Upcoming Extracurricular and ECC Events

Hi again to all of the educators of students with low vision across the state! The holidays are nearly here and so is 2024! It sure is hard to believe the year is about half over. Here is a look at the upcoming events from USB:

Be on the Lookout!
- USB values your feedback! Members of our team are developing an Enrichment Funds survey to go out to stakeholders statewide in January 2024. More to come!
- Also in January, USB will be asking interested educators to submit a brief application to be a part of a statewide Professional Development Committee. This committee will help to determine needs and appropriate training for those who work with students with vision loss statewide. More information to come!
ECC Updates:
- SAVE THE DATES! Teen Escape
  - Short Term Program on Location: Tooele
    - Monday, December 11, 2023 4:00 – 6:00 pm
    - Designed for students 8-12, however older students are always welcome! Registration required before December 4, 2023.
    - Come have fun playing games, making snacks, and learning new skills with friends.
  - Short Term Program on Location: Ogden
    - Wednesday, December 12, 2023 4:00 – 6:00 pm
    - Designed for students 8 and up! Registration required before December 5, 2023.
    - Come have fun playing games, making snacks, and learning new Expanded Core skills with friends.
  - Teen Escape: Snowshoeing
    - Saturday, January 13, 2024
    - Time yet to be determined, most likely 10-2
    - Designed for students 13+
    - Let’s get out and explore some of Utah’s famous snow on snowshoes!
- SAVE THE DATE – Winter Family Activity
  - Discovery Gateway – Saturday February 3, 2024
  - Designed for Students birth to 7 years old and students with multiple disabilities along with their families!
  - Registration and fliers coming soon!
- Register for the whole year!
- Mental Health Conference
  - Saturday, January 27, 2024 1:00 – 4:00 pm
    - Designed for parents of children with vision impairment and students with vision impairment 12+
    - Join us as we listen to trained professionals and a panel of mentors share information regarding mental health and coping with vision impairment.
    - Registration Required before January 20, 2024
- Parents can see all of our upcoming events and register for them on our website.
Outreach Vision Services Updates:
- Please join us for an advocacy trip to WASHINGTON D.C. February 19 – 23, 2024!
  - Activities include:
    - Advocating for the needs of students with blindness and low vision – Cogswell Macy Act
    - Visiting the Nation’s Capital
    - Gaining greater mobility independence
    - Visiting the Smithsonian Museums and The International Spy Museum
    - This free event is for students in 9th – 12th grades.
    - Registration is now open! Application Deadline is January 5th
    - Check out the Flier for distribution along with a screen reader version.
  - For more information, please contact:
    - Brandon Watts: brandonw@usdb.org or
    - Sharon Draper: sharond@usdb.org
USIMAC Updates:
- The Utah Braille Challenge will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 at DSBVI. Registration will be open December – January. A registration link will be posted at the beginning of December to our Facebook page and an email will be sent out through the Listserv and this newsletter.
Deafblind Services Updates:
- Deafblind Services of Utah is again offering a series of deafblind-specific training for our 2024 Deafblind Institute. Deafblind Institute is a training opportunity offered each year to review basic Deafblind strategies with other professionals in the field. *If you attended last year please be aware that similar information will be covered. The ten training sessions are offered via Zoom each Wednesday from 3:30-5:00 for 10 weeks, starting Jan 17, 2024. See the flier for topic details and registration information. You can register for and attend as many sessions as you’d like. There is a one-time option to receive two University of Utah credits for $100 if you attend at least 8 of the 10 sessions and complete a simple action plan for each. We’d love to have you join us. Please feel free to share with professionals outside of USDB who might be interested. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
The December USBE board meeting as the governing body for USDB will be on Thursday December 6th at 10:15 am. The agenda, when published, can be found using this link: https://usbe.civicclerk.com/web/Home.aspx (Times are subject to change)

For your convenience, all fliers in this email can be found in this TVI Memo Resources folder along with any past fliers and information.