SPEVI Conference
- Invitation to SPEVI Conference
- Registration and fees
- Provisional program
- Keynote speakers
- Accommodation
- Sponsors and exhibitors
- Partner's tour program
- About Western Australia
- Contact Conference Secretariat
- Feedback from SPEVI's 2005 conference
Invitation to SPEVI 2007 Biennial Conference
Welcome to the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment Conference 2007
- Theme: "Connecting the Pathways: Sharing our Knowledge"
- Dates: 7 -12 January 2007
- Venue: Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, Western Australia
It is with great pleasure that I invite you, on behalf of the Conference Organising Committee, to attend this significant event. The Conference will be held at the Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, Western Australia from 7 - 12 January 2007. With a theme of Connecting the Pathways: Sharing our Knowledge the content will be attractive and relevant to educators and professionals, vision specialists, therapists, families, community groups and associated agencies. Speakers of international and national repute will provide inspiration on topics of everyday interest plus challenging insights for the future.
I look forward to welcoming you to Fremantle for the SPEVI 2007 Conference.
Tania Dick
Conference Convenor
Registration and fees
You can either download the registration form and fax it to the Conference Secretariat with your credit card details or mail it with payment to the address below. You may also book your accommodation and any Partner's Tour Program on the Registration Form.
Please contact Debrett's for any enquires regarding registration and accommodation:
Provisional program (updated 17 November)
- Program - text format (doc 48 kb)
- Program - print format (pdf 142 kb)
- Program - table format (doc 196 kb)
Keynote speakers
Professor Sandra Rosen
Sandra Rosen is the Coordinator of the Programs in Orientation & Mobility and Guide Dog Mobility at San Francisco State University. She holds certifications as an O&M specialist and vision rehabilitation therapist (daily living skills instructor), and she is also licensed as a physiotherapist. Prior to taking her position at San Francisco State University, Dr. Rosen worked in all three of the above fields serving students of all ages from birth through the senior years. Dr. Rosen also taught for several years at Texas Tech University in the United States, preparing teachers of the visually impaired.
Dr. Rosen has written numerous book chapters and articles on such topics as visual impairment and physical disabilities, and the sensory-motor development and functioning of infants, children, and adults with visual impairments. She has conducted research on the gait, posture, and balance of children with congenital visual impairments. Dr. Rosen has traveled internationally to present her work.
Dr. Rosen has just completed work on an interactive computer program designed to prepare teachers to teach mobility techniques to students who are blind. The first of its kind, this program includes a visual database of mobility skills including skills in the areas of human guide, non-cane, cane usage, street crossings, use of public and private transportation systems, and skills specific to unique environments.
Other areas of interest include the development of international programs to prepare O&M specialists and guide dog mobility instructors. In conjunction with Novosibirsk State University in Russia, Dr. Rosen began the first university program to prepare O&M specialists in Europe. The San Francisco State University program in Guide Dog Mobility that she coordinates is also the first of its kind in the world. Dr. Rosen is currently working to develop distance education materials to prepare guide dog mobility specialists in countries outside of the United States.
Professor Deborah Chen
Deborah Chen, Ph.D., is professor, Department of Special Education at California State University, Northridge, where she teaches in the areas of early childhood special education and severe disabilities. Her extensive background in early intervention services as a service provider, program administrator, in-service and preservice instructor, and researcher includes the administration of several federally funded grant projects related to professional development in early intervention/early childhood special education and program development for infants with multiple disabilities/sensory impairments, as well as work with families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Her research and publications have focused on early communication in infants with multiple disabilities and sensory impairments, infant-caregiver interactions, and effective practices for working with families from diverse cultures.
Accommodation
A range of accommodation options (doc 76 kb) has been reserved on behalf of delegates attending the conference. Attractive rates have been secured at a number of hotels within close proximity of The Esplanade Hotel Fremantle. The Conference Secretariat cannot guarantee accommodation unless bookings are confirmed by the 20th November 2006. Any bookings requested after this date will be subject to availability.
All delegates must forward the first night's room payment only as a deposit to secure their reservation. You will be responsible to pay the balance on check-out. Please complete the Registration Form appropriately.
Sponsors and exhibitors
We greatly appreciate the contribution of our sponsors. For any sponsorship enquiries please contact the Conference Secretariat at Debrett's Conference and Event Management.
Partner's tour program and activities
Should your partner wish to participate in any of the Tour program (doc 200 kb) please complete the Registration Form appropriately.
About Western Australia
Perth, the capital of WA, is located overlooking the broad reaches of the Swan River and Fremantle, the State's port-city, has a vibrant and bustling inner harbour. Geographically isolated, it is nevertheless well catered for in terms of all forms of entertainment and recreational pursuits, many of which focus on the beautiful Swan River and the clean, white sandy beaches.
Contact: Conference Secretariat
Debrett's Conference and Event Management
Postal address: PO Box 441, NEDLANDS WA 6909
Tel: (08) 9386 3282
Fax: (08) 9386 3292
Email: spevi@debretts.com.au
Feedback from SPEVI's 2005 conference
"Families and Educators: Facing Challenges" (Melbourne, January 2005) can only be described as a stimulating and extremely successful conference, treating the delegates to four international guest speakers and a broad mix of parents and professionals. The packed and varied program of over 100 presentations and numerous social events offered great opportunities for networking, sharing of ideas, experiences and practices. Meeting with the keynote speakers in the "Speakers' Corner" was a highlight of each day. Of particular significance were realisation of the dream of establishing a National Parent Body with the formation of AAPVI (Australian Association of Parents of Vision Impaired) and the launch of the SPEVI position paper, "Principles and Standards For the Education of Children and Youth with Vision Impairments, including those with Multiple Impairments" (available for download on the Resources web page).
Make sure you don't miss out on the next major SPEVI event and start planning now to attend the conference in January 2007 in Perth.