News

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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Below is the latest version of the Reaching Out Newsletter.  For the entire series click the Newsletter link above.

May 2021 Reaching Out - North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind in Adobe Acrobat version

Text Version - Click Here

Tracy Wicken is the Assistive Technology Specialist at NDVS/SB. In that role, she works with students and adult clients on learning how to use and master any assistive technology that will help them at home, school, or work.

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Ken Dockter-

I believe that teaching is in my blood and heritage, as there are many teachers in my family for a few generations. When I was attending UND for elementary education, I learned about the School for the Blind and the profession of teacher of the visually impaired (TVI). I have low vision, and as I was completing fieldwork at the School, I was able to connect with students, adults, and staff. That was very energizing and satisfying to me, and I felt that I found my calling. Being able to personally connect to the adults and students I work with has been so beneficial.

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