What's Happening in each State?

Wyoming NRAER State Rep is Emily Hebbert. She says -

Vision Outreach Services, as part of the Wyoming Deafblind Project, is rolling out an asynchronous training on teaching Early Math skills to students who have complex needs. This is content based on a statewide training provided a couple of years ago. They will be looking for teachers to join an initial cohort this fall to complete the course and provide feedback. Interested people should contact leslie.vanorman@wyo.gov
As part of efforts to support educational teams in planning for meaningful transition of students with complex needs, including intellectual disability, a Transition Through Discovery resource tool has been created. This tools supports use of the Discovery Process for students beginning in early elementary school and helps teams build transition programming to support the unique needs of each student. A more easily navigable tools is in the works, but this initial iteration includes resources templates and training videos. For more information reach out tojennifer.dalessandro@wyo.gov.
Vision Outreach will be holding a web-based training on using the Mangold Braille Program with Stephanie Herlich from the California School for the Blind. This hour long training will be on September 24th at 2:00 p.m. Wyoming TSVIs who attend and agree to a follow up implementation check in session with VOS staff, will be provided with a complete Mangold Braille Program Kit. If there are NRAER members who would like to attend this training session email Leslie at leslie.vanorman@wyo.gov they would be happy to have Idaho and Montana members benefit from this information.
The Wyoming Council of the Blind is hosting a series of events to connect people who are blind/low vision in Wyoming. They are brining Michael Hingson to Casper, Wyoming. Michael became known when he and his dog guide - Roselle calmly lead a group of people down 78 flights of stairs to evacuate One World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. His New York Times bestseller Thunder Dog highlights his story. He is an internationally known motivational speaker who shares a powerful story of teamwork, resilience and inclusion. There will be a public presentation at Casper College on Sunday, October 25th. This will be preceded with an opportunity on Friday, October 23rd for students who are blind or have low vision to spend the afternoon with Michael. On Saturday, he will meet with the members of the Wyoming Council for the Blind and other blind/low vision citizens of Wyoming.
The Wyoming Deafblind Project will be holding the Next Step Assessment Clinic on November 6th in Green River and Shoshoni. This is a play-based transdisciplinary assessment designed to help educational team address then needs of students with complex needs. There may be open slots for additional students to attend. Reach out to Leslie Van Orman if you need more information.
Put the date on your calendar now...Wyoming will be hosting the 2027 NRAER Conference in Cody Wyoming on October 13 -14, 2027

Idaho - Idaho NRAER State Rep is Ann Hamerquist - she says:

As far as things going on in Idaho...the conference is obviously the biggest. We are also planning on having our Annual IESDB Zoo Event on October 18th at 5:30p. All IESDB families with vision and hearing loss are invited. (This is pending funding....), Also in the Caldwell area we will be having our Polar Express event again in early December! More details to come. (Again, funding....) IESDB is paying to have ALL of their BLV Outreach consultants attend the NRAER conference this year!! This is super duper exciting as only a couple of IESDB employees are usually able to attend yearly.

Montana - Montana NRAER State Rep is Kerri Norick - she says:

MSDB announcements:

- Fall Campus Enrichment days are slated for October 9-10, 2026 with a focus on Bird Ecology and all things birdy.

Outreach Regional events across the state:

- Missoula, MT, September 26, 2026, A Night Among the Wings at the Butterfly House, open to all ages and families to meet MSDB Outreach and network with other families.

BLVS announcements:

- Blind Adjustment Program (BAP) that provides blind and low vision services, like vision rehab therapy and orientation & mobility training, to individuals under the age of 55.

Montana Association for the Blind announcements:

- MAB convention Sept 11-13, Great Falls

- Life Learner Retreat Sept. 13-18, some spaces available; contact Todd Fahlstrom 406.600.7548