Welcome to NYS AER

The New York State Chapter of AER (AERNYS) is a strong chapter with about 300 members.  AERNYS strives to promote the education and rehabilitation of individuals of all ages in New York State who are blind and visually impaired.  We strive to provide activities, service, and opportunities for the professional growth to its members and the individuals we serve.

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***ATTENTION O&M Specialists – PRESCHOOL ACCESS TO O&M***

If any O&M specialist has ever had an issue or is having an ongoing issue with getting O&M referrals for preschoolers, clearance and/or payment to provide O&M evaluations and treatment to preschoolers in New York State, please contact Grace Ambrose-Zacken at (212) 772-4741.

Also contact Ms. Ambrose-Zacken if you have noticed that Service Coordinators are sending you only TVI referrals and no O&M referrals for preschool children.

***ATTENTION O&M Specialists – PRESCHOOL ACCESS TO O&M***

Braille Challenge Scholarship

In 2008, AERNYS began supporting Braille Challenge™, winners from one of the two New York State Regional events, by offering mini-grant scholarships to students who received first place in one of the age groups. Those eligible have the opportunity to attend the Braille Challenge™ Competition Finals in Los Angeles. The National Braille Institute sponsors the annual Braille Challenge™ program, which is an academic contest designed to motivate school-age Braille readers to excel in reading and writing Braille.

Regional events were held in Batavia, NY, and Long Island, NY, to promote Braille reading and writing skills. The AERNYS chapter membership recognizes the importance of students with visual impairments learning Braille as well as the professionals who teach Braille literacy to students.

2013 Braille Challenge Scholarship winners can received a $250 scholarship to help defray the cost of expenses for travel to Los Angeles in order to participate in the finals with winners from other regional contests around the United States. 

To apply for funding to attend the National Braille Challenge in Los Angeles, download the Braille Challenge Application.

U.S. Space Camp Scholarship Application
for SCI-VIS

Space Camp offers school age students who are blind or visually impaired an opportunity to participate in Space Camp.

NYSAER offers a combined total of up to $725 per year towards one or more students who have been selected for Space Camp.

Space Camp dates:  September 21 - 26, 2013 in Huntsville, Alabama (travel home 9/27/13)

Scholarship Application Deadline:  May 1, 2013 Please go to http://www.tsbvi.edu/space for more information on the SCI-VIS program and applications for the camp.

If you know of students who want to go to Space Camp, and need some financial assistance, download the Space Camp application.

For questions, please contact Erin Altieri at morassofmystic@hotmail.com.

22nd Annual TVI Conference

When: Friday, March 15, 2013, 8:00 am -2:30 pm

Where: OCM BOCES: Irvin E. Henry Education Campus- Administration Building 

Topic:  Cortical Visual Impairment: Vision and the Brain

Presenter:  Ellen Mazel M.Ed., CTVI, CVI Advisor

Register Now!

For registration assistance, please contact Karen McMahon

Awards

 Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 AERNYS Awards!

Congratulations to AERNYS 2011 Award Recipients : Debbie Silberberg, Donna Karlson, Rochelle Homsy, and Michelle Campbell

To learn more about the Award recipients and 2012 nomination process go to the Awards/Membership page

Scholarships

AERNYS is proud to announce the availability of scholarships for adults entering the vision profession and program grants for students interested in attending Space Camp and the Braille Challenge Finals.

Click here to learn more about how to apply for AERNYS scholarships and student grants!

Elections:

Nominations are now being sought for the 2012 NYSAER Board of Directors 

• Serving on the AERNYS Board of Directors is a great way to become involved in your chapter, influence the future of the organization and meet people.
• Current AERNYS members are eligible to run for election to the board
• Elected board members serve a three year term.
• Board members are eligible to run for Executive Board seats which are two year terms.
• The Board of Directors meets three times per year at various cities in New York State, with the fall meeting occurring prior to the start of the fall conference.

Click here to download 2012 Nomination form.