Thank you to the attendees and Dr. Jan van Dijk!

16th Annual Lowenfeld-Akeson Early Years Symposium

A Special Event with Jan van Dijk, PhD

Dr. Jan van Dijk, Professor Emeritus at Radboud University in the Netherlands,
is one of the world’s leading researchers, theoreticians, and practitioners in the field of deaf-blindness. Dr van Dijk will join us for two full days, covering the topics of assessment and the emotional brain.

I. Letting the Child Lead the Way: Child-Guided Assessment

Friday, February 3, 2012
8:30 am – 4:00 pm

II. The Emotional Brain: Creating Joyful Learning

Saturday, February 4, 2012
8:30 am – 4:00 pm

EVENT LOCATION HAS CHANGED

Both Symposium events will be held at California School for the Blind, Fremont, CA.

For information about this event, or other symposiums, please contact Michael McFarland, mcfarlandmike@blindbabies.org

Media Release

For a PDF of the media release, please CLICK HERE

Media Advisory                                                                                                                     Contact:
For Immediate Release                                                                                                        Julie Bernas-Pierce
Photo Opportunity                                                                                                               510-435-2854 (cell)

Blind Babies Foundation Host 16^th Annual
“Lowenfeld-Akeson Early Years Symposium”

Featuring Dr. Jan van Dijk,PhD
Professor Emeritus at Radboud University in the Netherlands,
one of the world’s leading researchers, theoreticians, and practitioners in the field of deaf-blindness.

When:             Friday, February 3, 2012 and Saturday, February 4, 2012      8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Where:            California School for the Blind 500 Walnut Avenue, Fremont, CA    

What:              16^th Annual Lowenfeld-Akeson Early Years Symposium

(Closed to the General Public – Open to members of the Media)

Oakland, CA – Blind Babies Foundation in collaboration with California School for the Blind, California Deafblind Services, California Association of Parents of Children with Visual Impairments and Northern California Educators and Rehab Specialists of the Visually Impaired, will host a two day symposium featuring Dr. Jan van Dijk, PhD Professor Emeritus at Radboud University in the Netherlands.  Dr. van Dijk, PhD is one of the world’s leading researchers, theoreticians and practitioners in the field of deaf-blindness.  Dr. van Dijk, PhD will lead the conference for two full days focusing on assessment and the emotional brain.

“Blind Babies Foundation is proud of our tradition of providing world-renowned experts, in the field of vision impairment and early childhood development, to local educators and professionals through the Lowenfeld-Akeson Early Years Symposium,” said BBF’s Executive Director, Julie Bernas-Pierce. “It’s a unique opportunity for our families, Vision Impairment Specialist and other professionals to learn first hand from leaders in our field.”

The 2-day conference, which kicked off on Friday morning to a sold out auditorium will focus on early childhood development and the emotional brain of children with visual impairments.  The topic for the first day is: Letting the Child Lead the Way:  Child-Guided Assessment.  Day two will focus on: The Emotional Brain:  Creating Joyful Learning.

According to Dr. van Dijk, PhD, “A person needs nearly a lifetime to develop a true understanding of all the scientific and practical challenges associated with deaf blindness.  Thanks to good health, job opportunities and many great friends in this field, I have been fortunate to acquire broad general knowledge in many areas of deaf blindness.  Together, with my Expert Team, I want to help find solutions to the challenges families and professionals are facing.”  Dr. van Dijk, PhD is a recipient of the Anne Sullivan Award, The IAEDB Distinguished Services Award, and has been Knighted by the Queen of the Netherlands for his services to deaf persons with autism.

The Lowenfeld-Akeson Early Years Symposium is just one of the many services offered by BBF to area families. For over 60 years, Blind Babies Foundation has been providing home-centered aid to the families of infants and young children who are visually impaired throughout Northern and Central California.  In 2011 alone, BBF’s seventeen visual impairment specialists provided critical services to over 540 families. During the often-difficult first few years of a child’s life these specialists offer expert counsel and facilitate all aspects of family life related to the child’s disability. Any given day will find BBF’s specialists attending doctor’s visits, educating parents, or supply them toys and learning aids. From the emotional to the medical, BBF’s staff serves as a much-needed resource for families in need.

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Blind Babies Foundation has served the families of Northern and Central California since 1949. When an infant or preschooler is identified as blind or visually impaired, Blind Babies Foundation provides family-centered services to support the child’s optimal development and access to the world. For more information visit www.blindbabies.org.