Keynote speaker was Dr. Phil Hatlen, Superintendent, Texas school for the Blind.  The theme of the conference was about delivering the expanded Core Curriculum (ECC).  Fitting the important curriculum areas of the ECC in for those who are visually impaired and blind is a challenge for most educators.  These areas include: orientation and mobility skills, life skills, social interaction skills, functional academics including communication modes, recreation and leisure skills, carreer education, visual efficiency, and the use of assistive technology. New ideas and potential solutions were presented at the conference. 

A preliminary study on the "Nation Wide Study of the Needs of People in Canada who are Blind or Living with Low Vision" was presented by Dr. Deborah Gold, of CNIB. As well, Ann MacCuspie presented the findings from the "Canadian National Standards for the Educatioin of Children and Youth who are Blind or Visually Impaired, Including those with Additional Disabilities."  It can be found at http://www.visionhealth.ca/News/Nat_Stand_web_0404R.pdf

This study was based on existing research outlining the unique learning needs of students who are blind/visually impaired and included input from educators, parents, and other professionals in the field. 

Dr. Blake presented on the two-year research study involving a multidisciplinary team working to consolidate the best evidence regarding the health and development of individuals with CHARGE syndrome.

Kevin Stewart looked at postural problems in chilidren with VI, which included research on motor delays and postureal deviations which contributed to hinderance of the development of independent mobility skills.  Kevin looked at strategies which could help alleviate the postural difficulties in those with VI.

Karen McCall, computer expert, presented on the Daisy books or "digital accessible information systems", which is now the standard for talking books.  The IRTL's eClipseWriter, makes reading these books possible, and gives the ability to create bookmarks with notes, and export them to a Wordpad document.  She also demonstrated how to alternate text production centers and create Daisy books that can be used on hardware and software Daisy players.

Unified English Braille was also a hot topic at the conference.  Speakers talked about the main features and advantages it will offer both teachers and students. 

Ann Gloyn presented on "developing soical interaction skills through guided activity-based programming for those who are visually impaired wiht additoinal disabilities".  The movie showed how social skills can be directed, practiced and developed through practical group activity, some of which involved the use of mentors.  A program model was demonstrated.

Troy LaPlante presented on how producting of comprehensive student portfolios using digital technology can be customized to create a working document for goals and progress reports, can be used to familiarize team members to the student's stregths and needs, and can help ease transitions. Hard copy which outlines how to create these are available through CHARGE Syndrome Canada.

There were many more presentations -- and the poster sessions (where CHARGE Syndrome Canada had an information table).  The pre-conference was hosted by AER, and featured guest speaker Dr. Christine Roman with the ground-breaking work on Cortical Vision Impairment. Eastern hospitality was at its best in the fabulous city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.