by Paul Olson
NDVS/SB Superintendent
As we reflect on 2024, I can confidently say that it has been both an eventful and impactful year at NDVS/SB. The spring and summer months were filled with dynamic programming weeks for both students and adult clients at our headquarters in Grand Forks. Our regional coordinators, who are dedicated Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVIs), traveled tirelessly across the state, visiting students in their homes and schools. During these visits, they provided crucial assessment and instruction in all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). At NDVS/SB, we are deeply committed to the ECC, which encompasses the specialized skills and knowledge that individuals who are blind or have low vision need to thrive.
One of the primary areas of focus within the ECC is Access Technology (AT), which is essential for navigating today’s technology-driven world. While technology offers incredible benefits in making life easier and more efficient, significant barriers to access still exist for individuals who are blind or have low vision. At NDVS/SB, we are passionate about ensuring that our students and adult clients can harness the full potential of technology to level the playing field. We have a long history of providing expert assessment and training in access technology for both students and adults, but we must increase our focus in this area to meet new demands.
As technology continues to evolve rapidly, it is vital for us to stay at the forefront of both training and skill development. To that end, we have partnered with Dr. Ting Siu, a nationally recognized expert in access technology for blind and low vision individuals, to assess our agency’s strengths and areas for improvement. We have begun a study with Dr. Siu to evaluate our training needs, with the goal of providing additional staff training and generating a comprehensive report in the spring that will offer recommendations for continuous improvement.
I am also proud to share that North Dakota Vision Services now has representation on a new committee at the Department of Public Instruction dedicated to improving access to technology for students with disabilities across all areas. The committee, called AT Builders, includes Regional Coordinator and TSVI Danielle Hillebrand, who was selected to serve on this important effort.
As we look ahead to January 2025, we are preparing to submit our budget proposal to the legislature for the upcoming biennium. As part of this proposal, we are seeking approval for an additional position in the area of access technology to better serve the needs of students and adults who are blind or have low vision, particularly in the western part of the state.
At North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind, we are passionate about our work and deeply committed to our mission. As teachers and support staff, our primary focus is clear: to meet the needs of individuals who are blind or have low vision, as well as the schools that support our students. We are dedicated to providing the necessary services and assistance to ensure their success. We look forward with excitement to the year ahead and the opportunity to continue making a positive impact.