The Smith-Kettlewell Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center launched a stimulating training and discussion group series in the area of low vision and blindness. Called SKILAB (Smith-Kettlewell Interdisciplinary Low Vision and Blindness) Seminars, these meetings provide colleagues and consumers an opportunity to meet to learn from speakers on diverse topics relevant to rehabilitation, and exchange information, concerns, and ideas. Professionals in many different disciplines deal with different aspects of vision loss, but often have limited opportunity to interact with each other. The SKILAB Seminars are designed as a vehicle for just such communication and interdisciplinary training.
The SKILAB Seminars consist of the following format:
6:30 - 7:00 Light supper and informal discussions
7:00 - 8:30 Invited speaker presentation followed by questions and discussion
In the first SKILAB Seminar, held in 1990, Dr. Gregory Goodrich, Research Psychologist at the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center, Veterans Administration, Palo Alto, lectured on "Forty Thousand Years of Interpreting Visual Symbols: A New Way of Looking at Low Vision."
The second SKILAB Seminar was on the topic of Driving with Low Vision. Presentations were made by clinicians and researchers (including Drs. Ian Bailey and August Colenbrander) and three low vision consumers who use bioptic telescopes for driving. The consumers were able to draw upon their practical experience and identify problems for attention by clinicians and researchers.
Subsequent SKILAB seminars have been held as the opportunity has arisen, often when international visitors who are experts in their fields have been available.
All the sessions were attended by many rehabilitation professionals, researchers, consumers, and clinicians from throughout the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, who greatly benefited from the tackling of controversial topic areas.
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1. Presentations
Brabyn, J. Invited speaker, "Some Research Needs in Low Vision," Consensus Validation Conference, "Protocols for Choosing Low Vision Devices," Sponsored by National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Arlington, VA, January 25-27, 1993.
Brabyn, J., Schneck, M., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., and Jampolsky, A. Poster Presentation, "Practical Assessment of Vision in Older Individuals," California Pacific Medical Center Research Week Symposium, San Francisco, November 17, 1993.
Brabyn, J., Gilden, D., Crandall, B., Fowle, T., and Williams, J. Exhibit of Sensory Aids, RESNA 16th Annual Conference, Las Vegas, June 12-17, 1993.
Brabyn, J., Presentation, "New Low Vision Devices and Tests," RESNA 16th Annual Conference, Las Vegas, June 15, 1993, 254-55.
Crandall, W., Invited Presentation on the Smith-Kettlewell Fax Reader Project at national conference called "Let's Not Reinvent the Wheel," sponsored by the Mississippi Rehabilitation R&T Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, Seattle, March 31-April 2, 1993.
Crandall, W. Invited Presentation, "Smith-Kettlewell's Fax-Phone Connection: Accessibility to Print," California Council of the Blind Annual Convention, San Francisco, May 27-30, 1993. Crandall, W. Presentation, "Remote Signage and Its Implications to Print-Handicapped Travelers," RESNA 16th Annual Conference, Las Vegas, June 15, 1993.
Crandall, W. Invited Presentation, "Using the Fax Machine in Reading Your Mail," American Council of the Blind Annual Convention, San Francisco, July 3-10, 1993.
Crandall, W. Invited Presentation, "The Smith-Kettlewell RERC: Talking Signs and Fax Reader Projects," American Society of Public Administrators Annual Conference, San Francisco, July 19, 1993.
Crandall, W. and Gerrey, W. Demonstration of Smith-Kettlewell Fax Reader Project, ISDN and Disability Conference, San Francisco, August 3, 1993.
Fowle, T. Invited speaker on "Access to Automatic Teller Machines," National Convention, American Council of the Blind, San Bruno, CA, July 7, 1993.
Gerrey, W. Poster presentation, "Description of Video Programming for the Blind Audience -- How It Is Done and How It Is Delivered to the Consumer," California Pacific Medical Center Research Week Symposium, San Francisco, November 17, 1993.
Gerrey, W. and Crandall, W. Testified in the matter of remote signage before a hearing of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Board in San Francisco, March 15, 1993.
Gerrey, W. and Williams, J. Exhibit at California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually Handicapped (CTEVH) Conference, Sacramento, April 1-3, 1993.
Gerrey, W. Invited presenter of aids and devices to minority and handicapped children, "Science Explosion," Whitney Young Child Development Center, Inc., San Francisco, March 23, 1993.
Gerrey, W. Invited speaker to class on "Psychosocial Aspects of Blindness," San Francisco State University, March 30, 1993.
Gerrey, W. Guest lecturer to class on "Rehabilitation Engineering Product Design," San Francisco State University, May 10, 1993.
Gerrey, W. Invited speaker on current research at Smith-Kettlewell and the importance of consumer input, Research and Development Committee, Annual Conference of the National Federation of the Blind, Dallas, July 7, 1993.
Gerrey, W. and Crandall, W. Invited Presentation, "A Fax-Based Communication Augmentation System for the Blind and Print-Handicapped," Fall Meeting, National Council of State Agencies for the Blind, San Diego, November 19, 1992.
Gerrey, W. and Crandall, W. Invited Presentation, "The Smith-Kettlewell Fax Reader Project," National Association of the Visually Handicapped, San Francisco, December 3, 1992.
Gilden, D. and Herrmann, D. Poster Presentation, "A Wrist-Worn Medication Reminder for Use by Deaf-Blind Persons," California Pacific Medical Center Research Week Symposium, San Francisco, November 17, 1993.
Gilden, D. and Clarke, M. Poster Presentation, "Talking Keyboards for Blind Children," California Pacific Medical Center Research Week Symposium, San Francisco, November 17, 1993.
Gilden, D. "Some Technology for the Blind from Smith-Kettlewell, National Rehabilitation Board, Dublin, Ireland, August 3, 1993.
Gilden, D. and Smallridge, B. "Touching Reality: A Robotic Fingerspelling Hand for Deaf-Blind Persons," Conference on Virtual Reality and Persons with Disabilities, San Francisco, June 17-18, 1993.
Schneck, M., Brabyn, J., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., Jampolsky, A., and Katz, B. Poster Presentation, "A New Test for Vision Under Poor Lighting and Contrast: The SKILL Card," California Pacific Medical Center Research Week Symposium, San Francisco, November 17, 1993.
Schneck, M. Presentation, "New Low Vision Tests for the Elderly," Buck Center for Research on Aging, September 1993.
Williams, J. Member of Friends in Art Workshop on Computer Music Access, National Convention, American Council of the Blind, San Bruno, CA, July 3-10, 1993.
Williams, J. Invited speaker to class on "Psychosocial Aspects of Blindness," San Francisco State University, May 11, 1993.
Williams, J. Invited teacher on "Access to Computer Music," Enchanted Hills Camp, Napa, CA, August 19-24, 1993.
2. SKILAB Seminars
(These seminars are special multidisciplinary evening presentations, and include discussions involving clinicians, researchers, rehabilitation professionals, consumers, and parents.)
"Low Vision Care in China -- The Last Frontier?" Dr. Alan Johnston, Victoria College of Optometry, Melbourne, Australia, D. Gilden, Host, November 3, 1992.
3. Smith-Kettlewell Colloquia
"Neuro-Behavioural Adaptations to Low Vision in Children." William Good, M.D., Asst. Professor of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, J. Brabyn, Host, January 21, 1993.
"Biocontrollers Meeting Today's Challenges." Hugh Lusted, Ph.D., and Anthony Lloyd, M.E., BioControl Systems, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, D. Gilden, Host, March 25, 1993.
"New Developments in Low Vision Rehabilitation." D. Fletcher, M.D., and R. Schuchard, Ph.D., Dept. of Ophthalmology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, J. Brabyn, Host, June 24, 1993.
4. Selected Publications
Bentzen, B., Myers, L., and Randall, W. " Talking Signs® System: Guide for Trainers." Project ACTION, 1995.
Brabyn, J., Legge, G. (Chapter Co-authors), "Assessment of Needs and Requirements." In, National Research Council, National Material Advisory Board, Study of Currency Features Usable by the Visually Impaired, National Academy Press, 1995.
Brabyn, J., Schneck, M., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., and Steinman, B. "Vision Test Performance and Accident Proneness in Drivers Over the Age of 55," 1994 Technical Digest, Vision Science and Its Applications, 1994, 210-213.
Brabyn, J., Jampolsky, A., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., Schneck, M., Colenbrander, A., and Winderl, M. "New Low Vision Devices and Tests," Proceedings, RESNA 16th Annual Conference, Las Vegas, June 12-17, 1993, 254-55.
Brabyn, J., Crandall, W., and Gerrey, W. "Talking Signs: A Remote Signage Solution for the Blind, Visually Impaired and Reading Disabled," Proceedings, 15th Annual International Conference, IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, San Diego, CA, October 28-31, 1993.
Brabyn, J. Smith-Kettlewell Rehabilitation Engineering Center Progress Report to 1992, Veterans Administration Rehabilitation R&D Progress Report, 1993.
Brabyn, J. "Rehabilitation Engineering Research in Blindness, Visual Impairment, and Multisensory Loss," Technology and Disability, November 1994; 3(4):266-282.
Brabyn, J., Colenbrander, A., and Winderl, M. "Improving the Ergonomics of Popular Low Vision Telescopes," Journal of Vision Rehabilitation, 8, No. 1, 1994, 12-13.
Brabyn, J. "Orientation and Navigation Systems for the Blind: An Overview of Different Approaches," Keynote Speech, International Conference on Orientation and Navigation Systems for Blind Persons, London, England, February 1-2, 1995.
Brabyn, J.A., Schneck, M.E., and Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G. "Measured and Self-Reported Visual Function in the Elderly," Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Vol. 36, No. 4, S671, March 15, 1995.
Brabyn, J. "Considerations in Auditory Display Design for Blind Users," submitted to Displays, July 1995.
Brabyn, J., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., and Schneck, M.E. "Attentional Visual Fields: Age Changes and Relation to Driving," California Pacific Medical Center 1995 Research Symposium, San Francisco, October 1995.
Brabyn, J., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., Schneck, M., and Hennessy, D. "Attentional Visual Fields: Age Changes and Relation to Driving," Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Supplement, in press.
Crandall, W. "A Fax-Based Reading System for the Blind and Print-Handicapped," The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute 1993 Report, 12-13.
Crandall, W., Gerrey, W., and Alden, A. "Remote Signage and Its Implications to Print-Handicapped Travelers," Proceedings, RESNA 16th Annual Conference, Las Vegas, June 12-17, 1993, 251-53.
Crandall, W., Bentzen, B., Rosen, S., and Mitchell, P. "Infrared Remote Signage for the Blind and Print Handicapped: An Orientation and Mobility Study." Final Report, National Easter Seal Research Program, 1994.
Crandall, W., Bentzen, B., Myers, L., and Steed, D. "Talking Signs® Remote Infrared Signage: A Guide for Transit System Managers." Project ACTION, 1995.
Gilden, D. "High-Tech Educational Toys for Blind Children," The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute 1993 Report, 14-15.
Gilden, D., and Smallridge, B. Touching Reality: A Robotic Fingerspelling Hand for Deaf-Blind Persons, Proceedings, Conference on Virtual Reality and Persons with Disabilities, sponsored by California State University, Northridge, Millbrae, California, June 17-18, 1993.
Gilden, D. "Understanding Dexter: The Intelligibility of a Prototype Robotic Fingerspelling Hand," Proceedings, European Conference on the Advancement of Rehabilitation Technology - ECART, Lisbon, Portugal, October 10-13, 1995, 164-166.
Hamer, R., Norcia, A., Day, S., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., Lewis, D., and Hsu-Winejes, C. "Comparison of On- and Off-Axis Photorefraction with Cycloplegic Retinoscopy in Infants," J. Pediatric Ophthalmol Strabismus, 1992, 29:232-239.
Katz, B., Beck, R.W., Kupersmith, M.J., Cleary, P.A., Schneck, M.E., and Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G. "Abnormalities of the Fellow Eye in Acute Unilateral Optic Neuritis," Technical Digest for Topical Meeting for Non-invasive Assessment of the Visual System, 1993.
Norcia, A. "Motion Processing, Binocular Vision and Eye-Alignment in Infancy," The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute 1993 Report, 38-39.
Schneck ME, Haegerstrom-Portnoy G, Brabyn J and Katz B (1992) SKILL Card: Hidden deficits in 'recovered' optic neuritis. Invest Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci (suppl) 33, 965.
Schneck, M. "SKILL Card: Hidden Deficits in 'Recovered" Optic Neuritis," The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute 1993 Report, 42-43.
Schneck, M., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., Katz, B. and Brabyn, J. "Optic Neuritis: Small Reductions in Luminance Cause Large Losses in Vision Function," Technical Digest Non-Invasive Assessment of the Vision System, Optical Society of America, 1993.
Schneck M E, Haegerstrom-Portnoy G, Brabyn J and Katz B. SKILL Card: Hidden deficits in 'recovered' optic neuritis. Paper presented at ARVO, 1992.
Schneck M E, Haegerstrom-Portnoy G, Katz B, and Brabyn J. Optic neuritis: Small reductions in luminance cause large losses in vision function. Paper presented at the annual meeting of The Non-invasive Assessment of the Visual System, February 1993.
Schneck, M., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., Brabyn, J., and Hennessy, D. "Predicting Driving Performance from Vision Tests. I. Preliminary findings for spatial vision in the California Driving Population." 1994 Technical Digest, Vision Science and Its Applications, 1994, 206-209.
5. Selected Professional Activities
Brabyn, J. Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Rehabilitation Engineering.
Brabyn, J. Member, Editorial Board, "Technology and Disability," 1993-95.
Brabyn, J. Chairman, Small Business Innovative Research Study Section, National Eye Institute, 1986-1991, and periodically 1992-present.
Brabyn, J. Member, Advisory Committee, RERC on Universal Telecommunications Access, Gallaudet University, 1995-present.
Brabyn, J. Invited Participant, Blind/Low Vision Research Planning Conference, VA Regional Medical Education Center, Birmingham, AL, September 12-14, 1994.
Brabyn, J. Member, National Research Council Committee on Currency Features for the Visually Impaired, 1994.
Brabyn, J. Member of Technical Advisory Board for Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Hearing Enhancement and Assistive Devices, The Lexington Center, Jackson Heights, New York, 1993.
Brabyn, J. Track Chairman, Rehabilitation Engineering, 15th Annual International Conference, IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, San Diego, October 29, 1993.
Brabyn, J. Member, Scientific Review Board, Veterans Administration RR&D Service.
Brabyn, J. Consulting Member, Mississippi State R&T Center Advisory Council.
Brabyn, J. Member of Review Register of Rehabilitation Services Administration, October 1991-94.
Brabyn, J. Chairman, NIH Behavioral and Neurosciences Special Emphasis Panel, July 15, 1993.
Brabyn, J. Invited participant in an NIDRR consensus panel meeting with the purpose of drawing up guidelines for practitioners and researchers on state-of-the-art low vision aid selection, prescription, and needed research. Copies of the final Consensus Panel Report are available from NIDRR.
Fowle, T. Consultant to TeleSensory Systems, Inc., Mountain View, California, for design, updates, testing and firmware maintenance of the TeleBraille II.
Fowle, T. Member of Consumer Advisory Committee, Sensory Access Foundation, Palo Alto, California.
Gerrey, W. Member of Work Group of Consumers and Consumer Representatives of the "National Evaluation of the State Grants for Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Programs," Center for Research in Education, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 1992.
Gerrey, W. Member of ADA Task Force of the California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, 1992 to present.
Gerrey, W. Consultant to WGBH Boston on a study of technology supporting reading of print, 1992.
Gerrey, W. Consultant on tactile maps for the "Finding Your Way" project of The Exploratorium, San Francisco, 1992.
Gerrey, W. Consultant on Talking Signs for architectural firm designing new San Francisco main public library, 1992 to present.
Gerrey, W. Member of Handicapped Accessibility Task Force Committee, Department of Public Works, City of San Francisco, 1988 to present.
Gilden, D. Recognition for participation in the development of a strategic plan for assistive technology for persons with disabilities, California Department of Rehabilitation, June 1992.
Gilden, D. Member of Panel on Low Vision and Its Rehabilitation, National Advisory Eye Council, National Institutes of Health. (The results of this panel's efforts are included in Vision Research, A National Plan: 1994-1998.)
Gilden, D. Member of Planning Committee for 1994 Conference on Virtual Reality and Persons with Disabilities, California State University, Northridge.
Gilden, D. Member of Assistive Technology Committee, California Department of Education.
Williams, J. Member of Technology Committee, Public Library Project for the Blind, City of San Francisco.
Williams, J. Consultant on tactile maps for the "Finding Your Way" project of The Exploratorium, San Francisco, 1992.