Upcoming Webinars on Employment and Fall Prevention
“How to Make Your Blindness or Low Vision a Strength When Job Seeking” on September 7, 2023: Join in an upcoming webinar to learn about “Leveraging Your Disability to Find a Job: How to Make Your Blindness or Low Vision a Strength When Job Seeking.” This session, being held September 7, 2023 at 2 pm Central Time (3 pm Eastern Time), is hosted by the NRTC (National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision). The NRTC seeks to enhance “employment outcomes for people with vision loss.” Their webinars and podcasts feature knowledgeable guests addressing a wide range of career and employment-related topics. Recognizing that individuals who are blind or have low vison deal with many barriers related to employment, NRTC notes that organizations that provide services to job seekers now work not only to address barriers, but also to “provide an employment advantage for blind and low-vision individuals.” Jonathan Lucus from NSITE and Ross Barchacky from Inclusively will speak about the services their organizations provide in this area. Kristin Smedley, who wrote Thriving Blind: Stories of Real People Succeeding Without Sight, will discuss how to emphasize strengths gained from living with a vison impairment, such as problem-solving skills and adaptability. Attendees will find out how to “leverage (their) disability” and market themselves to prospective employers to secure employment. For more information, visit the NRTC page, located on the website for Mississippi State University, announcing the program on Leveraging Your Disability to Find a Job. Register here for this NRTC webinar. “Making a Difference: Social Isolation, Vision, Hearing and Falls Prevention” on September 15, 2023: The loss of vision and hearing can have an impact on the risk of falls and can also increase social isolation. “Making a Difference: Social Isolation, Vision, Hearing and Falls Prevention,” a webinar sponsored by the OIB-TAC (Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance Center, will be held on September 15, 2023 at 2 pm Central Time (3 pm Eastern Time). Presenters Valerie Biediger, MS, M.Ed., and Kirsten Dorsey, OTR/L, will discuss the ways falling can lead to reduced activity and mental health challenges. They will also share their experiences in addressing these issues in implementing a fall risk reduction program called “A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls,” highlighting the solutions that can increase participation in activities for people with vision and/or hearing loss. Attendees will experience a simulation of vision and hearing loss, identify ways to increase participation in “evidence-based programming,” and hear from a program leader who has vision loss about his experience. The webinar is intended for anyone who would like to find out about how participating in evidence-based fall prevention programming can benefit physical health, mental well being, and decrease social isolation in older adults. For additional details, visit the OIB-TAC webpage describing the presentation on Making a Difference: Social Isolation, Vision, Hearing and Falls Prevention. Register here for this OIB-TAC Monthly Webinar. OIB-TAC is housed at the NRTC, located on the campus of Mississippi State University. [...]
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Back to School Eye Exam Can Boost Success in the Classroom
by B. E. Lewis, RDPFS Intern: When children receive vision screenings at school, some parents may think a comprehensive eye exam is unnecessary. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), however, school screenings can miss many youngsters with vision problems. Vision issues can impact a child’s development, school performance, and self-esteem negatively. Back-to-school time is a good opportunity for families to schedule an eye exam. Common eyesight abnormalities can be diagnosed and treated early, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Eye specialists recommend that children’s eyes be checked in infancy, once between ages three and five, and then annually beginning in first grade. If found early, many vision problems can be slowed or corrected. A Comprehensive Eye Exam (CEE) screens for and diagnoses common eye conditions. Elements of a CEE include: a measure of visual acuity (VA), which determines the eye’s ability to distinguish shapes at a given distance of 20 feet; a visual field test to check peripheral (side) and central vision; and refraction, a test that determines the lens power necessary to correct various degrees of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Learn more about comprehensive eye exams, including special refraction tests for infants and young children, testing for color blindness, and more, in an article from the National Library of Medicine titled “Comprehensive eye examination: what does it mean?” Also check out a CBS News Health Watch piece addressing the question “Is an eye exam on your child’s back-to-school checklist? Here’s why doctors recommend it.” Additional information is also available from the American Optometric Association on Championing children’s eye care. [...]
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Beginning September 9, 2023: Free Virtual Introductory Ballet Classes for Adults Who Are Blind and Visually Impaired
Dancers who are blind or visually impaired can “explore new boundaries of movement and expression” through participation in Dark Room Ballet programs. A new cycle of introductory classes begins September 9, 2023 and runs for eight Saturdays from 4 to 6 pm Eastern Time (ET). Students do not need to have any prior knowledge of ballet to sign up. These introductory level classes are held as a scholarship program for new students who are blind or have low vision. For the upcoming series, the due date for scholarship applications is September 5, 2023. Sessions will cover the most common “ballet vocabulary” to prepare for participation in the program’s “Open Level Dark Room Ballet Class.” Students will learn about “anatomical concepts” such as foot sensitivity and mobility, balancing without sight, and the use of auditory input and tape on a floor for orientation. Hosted by Movement Research, Dark Room Ballet is geared specifically to the educational needs of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The Dark Room Ballet curriculum is based on ballet training from the Royal Academy of Dance and Butoh as well as classical Japanese dance training. The instructor, Krishna Washburn, is a blind ballet dancer and teacher. Classes are held via the Zoom platform and are also available via phone call. Find out additional details here for the Introductory Level Ballet Classes – Dark Room Ballet with Krishna Washburn and learn more here about the Dark Room Ballet Intro Level Scholarship Program. To register, send an email message to [email protected] to begin the intake process. [...]
September is National Literacy Month
by B. E. Lewis, RDPFS Intern: National Literacy Month, commemorated in September, is a good time to encourage children and adults to pick up a book or challenge themselves to boost literacy. For children with visual impairments, achieving literacy is not significantly different from achieving the same for sighted children. “All children, regardless of whether or not they have a vision loss or additional challenges, learn through repeated and frequent exposure to meaningful hands-on experiences in order to develop basic concepts that are the foundation of literacy,” according to Charlotte Cushman, writing on the Paths to Literacy website. In this way, young learners develop basic concepts that are the foundation of literacy. In the past, the term literacy focused specifically on the ability to read and write, whereas now a broader definition is becoming increasingly accepted. Speaking, listening, object communication, sign language, concept development, and an understanding of one’s environment and experiences are all part of a more inclusive view of literacy. During September and beyond, a variety of resources may be helpful in efforts to improve literacy at home, at school, and in communities across the nation. For general information read the Alliance for Children and Families webpage announcing that September is National Literacy Month. A discussion on the importance of literacy for students who are blind or visually impaired is included in the Paths to Literacy blog on an Introduction to Literacy. To find out about some useful resources related to literacy, Paths to Literacy also offers a list of useful Basic Reading Resources with tips that can apply to all readers as well as Literacy Tip Sheets. To learn more about research related to literacy and children with visual impairment, read the National Library of Medicine article on Literacy and visual impairment. Getting in Touch with Literacy Conference: November 29 to December 2, 2023 The Getting in Touch with Literacy (GITWL) Conference will bring together the most current thinking on all options of literacy for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, including print, braille, auditory, tactile graphics comprehension and the use of technology. This event will be held in St. Pete Beach, Florida, with an early registration fee of $275 until August 31, 2023, and $325 through October 31, 2023. Eight virtual sessions will be provided as well, “to capture the spirit of in-person interactions with robust conversations using a variety of breakout rooms and other online meeting tools.” Each of these sessions can be joined, and shared with a group if desired, for $30. Continuing education credits are available to attendees. For more information, read a Paths to Literacyblog on Getting in Touch with Literacy or visit the GITWL website. [...]
Public Comment Requested on Proposal to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities
by B.E. Lewis, RDPFS Intern: Across the nation, people routinely rely on web and mobile apps (applications) to access vital public programs and services, such as resources related to employment and education, voting information, health and emergency services, parking, and transit schedules. It is essential for these technologies to be accessible for people with disabilities. To improve web and mobile applications (apps) access for people with disabilities and clarify how state and local governments can meet existing ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) obligations, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a “notice of proposed rule-making” under Title II of the ADA. Comments from the public can be submitted through October 3, 2023. DOJ invites written comments and input from the public, including relevant stakeholders, which can be submitted via any of the following methods: The Federal Register, by selecting the “Submit a Formal Comment” link at the top of the notice and following the instructions; the Regulations.gov e-rulemaking portal, selecting the “Comment” link and following instructions; or via U.S. mail or overnight, couriers, or hand delivery. For more details, including mailing addresses and contact telephone numbers, read the U.S. Access Board piece announcing that the Department of Justice Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities. [...]
Recent Findings from Assistive Technology in the Workplace Study
Over the past several years, A “plethora of new technology and dramatic advances in existing technology for people who are blind or have low vision” has emerged. Innovations in assistive technology (AT) continue to be launched each year, with additional advancements in their development. Examples include numerous head-mounted video magnifiers and multi-line braille tablets as well as AT meant to help with orientation, navigation, and wayfinding. Although many new offerings are introduced, “few are widely adopted or regularly used.” At the same time, digital skills are increasingly important at work, a trend that will likely continue. To be competitive in the job market, “it is imperative that they (employees) have digital skills, for which AT skills are prerequisite. To learn more about how people find out about novel AT, how they decide to try it, and general impressions, the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC) at Mississippi State University addressed new technology in their most recent survey from the “AT in the Workplace Study.” Survey respondents were employed individuals who are blind or have low vision. Among the findings reported: – Most appeared to be interested in novel AT if it meets certain requirements, including being highly functional and affordable. – Learning new technology can take a considerable amount of time and energy. This could be worthwhile if it results in true improvement over existing function. – Among those interested in adopting a novel AT, the two most common they preferred were orientation/navigation/wayfinding devices or apps and braille devices. – For employers, results showed that in most cases, employees prefer traditional AT, like screen readers and magnifiers. Key to introducing new technology, if deemed beneficial, is to consider training needed. More details, including specific data regarding survey results, are covered in the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Spring 2023 AccessWorld article on Interest In and Adoption of Novel AT: Findings from NRTC’s AT in the Workplace Study. For background on the overall study, read NRTC’s webpage on Project 1: Access Technology in the Workplace. [...]
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