Assistive Technology
The Assistive Technology (AT) Center at the California School for the Blind provides assessment and instruction to students with visual impairments on campus and throughout the state of California. Trainings and workshops are provided to educators, students, and their families on technology and educational topics through requests and conferences. The highly skilled assistive technology specialists continually develop curriculum to reflect the changing technology and the demands of current educational needs. In addition to expertise in assistive technology, our teachers have backgrounds in higher education with an emphasis in visual impairment including TVI, Rehabilitation, and Orientation & Mobility.
Assessment
Assessments are conducted on newly enrolled students at CSB as well as during triennial evaluations. In addition, teachers of the visually impaired or other school personnel from LEAs across the state can request a technology assessment for a visually impaired student. Requests can be made online using the Outreach Application
or by contacting any of the members of the Assistive Technology Team at CSB.
Instruction
The Assistive Technology Team provides instruction in the following areas:
- Screen reading software
- Magnification software
- BrailleNote takers
- Smart phones & tablets
- Optical character recognition software
- Internet navigation
- Accessing mainstream technology and software
- Electronic braille displays
- etc.
Training
The Assistive Technology Team provides trainings and support for teachers, students, and families on campus and throughout the state on a wide variety of topics. Assistive technology guides are continually being created and updated and are available on the Curricula & How-To Guides web page or contact any of the members of the Assistive Technology Team.
- Assistive Technology Overview Presentation
On August 8, 2018 the Assistive Technology (AT) team from the California School for the Blind presented "An Overview of Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Impairments" to Santa Clara County staff.
During Shelter in Place, the AT Team hosted Tuesday Tea every Tuesday in May at 3pm. Visit our CSB YouTube channel
under "Virtual Learning" where you can see a catalogue of discussion such as using Google Suite with assistive technology
(Youtube), using JAWS Tandem and other remote support platforms
(Youtube), supporting braille readers during distance learning, and a roundtable discussion on technology support in distance learning.
Assistive Technology Staff

Scott Jaffray, MA
Assistive Technology Specialist,
Orientation and Mobility Specialist
sjaffray@csb-cde.ca.gov
510-936-5635

Barbara Pickney
Teaching Assistant, Keyboarding Specialist
bpickney@csb-cde.ca.gov

Yurika Vu, MA
Assistive Technology Coordinator,
Orientation & Mobility Specialist
yvu@csb-cde.ca.gov
510-936-5525

Crystal Hurst
Assistive Technology Specialist
churst@csb-cde.ca.gov
510-936-5507
Want to join our team? Please visit our Jobs and Exam Announcements page for any open positions.
Events
- Fall Registration Forms 2021-22
- National Coding Symposium
May 9-13, 2022 on Zoom - State Testing Office Hours
Every Tuesday starting March 15, 2022 - Summer Academies
Starting June 13, 2022 - Spring Concert
May 18, 2022 - White Cane Day 2021
October 2021