Presentation 1 - Heather McCulloch
Illuminating the path for blind and visually impaired students with UDL
When we think about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), our minds often turn to issues of gender and ethnicity. However, disabilities—especially those related to vision—are less frequently highlighted. As we strive for equitable access to education, the needs of blind and visually impaired students demand greater attention.
With 2.2 billion people globally affected by blindness or visual impairment (WHO), accounting for a quarter of the world’s population, many learners continue to study without adequate accommodations. This lack of inclusive practices significantly hinders their ability to fully participate in society. In Japan, for instance, half of students with visual or hearing impairments attend vocational programs in special schools and colleges, but only 1.5% of these graduates advance to university. Such statistics reflect the barriers that prevent these students from achieving the same educational success as their non-disabled peers, highlighting the urgent need for more equitable solutions.
As someone who is going blind, the presenter understands firsthand the transformative changes needed in the classroom. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) offers a framework for promoting inclusivity and making education accessible to all learners. In this presentation, participants will explore the core principles of UDL, examining how it bridges the gap between DEI initiatives and practical implementation. The session will offer concrete strategies for developing lesson plans and activities that foster a sense of belonging for students with vision impairments in the language classroom.
This presentation is aimed at educators and policymakers dedicated to enhancing inclusivity for students with disabilities. It provides valuable insights for those committed to advancing educational equity, offering both research-based evidence and actionable steps toward creating more inclusive learning environments.
Heather McCulloch, adjunct lecturer in Gunma, navigates her world with resilience despite nearing blindness. A lover of audiobooks, spicy cuisine, and all things Hello Kitty, she embodies a vibrant spirit and determination. Through her journey, she champions UDL, inspiring others with her passion and unwavering dedication.
There is a short drink/snack/rest break midway through the event.
Presentation 2 - Sylvain Bergeron
Teacher wellbeing: The key to unlocking classroom potential
In the challenging setting of the university EFL classroom, the wellbeing of teachers is often overlooked. This in turn, makes it more difficult for teachers to cope with the demands of our profession. Inspired by the work of Eyre (2017) and Mercer & Gregersen (2020), this presentation will invite participants to consider a “back to basics” approach to personal health and balance by exploring the connection that exists between teacher well-being and effective classroom dynamics.
Sylvain Bergeron has been living and teaching in Japan since 1993. Aside from language teaching, he has been a lifelong student of both Japanese and Chinese martial arts and healing arts. Sylvain became a Reiki practitioner in 1993 and an instructor of this natural healing method in 1998. Over the years, he has practiced other modalities such as Zen Shiatsu, Qi Gong, massage for people living with cancer, life coaching and spiritual counseling, which he incorporates in his overall approach to personal well-being.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
For the past 38 years, Gunma JALT has been delivering local events (presentations, workshops, etc.) and providing a platform for publishing/presenting, networking, and friendship. This has been possible thanks to the volunteers who make it happen! Our AGM will be held after the two presentations. This is when we will choose our officers and roleplayers for 2025. The positions are as follows:
- The Chapter President manages the chapter and represents us centrally at JALT Executive Board Meetings (EBMs) throughout the year.
- The Treasurer balances the budget and handles the finances.
- The Program Chair finds presenters and schedules events.
- The Membership Chair welcomes participants and new members to the group, assists those who would like to join, and confirms the membership list each month.
- The Publicity Chair upkeeps the mailing list, sends out event notices, and uploads the events onto the JALT website calendar.
- The Website Editor maintains our website, which includes events, contact information, and contains the archive of our inhouse publication, Speakeasy. Visit our website at https://speakeasyjournal.wordpress.com/about/.
- The Speakeasy Editor oversees the submissions, editing, and publishing of our inhouse magazine/journal, Speakeasy.
- The Hospitality Chair provides snacks & drinks at meetings, and organizes some social events.
- The Facilities Chair secures the venues for face-to-face events
While we have some candidate nominees for certain positions, we are in need of nominees for other positions. We welcome new faces, voices, hands, and ideas. We always need people!
This is a live face-to-face event sponsored by JALT Gunma Chapter ... Please join!
Read the current issue of Speakeasy online
... https://speakeasyjournal.wordpress.com/current-issue/
Check out Gunma JALT programs since 2010
... https://sites.google.com/view/gunmajalt/previous?authuser=0
