Description
Please note: Registration is not yet open for this event. It will open in November 2025.
Braille Challenge offers many options for participation! Students who are blind/low vision (BLV) and read braille are invited to participate online or in person in the 2026 Michigan Regional Braille Challenge. Braille Challenge is an academic competition unlike any other; this two-stage contest is designed to motivate students who are BLV to emphasize their study of braille, while rewarding their success with fun-filled, but challenging, regional and national events. After this initial round, students who qualify will be invited to compete in the Braille Challenge Finals, hosted by Braille Institute.
Contestants who are registered by January 7, 2026, will receive an event t-shirt.
This regional event is hosted by MDE RBLV in collaboration with Kent Intermediate School District (ISD) and Macomb ISD.
Audience
This event is for students in Michigan who are in grades 1-12 and read, or are learning to read braille.
Accommodations
Please note: It is important for participants to request accessibility accommodations at least three weeks prior to the event. Outside agencies we contract with to provide accommodations cannot guarantee services if requests are made in less than three weeks.
Description
Please note: Registration is not yet open for this event. Registration will open in January 2026.
Join MDE RBLV for an in-person workshop to review and practice indoor orientation and mobility (O&M) assessment for students who are in preschool through postsecondary. Explore O&M assessments, practice techniques for engaging students, and discuss methods for assessing body image, orientation, and additional indoor travel skills.
Audience
This workshop is for orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists, as well as college students studying O&M.
Accessibility Accommodations
It is important for participants to request accessibility accommodations at least three weeks prior to the event. Outside agencies we contract with to provide accommodations cannot guarantee services if requests are made in less than three weeks.
Description
Please note: Registration is not yet open for this event. It will open in December 2025.
Being organized is a key to success! Join us for this independent living skills (ILS) event to discuss organizational skills such as labeling, marking, grouping, creating zones, and more. The session on February 4 will focus on early childhood and elementary-level skills such as putting toys away, helping with dishes, sorting, using folders, exploring calendars, and marking worksheets and homework papers. The session on February 11 will focus on middle- and high-school skills, such as time management, labels, digital and physical folders, as well as classwork and household materials organization.
Join us for one or both sessions.
Audience
This event is designed for parents/guardians of students who are blind/low vision (BLV). School personnel working with students who are BLV are also welcome to participate. Students who are BLV are encouraged to attend with their parent/guardian.
Accessibility Accommodations
It is important for participants to request accessibility accommodations at least three weeks prior to the event. Outside agencies MDE-LIO contracts with to provide accommodations cannot guarantee services if requests are made in less than three weeks.
Description
Please note: Registration is not yet open. It will open in November 2025.
Are you ready to sharpen your expertise in access technology assessments? Join MDE RBLV for a dynamic three-part workshop designed specifically for teachers of students with blindness or low vision (TVIs).
Through interactive demonstrations, guided practice, and collaborative discussions, participants will learn to:
- conduct thorough assessments of student technology needs
- partner effectively with families, educators, and service providers
- identify and recommend the right tools to foster independence
- integrate practical strategies and resources into everyday instruction
Participants will also gain skills, resources, and strategies to support students in achieving academic and functional success, both in and beyond the classroom.
SCECHs and ACVREP credits are pending.
Audience
This workshop is for school personnel and adult family members supporting students in Michigan who are blind or low vision (BLV). College students studying BLV-related professions are also invited to attend.
Schedule
This workshop will be held online and in person:
Day 1 (Online):
January 23, 2026
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Days 2 and 3 (In Person):
March 6, 2026 and May 13, 2026
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location TBA
Accessibility Accommodations
It is important for participants to request accessibility accommodations at least three weeks prior to the event. Outside agencies MDE-LIO contracts with to provide accommodations cannot guarantee services if requests are made in less than three weeks.
Description
Registration is not required for this event.
Camp Tuhsmeheta (Camp T) offers an exciting atmosphere for our campers who are blind/low vision (BLV) and/or deaf/hard of hearing (DHH). Come tour the camp’s grounds, visit with staff, explore the many trails, and learn how campers have fun in this unique setting. Light refreshments will be provided. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience what Camp T is all about!
Audience
This event is for families and school personnel supporting students who are blind or low vision (BLV) and/or deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), as well as other relevant community members. Please keep your pets at home and wear appropriate camp attire.
Accessibility Accommodations
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be onsite for this event, and materials will be offered in braille and large print as well as standard print. It is important for participants to request accessibility accommodations at least three weeks prior to the event. Outside agencies we contract with to provide accommodations cannot guarantee services if requests are made in less than three weeks.
Description
Bring your imagination to Camp Tuhsmeheta (Camp T) for this overnight adventure for Michigan families with children who are blind/low vision (BLV)! This camp is designed to spark wonder and ignite creativity as you enjoy hands-on activities with your family. You will also make new friends, connect with old friends, and make lifelong memories. Each family will spend the night in their own section of one of Camp T’s cozy lodges with bunks and a designated restroom.
Audience
This event is for students in Michigan who are BLV and their families.
Accessibility Accommodations
To meet the safety and health needs of all camp participants, we require notification of any accessibility accommodation needs at least three weeks prior to the event. Due to the nature of activities provided at Camp T, additional staffing may be required to adjust activities for individual students. If notification is not provided in advance, this may result in alternative options for participation.
Description
Please note: Registration is not yet open. It will open in January 2026.
This instructor-led class is for school personnel or family members who have little or no experience with braille. In the class, participants will visually learn how to read and write braille. They will also gain knowledge to effectively support students who use braille. This class requires participants to spend time in and out of class learning braille; they will demonstrate their knowledge by submitting assignments each week. A certificate of completion will be issued by the Michigan Department of Education.
SCECHs and ACVREP credits are pending.
Learn about:
- the alphabet
- punctuation and contractions
- typeforms
- Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics
Please note: Attendees must be able to log into and participate in this class individually.
Audience
This class is for adult family members and school personnel supporting students in Michigan who are blind/low vision (BLV), and college students in Michigan who are studying a BLV-related field.
Class Expectations
- attend all instructional sessions
- complete weekly assignments outside of class instruction
- complete midterm and final exam
Participants are also expected to be respectful and courteous to others during this class. We reserve the right to mute, turn off video, and/or remove participants who do not adhere to this expectation.
Required Technology and Materials
Participants must have a computer with a camera and a reliable internet connection. Instructions will be sent beforehand on how to access the class. Please review Zoom Tips and Shortcuts for Participants [PDF] before the class begins.
This class also requires a textbook:
Ashcroft's Programmed Instruction: Unified English Braille
Participants are encouraged to purchase their own book to mark/highlight for study purposes and to keep as a useful resource. The book may be purchased from SCALARS Publishing (ISBN: 978-0-9960353-0-9). Our office has a limited number of books to borrow on a first come, first served basis.
Accessibility Accommodations
It is important for participants to request accessibility accommodations at least three weeks prior to the event. Outside agencies we contract with to provide accommodations cannot guarantee services if requests are made in less than three weeks.
Description
Join staff from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), and MDE RBLV for an in-depth, interactive session focused on the Monarch, APH’s dynamic multi-line braille and tactile graphics device. This hands-on workshop will introduce participants to the Monarch’s key features, from reading and creating multi-line braille content to exploring tactile graphics in educational settings. Attendees will gain practical experience navigating the device, customizing settings, and using compatible software. Whether you're an educator, assistive technology specialist, or braille user, you’ll leave confident in harnessing the Monarch to support accessible learning and communication.
Audience
This event is for Michigan school personnel, parents, and college students studying blind/low vision (BLV) professions. Participants must be proficient in Unified English Braille (UEB).
Credits
This event will offer 12.0 SCECHs and ACVREP credits.
Presenters
Jim Sullivan is APH's director of social enterprise. Before joining APH, Sullivan worked for several assistive technology companies, including HumanWare, Optelec, Texthelp, and Kurzweil Education Systems. Sullivan has presented nationally at conferences such as the California State University Northridge Assistive Technology Conference (CSUN), Assistive Technology Indistry Association (ATIA), and the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence's OCALICON. He holds a Master of Education in rehabilitation counseling and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.
Jennifer Wenzel is an APH technology product specialist. She has an extensive background in teaching braille and adaptive technology in various blindness training programs and has worked with students of all ages, from preschoolers to senior citizens. Wenzel holds a bachelor’s degree in communication as well as certifications in Unified English Braille and JAWS. She has presented at conferences such as CSUN, Sight Tech Global, and the National Federation of the Blind. She is currently the secretary for the board of directors of Audio Braille Literacy Enhancement (ABLE).
Michael Dennis is an APH technology product specialist, helping educators understand and effectively use APH products in the classroom. He is a lifelong user of assistive technology, which motivated him to join APH. Dennis has bachelor's degrees in economics and sports management.
Accessibility Accommodations
It is important for participants to request accessibility accommodations at least three weeks prior to the event. Outside agencies we contract with to provide accommodations cannot guarantee services if requests are made in less than three weeks.
Description
Join us for the second annual Michigan Regional Abacus Bee: Math in Motion! The Abacus Bee is a math competition for students who are blind or low vision in grades 3-12. Competitors will participate in multiple competition sessions and hands-on activities to learn how math is incorporated into everyday tasks. There will also be activities for parents and siblings to join in the fun!
Competitors will have an opportunity to win prizes and possibly earn a spot in the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Abacus Bee National Competition! Check out the 2025 Abacus Bee Finals video: How Abacuses Bring Together Students with Blindness or Low Vision
This program is sponsored by APH and the Michigan Department of Education Resource for Blind/Low Vision (MDE RBLV) in collaboration with Gratiot Isabella Regional Educational Service District (GIRESD).
Placement Exam
Registrants will be sent a placement exam to determine their competition level. Rover-level competitors are encouraged to participate in the regional competition but will not be eligible for the national competition. Students may use any type of abacus, mental math, finger math, counting cubes, or other manipulatives. Calculators, paper and pencil methods, and other written computations are not allowed.
Audience
This event is for students in grades 3-12 who are blind/low vision.
Preparing Your Student(s)
Have your student practice calculating math problems using an abacus, either on their own, with a family member, or with their teacher for the visually impaired. During the competition, students may use any type of abacus, mental math, finger math, counting cubes, or other manipulatives. An abacus is not required. Calculators, paper and pencil, or other written computations are not allowed.
Participants should be able to:
- read math problems in large print or braille (type of problem depends on student level); record their answers in print or braille
- write or braille their first/last name, category name, and round at the top of each page
- write or braille an itemized list (problem letters a, b, c, d, etc.) and answer next to the problem letter
- listen to a string of numbers and operations for the dictation round and mentally calculate the answer or solve on the abacus and record their answers in the same manner as above
Resources for Teachers and Parents
Sharing from the Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired:
- Check out APH’s Access Academy for abacus webinars:
- Sign up for "The Abacus: A Million Manipulatives in Your Pocket" course in the APH Hive.
- Download the free Practice2Master Abacus app through the App Store or Google Play store.
Accessibility Accommodations
It is important for participants to request accessibility accommodations at least three weeks prior to the event. Outside agencies our office contracts with to provide accommodations cannot guarantee services if requests are made in less than three weeks.
Description
Please note: Registration is not yet open. It will open in March 2026.
Adventure awaits at Camp T! Bring your little explorers and have fun with friends as we play, laugh, and learn together. At this event, parents/caregivers and children, ages 0-5, who are blind or low vision (BLV) and/or deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), will enjoy story time and participate in other fun activities including music, movement, crafts and more. Siblings are also invited to attend.
A light lunch will be provided.
Audience
This program is for Michigan families of children, ages 0-5, who are BLV or DHH.
Other Program Dates
Little Explorers events will also be held on the following dates:
September 13: Camp T Little Explorers: September
November 8: Camp T Little Explorers: November
January 10: Camp T Little Explorers: January
March 14: Camp T Little Explorers: March
Accessibility Accommodations
To meet the safety and health needs of all camp participants, we require notification of any accessibility accommodation needs at least three weeks prior to the event. Due to the nature of activities provided at Camp T, additional staffing may be required to adjust activities for individual students. If notification is not provided in advance, this may result in alternative options for participation.