News

by Paul Olson, Superintendent of NDVS/SB

Has anyone else noticed that the world has become a little complicated? We thought we were past the worst of the pandemic and now there are new concerns. I know we all hope and pray our school year goes well and we all stay healthy! The region is hampered by drought which has hurt area farmers and ranchers. This certainly affects all North Dakotans directly or indirectly. There has been considerable inflation and wages have not kept up making life stressful for many. These things are just plain hard; there’s no sense in sugar coating and let’s not even get into politics! I can’t believe I’m writing this. This must be one of the most depressing beginning of the year newsletter articles ever written and what does any of this have to do with our services? Uff Da! One might ask “is there any good news at all?"

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by Cindy Williams, Coordinator of Student Programs

Welcome back to the 2021-2022 school year! I hope you are all adjusting well to your new school routine or soon will be! We are looking forward to working with your child/student this school year and are honored to be a part of your child’s/student’s educational team!

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“It has come to my attention that there is an increasing amount of information that I know nothing about!” This is a mantra that NDVS/SB Regional Coordinator Lanna Slaby has held for some time, according to her friend and former colleague Linda Kraft. “It’s a very true statement in the world of visual impairments and education of the visually impaired,” Linda explained, and it fits Lanna’s personality perfectly. “When a new client comes to NDVS/SB, there is much to learn about the individual and their unique set of circumstances. Lanna is always willing to put in the time, learning all she needs to know, to customize a program for her clients that is perfectly suited just for them. NDVS/SB is lucky to have her, and I am so proud to call her my friend!” 

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Visitors will likely notice a lot of changes around the building as they begin to return to NDVS/SB in person! We have been busy with lots of construction and improvements throughout the past year and a half.

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The Technology Center recently acquired the Mountbatten Whisperer Learning System. It is designed to help students learn braille in a fun and inclusive manner. We chose this device because of its versatility and ease of use. It is ideal for young students learning braille as well as older students using Nemeth code and braille music. It allows a sighted teacher to connect a MIMic visual display for easy supervision.

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Sara Czapiewski, 21, graduated from Minto High School in the spring of 2019 and started college at the University of Jamestown that fall. Like many young adults, Sara wasn’t sure what career she wanted to pursue, and that looming question, plus the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic, caused her to drop out of college in April 2020. A year later, after feeling cooped up on her family farm while waiting out the pandemic, she decided she didn’t want to wait until fall to start something new. “I realized that life isn’t going to look like you want it to right away. You have to work for it, and even after working for it, there will be waiting. I was ready to take those baby steps to get my life started.” The first step Sara decided to take: pursuing a summer job in Medora.

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Much to her surprise, Vision Rehabilitation Specialist Amy Osvold has become something of a YouTube star. Over the last few years, she has created over 20 Golden Guide videos, which are instructional videos on NDVS/SB’s YouTube Channel that explain, step-by-step, how to perform certain tasks with low vision or blindness.

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 Pam Haus -  It is these everyday lessons that can make a profound difference in the lives of students and adult clients. Getting them to try new tasks, new foods, or anything that someone new to vision loss never thought they’d do again – that is what Pam likes most about her job at North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind. “Being able to teach them even one thing on that first visit that they thought they could no longer do is great to see, and it gives them hope and encouragement to try and learn more.” Read more about Pam and her job at NDVS/SB below.

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by Lanna Slaby

Like most learning events this past year, Family Weekend was no different. On April 17th, from 8:45 to 12:00, we had seven families and two students seeking internship hours participate in the event. We had three presenters: a mother and daughter duo, Djenne-amal Morris and Imani Morris, and Dr. Holly Pederson, Department Chair of Special Education at Minot State University.  

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My main role at NDVS/SB would be a COMS, Certified Orientation, and Mobility Specialist. My other role is to be a member of a fantastic team that can fill in whenever and wherever needed. I am a certified TVI so I have the knowledge and the ability to assist in any aspect of the ECC.

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