Calendar 

4: NFB STEM2U Event, 9 am - 3 pm at the National Federation of the Blind (200 E Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230). Join us to build models of the James Webb Space Telescope, learn about the Earth’s atmosphere, discover why the Webb was sent to space, and explore how it studies space. STEM can be accessible; let us show you how! For more information, please contact Erin Zobell at erin.zobell@gmail.com.

11: The IMAGE Center Wellness Series: Dance from the Heart: A LIVE Adaptive Zumba Event, 11 am to 12 pm, in-person and over Zoom. Held at The Maryland School for the Blind in Campbell Gym and led by Ms. Sunshine King.

APH Webinar: Strategies for Empowering Independent Living Skills (Part 1). 3 pm EST. Get ready to help students transition from school to home this summer! Join Part 1 of this webinar series to explore essential independent living skills for children who are blind or have low vision. Together, parents and professionals will learn to use a checklist to evaluate child abilities, setting the stage for personalized skill development in areas like personal care, mealtime, organization, time management, eating, cooking and so much more. This collaborative effort focuses on abilities aiming to equip children for better independence at home and in school.

15: MSB Outreach: iOS VoiceOver for Parents, 6 pm, in-person at MSB in ELO 226 or over Zoom. Join MSB Outreach and the Bridges Technical Assistance Center, a program of The Image Center for People with Disabilities, to learn and practice the basics of iOS VoiceOver.

15: MDTAP webinar Funding Adapted (and Non-Adapted) Vehicles, 1-2 pm. From in-state to national funding resources, drivers' training courses to understanding insurance, we'll cover all the basics to help consumers make the most informed decisions when it comes to needing and buying an adapted vehicle, from start to finish. Hosted by Heather Ferguson and Sarah Calhoun, staff of the AT Financial Loan Program.

18: MWABA Youth Adapted Sports Day Event. Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA) is hosting an Adapted Sports Day event for blind and visually impaired youth in 3rd to 12th grades. This event will take place on Saturday, May 18th from 10 am to 3 pm at the Woody Ward Recreation Center (Address: 5100 Southern Avenue SE, Washington, DC). Participants will have the opportunity to play Goalball, Beep Kickball, and Tandem Cycling. This will be a great chance to try various adapted sports while getting to meet other blind and visually impaired youth in the area. A parent or guardian for each participant must remain present throughout the event. Lunch and drinks will be provided. Please register for the MWABA Youth Adapted Sports Day Event by May 14th. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Claire Posteraro at clairep03@gmail.com or 814-594-8482.

21: APH Webinar: Strategies for Empowering Independent Living Skills (Part 2). 3 pm EST. Continue helping students transition from school to home this summer! Join Part 2 of this webinar series to explore how to help children with blindness or low vision develop advanced skills in the area of independent living skills. By continuing the checklist approach, we will monitor progress and identify the next steps for gaining new skills. This webinar is dedicated to empowering children towards their fullest potential of independence, with strategies that align with family and professional goals. 

1: 2024 LBPD Summer Reading Challenge Kickoff Event, 10 am - 2 pm. Begin by making a tactile treasure map with the Tactile Art Club, then come by the summer reading registration table as you enjoy an afternoon snack.

12: MDTAP webinar AT for Free: Reuse Programs Across the State, 11 am - 12 pm. Join us as we share information on the Maryland High Tech AT Reuse Program, the online equipment exchange site, and many other resources across the state to access free and low cost AT and durable medical equipment. Hosted by Shawn Bateman, AT Reuse Coordinator with MDTAP.

13: NCUEB test at the Maryland School for the Blind. Registration deadline is May 20. 

14: Blindness and Mental Health Summit. Virtual 8 am - 5 pm EST. Join us for the first annual Blindness and Mental Health Summit! The Summit is the largest online gathering of organizations and consumers sharing information, resources, and services focusing on mental health in the blindness, low vision, and disability communities. Registration is free!

15: MSB Outreach: School’s Out Splashdown for ages 3+.

23 - 27: MSB Camp Abilities at Lions Camp Merrick: A five-day, overnight outdoor education camp located at Lions Camp Merrick on the beautiful Potomac River in Nanjemoy, MD. Includes canoeing, fishing, ropes courses, and more! For students 9-17 years old.  

23-25: Perkins CVI Conference: Building Meaningful Recognition. In person in Boston. We will explore quality assessment and instructional practices that help build meaningful recognition and access, current research about CVI, and advocacy resources for families and providers boldly driving change.

3 - 8: NFB National Convention in Orlando Florida.

8 - August 2: MISLE at MSB. Ages 16-21. Overnight Program. A Work Experience and Independent Living Experience on campus (Monday-Friday) & and the student's placed in work experiences in the surrounding community. There is an employment interview and orientation requirement (Week of May 13, 2024) that each student must complete to participate in MISLE.

8 - 9: MSB T.r.E.C.C.k. for Success (ages 6-10): A day camp on the MSB campus that highlights skills in the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) for students who are blind and visually impaired. This year is Art Escapes themed! Little TrECCk, for ages 6-10: July 8-9. 

10 - 12: MSB T.r.E.C.C.k. for Success (ages 11 - 15): A day camp on the MSB campus that highlights skills in the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) for students who are blind and visually impaired. This year is Art Escapes themed! Big TrECCk, for ages 11-15: July 10-12

14 - 19: MSB Camp Abilities: An overnight sports camp at the MSB campus featuring goalball, beep baseball, track and field and much, much more! For students 12-17 years old.

22 - 24: MSB TrECCk at the bECCh, Salisbury, MD: In collaboration with Wicomico County and Salisbury University, MSB Outreach will bring adapted sports and games to blind and low-vision students on the Eastern Shore.

24 - 28: International AER Conference in Charlotte, NC. Now accepting proposals here

5-6 NFB Bell in Baltimore: The NFB BELL Academy provides children with Braille and nonvisual skills instruction through fun, hands-on learning activities. The NFB BELL Academy is a nationwide summer program that prepares blind and low-vision children to grow into confident and independent blind people who live the lives they want. 

8: NCUEB test at the Maryland School for the Blind. Registration deadline is July 15. 

16: MDTAP webinar AT Solutions for Learning Disabilities, 11 am - 12:30 pm. Join us as we explore a variety of tech ideas to help with a range of learning disabilities. From theory practice, we'll consider a variety of technology solutions that support student learning in and out of the classroom. Hosted by MDTAP Executive Director Lori Berrong, ATACP.

23- 25: 2024 AFB Leadership Conference. Minneapolis. The AFBLC is designed to cover the most pressing and relevant topics in blindness. It offers many opportunities to learn from our field's best and brightest minds, make new connections, and reunite with old friends. 2024 AFBLC's theme will be Leading in the Digital Age.

2 - 4: APH Annual Meeting. The American Printing House for the Blind has created specialized materials, products and services for people who are blind and low vision since 1879. Always hosted in October, we celebrate the Annual Meeting of APH Ex Officio Trustees (EOT) with our EOT Census Assistants, Online Ordering Assistants, and other attendees. Teachers are invited and welcome to attend. 

17: NCUEB test at the Maryland School for the Blind. Registration deadline is September 16. 

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11: NCUEB test at the Maryland School for the Blind. Registration deadline is November 15.