The WSBVI has made the decision to offer virtual instruction four days a week, Mondays through Thursdays through the first quarter, which ends October 30. On the fifth day, students will work independently and/or online and staff will use the time for planning and preparation. This is very important to make sure the school is ready to switch to some type of in-person learning when area health officials support that move.
Due to the COVID-19 situation, the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WCBVI) has rescheduled its Adult Summer Program for the week of August 3-7, 2020. To maintain the health and safety of all concerned, we will be holding this program virtually, so there will be no need to travel to our Janesville campus, or to stay in the dormitory.
WCBVI has produced two video tutorials on using Google Meet for screen reader users.
These videos provide a step-by-step walkthrough of using Google Meet with Chrome on a Windows 10 PC and with VoiceOver on iOS.
The 17-member State Superintendent’s Blind and Visual Impairment Education Council advises the state superintendent on statewide activities that will benefit students who are blind or visually impaired; makes recommendations for improvements in services provided by the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired; and proposes ways to improve the preparation of teachers and staff and coordination between the department and other agencies that offer services to the visually impaired.
Microsoft has been steadily improving their commitment to accessibility in the past few years. For example, Microsoft’s Accessibility Team has made major upgrades to low vision support in recent Windows 10 updates. Additionally, Microsoft Narrator has also received significant upgrades to make it more functional for individuals relying on screen readers.
Did you know that there are literally thousands of apps added to the App Store every day? That means there are countless opportunities to download and try a variety of new apps and find new favorites. However, a large percentage of apps added to the App Store do not work for blind and visually impaired individuals who depend on VoiceOver. There are sources to check for new and VoiceOver friendly apps, but like anything else, word of mouth is probably the most efficient way to find out about useful and interesting new apps.
As many of our students with low vision are adjusting to online learning, it is becoming more and more apparent that the screen time is causing some eye strain. Many parents and TVIs are wondering why this is happening. After all, the student has been using the device all year and not had a problem. This article will attempt to explain why and provide some possible solutions.
The Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WCBVI) Materials and Production Department has implemented procedural changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WSBVI) will remain closed until further notice to comply with Governor Evers “Safer At Home” order. The safety of our students and their families is most important during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
We hope this letter finds your family healthy during this challenging time. We
appreciate that most families took the time to answer our phone calls and
complete informational surveys.