Visual Impairment: Statewide Activities / Education Careers

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Keeping in Touch (KIT) Newsletter

**Please email Tanni Anthony if an alternate version of this document is needed.

2025-2026 Issues​

• August - September 2025 (PDF)
• October 2025 (PDF)
• December 2025 (PDF)
• January - February 2026 (PDF)

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Professional Learning (Blindness/Visual Impairment)

We look forward to seeing everyone next year for the 2026 CDE Blindness/Low Vision Conference.

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Blind/Visually Impaired (B/VI) - Sound Bites

Colorado educators of students with blindness or visual impairment are invited to join the 2025-2026 Sound Bites Webinar Series.

The seven sessions will be hosted via Zoom from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM MST on the following dates:

• October 15, 2025: READ ACT: A Differentiated Pathway for Learners with Blindness/Low Vision
• November 13, 2025: Deep Dive into Digital Math Checklists
• December 2, 2025: Low Hanging Fruit of Access Technology
• January 12, 2026: Making Math Accessible with Morf
• February 11, 2026: Dispelling Myths when Choosing Braille Code Options for Math and Science
• March 11, 2026: Helping Students Manage Vision-Specific Stress So They Can Learn Better
• April 22, 2026: Low Vision Tests and Their Role
• May 6, 2026: What can you Learn From A Little Information?

This webinar series is only for Colorado personnel working with students with visual impairment, including blindness or Colorado families of children with visual impairment, including blindness.

Registration

Register for Sound Bites

Session Details

October 15, 2025: READ ACT: A Differentiated Pathway for Learners with Blindness/Low Vision

Presented by Dr. Tanni Anthony and Dr. Debbie Mendoza

Participants will:

1. Understand the Colorado READ Act screening tools and requirements.
2. Identify the categories of learners with blindness/low vision as they related to being screened by READ Act tools and other possible processes to determine their status as a child with or without a reading deficiency.
3. Describe and be able to implement the special considerations of a differentiated pathway specifically for some learners with blindness/low vision.

November 13, 2025: Deep Dive into Digital Math Checklists

Presented by Dr. Tina Herzberg and Sara Larkin–

1.5 CDE / ACVREP Clock Hours

Participants will:

1. Describe the components of the checklists.
2. List 3 ways they can use the checklists in their own practice.
3. Identify 3 resources they would like to explore after the session

December 2, 2025: Low Hanging Fruit of Access Technology

Presented by Dr. Ting Siu –

 1.5 CDE / ACVREP Clock Hours

Participants will:

1. learn at least 5 apps/tools for on-demand text-to-speech
2. learn at least 3 apps/tools for on-demand magnification
3. learn at least 5 differences between generic access technology and specialized assistive technology

January 14, 2026: Making Math Accessible with Morf

Presented by Dr. Anitha Muthukumaran and Dr. Hari Palani

 1.5 CDE / ACVREP Clock Hours

Participants will:

1. Identify common challenges that blind and low-vision learners face when engaging with mathematical content and examine how Morf-Math addresses these barriers.
2. Learn how to upload, convert, and customize STEM content into accessible formats, including Braille (UEB/Nemeth), tactile graphics, and audio-first representations.
3. Explore strategies for integrating Morf-Math into assessments, classroom instruction, and individualized education programs (IEPs) to improve learning outcomes for students with visual impairments.

February 11, 2026: Dispelling Myths when Choosing Braille Code Options for Math and Science

Presented by Dr. Frances Mary (FM) D’Andrea

1.5 CDE / ACVREP Clock Hours

Participants will:

1. Explain the purpose of the Pennsylvania braille guidance document and how they can access it.
2. Identify key differences and questions to consider for IEP development regarding UEB Math/Science and UEB with Nemeth.
3. Identify how to use this document and find related resources.

March 11, 2026: Helping Students Manage Vision-Specific Stress So They Can Learn Better

Presented by Erika Anderson Ko -

Participants will:

1. Describe the nervous system regulation process in broad strokes
2. Discuss how resilience is developed in children in the presence of stressors
3. Apply five strategies for either nervous system regulation and developing resilience

April 22, 2026: Low Vision Tests and Their Role

Presented by Dr. Kara Hanson

Participants will:

1. Know the basic tests performed and how they might impact visual function.

• Visual acuity at distance and near
• Refractive error
• Contrast sensitivity
• Confrontation visual field
• Extraocular muscle motility
• Accommodation
• Color Vision

May 6, 2026: What can you Learn From A Little Information?

Presented by Dr. David  Simpson

Participants will:

1. Understand typical features of the most common causes of visual impairment in children. 
2. Interpret visual acuity and how it can be applied to reading tasks.
3. Identify when a child may or may not use their glasses based on prescription information.

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Questions?

For more information on state-wide activities, Education Careers, or Professional Development for Visual Impairment including Blindness, please contact:

Tanni Anthony, Blindness/Low Vision Specialist
Phone:  303-503-4647
Email Tanni Anthony

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