Please help us spread the word about these upcoming listening sessions through the CEC Division on Visual Impairments and Deafblindness (DVIDB) and Family Connect, facilitated by project officers from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). We look forward to hearing from professionals, families, and other stakeholders in special education and early intervention for learners with visual impairments. Especially for Professionals (but everyone welcome!) DVIDB is hosting a listening session with OSEP on November 2nd, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Eastern. We’re asking stakeholders in the field of blindness and visual impairments, including teachers, service providers, team members, administrators, paraprofessionals, scholars, faculty, and teachers in training to join OSEP and DVI-DB for this one-hour forum. Everyone is welcome. Register for this event with DVIDB<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3CF6XAl&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca73a8980c89b4f2bc54a08dab7934307%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638024140357435950%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Oi%2BhYTg8pgL%2Fvw5qDomfnI%2BCD8e9C7xSm%2BSwT8zWBXo%3D&reserved=0>. Discussion topics will range from challenges working with schools and service providers to the unique needs of infants and toddlers, to orientation and mobility and the Expanded Core Curriculum. We encourage you to consider your local and state policies as well as OSEP policy documents and share your thoughts about what’s missing and what could be improved, with particular focus on how we can support you at the national level. The following are examples of federal guidance documents impacting students with visual impairments and blindness: * Educating Blind and Visually Impaired Students; Policy Guidance<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.federalregister.gov%2Fdocuments%2F2000%2F06%2F08%2F00-14485%2Feducating-blind-and-visually-impaired-students-policy-guidance&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca73a8980c89b4f2bc54a08dab7934307%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638024140357435950%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kitqB9Wap%2F%2FXmQhMHTbjejb6VtYp7vAFbfnxXF7pmCI%3D&reserved=0> (June 8, 2000) * Eligibility Determinations for Children Suspected of Having a Visual Impairment under IDEA<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.ed.gov%2Fidea%2Fidea-files%2Fpolicy-memo-eligibility-determinations-for-children-suspected-of-having-a-visual-impairment-under-idea%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca73a8980c89b4f2bc54a08dab7934307%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638024140357435950%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kxXHGlyQYS4dI7tMiFCDQ0RESas%2Bd3a6Jhsedx412Vs%3D&reserved=0> (May 22, 2017) * OSEP Dear Colleague Letter on Braille<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.ed.gov%2Fidea%2Fidea-files%2Fosep-dear-colleague-letter-on-braille%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca73a8980c89b4f2bc54a08dab7934307%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638024140357435950%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=RKhAZbTVZ6lsbjuk%2FmILav26%2F3RG9Dyo8v%2BvIXvGU9k%3D&reserved=0> (June 19, 2013) Especially for Families (but everyone welcome!) OSEP project officers are working with Family Connect to host two listening sessions (focused on families, but everyone welcome) on November 3rd and 9th, each from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern. OSEP’s policy guidance document Educating Blind and Visually Impaired Students; Policy Guidance<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.federalregister.gov%2Fdocuments%2F2000%2F06%2F08%2F00-14485%2Feducating-blind-and-visually-impaired-students-policy-guidance&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca73a8980c89b4f2bc54a08dab7934307%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638024140357435950%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kitqB9Wap%2F%2FXmQhMHTbjejb6VtYp7vAFbfnxXF7pmCI%3D&reserved=0>, was published in 2000, and though some more specific guidance documents have been published since them (e.g. – Eligibility Determinations for Children Suspected of Having a Visual Impairment under IDEA<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.ed.gov%2Fidea%2Fidea-files%2Fpolicy-memo-eligibility-determinations-for-children-suspected-of-having-a-visual-impairment-under-idea%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca73a8980c89b4f2bc54a08dab7934307%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638024140357435950%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kxXHGlyQYS4dI7tMiFCDQ0RESas%2Bd3a6Jhsedx412Vs%3D&reserved=0>, 2017, and OSEP Dear Colleague Letter on Braille<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.ed.gov%2Fidea%2Fidea-files%2Fosep-dear-colleague-letter-on-braille%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca73a8980c89b4f2bc54a08dab7934307%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638024140357435950%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=RKhAZbTVZ6lsbjuk%2FmILav26%2F3RG9Dyo8v%2BvIXvGU9k%3D&reserved=0>, 2013), we know there are many questions and concerns for which families, schools, and districts would still like more support. On November 3rd, we’ll focus on families of children served in early childhood/preschool and k-12 school systems (typically ages 3-21), and on November 9th, we’ll focus specifically on families of infants and toddlers served in early intervention systems. However, families of children of all ages are welcome to join either call. Our discussions will range from challenges working with schools and service providers, to technology, braille, accessibility, orientation and mobility, and the Expanded Core Curriculum. We encourage you to consider local and state policies as well as OSEP policy documents and share your thoughts about what’s missing and what could be clarified, with particular focus on how we can support you at the national level. Register for these sessions with Family Connect<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilyconnect.org%2Fblog%2Ffamilyconnect-blog%2Fshare-your-insights-and-concerns-with-the-office-of-special-education-programs-were-listening%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca73a8980c89b4f2bc54a08dab7934307%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638024140357435950%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=E7fx4Imadylhv4KMDjswY8I2DUz8JfHVz07WBcMg6So%3D&reserved=0>