2025 Spring Family Conference

In an era of technology and online curriculum, it is still important that students experience unplugged and hands-on science as much as possible. Consultant Jennifer Bliss will lead you through an example of a science activity with NO TECHNOLOGY needed. Learn about methods and materials that are available to accommodate students with visual impairment.

Consultant Sara Larkin has many fun and exciting games you can play with your child while increasing their math skills at the same time. Come see what’s new and let’s enjoy playing some of them together!

Have you always wanted to learn more about Assistive Technology for your transition age student? Then come chat with Consultant Chad about Assistive Technology for daily living, education, and anything you can think of!

How does your child talk about the things he/she really likes with you? How do they ask for people or things they like? And how are you sharing that with other people? Consultants Cindy Friederick and Sarah Harms will lead this session where parents will share about their child’s communication system(s) and discuss ways to share that with others so they can expand their communication to others and ask for things they like.

Join Consultant Cindy Friederick and Jenny Springer to discuss how visual impairments and additional disabilities impact talking to other people and developing friendships with peers. We will identify some common barriers to communication and how parents can help reduce those barriers. Topics will include random touch, disappearing partners, echolalic speech and using touch to support communication.

Learn about daily actions you can take to increase your child’s independence and advocacy. Learn about strategies to guide your child to take over their own life responsibilities. Led by Deena Recker and Sarah Baebler. Sarah, who is visually impaired, will share tricks and techniques used by her parents to help her develop her own skills.

PCP is used with families, friends and community partners to help students share their own interests and dreams in order to develop them into a real plan for life. Consultant Deena Recker will show you ways to use this process to move families from concern for the future to excitement!

Print is everywhere in the community.  For someone with low vision, accessing this print can be a challenge. Examples include reading price tags at the grocery store, finding the correct street sign, locating a store in the mall, or reading print on board game cards while at a friend’s house. Join Consultant Brandon Schellhorn as he explores the variety of high and low tech devices that can help those with low vision access print, near and far, when they are in the community.

Laurie McBride from the Helen Keller National Center and Sarah Harms, Deafblind Consultant, will be sharing on how vital the sense of touch is to everyone, and how you can incorporate it to create a deeper and more meaningful relationship with your child.

Learn simple, practical ways to help your child who is blind or has low vision build strong language and vocabulary skills. Beth Pieters, Literacy Consultant, will share fun activities and tips to encourage communication and learning in everyday life. You’ll leave with ideas to support your child’s growth and confidence in using language!

Sarah Baebler from Iowa Department for the Blind will provide information on how to access and use Vocational Rehabilitation services.

Learn how to foster independence in your child through age-appropriate chores and daily routines in the home. This session will provide practical strategies for adapting household tasks, organizing spaces, and fostering personal responsibility. Parents will gain hands-on tips to help students with labeling, organization, cooking, and personal hygiene.  Let’s work together to develop confidence and essential life skills at home.