DVIDB Council for Exceptional Children 2026 Preconference Event

DVIDB 2025 Virtual PreConference Agenda

Friday, February 27, 2026

Morning Session - 9:00 AM - noon (EST)

AI for Practitioners: Practical Tools for Visual Impairment Professionals

In this session you will learn how TSVIs are applying new AI technology in their lessons and their practice with ideas for how you can make AI tools more accessible for your students. This session will also provide information on new modules and training materials that are available from the APH Hive.

Featured Speakers:

Dr. Belinda Rudinger, PhD

Dr. Belinda Rudinger is an assistant professor of special education at East Texas A&M University, a teacher of students with visual impairments, and an assistive technology specialist. She is actively involved in the field as a board member of the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) Division on Visual Impairments and Deafblindness (DVIDB), chair-elect for the Access and Technology division of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI), and as the Deputy Vice President of the USA for the North American-Caribbean Region of the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI). Her work focuses on non-visual access to print and sustainability issues related to braille and assistive technology. She believes in the power of technology to prom

Dr. Donna Clemens, PhD

Dr. Donna Clemens is an educator and Assistive Technology Consultant in the Outreach Department at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI). With almost three decades of experience as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) and Assistive Technology (AT) specialist, she has worked extensively in accessible technology, curriculum development, and professional learning for TSVIs in Texas. Dr. Clemens supports training related to braille technology and instructional strategies that help students access educational content and develop greater independence. She holds a Ph.D. in Special Education, a Master's degree in Dual Sensory impairments, and a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Disabilities.ote empowerment and connection.

Afternoon Session - 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EST)

Accessible Science Education & Engaging with APH Press

In this session, attendees will be learning about the new book titled "Accessible Science Education for Students with Visual Impairments". An overview of the book will be covered as well as specific tips and tricks for both teachers of students with visual impairments and their science teachers with whom they collaborate. This session will also include a presentation with the APH Press team that dive into the latest educational releases and explore what new publications are on the horizon. Learn how you can contribute to our mission by submitting book proposals, becoming an author, editor, or peer reviewer, and much more

1. Featured Speakers:

Heather Spence

Heather Spence is the Director of APH Press at American Printing House (APH). Prior to this role, Heather spent over ten years at the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), holding various positions, including Business Systems Manager and Product Fulfillment and Customer Service Manager. With over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, Heather has spent more than a decade focused specifically on the field of blindness and low vision.

Dr. Tiffany Wild, PhD

Dr. Tiffany Wild is an Associate Professor at Ohio State University in the College of Education and Human Ecology, Department of Teaching and Learning. She began her career as a middle school science and math teacher and became a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) after working with students with visual impairments in the classroom. Dr. Wild has been awarded prestigious awards including a doctoral fellowship with the National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairments and Dissertation of the Year award by the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Visual impairment. Dr. Wild’s research focuses on accessible science education for students with visual impairments.

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