BEINEINU NEWS & NOTES
May 4, 2021
Scholarship
Applications for the 2021 NBC Universal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship are now open. Eight scholarships will be awarded. High school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities who are pursuing careers in media, communications or entertainment industries, who will be enrolled in college or a university during Fall 2021, are eligible. Each recipient will receive $5,625 to help cover the cost of education at their college or university. Applications must be received by Thursday, May 20 at 5 p.m. The full application process and information can be viewed at www.aapd.com. Contact
New Brain Injury Parent Support Group
This is a support group for New York State parents who are raising a child with a brain injury who is under the age of 18. Virtual meetings are scheduled for the second Tuesday of every month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. One can join the group online or by calling them. A Zoom account is not needed to participate. The meeting dates for this year are May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10 and Sept. 14. For more information and to obtain the Zoom link, contact Danielle Klein at
Special Education Administrative Position
Kulanu Academy, a private High School in Cedarhurst NY has an opening for a full time Associate Principal beginning July 2021. This leadership position for a NYS certified special educator requires experience with and knowledge of:
- NYS Core Curriculum/Graduation/Regent exam requirements
- IEPs and participation in CSE meetings
- Parent engagement
- Mentoring of teachers and support staff
- Collaborative work with clinical team
- Curriculum development and modification
- Assessing and tracking faculty/ student performance
- Creating student academic programming/schedules
- Oversee hiring process to fill vacancies as needed
Candidates must have superior time management skills, be highly organized, have excellent communication abilities and creative problem solving skills. Must have a minimum of 5 years of teaching experience and 2 years of administrative experience. Salary commensurate with experience. Contact Dina Rosenberg at 516-569-3083 ext. 328,
Camp After Camp
A few slots are still available in Hasc Center’s exciting overnight Camp After Camp, August 16-23, 2021. This is a 1-week program geared to girls up to 18 years old and boys up to 8 years old. Contact Avital 718-942-3883,
Summer Camps Openings
Yachad still has a few limited spots for girls in some of their summer programs. Here are some potential options:
- Yachad bunk within a mainstream, co-ed camp (in Pennsylvania, OPWDD funding not applicable) ages 8-21.
- Vocational program within a mainstream, co-ed camp (in Pennsylvania, OPWDD funding not applicable) ages 22-35.
- Yachad Getaway Adult vacation- two week vacation at a retreat center near Albany, NY (OPWDD funding possible) ages 25-45, co-ed program
- Camp Kesher Yachad @ Camp Sternberg- all girls program ages 7- 25, 7 week program divided by a 4 and 3 week session. (OPWDD funding possible)
- Camper Integration Program- for females ages 9-15, co-ed camp (OPWDD funding possible). Camper is placed within a mainstream bunk 24/7 and is supported by an additional, Yachad trained, counselor in the bunk.
For additional information about these and other Yachad summer programs, and/or to start an intake, please contact Yehuda at
Visual Impairments Camp
Visions Services For the Blind will be having VCB Family Camp in Spring Valley, NY. Programs include Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Orientation & Mobility, and Occupational Therapy. Family members learn the best techniques to support their child all year long. Group activities will address age appropriate skill development for blind youth and their families.
- August 10th–14th: First Steps is for children who are blind or severely visually impaired up to age 5, children with multiple disabilities up to age 21, and children with CVI up to age 21
- Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI): Your child will work with a vision rehabilitation therapist knowledgeable about CVI in a vision rehabilitation setting. Parents learn specialized techniques to engage their child with CVI as well as how to advocate for their child’s unique needs.
- August 16th–20th: Rehabilitation and Recreation (R&R) is for blind or visually impaired children from ages 6–9 who are on grade-level.
- August 23rd–27th: Teens & Tweens Pre-Vocational is for youth with visual impairments or blindness ages 10 -13. This program serves to provide career exploration and the social skills to help develop their future potential and goals.
For more information contact Cathleen McGuire at 631-504-1180,
Virtual Vision Loss Camp
The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) will be offering the Virtual ExCEL Camp from mid-June through mid-August. The Virtual ExCEL Camp will include a live hour at 2:00 ET, Monday through Friday, and is free to all registrants. The target audience is students with vision loss. Also included are five at-home extension activities for the camp theme and with the camp supplies that will be sent to the student. The Virtual ExCEL Camp will be separated by age groups. The sessions will be recorded so all have the opportunity to learn.
Please register students with their needs and levels in mind. The Hearst Foundation is providing students from the USA an APH product that will be used during camp. For students to receive items in time for camp, they must have registered for their session at least four weeks prior to the camp’s start date. Those that register after that date are still welcome to attend; we would suggest working with your teacher of students with visual impairments to procure the product for use during camp as all items are available through Federal Quota.
Parents, please register the student for one camp that matches their needs. As parents, you know if they would be more appropriately placed with the age level identified. If you are unsure, we suggest reaching out to your teacher of students with visual impairments. And remember, each student must be registered separately and must meet the definition of blindness in your state.
Week of June 21-25: Art Camp (4-6 years old)
Week of June 29-July 2: Mystery Camp (7-10 years old)
Week of July 12-16: STEM Camp (11-13 years old)
Week of July 19-23: Career Camp (12-22 years old)
Week of July 26-30: Space Sensory Camp (pre-symbolic learners)
We know that many educational professionals as well as college students preparing to enter the field have been participating in the webinars to observe teachers and students at work. You may register for the camps you wish to observe. Remember, you are able to watch and listen, but please stay in the background just as if you were in a physical classroom.
For more information visit https://www.aph.org/virtual-excel-camp/
Project REACH Home Based Head Start Program
Yeled V’Yalda’s Project Reach is a free home based head start program in New York City for children ages 0-5 who have current or past serious illness or developmental delays whose education has been compromised due to hospitalizations, frequent doctor visits, or other extenuating circumstances. Siblings of such children are also eligible for these services. The child may not be enrolled in any other Head Start program. Preference is given to low income families, though others are accepted.
Services include: One and a half hours a week of home/hospital based educational sessions with an experienced and warm preschool instructor, High quality group programs and entertainment on Sundays for the whole family, Cool Culture card free admission to over 90 attractions in NY, Free admission to the Yeled V’Yalda pool & gym, Full range of family support services, etc.
Applications are now being accepted for September 2021. For more information contact Miriam Hersh at 718-514-8665,