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WACO, TEXAS-- With braillewriters ready, laptops open, and pencils sharpened, more than 50 visually impaired (VI) students will participate in the Eighth Annual Technology Olympics. Sponsored by the Education Service Center Region 12 and the Division for Blind Services (formerly know as Texas Commission for the Blind), the event will take place from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Wed., March 2 at ESC Region 12, 2101 W. Loop 340, in Waco.

Technology, especially assistive technology demonstrated at this event, plays an important role in making the print medium accessible to these students. The technological advances made each year allow students to overcome obstacles they may face from visual impairment. Assistive technology activities will include students taking tests and using adaptive devices, such as an electronic notetaker, monocular, laptop with speech and magnification programs or a Braillewriter to complete various tasks. The activities are not competitive and the number of correct answers for each project will determine scores.

“ Assistive technology allows students access to the general education curriculum and the ability to perform tasks like any other student and that is important to the success of every child,” said Tina Herzberg, team leader for ESC Region 12. “The event is so wonderful because it is an opportunity for the students to make new friends with others using assistive technology at a time when they may be the only child with a visual impairment in their school.”

The event will also include a creative writing section, which gives students an open-ended opportunity to express themselves without the fear of making mistakes.
Participating parents will have the opportunity to undergo Adaptive Skills Training, a popular activity offered for the first time last year. The unique training allows parents and guardians to participate in a simulation experience that mimics visual impairments, which teaches parents how they can better assist their children with performing daily living tasks, such as eating, house work, and personal grooming.

The event is free and open to pre-registered participants only. Participating districts include Academy, Axtell, Belton, China Spring, Clifton, Corsicana, Crawford, Fairfield, Gatesville, Hallsburg, Hubbard, Kerens, Kopperl, Killeen, La Vega, McGregor, Mexia, Midway, Rice, Riesel, Temple, Waco, and West ISD.

As an in-kind sponsor, the Waco Founder’s Lions Club will supply trophies and medals, which they have done for the past six years. The local service group will also provide lunch for the students and parents.

On-site photo and interview opportunities are available with attendees only with on-site parental or guardian permission. Event staff will also be available for the media. Please check in at registration upon arrival.

Below is an agenda for the day’s events. For more information, contact Tina Herzberg at ESC Region 12 at 254/297.1152 or therzberg@esc12.net or Rita Finlay at the Division for Blind Services at 254/753.1552 or rita.finlay@dars.state.tx.us.

Tentative Schedule - March 2, 2005

9:00 – 9:30 Registration & Set-up for First Competition
9:30 – 9:45 Opening Ceremony & Proclamation
9:45 – 10:45 First Competition & Parent Simulation Experience
11:00 – 11:10 Set-up for Second Competition
11:10 – 12:10 Second Competition & Parent Simulation Experience
12:10 – 12:45 Lunch
12:45 – 2:00 Awards Ceremony

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