MANSFIELD – The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center (MOESC) Vision Team proudly hosted its second annual Vision Student Networking Day on May 9.
The event, organized in collaboration with Highland Local Schools, Cardinal Rehab and Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services (ODBES), brought together students with visual impairments from across the region to foster peer connections and provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
This year’s Vision Student Networking Day welcomed approximately 16 students from 11 school districts, including Ashland, Highland, Mount Vernon, Loudonville, Bucyrus, Madison, Cardington, Fredericktown, Mount Gilead, Crestline and Lucas.
The day was filled with inclusive, sensory-friendly activities rooted in the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and thoughtfully aligned with each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals.
The event was brought to life by a passionate team of educators and specialists: Tyler Albright and Hannah Ginn, Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs); Amber Billings, Highland Local TVI; Renee Ware, TVI and Heather Geiser, Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) from Cardinal Direction; Kallie Poast, TVI, COMS, Shelley McCoy Shehata, TVI, COMS and Dan Kelley, TVI and Assistive Technology Specialist from Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services (ODBES).
Together, they created a variety of engaging, hands-on experiences using adaptive technology and games to meet student needs.
The goal of the day was not only to provide meaningful educational tools, but also to offer joyful opportunities for students to build social, vocational and independent living skills in a fun and supportive environment.
A special highlight was the opportunity for students to work with David Spencer, a professional illustrator. Spencer guided students through the creative process as they drew alongside him on accessible paper.
Their artwork was then transformed into tactile images using a Picture in a Flash machine and Swell Touch Paper — a unique material that creates raised graphics through thermal printing.
This hands-on experience brought art and literacy to life in a way that students could see and feel, making creativity more accessible and deeply engaging.
“Events like the Vision Student Networking Day create memorable experiences that empower students while strengthening partnerships among schools, families and community organizations,” said Jennifer Crum, Director of Student Services.
“It is a true celebration of learning, inclusion and shared growth.”
Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 13 school districts and over 20,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties.
Client districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists.