Norwood, MA, with Virtual Opportunties, October 7th. 2025, with Vision and Vision Loss Services at the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS). “Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference – Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability & Vision Loss, is a multi-tracked Educational Program reaching out to the needs of individuals, families, professionals and all concerned with the vision and vision loss needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disability.
2025 Keynote and Workshops TBA in Summer 2025. For updated information, please visit the link below.
The 2024 conference featured:
Keynote: Dr. Nicole Ross. “Individualized Approaches in Examination of Functional Vision and Vision Rehabilitation”. Dr. Nicole C. Ross is an Associate Professor of Optometry at the New England College of Optometry (NECO).
For workshops topics and signup information, visit www.focusonvisionandvisionloss.org/conferences–workshops.html or contact Lisa.DiBonaventura@state.ma.us or 508-384-5539 
Vendor Attending Included:
Hope
The Carroll Center for the Blind
New England Low Vision and Blindness
Perkins School for the Blind: The CVI Center at Perkins
Visiting Rehab and Nursing Services
Therapro, Inc, and More…
2024 Workshops Included:
- Individualized Approaches in Examination of Functional Vision and Vision Rehabilitation: Question and Answer Session
Presenter: Nicole C. Ross, OD, MSc, FAAO, Dip. AAO (LV), Associate Professor of Optometry, New England College of Optometry - Incorporating Haptic into Daily Interactions with DeafBlind Individuals. Presenter: Christine Telford, COMS, New England Regional Service Coordinator, Helen Keller National Center.
- Inclusive Postsecondary Education: Trends and Opportunities in Massachusetts for Students with Intellectual and Developmental
Disabilities. Presenters: Maria Paiewonsky, Program Director, Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts, Boston
Ashley Luce, Program Manager, Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts, Boston - Dog and Human Guides. Presenters: Karin Barrows, M.Ed., COMS, Mass Commission for the Blind, Region 5, Kara Peters, M.Ed., COMS, Mass Commission for the Blind, Region 4
- New Products and Services. Different companies/agencies will discuss the services and products they provide that are helpful to individuals with visual impairment or blindness and those who support them.
- Beyond 20/20: Understanding the Nuances of Vision for Daily Living. Alexis G. Malkin, OD, FAAO, Associate Professor of Optometry, New England College of Optometry.
- Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) & Environmental Considerations. Marguerite Tibaudo, Education Director of the Deafblind Program, Perkins School for the Blind.
- All About Switches. Wendy L. Buckley, M.Ed., Ed.S., Assistive Technology Specialist, Deafblind School, Perkins School for the Blind
- Love is in the Air: When Friendships Deepen, Please Support Our Relationships! Maureen O’Rourke King, Trainer Department of Developmental Services, SE Region, Panel: Celia Walsh and JR Foley & John Shimkus and Cheryl Marshall.\
- March Music Madness! Same Song, Different Artists! Song of the Month! Incorporating Choice Making and Orientation and Mobility into Music Therapy. Mollie Caravello, MT-BC, Board Certified Music Therapist, South Shore Educational Collaborative, Laisee Schipper, COMS, PTA, South Shore Educational Collaborative
