Name: Collaboration in Action: Public School Stories of Access for Students with CVI
Start: 2026-09-15T08:30:00-0400
End: 2026-09-15T09:30:00-0400

Collaboration in Action: Public School Stories of Access for Students with CVI

Tuesday September 15, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

502 East Event Centre

Session Description:
Effective CVI support requires more than individual expertise, it demands radical collaboration. This session presents real-world success stories from public school settings, illustrating how families, educators, and specialists bridge systemic gaps. Participants will gain practical service-delivery models and implementation checklists to transform "isolated accommodations" into a cohesive, school-wide culture of access.

Session Abstract:
In the complex ecosystem of public education, supporting a student with Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) can often feel like an uphill battle for a single educator or parent. However, when the "silo" approach is replaced by a collaborative service-delivery model, the results are transformative. This session moves beyond theory to showcase Collaboration in Action, sharing authentic stories of public school teams that turned "impossible" barriers into "possible" breakthroughs.

We will explore lived examples where General Education teachers, TVIs, O&Ms, and families aligned their vision to create sustainable access. These stories highlight the "creative persistence" required to navigate rigid school structures and high-stakes environments. We don't just talk about what worked; we break down how it worked—examining the communication loops, shared data collection, and mutual advocacy that sparked change.

Key highlights of this session include:

The "Shared Vision" Framework: Moving from conflicting goals to a unified CVI-focused IEP.

Case Studies in Creativity: Real-world examples of low-budget, high-impact adaptations that emerged from team brainstorming.

Sustainable Systems: How to build an "Access Team" that survives staff turnover and grade-level transitions.

Attendees will leave with a "Collaboration Toolkit," including simple implementation checklists and communication templates designed to streamline the consultation process. This session is a reminder that while the brain processes visual information, it is the human connection and collective effort that truly opens the door to learning for students with CVI.

Session Goals:

Attendees will analyze three successful service-delivery models that integrate CVI accommodations into the general education curriculum through interdisciplinary teamwork.
Attendees will evaluate communication strategies that bridge the gap between home and school, ensuring a consistent visual environment across all settings.
Attendees will construct data-driven advocacy statements for IEP meetings or district reviews that link specific visual barriers to the need for modified assessment formats.

Speakers

Emily Cantillon, PhD, TVI

Perkins School for the Blind

Emily Cantillon, Ph.D., TVI, is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, providing direct instruction, consultation, and program leadership to support students with complex visual needs in both public and specialized settings while serving as the School-Age Lead CVI Teacher at Perkins... Read More →

Tuesday September 15, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
502 East Event Centre 502 E Carmel Dr, Carmel, IN 46032, USA

Blind/Low Vision

INSAIL 2026

Emily Cantillon, PhD, TVI

Attendees (1)

Get help with the event

INSAIL 2026

Emily Cantillon, PhD, TVI

Attendees (1)

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