Statewide IESBVI Consultants
How Consulting Services Work
IESBVI offers additional services in the form of statewide, content-specific consultants. IESBVI Consultants are available to support students, parents and educational professionals in the state of Iowa.
Consulting Services & Staff
Assistive Technology
Chad Brown
(563) 320-6255
Email Chad Brown.
- Assistive Technology technical assistance support to students
- Assistive device center for loan and evaluation
- Professional development training on the use of devices
Students with Additional Disabilities
Cindy White-Botello
(319) 310-1322
Email Cindy White-Botello.
- Provides technical assistance
- Professional development and consultation to teams serving students with visual impairments and additional disabilities including deafblindness
- Cohort-based, extensive, professional development for teams
Early Childhood, Transition and Family Services
Deena Recker
(641) 814-3428
Email Deena Recker.
- Provides consultation to teams regarding transition planning and services in coordination with the Department for the Blind
- Serves as a primary family contact for information, problem solving and services
- Assist with the planning and implementation of extended learning opportunities
Deafblind Project Coordinator/Consultant
Katy Ring
(712) 310-4623
Email Katy Ring
- Coordinates the Iowa Deafblind Project for students with both sensory impairments
- Provides technical assistance, professional development and consultation to teams serving students who are deafblind and to students with additional disabilities
- Cohort-based, extensive, professional development for teams
Literacy
Beth Pieters
(712) 828-0516
Email Beth Pieters
- Technical assistance in literacy for teams servicing students who are blind and visually impaired
- Library services
- Professional development with literacy for students who are blind/visually impaired
- Extended learning opportunities for students.
Low Vision Clinics and Consultation
Brandon Schellhorn
515-249-6312
Email Brandon Schellhorn
- Coordinates the low vision clinics held throughout the state for the evaluation of vision and needs related to low vision
- Coordinates the low vision device center and provides consultation on the use of low vision devices.
Mathematics
Sara Larkin
(319-310-6070)
Email Sara Larkin
- Technical assistance in mathematics for teams serving students who are blind and visually impaired
- Professional development and consultation in math, math-related technology, Nemeth Code, abacus and tactile graphics for teams of students who are blind or visually impaired
- Mathematics loan center
- Extended learning opportunities for students
STEM
Jennifer Bliss
(319-427-6770)
Email Jennifer Bliss
- Technical assistance in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) for teams serving students who are blind and visually impaired
- Professional development and consultation in STEM related areas for teams of students who are blind or visually impaired
- Science loan center
- Extended learning opportunities for students
FAQs About IESBVI Consultants
Who qualifies for support from IESBVI consultants?
Children (birth – 21 years) with a visual impairment who have an IFSP or an IEP.
Who can request assistance?
Parents, teachers of the visual impaired, orientation and mobility specialists, classroom teachers and other service providers.
What services are available?
- Resource and instructional materials—websites, publications, articles, conference and training materials, assessment tools, videos/DVDs and adapted, discipline-specific, classroom materials that assist teachers to fully include students with visual impairments in classroom instruction.
- Consultation—Consultation in regard to specific concerns. This may include telephone conversations, e-mail collaborations, and/or visits to the school or home settings. Written reports follow site visits.
- Collaboration—This may include coordinating with other stakeholders in support of children’s services. Such collaborations could occur on behalf of an individual child or at a systems level, such as supporting statewide training opportunities and/or summer programs.
Is there a cost for these services?
No, all services are provided free of charge to students, families, LEAs and AEAs.