Featured Sessions

2026 Pre-Conference Sessions

Camp Abilities Texas: Translating Camp-Based O&M Skills into School Practice - Lisa Hanson & Shannah Blankenship

Description:  This professional development session is designed for Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) and related professionals serving students with visual impairments. Camp Abilities Texas is a structured, week-long educational sports program that promotes independence, confidence, and functional mobility skills for children and youth with visual impairments through adapted sports and recreational activities. Participants will receive an overview of the program’s philosophy, instructional framework, and service delivery model, with an emphasis on the role of the O&M Specialist in facilitating safe, effective, and student-centered instruction.

The session will focus on the application of orientation and mobility principles within non-traditional instructional settings and the intentional transfer of those skills into school and community environments. Participants will examine how O&M instruction embedded in sports, games, and daily transitions at Camp Abilities Texas aligns with established O&M competencies and can be adapted to support instructional goals within educational programming.

Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Orientation and mobility instructional strategies used in recreational and group-based environments

• Integration of spatial awareness, body concepts, sensory efficiency, and efficient travel skills through adapted sports

• Instructional techniques that support motivation, problem-solving, self-determination, and independent movement

• Alignment of Camp Abilities instructional practices with IEP goals and the Expanded Core Curriculum

• Strategies for promoting generalization and maintenance of orientation and mobility skills across settings

Prints Charming: Bringing Learning to Life - Ben Davisson

Description: Unleash the magic of 3D printing! Teachers will learn how to turn lessons into tangible, touchable experiences. From first print to final masterpiece, the possibilities are endless—because with ‘Prints Charming,’ learning leaps off the page and into students’ hands!

Learning Outcomes: 

• Discover the Magic: Teachers will learn the basics of 3D printing—from software to materials—so they can start creating touchable, hands-on learning adventures.

• Print It, Feel It, Teach It: Teachers will design and produce lessons students can actually handle, turning abstract concepts into tangible experiences.

• Layer Up Creativity: Teachers will explore endless ways to weave 3D printing into their curriculum, making learning engaging, accessible, and unforgettable.

All Aboard Getting Comfortable With the Monarch -  Jennifer Wenzel & Michael Dennis (APH)

Description:  Do you have a student who you think may benefit from the Monarch, or a student who already has one and you’re not sure where to begin? This hands-on session is designed for TVIs who want guidance, clarity, and time to explore the Monarch alongside colleagues. We’ll answer your questions, show you where the most helpful resources live, and walk through several commonly completed Monarch workflows together.

The session is led by a Monarch user who is blind and will share real-world perspectives on learning and using the device. After registering, be on the lookout for a short survey — your input will help us decide which workflows to focus on, whether that’s reading, math, or other high-priority tasks. We’ll wrap up the session with a brief look at what’s coming next for the Monarch. Bring your Monarch and your questions — we’ll take it one step at a time.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify key Monarch support resources for both teachers and students.

• Apply several commonly used Monarch workflows guided by participant interest and survey responses.

• Describe upcoming features or developments and how they may support student learning.

Beyond One-on-One: Immersive Virtual Group Technology Training for Adults with Visual Impairments - Megan Aragon, East Texas Lighthouse

Description: This session is designed for practitioners and service providers working with adults who are blind or have low vision and explores practical strategies for delivering engaging, effective, and fast-paced virtual group technology training. Participants will examine the key differences between traditional assistive and mainstream technology instruction and alternative immersive, instructor-led, and intensive group training models.

Attendees will gain insight into when virtual group training is appropriate, how to structure courses for success, and strategies to maintain momentum, engagement, and accessibility in a virtual environment. The session will highlight methods to energize learners, creatively leverage webinar and collaboration platforms, and manage technical challenges without disrupting instruction. This interactive session will equip professionals with actionable tools they can immediately apply to their own training programs.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the differences between traditional assistive and mainstream technology training programs and innovative, immersive, and intensive group training models.

•  Identify at least three effective instructional strategies for teaching individuals who are blind or visually impaired in a virtual group setting.

•  Compare the benefits and tradeoffs of group-based versus one-on-one technology training for individuals who are blind or have low vision.