CHARGE Recognition Award 2021
The Institute on Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairment or Deafblindness (IMSVI) has a long history of supporting the CHARGE community through programming, parental support and training, research, and education related to motor development, physical activity, and sports and recreation for children and youth with CHARGE Syndrome.
Co-director Lauren Liberman, Ph.D., has devoted her professional career to teaching others about the importance of movement for those with vision and deafblindness. Many of her students have become colleagues, collaborators, and teachers themselves, all working to improve the opportunities for children and young adults through accessible recreation programs and by helping others understand the importance of movement.
This group of highly trained and respected professionals has made a significant impact on the field worldwide through Camp Abilities, videos, presentations, publications, research, and advocacy.
The team members are Lauren Lieberman, Pamela Haiback-Beach, Melanie Perreault, Ali Brian, and Beth Foster. The group said they are inspired to volunteer for the Foundation to:
- Develop and provide tools to help young children and youth with CHARGE Syndrome improve their motor skills and opportunities to engage in physical activity
- Help educate and train parents and practitioners on best practices for motor skill development
- See every child with CHARGE Syndrome reach their full potential in motor skill development, physical activity, sports, recreation, and life
The Institute’s directors said the Foundation is important to them because it is instrumental in offering a platform to obtain participants for studies and share their study results with stakeholders, and because it provides funding for research projects. They also said that the Foundation is a great outlet for sharing IMSVI’s educational videos and training materials with the CHARGE community and is vital in continually improving their own understanding of CHARGE.
