sounds great to me.”

“This looks amazing!”

“I love all the sports involvement.”

“Wow.”

We get a lot of Wow’s – and we’re really excited about it too – here are some highlights:

- Strong programming from Pre-K to College dealing with topics like adaptive technology, braille, education, parent-child relationships, physical education/sports, social skills, transition and more.

- Free access to programming at an ILAB Conference held the same weekend (Friday and Saturday) in Madison.  ILAB is a VIP math and science education accessibility promoting organization.

- An APH National Instructional Partnership with Dr. Lauren Lieberman on adaptive physical education for visually impaired children held on Sunday.

Wow!

Beth has just written a wonderful post in her blog that capture the spirit of the Vision Midwest Conference.  It really is more about what people who are blind or visually impaired are doing – and they’re doing a lot! – than what they “can” do.

You can catch Beth at the Vision Midwest Conference in October where she will be on two different panels (one on blogging and one on writing).  Beyond blogging and writing there is another reason to see Beth at the conference – she’s really a great speaker too!

1. Gloved tactile/touch tours of nine artworks (ranging from the 1st Century AD to modern times);
2. Sculptural touch kit tours (contemporary and traditional examples of materials); and
3. Descriptive tours that will also permit people who have low vision to get a close look at art work.

This is a great opportunity to experience and learn about a wide range of artwork in a variety of ways – and we thank the Chazen Museum of Art for making it happen!

Group sizes will be limited – so we will require advanced sign-up.  We will provide more information as we get closer to the Vision Midwest Conference.