OMAA Professional Development Committee Survey 2024
The OMAA PDC Survey 2024 to identify the CPD needs for 2025 is now open! If you would like to inform OMAA of your professional development needs just complete the survey. It will only take 10 minutes!
Ewa Borkowski – PDC OMAA Chair
Enrolments for the 2025 Graduate Diploma of O&M are now open
The only program of its kind in Australia, the 1-year Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility prepares graduates for enriching careers in the provision of Orientation & Mobility (O&M) services. You’ll be equipped with the specialised knowledge, critical and analytical skills, and extensive industry experiences needed to make an impact across a diverse range of O&M organisations.
Admission into the UNSW Graduate Diploma of O&M for 2025 closes 15 October 2024.
Please refer to this flyer for more information. Please share with any friends or colleagues who may be interested in pursuing a career in Orientation & Mobility.
Scholarship Opportunity
Guide Dogs SA/NT are currently offering a scholarship opportunity for the Graduate Diploma in Orientation & Mobility at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) during 2025. Click on this link to find out more. Applications close 16 September 2024.
Next Community of Practice meeting announced!
Community of Practice Workshop 4: All Things Access + New Developments in Canes & Tips. Join us for the last Community of Practice of 2024 on Tuesday 29th October 2024 at 1.30pm – 3:00pm AEST. Angela Reynolds and Karen Carrigan from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will give us the lowdown on access, and Helen Humme from Guide Dogs Victoria will highlight new developments in canes and tips. Please click here for more information.
New Position Document now available on the OMAA website
The OMAA Executive Committee recently published a position document on the Distribution of Long Canes. This document can be accessed via the OMAA website here, or by clicking this link.
ACVREP needs your input on a possible new Certificant benefit
ACVREP have received numerous requests from certificants who are interested in opportunities for mentoring and peer interactions. Additionally, certificants, consumers and referral sources have expressed a desire to easily locate and connect with certified professionals within their geographic areas.
In response to this feedback, ACVREP are exploring the possibility of adding an opt-in feature to the current certificant directory which would allow certificants to choose to have additional information listed in the directory in addition to the current listing of name, state and status. This will make it easier for peers, consumers, and referral sources to find and connect with you based on your location and services offered.
To ensure this potential feature meets your needs and preferences, ACVREP have created a quick 3 question survey to gather your input.
JSPEVI Call for Papers Reminder
The Journal of the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (JSPEVI) is now accepting submissions for its upcoming issue. We invite you to contribute original manuscripts, reports, and news items for both refereed and non-refereed sections.
We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics related to the education of persons who are blind or have low vision, including but not limited to:
– Original research studies with practical applications
– Literature and book reviews
– Conceptual, policy, or position papers
– Descriptions or evaluations of innovative curricula, programs, or educational models
– Letters to the Editor
JSPEVI provides a platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and innovative ideas in the field of education for students who are blind or have low vision. Your contribution can help advance our understanding and improve educational outcomes for these students.
JSPEVI has recently entered into a partnership with Informit. Informit provides a robust platform that connects publications to a vast network of researchers, educators, and libraries across Australia and New Zealand, as well as globally. This partnership increases discoverability through major academic databases and discovery services, ensuring that content reaches a diverse audience.
Don’t miss this opportunity to share your expertise with colleagues across the South Pacific region and beyond.
For submission guidelines, please visit:Â https://www.spevi.net/jspevi/
Dr Bronwen Scott
Editor – JSPEVI
Upcoming Conferences and Information Days
- Save Sight Institute’s 12th Annual Community Information Day, 16 November 2024, University of Sydney. Registrations are now open for this in-person event designed for individuals with low vision or blindness, their caregivers, and educators.
- SPEVI conference, 13-15 January 2025, University of Southern Queensland, Brisbane. Conference delivery both online and in person. Check out the dedicated website to keep up to date with the conference program as it evolves. If you’re not yet a member of SPEVI, join now and enjoy discounted registration fees to the conference and other SPEVI events and activities. Early bird and member only registration rates are available until October.
- 2025 OMAA Conference, 14-15 March 2025, NextSense, Macquarie University, Sydney. Registrations are open for OMAA Conference 2025! If you have any questions, please email pdc@omaaustralasia.com
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
You can find other PD opportunities at the OMAA website: https://www.omaaustralasia.com/resources/professional-development/
Are you hosting or attending an upcoming CPD event? Would you like to be able to earn points towards ACVREP recertification at the same time? Click here to find out how you can register your event.
Job Vacancies
Have you looked at the Job Vacancies page on the OMAA website recently? You’ll find position vacancies listed for various agencies and locations across Australasia so remember to check it out.
Other News
- In wonderful news, the AppleVis website is set to re-open, after partnering with the team at Be My Eyes!
- The Australian Government Department of Education has published new information resources on the Disability Standards for Education for students with disabilities and their parents and caregivers. The new resources were created by students with disabilities and their parents and caregivers, with help from Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA). The new resources include information on how to advocate, how to raise concerns and resolve a complaint with your school, and how to be a disability ally. The resources can be found on the Department of Education website.
- The first blind Barbie doll is now available in Australia. The doll was developed with the American Foundation for the Blind, is dressed in clothing with tactile fabric detailing, and holds a white and red cane.
- NextSense (previously known as Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children) has opened a new centre at Macquarie University in Sydney.
- Three clinicians set up Eyes of Hope to help people experiencing homelessness in Sydney receive eye care.
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