What VI Field Should Know about LIO – Updates on VI Rule, Guidance Documents, and Future Plans

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Description

Join LIO during this interactive lecture and panel discussion to address implementation of the new VI rule, the upcoming Michigan Mandatory Special Education work for 0-3, and other guidance documents that will affect the work around students who are Blind/Visually Impaired. Learn about our upcoming library management system. Engage in conversation about students needs in the arears of assessment, braille, ILS, and assistive technology. Gain information on the support team for new teachers and O&Ms, and LIO's plans for future endeavors.

Participants will:

Understand rule and policy work surrounding education for students who are Blind/Visually Impaired.
Become knowledgeable about ordering braille books, equipment, supplies and materials for students.
Have an awareness of where to find resources and offerings of classes and trainings through LIO.

This session is presented by Roxanne Balfour, Johanna Brutvan, Amanda English, Pat Love, Beth Brabbs, and Amy Shepherd.

Contributors

Roxanne Balfour

Roxanne Balfour is the Director for the Michigan Department of Education, Low Incidence Outreach (MDE, LIO). She has worked for MDE, Office of Special Education (OSE) over 20 years, including 8 years at Low Incidence Outreach. At MDE, OSE she was involved in grant management, program development, and policy, finance/business operations, and special education credentialing. She is a member of the Association of Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Council of Schools and Services for the Blind. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and master’s degree from Grand Valley State University.
Johanna Brutvan

Johanna Brutvan is an Education Consultant for the Michigan Department of Education- Low Incidence Outreach (MDELIO). Brutvan holds degrees in elementary education, visual impairment, curriculum development and early childhood. She is also a Perkins-Roman Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) Endorsed Specialist since 2017. She served as president and board member of the Michigan Association of Education and Rehabilitation of Blind and Visually Impaired (MAER) from 2014-2018. Prior to working at MDELIO Brutvan worked a teacher consultant for the visually impaired for 16 years in the metro Detroit area serving students from birth to 26.
Amanda English

Amanda English is an Education Consultant for the Michigan Department of Education-Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO). Prior to working for MDE-LIO, Amanda served as a Teacher Consultant for Visually Impaired and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist in Kalamazoo, MI, for 20 years. She is a Perkins-Roman Endorsed Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) Specialist and an independent living skills (ILS) trainer. She was a 2011 recipient of the National Association of Special Education Teachers: Outstanding Teacher Award and was the 2019 Michigan AER president. Amanda is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership through Capella University.
Pat Love
Beth Brabbs

Beth Brabbs is an Education Consultant for Michigan Department of Education–Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO) with more than 30 years of experience in the field of visual impairment. Brabbs earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education with an endorsement in Blind/Visually Impaired from Eastern Michigan University. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in orientation and mobility (O&M) from Western Michigan University. Brabbs is certified to teach students with blindness and visual impairment in Michigan and is an ACVREP certified O&M Specialist. Before joining MDE-LIO in 2021, she taught in Maryland and Southeast Michigan.
Amy Shepherd

Amy Shepherd is the Michigan Department of Education Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO) Parent Liaison. She is also an Expert Substitute Teacher for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) Teachers for the Visually Impaired team. Shepherd has a Masters in Elementary Education from Northwestern University and is a Perkins Roman CVI Range Endorsee. Shepherd was the President of the Michigan Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (MPVI) for six years and has held numerous non-profit board positions. She was awarded the MAER Award for Outstanding Contributions for Serving Persons in Michigan Who are Blind and Visually Impaired in 2016.