Conference Program

NORTHERN ROCKIES AER MONTANA-IDAHO-WYOMING

ASSOCIATION FOR EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION OF THE BLIND AND

VISUALLY IMPAIRED

“Getting TheAER!”

COEUR D’ALENE RESORT October 29th-31st

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Welcome to our 2019 NR AER Conference!

We are excited to bring you 18 presenters and an inspiring program themed around successful outcomes of all individuals who are blind and visually impaired, with a specific focus on transition topics. The program brings us all together for several general sessions for a special shared experience.

Our exhibitors are looking forward to meeting you and sharing their expertise in an intimate setting and we have several networking events such as our sunset dinner cruise aboard the Spirit on Wednesday followed by a social in the penthouse Hagadone suite.

We are also excited to bring you a chance (also known as Chinese) auction with basket items totaling over $2,000 in value…well maybe in the millions if you count the lottery ticket basket. If you have any questions, please find someone with the special red ‘host’ ribbon or at our Hospitality Desk located at Bay 2. We look forward to a wonderful shared learning experience together!

Warmest regards,

NR AER Conference Planning Committee

Jennifer Hirai, Idaho Rep. and Planning Committee Chair, IESDB TVI/COMS Tina Johnson, Vice-chair Planning Committee, IESDB TVI Bruce Breslauer, NR AER President, and TVI/COMS (ret.). Pam Boespflug, NR AER Treasurer, and TVI (ret.) Jeanne-Marie Kopecky, IESDB Administrator/TVI/COMS Ann Hammerquist, Kuna Schools, TVI/COMS Alison Steven, Statewide Transition Coordinator, ICBVI Linda Upton, Rehabilitation Counselor, ICBVI Tia Reed, NR AER Wyoming Representative. TDSI/COMS Other NRAER Board Members: Leslie Van Orman, President Elect & Program Manager. WY Vision Outreach Services Amy Tangen, NRAER Past President and M.Ed. Tech. MSDB Chris Siller, Secretary and MS, COMS at Montana Ind. Living Project Brian Darcy, Parliamentarian and IESDB Agency Administrator Beverly Berg, Montana Representative, bberg@mt.gov

Thank you to our Exhibitors and Sponsors

Gold Sponsor

Northwest Farm Credit Services, www.northwestfcs.com

Silver Sponsor

University of Northern Colorado, www.unco.edu

Bronze Sponsor

Good-Lite Vision Products, www.good-lite.com

Exhibitors

American Printing House for the Blind, www.aph.org

Guide Dogs for the Blind, www.guidedogs.com

Idaho Assistive Technology Project, www.idahoat.org

Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind, www.iesdb.org

Irie AT, www.irie-at.com

Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, www.nwaba.org

OrCam Technologies, www.orcam.com

Overhere Consulting, www.overherconsulting.net

Portland State University, www.pdx.edu

Seedlings Braille Books, www.seedlings.org

Texas Tech University, www.ttu.edu

University of Northern Colorado, www.unco.edu

ViewPlus Technologies, Inc., www.viewplus.com

Vision Matters, www.visionmatters.net

Schedule at a Glance

Tuesday October 29th

The Shore Room

Registration from 3:30 to 6:30 pm

Social from 6:30 to 8:00 pm

Wednesday October 30th

Registration from 7:45 to 8:45 am

Keynote and General Sessions from 9 to 11:50 am

Lunch- Bay 2

Breakout Sessions, 1 to 5 pm

Dinner Cruise (for ticketed guests) 5:30 to 7 pm

Social, Hagadone Suite, 8 to 10 pm

Thursday October 31st

Breakout Sessions, 7:45 to 11:45 am

Lunch- Bay 2

Breakout Session, 1 to 4 pm

Final General Session, 4 to 5 pm

Full Conference Schedule

Wednesday Morning

7:30 – 8:30 Coffee/Tea Bagels Outside Bay 2

7:45 – 8:45 Registration Outside Bay 2

7:45 – 8:45 NRAER General Session Business Meeting

President: Bruce Breslauer Bay 4

9:00 – 9:10 Conference Welcome by NRAER Officials Bay 4

9:10 – 9:50 Keynote: “The Power of Expectations”,

Jacalyn Stallings and Alison Steven. Bay 4

9:50 – 10:30 General Session: “Positive Genius”

Casey West Robertson Bay 4

10:30 – 11:45 General Session: Connecting Research to

Reality: Employer Roundtable. Karla Antonelli, Moderator.

Bay 4

11:45 – 1:10 Lunch, Auction Ticket Sales

Exhibits open Bay 2

Wednesday Afternoon, Exhibits open in Bay 2

1:10 – 2:10 Visual Implications of Traumatic Brain Injury, Melissa Adams. The effect of Traumatic Brain Injuries on the visual system and how it impacts ability to access the general education curriculum. Special focus on how the visual system works and best practices for providing appropriate accommodations.

Bay 1

Braille: the greatest Job Skill? Casey West Robertson. Why and how Braille functions to meet the demands of today’s workplace and the specific proficiency skills that are most important.

Bay 3

Soft Skills for the Workplace, John Dubay. John, owner and Managing Director shares insights on soft skills that ‘make it’ or ‘break it’ in the business world.

Bay 4

2:10 - 3:10 In-Motion” Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, Sports & physical activity for a lifetime, by Stacey Gibbins. (Encore presentation Thursday.)

Bay 1

Newly developed Resource App for Transition Families, Karla Antonelli. Show and tell of her current and exciting research project at the National Research and Training Center which is in the final development stage and about to go ‘live’.

Bay 3

The Integration of O&M into the General Elementary Education Curriculum Anita Page and Nora Griffin-Shirley. Participants will learn strategies to integrate O&M into the General Elementary Education Curriculum and apply these strategies within a group setting.

Bay 4

3:10 - 3:25 Refreshment Break Outside Bay 2

3:25 - 4:00 Customized Employment via the Internet, Krista Kramer. Employment is now only as far away as the internet. This session will share ideas for creating employment opportunities designed by and for people with disabilities, using the internet to reduce transportation barriers, provide scheduling flexibility, and make the most of an individual’s strengths.

Bay 1

3:25 - 4:00 Talking with Employers, Karla Antonelli. Research based best practices for talking with potential employers will be shared and discussed.

Bay 3

3:25 - 5:00 Everything you Always Wondered about Guide Dogs but Were Afraid

to Ask, Jake Koch. Looking for a place to learn about the variety of aspects on the topic of the guide dog lifestyle? Join Jake, Community Outreach Specialist at Guide Dogs for the Blind, and his guide dog Forli for this interactive, round-table style learning opportunity. Also presented will be an overview of the latest programs and services offered by GDB.

Bay 4

4:00 - 5:00 Smart Phones: The Swiss Army Knife of Assistive Technology, Krista Kramer. Yes, it is a phone, but it is also a magnifier, reader, OCR, image interpreter, navigator, note taker, reminder, interpreter, Braille keyboard, AAC device, personal emergency response system, and so much more. This workshop will take a tour through accessibility features and apps that many of you carry around in your pockets. (Encore presentation Thursday.)

Bay 1

4:00 - 5:00 Why aren’t you paying attention?! Influences and Outcomes, Robin Greenfield. How do you know a child is paying attention? This presentation will define attention, review different kinds of attention, and indicators that tell you a child with more severe disabilities is focused on you or a specific task. (Encore presentation Thursday.)

Bay 3

5:30 - 7:30 Dinner Cruise aboard the Spirit (for ticketed guests only) Boardwalk

8:00 - 10:00 Social hosted by NRAER Conference Committee Hagadone Suite, Lake Tower

Thursday Morning:

7:45 – 9:15 O&M for Older Adults with Vision Loss, Anita Page and Nora Griffin-Shirley. A simulation activity in which participants will learn strategies to work with older clients (55+) in the provision of O&M instruction; will explore issues commonly experienced by older O&M clients.

Bay 1

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: What Are They and How Do They Work? Rob Wall Emerson. This is an outdoor activity. This activity at an intersection will review the basic characteristics of accessible pedestrian signals and how their installation impacts the mobility of people who are blind. Sign up in advance at hospitality desk (Max: 10 participants).

Meets Outside Bay 1

Teaching Braille Better, Casey West Robertson. Participants will look at strategies to be more effective Braille instructors.

Bay 3

O&M Apps, Timothy Paulding, Orientation and Mobility Instructor at Lighthouse for the Blind in Spokane, Washington.

Bay 5

9:15 – 10:05 State of the States: Panel Discussion. Moderated by Amy Tangen, MSDB, and Leslie Van Orman, WY Vision Outreach Services.

Bay 1

Why Aren’t You Paying Attention? Robin Greenfield. (Encore) Bay 3

Obstacle detection with the Long Cane, Robert Wall Emerson. This presentation will review recent research on how cane characteristics and cane use techniques impact the detection of obstacles.

Bay 5

10:00 - 10:15 Refreshment Break Outside Bay 2

10:15 - 11:45 Guide Dog Readiness: How to Support a Client or Student in Preparing for the Guide Dog Lifestyle, Jake Koch. Learn about the latest tools, services, and programs from Guide Dogs for the Blind to aid you in preparing a client or student for the guide dog lifestyle. Also presented will be an overview of Guide Dogs for the Blind’s Orientation and Mobility Immersion program.

Bay 1

Bridging the Learning Gap: The Power of Community, Earl Hoover. A discussion forum regarding the challenges facing students who are blind or visually impaired. Earl will share his insights from traveling statewide and working with students. Participants will be challenged and solicited to share the dynamics that exist in their community and the role they play in helping students succeed.

Bay 3

Smart Phones: The Swiss Army Knife of AT, Krista Kramer. (Encore) Bay 5

11:45 – 1:00 Lunch: Special address by our sponsors, Paula Conroy and Silvia Correa-Torres, University of Northern Colorado. Final hour of open exhibits.

Auction winners announced.

Bay 2

Thursday Afternoon

1:00 – 1:55 CVI: Diagnosis and Environmental Considerations, Susan Sullivan. Strategies determined through assessment and diagnostic teaching.

Bay 1

Try it, See it, Reflect on it: Using Video Analysis in O&M Instruction, Paula Conroy and Silvia Correa-Torres. Strategies for using the GoPro camera in facilitating self-reflection skills of O&M students and instructors will be introduced and demonstrated in this presentation. Advantages in using the GoPro camera over other recording devices will be discussed.

Bay 3

Bridging the Learning Gap: Acquiring the Tools of the Trade, Earl Hoover. Interactive session, please bring laptop with Microsoft apps. Participants will learn common keyboard shortcuts and how to easily make course content accessible by screen readers. Q&A format for a portion of the session.

Bay 5

1:55 – 2:50 Visual Implications of Traumatic Brain Injury, Melissa Adams. (Encore) Bay 1

Try it, See it, Reflect on it: Video Analysis in O&M Instruction, Part 2., Paula Conroy and Silvia Correa-Torres.

Bay 3

Building the Vision through Tactile Graphics, Jeff Gardner with Earl Hoover. Tactile graphics are an essential tool for blind students to learn shapes and other structured information found in STEM subjects. Learn how the TactileView software can be utilized by TVI’s to teach STEM subjects and how to involve students in the process.

Bay 5

2:50 – 3:05 Trick or Treats Refreshment Break Outside Bay 2

3:05 – 4:00 Newly developed Resource App for Transition Families, Karla Antonelli.

(Encore).

Bay 1

Maximizing O&M Services in Rural and Remote Areas through Distance ED, by Amy Parker. Looks at the research and themes around providing and maximizing O&M services to children and adults in rural and remote areas. Participants will reflect and give feedback regarding models of distance consultation, role release and grouping strategies. Data collected from this interactive session will be used to gather input from the field.

Bay 3

In-Motion” Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, Sports &

physical activity for a lifetime, Stacey Gibbins. (Encore) Bay 5

4:05 – 5:00 Philosophy of Blndness and how it relates to “getting there”, Panel Discussion. Alison Steven, Moderator.

Bay 3

Conference Presenters

Karla Antonelli, Ph. D., currently works at the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, Mississippi State University. Karla does research in improving employment outcomes for people with blindness or low vision, using methods including human-computer interaction studies and quantitative and qualitative social research methods. Her current project involves development of a transition information resource for young people with blindness or low vision. Other research projects have included employer and professional attitudes about employees with visual impairment, and career mentoring for college students. Karla lives in Columbus, MS, with her husband Ralph, dog Blue, and cats Smoky Jo and Morris. In her free time, she enjoys family get-togethers, reading, and spending time outdoors whenever she can.

Paula Conroy, Ed.D., is a professor at the University of Northern Colorado and has dedicated her career to preparing leading educators in the area of special education with an emphasis in visual impairment and O&M. She's also an accomplished researcher and author of numerous scholarly articles which have been published in journals including the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness and Journal of Research, Innovation in Blindness. Her research interests include teaching English language learners with visual disabilities and physical education and movement development. Paula is the mother of three boys and lives an active lifestyle. Outdoor activities including hiking, running, cycling, and swimming are a daily part of her life.

Silvia M. Correa-Torres, Ed. D., is a professor in the School of Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado. Silvia’s research interests include the education of individuals with visual impairment, orientation and mobility, communication issues among students with deafblindness, as well as learning environments and cultural considerations. She shares her research with other Special Education professionals at conferences around the world. Outside academia, Silvia loves traveling, the beach, running, yoga and pretty much any outdoor activity with her 4-year old daughter, her husband and their dog Dulci-Rainbow.

John Dubay, Founder and Managing Director of Strategic Contact Solutions Group, Inc. employs a team of blind and visually impaired employees to provide Account Management, Business Development, Customer Service and ‘Back-Office’ support to business-to-business (B2B) and government-to-business (G2B) organizations across the US and Canada. The Strategic Contact Solutions’ team leverages superb active-listening skills, their ability to think on their feet and their creativity to perform support functions such as updating databases, conducting surveys, lead generation and nurturing, qualifying and appointment setting, and many other internal functions for businesses.

Melissa Adams is currently a TVI/COMS for the Coeur d’Alene School District in Coeur d’Alene Idaho. Prior to moving to Idaho, she worked as a TVI/COMS in Western Pennsylvania and was a co-chair of the local BrainSteps program, a school-based re-entry program for students with concussions and traumatic brain injury.

Robert Wall Emerson, Ph. D., is a professor in the Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies at Western Michigan University. He has conducted research into many aspects of blindness including braille literacy, access to complex intersections, accessible pedestrian signals, long cane

biomechanics, spatial acoustics, description of math images, the impact of hybrid and electric vehicles on O&M, and tactile guidance surfaces. He is an author on 76 peer reviewed articles and 7 book chapters and served as the research editor for the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness since 2012.

Jeff Gardner began his career in college, working in emergency shelters for homeless families, traumatically brain injured people and mentally-ill adults in Eugene, OR. After college, he built the award-winning volunteer/internship program for ShelterCare and later was hired as director of the Special Olympics program in Lane, Linn and Benton counties. In 2001, Gardner left the non-profit world and joined his father, Dr. John Gardner, who had developed the first tactile graphics embosser (The Tiger Embosser) at Oregon State University (OSU), with a goal to continue his work as Professor of Physics following his sudden blindness in 1988. Jeff Gardner joined his father and his OSU spinoff, ViewPlus Technologies, as Marketing Director in 2001, later becoming CEO in 2006. ViewPlus rapidly became one of the largest manufacturers of braille (and tactile graphics) embossers in the world and remains as such today. Gardner left ViewPlus to begin IRIE-AT in 2012. IRIE-AT is now the master distributor for ViewPlus in the USA and proudly distributes other quality assistive technology equipment and software, focusing on distribution and training of products for STEM access. Gardner is a passionate advocate for tactile graphics in the classroom and believes strongly that tactile graphics are a necessary ingredient for blind students to have realistic opportunities for careers in engineering, science and math.

Stacey Gibbins is the Director of Programs for Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA). Her work provides life-changing opportunities through sport and physical activity for individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Stacey graduated from The College at Brockport with her undergraduate and master’s degree in 2011 and 2014 respectively. Her undergraduate degree was in Physical Education Teacher Certification with concentrations in APE and Sport Management. Stacey was a Camp Abilities graduate assistant during her master’s in Athletic Administration. Currently she is Past-President of AER Division 19, President-Elect for PNWAER and hosts a seat on the Blind and Visually Impaired Student Fund (BVIS) committee for Oregon. Stacey believes that “if you have a body, you are an athlete” and that every person has a right to access physical activity and recreation. Other things to know, she was born in Buffalo, NY, loves the Buffalo Bills and pizza. Other hobbies include anything outdoors, hiking, back-packing, kayaking and Orangetheory.

Robin G. Greenfield, Ph.D. is the Associate Director of the Center on Disabilities and Human Development at the University of Idaho. She is also the Director of the Idaho Project for Children and Youth with Deaf-Blindness. Dr. Greenfield has conducted national and international presentations on a variety of topics related to children with more complex disabilities. She has written various articles on issues related to children with significant disabilities as well as produce a video series on the inclusion of a child who is deaf-blind in a general education class. Her research interests include looking at the impact of stress on children with disabilities, developing functional communication systems for children at the pre-symbolic level, and how to maintain attention in children with disabilities.

Nora Griffin-Shirley, Ph.D., is a professor and the Director and Coordinator of the Orientation and Mobility Program at The Virginia Murray Sowell Center for Research and Education in Sensory Disabilities at Texas Tech University. She is also the Coordinator of the TTU Graduate School Certificate in Sensory Impairments and Autism. Dr. Griffin-Shirley is a Co-Principal Investigator on the Reach Across Texas grant, Project CAT-SI. n.griffin-shirley@ttu.edu

Earl Hoover is the Statewide Assistive Technologist for the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired since March 2018. He earned his undergraduate degree in Relational & Organizational Communication from Boise State University in 2016, and his Master of Education degree in Rehabilitation Counseling & Human Services from the University of Idaho, and his credential in Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC) in 2018. He lives in Boise with his wife, son, daughter, two pet dogs and Guide Dog, Kylo. He believes strongly in self-advocacy and the ability of all individuals to live independent lives pursuing their goals through equal opportunities in education and employment. Disability does not mean lack of capacity; it simply requires the individual to find adaptive solutions for accomplishing their goals.

Krista Kramer works for the Idaho Assistive Technology Project (IATP) in Moscow, Idaho, providing information and technical assistance on a broad spectrum of assistive technology and the pathways to acquire that technology. She coordinates iCanConnect, Idaho’s Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Project, conducting assessments, and providing individualized training on distance communication technology for people with combined vision & hearing loss. She also supports Idaho’s low-interest financial loan program to help people purchase assistive technology.

Krista is passionate about helping people with disabilities find the right tools to accomplish their goals. She has been certified as an Assistive Technology Professional since 2001, has a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, and worked for 23 years as an Independent Living Coordinator for Disability Action Center – NW. She has also provided in-home care for people with spinal cord injuries, worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor, provided support services to students with disabilities in education settings, and helped people transition from institutional care back into their own homes with the Idaho Home Choice Program.

Krista spent her years between learning to walk and starting school with her good eye patched, leaving her with almost enough vision not to run into big stuff. She is now adoptive parent to a retired guide dog.

Anita Page is the Internship Coordinator for Vision Professionals at The Virginia Murray Sowell Center for Research and Education in Sensory Disabilities at Texas Tech University. Anita is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist who assists with online and face-to-face courses in the O&M and TVI programs. As the Internship Coordinator, Anita coordinates and places interns for the O&M programs as well as supervises interns. Anita also works with admissions and advisement for students in the vision programs and has been working at the Sowell Center since 2001. Anita graduated from Texas Tech University with her master’s degree in special education with a specialization in Orientation and Mobility. anita.page@ttu.edu

Amy Parker, Ed. D, COMS, is an assistant professor and the coordinator of the O&M Program at Portland State University. Using participatory methodologies with community stakeholders, she has worked to design accessible multimedia learning modules for national technical assistance and personnel preparation. Her research interests O&M for individuals with complex disabilities and people with communication challenges. She is an experienced advocate, presenter and action researcher. She’s the sister of an adult with multiple disabilities and the parent of a child with autism.

Timothy Paulding is an Orientation and Mobility instructor at the Lighthouse for the Blind in Spokane. He also contracts with the states of Washington and Idaho, teaching adaptive technology and O&M to children and adults. He has worked in the blindness and disability field for over 10 years and is certified in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy and Orientation and Mobility. More information about the Lighthouse for the Blind can be found at: http://thelighthousefortheblindinc.org/.

Casey Robertson is a teacher of more than 20 years. She lives in Mississippi and is currently working at the Professional Development Research and Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University. She has been the recipient of the National Educator of Blind Students and the Mississippi Educator of Blind Students. She holds a National Certification in Unified English Braille. She is a proud wife and mom of a wonderful 12-year old. She recently gained her ED. Specialist from Walden University. She loves to encourage others in the field of blindness and work as an advocate for families seeking appropriate services in public education.

Jackie Stallings was born and raised in the state of Wyoming. Starting kindergarten in 1986, she was mainstreamed in a general education classroom. Jackie received support from a Vision teacher and an orientation and Mobility instructor She graduated from Kelly Walsh High School in 1999. Received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wyoming in 2003. After Jackie received her bachelor’s degree, she moved to South Africa for 2 years. During this time, she assisted in starting a Non-Profit organization called Higher Ground. Higher Ground specializes in providing Recreational therapy to South Africans with various disabilities. In 2006 Jackie returned to the United States and lived in Michigan, where she worked as a camp Director at a camp for Blind children. She received a Dual masters in Rehabilitation Teaching for the blind and Rehabilitation Counseling from Western Michigan University in 2012. She now works as a VR Counselor for the Idaho Commission for the Blind and lives in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. Jackie is now also the mother of a Blind 8-year-old, as well as 4 other children. In her free time (when she has any) she enjoys reading, spending time with her husband, Ben, and children and volunteering in the community.

Alison Steven was raised and educated in the UK and gained a degree in Music at Bristol University before moving to the United States with her husband and four kids in 1998. In Boise, Idaho, she worked as a music teacher at Riverstone International School for 12 years, developing the K-12 music curriculum during that time. Losing her vision due to a progressive degenerative disease of the retina, she became a student at the Assessment and Training Center of the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. In November 2017 Alison graduated with a Master of Arts in

Teaching the Visually Impaired from Louisiana Tech. While completing her master’s she was hired on as the Transition Coordinator at the Commission for the Blind working with blind and visually impaired students aged 15 through 21, developing and implementing programming aimed at improving student independence and preparedness for college and employment. She volunteers with the National Federation of the Blind, running activities for blind children and youth. She received the Distinguished Blind Educator of the Year Award from the National Federation of the Blind in July 2019. In her spare time Alison enjoys playing and singing music, hiking, biking, reading and spending time with her family.

Susan Sullivan is a Teacher for Children with Visual Impairment who is currently working at American Printing House for the Blind as their CVI Project Leader. She was instrumental in forming the Neurological Visual Impairment Division of AER and currently serves as Chair.

About AER The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) is a professional membership organization dedicated exclusively to professionals who provide services to persons with vision loss. We promote and support the professions by advocating for evidence-based practices, high quality standards, value-added resources and giving voice to issues of critical importance. AER provides professional development via face-to-face conferences, virtual offerings and publications to strengthen the knowledge, skills and abilities of professionals within the field. AER provides networking, mentoring, connectivity, awards and scholarships for professionals to advance excellence within the field. Our aim is to ensure that persons with vision loss will have optimal gains and greater independence by giving timely, intentional and value-added support to professionals in the field.

When: July 22-26, 2020 Where: St. Louis, MO

Conference Venue: St. Louis Union Station Hotel The international conference is the only convening of its kind in the United Sates. The conference

draws over 600 professionals and has over 170 educational sessions, special events. Check out

the new conference format and https://aerbvi.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Conference-

Schedule-at-a-Glance-2.pdf

Why Membership Matters When you join AER, you join a community of excellence. No matter your role or the number of years in the field, membership in AER places you among a group of elite professionals. AER is a member centered organization where members support each other; and for that reason and many others, AER is constantly evolving, growing and listening. AER is the only organization of its kind bringing VI professionals together to ensure members have what they need to succeed. AER offers continuing education via convenient online educational sessions. Members can also receive CEs by simply reading select JVIB articles. Members also gain access to webinars and live watercooler chats that cover topics of interest to vision professionals.