The Wisconsin AER has worked hard to provide various opportunities for its stakeholder to connect, learn, and grow. Please take a moment to learn more about what we have to offer!
Upcoming Event
WAER’s Outreach Committee has arranged for a virtual webinar on low vision and blindness products from HumanWare. We are hoping to offer a series of webinars.
Webinar 1: Learning to Use Haptic Communication with Deaf-Blind Students
Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 12 noon – 1 PM
Presenters: Gaylen Kapperman, Stacy Kelly and Matthew Sperlin from Northern Illinois University
Haptic Communication is a form of communication that can be used when working with both Deaf-Blind and Blind persons. This form of communication can inform individuals of various concepts in their environment without using one’s voice or any audible device.
Outcomes:
1. Attendees will understand what Haptic Communication is.
2. Attendees will understand how Haptic Communication is different from Signed Language.
3. Attendees will be able to perform basic Haptic Communication.
Registration link for Haptic Communication:
https://forms.gle/4zcdmaxNb5tK2JJe9
Webinar 2
Overcoming Barriers to Music Education for Students Who are Blind
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 12 noon – 1 PM
Presenters: Gaylen Kapperman, Stacy Kelly and Abigail Reed from Northern Illinois University
This presentation details the experiences of musicians who have gone through primary and/or secondary education and gives advice and resources that can be used by educators to support students who are visually impaired and who want to participate in musical opportunities in school.
Outcomes:
1. Participants will gain a greater understanding of the barriers to a music education created by a visual impairment.
2. Participants will receive a list of resources that can be used to support music students with a visual impairment in learning music and participating in a school music group.
3. Participants will be able to take this information and help their students communicate their needs to teachers and directors of musical groups in and out of school.
Registration link for Music Education:
https://forms.gle/MqyTfShjMAzc5Jdd8
If questions, contact Jean at kalscheurja@gmail.com.
Digital Community: The Wisconsin chapter of AER (Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the blind and visually impaired) sponsors an electronic group via Google Groups dedicated solely to the education of students who are blind or visually impaired (BVI) in Wisconsin. We welcome anyone who is connected to and/or who is interested in being connected in this field to participate by:
- posting a question or an answer
- sharing a specific announcement related to the field
- stimulating discussion related to the education or service delivery of children and youth who are BVI.
WAER Vis members have access to the Google Group at any time; while the group is moderated, posts and responses are not approved prior to posting.
Join the WAER Vis Google Group today!
Collaborative Vision Conference: Traditionally, the Collaborative Vision Conference (CVC) is a two-day, in-person event, for ALL Vision Professionals, packed with presentations, time with vendors, awards, and networking. The CVC is hosted by both WAER members and non-WAER members and is typically held in late spring.
Wisconsin Chapter for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired 