THE EDUCATOR

News - Here and There

The Educator – ICEVI’s Magazine goes Japanese
      ICEVI’s biannual magazine, “The Educator” is available in English, Spanish, and in English Braille. ICEVI is proud to announce that the Japanese version of The Educator is also now available. You can see the June to December 2003 issue of The Educator in Japanese version on the Publication Section of ICEVI website www.icevi.org

The Voice of the WBU
      The World Blind Union has brought out its first magazine by name, “The Voice of the WBU”. The second issue will be finalized in December 2003. For an electronic copy of the magazine and for more details, contact UMC@once.es

ICEVI Co-Chair in the North America and Caribbean Region
     Dr. Kathleen Mary Huebner, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Pennsylvania College of Optometry has been named Co-Chair of the North America and Caribbean region for the rest of the quadrennium. Congratulations to Kathy.

Awards and Recognition to ICEVI members
     Dr. Susan Spungin, Chairperson of ICEVI – North America and the Caribbean region received American Printing House’s coveted “Wings of Freedom” Award for her outstanding services. Dr. Sally Mangold, a long time member of ICEVI received the “Creative Use of Braille” Award from the APH. Dr. Mangold was also honoured with the 2003 Migel Award, the American Foundation for the Blind’s most prestigious award for outstanding service to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Congratulations to Susan and Sally.

ICEVI for the non-formal education website of UNESCO
     ICEVI has been included in the non-formal education website of the UNESCO. Organizations which are involved in alternative modes of education are found in this website. As ICEVI is involved in direct and indirect services to persons with visual impairment through formal and nonformal approaches, ICEVI made an application to include it in the UNESCO’s website.

Golden Key Newsletter
     The Inner Mongolia Golden Key project is promoting integrated education programmes for visually impaired children. The project is involved in teacher preparation programmes too. In order to disseminate its experiences of integrated education, the project publishes “The Golden Key Newsletter”. The slogan of the newsletter is “Treasure every life, Value every blind kid.” Those who want further information on contact goldkey@public.bta.net.cn

Training Course on Low Vision Devices
     You can buy low vision devices for an affordable price. The first international course will be organized by the Hong Kong Society for the Blind, Hong Kong in 2004. The Low Vision Clinic set up by the Society as a part of the Vision 2020 initiative is supplying low cost low vision devices to China and the developing world. To place orders, please contact Mrs. Grace Chan, Director, Hong Kong Society for the Blind.

Cyprus Braille Newsletter
     The Cyprus Braille Newsletter is available in electronic form. It can be seen on the website www.pot-cyprus.com For further inquiry, contact pot@cy.net

Vision 2005 Conference
     The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) is delighted to host Vision 2005, the 8th international conference and exhibition organised under the auspices of the International Society for Low vision Research and Rehabilitation. The cutting-edge programme will cover a broader range of themes than ever before, and already includes an impressive array of keynote speakers. Find out more on the conference website at http:/www.rnib.org.uk/ vision2005. Potential speakers are now invited to submit abstracts online via the conference website. A full range of presentation opportunities is available, including oral, round table discussions and posters. Formal registration will begin in April 2004, but you can register your interest online now. Why not bookmark the site to keep in touch with the latest updates.

Access Technology
     The course “Access Technology: Beginnings” offered by the Hadley School for the Blind provides information to decide which hardware, software, and access technology is needed for the visually impaired child or for anyone in the family who wants to help the child use a computer. The lessons are offered through a distance mode and enable the learner to select the right type of computer, learn about the operative procedures of computers and how visually impaired persons can access computers. The course is free of charge and therefore, any visually impaired person or a family member can take advantage of this facility. For more details contact the Hadley School for the Blind through e-mail MailingList@hadley-school.org

The themes of the forthcoming issues of The Educator will be as follows:

       July 2004 : Multiple Disabilities and Visual Impairment

       January 2005 : Information & Communication Technology

       July 2005 : Sports, Leisure and Recreation

       January 2006 : Vocational Preparation

The Editorial committee would welcome high quality articles from contributors on the above themes. An electronic copy of manuscripts of up to 5000 words should be sent to the Editor at the address on page 1. If electronic submission is not possible, three hard copies can be posted to the Editor at the above address. A covering statement should be included confirming that the manuscript is original work, not under consideration or published elsewhere.