2014 CANAR Conference Arizona Rehabilitation Services – Services for the Blind, Visually Impaired & Deaf

 Diane McElmury - AZ RSA, Services for the Blind, Visually Impaired & Deaf  Amy Murillo – Associate Director, SAAVI  Aurora Begay – Student  Ashley Adison – Life Coach & Student

Diane McElmury

 Services for the Blind, Visually Impaired, and Deaf (SBVID) programs recognize the need for students with sensory impairments to receive comprehensive services at an earlier age to become successful.

 The program started in 2008  Students must be age 14 and completed the 9 th grade in order to participate.  Students must be a client of AZ VR.  Students may attend programs each summer until high school exit.

 Services provided will assist with successful transition from high school to post high school vocational services.   Services will move students forward, toward meaningful work.

 Match Contracts to provide training in:  Orientation and Adjustment to Disability  Orientation and Mobility Skills  Assistive Technology  Personal and Home Management  Self Advocacy  Communication  Daily Living Skills (braille, cooking)  College or Career Exploration  Real Work Experiences

 For blind or visually impaired students to achieve successful rehabilitation, the attitudes or knowledge that must be impacted include the following:  Students need to know that they can work and live independently as a person with blindness or visual impairment.

 Students need to know how to navigate home and community to independently travel to and from the workplace or school.  Students need to know how to utilize assistive technology to be “job ready”.  Students need a clear understanding of work based on real life experiences.

 Students need well-developed leisure and socialization skills which address the need for students to develop interpersonal relationships.  Students need to be able to apply self- advocacy skills to address their disability related needs and to take responsibility for scheduling appointments, etc.

 Students need well-developed problem solving skills, focusing on the need for students to learn how to recognize they have problems and take logical steps to resolve them.  Students need knowledge of different career options and sources of information.

 Students need information regarding career exploration and college preparation.  Students need a good academic background to prepare for college.  Students must have good study skills, note taking skills, and test taking skills.

 Students must be able to keep up with reading assignments.  Students must be able to manage time to organize transportation, etc.  Students need an understanding of employers’ concerns and requirements.  Students need an understanding of their abilities regarding job placement activities.

 Client demographics and disability(ies) including age, gender, race, severity of vision loss, presence of secondary disabilities.  Educational characteristics (years of school completed, literacy levels, transition planning)  Student assessments are completed each year.

 What employment, volunteer and leisure experiences have the student participated in.  How do the services that are provided contribute to successful client outcomes? (tutoring, college, transportation, supported education, assistive technology, independent living skills, travel skills and adjustment to disability)

 Were the students empowered to have a sense of self-esteem; the ability to self- advocate; acceptance of their visual impairment; and learn about their legal rights and programs that affect their lives?

 Colorado Center for the Blind  Foundation For Blind Children  Southern AZ Association for Visually Impaired  World Services for the Blind

 Each year, the contractors and staff meet to review the results of the previous year survey results.  Based on recommendations, best practices are developed for the upcoming year.

 Each January, Transition Workshops are held around the state. Students, Parents and Teachers are encouraged to participate.  Cottonwood  Flagstaff  Mesa  Tucson  Phoenix  Yuma

Amy Murillo, Associate Director SAAVI

 Expectations are derived from our internal beliefs and experiences  Evaluation of community, cultural, and Family expectations  Expectations of blindness/visual impairment within the BVI community

 SAAVI expectation development process  Competence builds confidence, How to get success with success  Mentorship 

 Setting goals, fulfilling roles,  Maintain high expectations within the community, culture, and family. 

Aurora Begay Ashley Adison

 Students are encouraged to attend the summer programs to learn new skills.  College Preparation is available through Study Skills course at Pima Community College or similar in other programs such as Colorado Center and World Services for the Blind  Access Technology (each student is provided an AT package by VR)

 Develop confidence and skills to be independent in daily life.  Provided encouragement to improve community:  A. Native American and youth communities  B. Cultural Diversity (exposure to Hispanic and other diverse cultures throughout the community.  C. Volunteer experiences  D. Presentations from community organizations

 Attend and participate in local Native American events  Collaboration with Tucson Indian Center events  Bring the skills that were learned back to the Native American Reservations

 Encourage recruitment of more Native American students to receive VR summer services.  Enhancement for VR & SAAVI Programs:  A. Develop a support group for all Native Americans.

 B. Revival of Native Language  1. Support group  2. Ability to talk together  3. Invite Native American Elders to talk  to the group  C. Maintain Native American traditions  through more celebrations and  storytelling.

  1. Showcase Native American movies  2. Visit local Native American  Reservations  3. Visit Native American Cultural Sites  4. Periodically prepare traditional foods

 Community Mentorship  On-Site Mentorship

 Utiliizing available local resources available to Native American clients to address other issues such as:  Diabetes  Depression  Suicide  Alcoholism  Spiritual Concerns

 “Weaving our roots together, binding our  traditions and making our people stronger”.  AZ RSA offers many opportunities and choices for students to participate in summer programs and beyond to expand their knowledge and independence.

 Thank you for your time and attention!  Information is available.