Meet APH Scholar Patricia Gallardo

Meet APH Scholar Patricia Gallardo

Patricia Gallardo joined the Child Development program at Braille Institute in 2018, and in 2022 began her current position as Senior Child Development Consultant. During her time at the Braille Institute Patricia has brought braille literacy services to children and parents in their homes, created a parent group in her local community to educate the importance of literacy for children, created virtual programs amid the 2020 pandemic, and continues to engage in community outreach workshops. Patricia also serves on the board of Birth to Five Vision network and First 5 of San Bernadino.

“Her efforts have significantly raised awareness of APH products, thereby enhancing opportunities for blind and visually impaired children to thrive independently and academically,” said Sandy Shin, Braille Institute Vice President, Marketing & Communications.

Using APH Products

Patricia has used APH products to educate both parents, and students, through her many workshops and at home services.

“Earlier this year, the Child Development program hosted a Lego Braille Bricks workshop with Marie Oddoux and Marc Angelier. We also had professionals from Los Angeles Unified School District, Blind Children’s Center and Blindness Support Services attend the workshop with us. It was an interactive day learning about Lego Braille Bricks design and how braille can be fun for young readers. This was the first time the community programs had interacted with Lego Braille Bricks. Being able to share what APH has available to children is extremely important so that all children have access to their products.,” said Patricia.

Students of all ages love using the Wheatley Tactile Diagramming Kit for orientation and mobility support, as well as distinguishing shapes, patterns, textures, and more.

“In the recent redesign of the children’s room in the library I made the recommendation to incorporate APH products into the room. The children’s room has an interactive sensory wall that helps facilitate learning through touch and storytelling. Along with the sensory wall, there is an APH light box, slant boards, and magnifiers for families to access during their visit. These items create a place for active learning and educate families about items that their children may have access to in the classroom,” said Patricia.

Looking Toward the Future

Patricia hopes to use her time at the APH Annual meeting as an opportunity to learn. Whether that be from the professionals around her, seminars, or trying new products, she is excited to take in everything she can. All the information she is able to gather will be shared in monthly newsletters and meetings with the parents in the SoCal area.

“As a manager of a child development program, I am tasked with our youngest minds and their development. Not only to teach in a traditional manner, but also to make learning fun, exciting, inclusive, and promote the love of literacy. APH’s products help support all these attributes. Attending the APH Annual Conference where so many educators, leaders, and innovators come together to learn from one another is a once in a lifetime experience that I want to be a part of. I will take in and soak up the experience while there and continue the conversation far beyond the conference,” said Patricia.

More about the Program

Each year, EOTs are asked to nominate someone they feel provides outstanding service in their region. Through a scholarship, awardees attend the APH Annual Meeting in Louisville, KY as a guest of APH. APH pays for all expenses in attending the conference, including transportation to the meeting, conference registration, and hotel accommodations.

APH invites these scholars to share their experiences with the rest of the users of APH products and services via webinars and course reviews. During the spring Trustee Advisory Committee Meeting, scholars will be asked to participate in a panel discussion about their

service to individuals who are blind or have a visual impairment as well as participate in the review of APH products and services with the committee.

We look forward to meeting all our APH Scholars 2024-2025 Scholars at this year’s Annual Meeting.