VIDBE-Q Volume 65 Issue 3
August. Access and Engagement: Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on Students
Birth-21 with Visual Impairments gathered data from families and professionals in
the US and Canada. We have 1,764 usable responses and hope to have the report
out in September. Both of these projects were group undertakings and could not
have been accomplished without the two phenomenal research teams. I have had
the true pleasure of working with over the last few months. I am truly appreciative
of their work. I hope in the months to come our work will have a large impact on
the lives of those with visual impairments.
Comments from The Virtual ExCEL Academy
The Virtual ExCEL Academy ran for 10 weeks, from March 23-May 29,
2020, just as the pandemic began. Dr. Cheryl Kamei-Hannan, from Cal State LA
initiated the idea, and the project was joined by Leanne Grillot, the National
Director of Outreach Services at American Printing House for the Blind (APH),
and Charlotte Cushman, Manager of Paths to Literacy, which is a collaboration
between the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) and
Perkins. Over 50 instructors offered lessons on a range of topics related to the ECC
(Expanded Core Curriculum). These daily lessons were designed to supplement
other individualized learning, and to provide meaningful activities for students
with visual impairments. More than 2,000 people registered for the sessions, with
many participants from around the world. In addition to the students and their