Outreach Services
"Consultants Corner" - Quarterly Outreach Newsletter
To better serve all South Dakota students with visual impairment, the SDSBVI offers the following outreach programs in communities statewide.
Statewide Evaluation: The SDSBVI multidisciplinary team provides extensive educational evaluations for blind, visually impaired and deaf/blind students statewide. Team members are selected based on each child's needs and may include elementary or secondary teachers of the visually impaired, low-vision specialist, counselor/psychological examiner, orientation and mobility specialist, physical education teacher, daily living skills instructor and speech/language pathologist. Assessment by the SDSBVI multidisciplinary team is done at no charge.
If evaluation by eye care professionals, occupational or physical therapist or psychologist is desired, it can be arranged with local service providers who are familiar with the requirements of blind, visually impaired and deaf/blind children. There is an additional charge for these evaluations.
The comprehensive evaluation on our campus takes three days, after which team members compile and analyze results -- then make educational recommendations to the parents and teacher both orally and in a written report.
Outreach Consultation: Three traveling consultants, trained in educating students with visual impairment, bring support services to parents and school districts for children and young adults from birth to age 21.
One consultant, based on the SDSBVI campus in Aberdeen serves the northeastern part of the state. A second, in Rapid City, provides assistance in western South Dakota, while a third, in Mitchell, serves the southeastern part of the state.
Consultant services range from developing home-based infant stimulation programs to classroom consultation with students and teachers. They may help teachers structure the classroom environment, provide feedback on the effectiveness of teaching methods or materials, research eye conditions, conduct in-services for teachers and students, loan materials and equipment and assist parents and teachers in accessing other resources and services.
The SDSBVI staff serve as your vision consultant in the development of the child's Individual Education Program.
Outreach Transition: This service is a joint effort of the SDSBVI and the Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired and is available to students aged 14 and older. The transition specialist works with students, parents and local school districts in developing and implementing the Individual Transition Plan. The team identifies the training and experiences students need to prepare for employment and independent living.
Loan library: Books, videos, classroom materials and equipment are available through interlibrary loan. The SDSBVI library collection can be accessed through the Northern State University Library at http://lib.northern.edu
Public Information: SDSBVI staff can provide in-service training and presentations on topics related to vision loss. We arrange tours of the school on request.
Indira Dillon, Southeast Outreach Vision Consultant
417 N. Main St. Suite 107
PO Box 1046
Mitchell, SD 57301-1046Office Phone: 605-995-8191
Cell Phone: 605-941-3868
Email: indira.dillon@sdsbvi.northern.edu
Riki Nitz, Western Outreach Vision Consultant
3618 Canyon Lake Drive Suite 104
Rapid City, SD 57702-3129Office Phone: 605-394-6638
Cell Phone: 605-381-6943
Email: riki.nitz@sdsbvi.northern.edu
Amy Scepaniak, North Central Outreach Vision Consultant
SDSBVI
423 17th Avenue SE
Aberdeen, SD 57401-7699Office Phone: 605-626-2589
School: 605-626-2580 or Toll Free: 1-888-275-3814
Cell Phone: 605-380-8927
Fax: 605-626-2607
Email: scepania@@sdsbvi.northern.edu
Julie Van Dover, Eastern Outreach Vision Consultant
SDSBVI
423 17th Avenue SE
Aberdeen, SD 57401-7699Office Phone: 605-626-7659
School: 605-626-2580 or Toll Free: 1-888-275-3814
Cell Phone: 605-380-8926
Fax: 605-626-2607
Email: vandovej@sdsbvi.northern.edu
Marva Gellhaus, Ph.D., Low Vision Specialist
SDSBVI
423 17th Avenue SE
Aberdeen, SD 57401-7699Office Phone: 605-626-3977
School: 605-626-2580 or Toll Free: 1-888-275-3814
Fax: 605-626-2607
Email: marva.gellhaus@sdsbvi.northern.edu
Sue Birrenkott, Transition Specialist
SDSBVI
423 17th Avenue SE
Aberdeen, SD 57401Office Phone: 605-626-2995
School: 605-626-2580 or Toll Free: 1-888-275-3814
Fax: 605-626-2607
Email: birrenks@@sdsbvi.northern.edu
Dawn LaMee, Liaison for Services
SDSBVI
423 17th Avenue SE
Aberdeen, SD 57401-7699Office Phone: 605-626-7834
School: 605-626-2580 or Toll Free: 1-888-275-3814
Fax: 605-626-2607
Email: lameed@sdsbvi.northern.edu
Robert Faltemier, Technology Specialist
SDSBVI
423 17th Ave SE
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Office Phone: 605-626-2333
School: 605-626-2580 or Toll Free: 1-888-275-3814
Fax: 605-626-2607
Email: faltemier@sdsbvi.northern.edu