April 2008

Invitation to Apply for the BC UDL Project 2008 - 2009

SET-BC is pleased to announce the continuation of the BC Universal Design for Learning (BC UDL) project for the 2008 - 2009 school year. This Ministry of Education funded project will provide an opportunity for 7 additional school districts in BC to receive training, technology and mentoring to support the implementation of UDL strategies in their schools. We invite school districts to apply to participate in the 2008 – 2009 project, but given the project limits, only one application per school district can be submitted. Applications should be signed and submitted to SET-BC by a district special education administrator by May 12, 2008.

Detailed project information is available on the SET-BC website at www.setbc.org/setinfo/BCUDL. Or, you can contact Constance McAvoy, BC UDL Project Leader, at 250-686-8960 or via email at cmcavoy@setbc.org.

A Very Busy Few Months for vvvillage.org

• We Need a Mascot! - Virtual Voices Village would like to announce our “Design a Mascot” contest. Yes, Virtual Voices Village needs a mascot and we are looking for students with disabilities from K to 12 to help us with the project.  Go to www.vvvillage.org for more information.

• 2010 Winter Games Digital Publishing Contest Winners - Virtual Voices Village is pleased to announce the winners of the “2010 Winter Games Digital Publishing Contest.”  Competition was fierce in this cross Canada contest, and the judges had very difficult decisions to make.  It is evident that some exceptionally creative minds were at work and we would like you to know your efforts are greatly appreciated.  To see a list of our winners, drop by www.vvvillage.org.

• vvvillage Receives Support from 2010 Legacies Now and 3M Canada - On March 11 2008, 2010 Legacies Now, 3M Canada and SET-BC announced a partnership to support Virtual Voices Village.  VVV is an educational website designed and produced by students with disabilities. Students display their creative talents, discover their potential and experience success in the real world application of their assistive technologies.  We gratefully acknowledge the support of 2010 Legacies Now and of 3M Canada.  Student journalist Deacon reports on the event for www.vvvillage.org.

ARC-BC Now Collecting Alternate Format Materials

The Accessible Resource Centre - British Columbia is now actively seeking alternate format materials for its digital library.  The eight school districts involved in the pilot project have contributed their collections of e-text, Kurzweil 3000 documents, and other materials and these are being added during April and May.  Other school districts having alternate format collections that are willing to share with ARC, are asked to contact arc@setbc.org to discuss the process for submitting materials.  Any contributions are greatly appreciated as they help increase the provincial collection, projected to be available to all school districts in January 2009.  For more information, please visit the ARC-BC project area of our website.

Cool Communicators

• Camp Squamish (June 28th - July 4th)

• Camps Winfield and Shawnigan (July 19th - July 24th)

The BC Lions Easter Seal Camping Program and SET-BC are hosting this series of recreational camps for students with augmentative communication (AAC) needs. These camps are an extension of last year’s highly successful Virtual Voices camps.  Cool Communicators staff will provide communication support for these students as they fully participate in regular Easter Seal recreational camp activities. Camps will be held in Squamish, Winfield and Shawnigan Lake. To obtain more information and/or to register online visit http://www.lionsbc.ca/programs/camps/forms.shtml.

Summer Camps for Students with Visual Impairments

The popular summer camps sponsored by CNIB, SET-BC and PRCVI are being held again this summer.  All of the programs have a recreation component which includes swimming, biking, hiking, paddle-boating, kayaking, sailing, adaptive games and more.  Most also include a program that features skill development with various vision technologies.  If you know of a student who would enjoy one or more of these camp experiences at the CNIB Camp on Bowen Island, please direct them to the PRCVI website for more information.

• Teen Tech/Rec Program (July 6-12)

• Teen Transition/Tech/Rec Program (July 13-19)

• Braille Literacy Program (July 22-28)

• Band Program (August 23-30)

CAYA Services Extended to Age 35

On April 10th the Honourable Claude Richmond, Minister of Income and Employment Assistance and the Honourable Shirley Bond, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education announced a $500,000 grant to CAYA.  This additional grant will provide for the extension of CAYA services to individuals with complex communication needs up to 35 years, from the previous age of 27 years. Learn more about this exciting announcement.

SET-BC is a Ministry of Education Provincial Resource Program. We assist school districts in British Columbia in meeting the technology needs of students with physical disabilities, visual impairments, and autism.