CHARGE Syndrome Canada
Newsletter
Summer 2006
Vol. 1 No.11
Research Studies Need Participation
Organizations dedicated to technology
Past edition of the Newsletter
There are two research studes here that need Canadian participation. One is being done in Alberta and involves early intervention, and the other is a collaboration of reserach professionals: Ann McCuspie from the East coast and Cay Holbrook from the West coast. They are looking at those who are braille users in Canada. The 2nd survey must be completed by January 15, 2007.
Canadian Early Intervention Research Team Survey
The purpose of this survey is to identify Early Intervention (EI) centres
across Canada that service young children with developmental
delays/disabilities between the ages of 0 and 9 and their families. In
gathering this information, our research team will be able
to compare, analyze and evaluate the different approaches and models of
service delivery prevalent in EI centres across Canada.
The Early Intervention Canada Research team has developed a brief survey
that can be completed on-line:
http://www.zapsurvey.com/Survey.aspx?id=6239abfb-effb-462f-8e04-96aaeb192b32
The information collected will enable us to better understand the state of
affairs of Canadian early intervention efforts, which has a profound
impact on the well-being and functioning of families and their children
with delays.
These results will be published online for public access, however, please
note that information concerning specific EI centres will not be provided.
The EI research team will ensure confidentiality with respect to specific
information concerning your centre and will only publish aggregate data. Your information will be used for research purposes only and adheres to ethical standards set out in the tri-council ethics protocol.
Thank you for your contributions in this important effort to support early
intervention in Canada! If you have any questions concerning this survey,
please contact Ingrid Sladeczek, PhD or Daniel Amar, MBA.``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Characteristics of Preschool (age 4) and School-Aged Braille Readers in Canada
The survey has been designed to identify the characteristics of Canadian children and youth who use braille. There are a number of very significant issues currently relevant to the use of braille in Canada (e.g., consideration of contracted or uncontracted braille in initial literacy instruction; the simultaneous literacy instruction in both print and braille for children with low vision; implications for the development of literacy for students who use braille and an array of assistive technology during their early school years; braille literacy instruction for students with additional disabilities). Despite the critical importance of such issues, in Canada we currently have limited research and information to guide decision making relevant to such matters.
The researchers need to receive information for all students who use braille, whether for functional purposes only or as part of their daily participation in class and for recreational pursuits. Please be assured that all submissions are confidential and the emphasis is on a “national” profile of groups of students (e.g., those who use both print and braille).
The assistance of teachers of students who are blind or visually impaired who are willing to complete the survey for each of their braille students is essential.
You can complete the survey online. Go to the following website and follow the directions provided:
http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=539391
Data from the completed surveys will be compiled and readily available to all interested in the ongoing improvement of programs and services for students who are blind or visually impaired. All surveys must be received by January 15, 2007. Contact Cay Holbrook or Ann McCuspie for more information.
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