2012–2013 Southwest Orientation and Mobility Association (SWOMA) Annual Conference: A SWOMAsbord of O&M Topics
Location: Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Outreach Conference Center; Austin, TX
This conference offers a real smorgasbord of relevant O&M topics for professionals working in school, rehabilitation, and community settings. This conference will also address issues with individuals who are infants through senior citizens.
Schedule: On Thursday we offer a half-day worth of pre-conference activities and sessions for individuals who want to pack as much information into their schedule as possible. These sessions include: Bioptic Driving Strand
Bioptics and Driving from a Clinical Perspective (presented by Dr. Randy Jose) The COMS Role in Pre-Driver Readiness Skill Development (presented by Chuck Huss)
Basic Requirements for Driving from a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist Perspective (presented by Chad Strowmatt)
Self-Directed Achievement, Perceptual Devlopment, and FlashSonar: How Blind People Can Learn to See Without Sight (presented by Daniel Kish)
Ridin’ the Rail: Teaching Light Rail Travel (presented by Jane Lansaw)
Orientation and Mobility for Infants and Toddlers (presented by Marjie Wood)
Additionally, on Thursday afternoon from 5pm–6pm, supervised blindfold practice will be offered. Be sure to bring your own blindfold and cane!
On Friday, our keynote, The Perceptual Imaging System and Mobility session will be presented by Daniel Kish, an expert in human echolocation and President of World Acced for the Blind. Friday afternoon will feature repeats of both the Self-Directed Achievement, Perceptual Devlopment, and FlashSonar session and the Bioptic Driving Strands session. Friday afternoon will also include these additional sessions: O&M Nursing Homes and Other Institutional Settings (presented by Toby Penington)
The New TAPS Curriculum (presented by Debra Sewell and Dr. Rona Pogrund)
Providing O&M to Individuals with Visual and Multiple Impairments and Other Individuals with Unique Challenges (presented by Tracy Hallack)
O&M Training for Individuals with Orthopedic Issues (presented by Karen Spruill)
On Saturday, Marjie Wood will repeat her session on Orientation and Mobility for Infants and Toddlers and we will also offer the following:
Making the Mountain of Paperwork into a Molehill (presented by Stephanie Isbell and Melanie White)
Using Sign and Foreign Language Interpreters in O&M Instruction (presented by Bob Chessey and Marian Small)
Travel Training: A Job for COMS (presented by Vivian Picow)
Incorporating GPS Into O&M Instruction (presented by Rebecca Kilian-Smith)
Developing Listening Skills for O&M (presented by Vonecia Hines and Christy Householter)
Our final event on Saturday is a working lunch where O&Ms will break into small groups to discuss a variety of issues and generate action plans for addressing these issues.
Registration: Registration for SWOMA begins in August with early registration continuing until October 15th, 2012. Late registration begins October 16th, 2012 and continues until October 30th, 2012. Registration rates are as follows: Professionals and Family Member: $150 (early rate) - $175 (late rate) Paraprofessionals and University Students: $100 (early rate) - $125 (late rate)
A block of rooms has been obtained at a state rate at the Holiday Inn Austin Midtown (located at 6000 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, TX 78752) near Highway 290 and IH–35. Room rates for SWOMA attendees are: Single Room: $85 Double Room: $99 Triple/Quad Room: $109 These rates are only available until October 10th, 2012. To make your reservation, follow the link on the conference website or call 512–206–3015 and be sure to let them know that you are attending the SWOMA conference.
For more information and to register visit the registration website (https://www.signup4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=20124059E) Questions? Concerns? Contact Carrie Keith at 512–206–9314 (carriekeith@tsbvi.edu) or Kate Hurst at 512–206–9224 (katehurst@tsbvi.edu). Save the date!