Hello everyone! This is Kay! I'm working with RMTC/OSBD part-time, so you will be hearing from me from time to time. We hope to get Tech Notes out to you on a more regular basis. We also plan to keep the website updated, so please let us know if you have trouble finding information you need! Check the News page often for up-to-date news! I will repeat some of that in Tech Notes, but it will show up in News first.
Brian is doing well. Soon, he will be returning to Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NY to determine the next course in his treatments. Please visit the blog, Keeping Up With the Newtons, for updates.
Stay in touch!
Kay Ezzell
|
|
News from RMTC & OSBD
| 
Upcoming Sign Language Classes
Info on upcoming online sign language classes: Free online sign language courses available! The Spring 2015 session begins March 2, 2015. Please download this flyer for details.
Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Parent Survey
The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) is conducting a survey for parents of students who have an individual educational plan, receive ESE services, and are currently attending a Florida public school. The survey is open now through May 31, 2015. Please complete the survey at http://www.esesurvey.com.
Job Vacancies
B/VI opening in Sarasota County
Opening for a TVI and O&M dual certified teacher in Sarasota County. Visit this website for more information.
D/HH Vacancy at Lake Sybelia Elementary in Orange County
Please go to the OCPS website, click on the link for Employment, then the link for Job Seekers. You can also contact:
Rosanne Seward
Secretary/Bookkeeper
Lake Sybelia Elementary
600 Sandspur Rd.
Maitland, Fl 32651
P 407-623-1445 X3512223
F 407-623-1452
Loan Library
|
| Did You Know? | 
Announcement from Florida Association for the Deaf:
2015 Florida High School Deaf Graduates - Need help with your future plans after graduation Spring 2015? Apply for FAD Scholarships NOW!
Communication Plan
Did you know the Communication Plan is in PEER?
Does your district use the PEER IEP Program? If so, Did you know the Communication Plan is in PEER? After you sign in, look on the left side, click on "Documents, forms and resources." Then choose "EP/IEP/SP Team Forms" tab. It's the first document.
AND Did you know that the New Communication Plan is now available in a fillable template, making it much easier to just type on the form to fill it out. Enjoy!
2015CommunicationPlanFILLABLE
Now you know!
FSA Accommodations - Did You Know?
If you have questions about the FSA and allowable accommodations, check out the 2014-2015 FSA and FCAT/FCAT 2.0/NGSSS EOC Assessment Accommodations Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to find answers to these questions and MORE:
- What types of items are on the new FSA?
- What accommodations are allowed on FSA assessments?
- What is the deadline for IEPs and Section 504 Plans to be updated for students that require accommodations on FSA assessments?
- Can a student with a disability receive an FSA waiver?
- Is oral presentation allowable on FSA? Is there a text-to-speech option?
- Can FSA items be translated into American Sign Language?
- Since FSA ELA reading items and answer choices can be read, can FCAT 2.0 Reading Retake items and answer choices be read aloud or signed?
- Can electronic sign language dictionaries be used?
- How is the listening portion of the FSA accommodated for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing?
- Can a dual monitor setup be used for a student receiving signed or oral presentation?
- Can students receive oral presentation from a human reader instead of using text-to-speech (TTS)?
Daily Hearing Aid Checks - Did You Know?
According to the Department of Education Code of Federal Regulations, Section 300.113:
Click for more information ...
News from the Educational Interpreter Project:
The Project is providing financial assistance for 75 educational interpreters to attend Silent Weekend June 25-28, 2015 in Orlando, FL. The Project will pay half of the registration fee. Your half of the registration fee, $85.00, will be due by March 31, 2015. Please keep in mind travel and hotel costs will be the responsibility of attendees.
The conference will have well-known fabulous presenters from around the country. The topics presented and skills taught will benefit your daily work and best of all-the camaraderie is fantastic!
If you are interested-Registration Opens December 1st at midnight. For more details visit our webpage: http://www.unf.edu/interpreterproject/Silent_Weekend.aspx
Notification of your participation will be sent via email along with instructions for your registration and payment to the Silent Weekend folks.
Hi Colleagues,
Here is the latest news from Terri Schisler, Chair of the Committee, regarding the proposed interpreter licensure bill. Dated February 4, 2015
"We have been working with the House Business and Professions Subcomittee staff up until two weeks ago and then suddenly we were told that they recommend we do a full re-write of the bill. Based on that advice, Chair Beshears decided he would not put our bill on his agenda and advised Rep. Plasencia to not file the bill this year. We are now looking for someone else who is willing to become the House bill sponsor this year.
We have a meeting with Chair Beshears tomorrow to discuss our bill and his reasons for not hearing the bill in his committee. His committee staff told us that the funding concerns from last year were no longer an issue. However, many people we talk with are still referencing that as an issue. We have some data that we feel will counter their concerns, but we seem to not be able to convince them. The committee staff's last comments were that the scope of our bill is "too broad". We are hoping that Chair Breshears will be able to explain what that means.
We are in desperate need of a legislator who is willing to be our champion. Gary and I have discussed working with sympathetic legislators to create a Deaf/HH Caucus. I think that will be necessary to get this bill passed but that means it wont be this year. We will be developing talking points for the Rally on March 10th once we determine the next course of action.
We will keep everyone updated as any new information is available. Please share this with our members as appropriate."
To see the Senate Bill 658 as it has been filed, use this link to the Educational Interpreter Project DOE Updates page.
Or click here to read the PDF document.
|
| What's Up With Tech Shrek? | 
SignUpGenius - an efficient way to organize groups.
ASLized - Fosters the integration of ASL educational research into visual media and literacy.
VL2 Storybook Apps - Gallaudet's home site for storybook apps in ASL. Gives information about available apps.
Brainshark - Create online video presentations.
|
Upcoming Events: SAVE THE DATE!
| 
DeafTEC Regional Workshop
Topic: Student Access = Student Success
When: February 21, 2015, 8am to 4pm
Where: Miami, Fl
Register:
DeafTEC Regional Workshop
Topic: Student Access = Student Success
When: February 28, 2015, 8am to 4pm
Where: Gainesville, Fl
Register:
Statewide Weekends Professional Development Workshop for Interpreters
Where: Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL
March 2015
Medical Issues and the Growing Child Conference XXI
|
|
|
Resource Materials & Technology Center: Deaf & Hard of Hearing/FDLRS
Outreach Services for the Blind/Visually Impaired and Deaf/Hard of Hearing
207 North San Marco Avenue
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
1-800-356-6731 (FL)
rmtcosbd.org
|
|
|
| Featured Article | |
Tech revolutionizes education for deaf preschoolers
Cochlear implants allow language to play key role in education for deaf preschoolers
The amplification system is one of many changes in early education for deaf students that have come about since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's decision in 2000 to allow children as young as 12 months of age to receive cochlear implants. Continue Reading ... | |
|
|
|
