Mark Your Calendars for the 2014 AFB Leadership Conference in New York City
The 2014 American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference (AFBLC) is scheduled for February 27–March 1 at the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott. Conference attendees can take advantage of a low group rate at the centrally-located hotel and join colleagues new and old for three days of informative and thought-provoking sessions led by leaders in the field. Visit the American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference page for the latest information on this conference, which draws hundreds of professionals from across the country and around the world.
VisionAware Introduces Getting Started Kit for Those Newly Diagnosed with Vision Loss
With over 21.2 million Americans reporting trouble seeing, VisionAware has created a Getting Started kit for adults experiencing vision loss for the first time. VisionAware.org is a free online resource for the millions of people who have difficulty seeing, offering dynamic social networking and customized guidance with rich content and practical tips on living with vision loss. The Getting Started kit is intended to provide hope and help to handle the challenges of vision loss, and to connect users with the resources they need. Many people are unaware of specialized services and products available to them. The kit is composed of 10 "tip sheets," with each sheet addressing practical solutions to everyday tasks such as reading, cooking, using computers and other technology, helping friends and family understand what they can do, and more.
"These tip sheets represent just a small sample of the wealth of information visitors can find on VisionAware, including the latest news on vision loss and specific eye conditions, a community of peers and professionals, in-depth articles, and coping tips," said Priscilla Rogers, VisionAware Program Manager. "We hope anyone experiencing vision loss, as well as their loved ones, will use the tip sheets and then explore VisionAware.org."
The Getting Started kit's tip sheets contain the following helpful information:
- Steps to Take to Get Help, including who to see about vision loss and your roadmap to VisionAware
- Questions to Ask Your Doctor about your eye condition
- Bathroom Safety Tips
- Kitchen Safety Tips
- Tips for Making Print More Readable
- Your Home Office (how to manage correspondence, finances, and other personal business)
- Technology Tips, including an overview of access technology that can be helpful in everyday life
- Keeping Fit
- Having Fun, including options for continuing to enjoy leisure time activities or starting new ones
- Dos and Don'ts When Meeting a Person with Vision Loss (for friends and family members)
- A diagnosis of vision loss can be frightening, but armed with the right information, individuals who are losing their sight can learn how to best cope with vision loss. Visit VisionAware.org.
The 3rd Annual M-Enabling Summit to be Held June 9-10, 2014, in Washington, DC
The only global conference and showcase exclusively dedicated to accessible and assistive mobile solutions for seniors and users of all abilities, the fastest growing user group in the mobile market place.
The Summit provides an opportunity to network with over 600 high-level government and industry leaders in an environment dedicated to cutting edge technology, solutions, and the sharing of innovative ideas.
Held in cooperation with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the 2014 Summit is a must-attend event for anyone participating in this fast expanding market
In the spotlight at the 2014 Summit:
- Mobile and social media leap forward in accessibility
- Mobile at the center of smarthomes development
- The next generation of wearable gear
- Opportunities for users of all abilities with BYOD (bring your own device)
- Adaptive user interfaces
- Market opportunities for new services for seniors and persons with disabilities
- How leading corporations promote consumer apps for users of all abilities
Third Anniversary of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)
The FCC recently released a Public Notice noting that October 8, 2013, marked the third anniversary of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) and the start of new procedures for consumers to file requests for dispute assistance and informal complaints about the accessibility of the following technologies used for communication:
- Advanced communications services and equipment (such as cellphones, smartphones, computers, laptops, and tablets used for text messaging, e-mail, or instant messaging)
- Internet web browsers built into mobile phones
- Telecommunications services and equipment (such as telephones)
Resources
An overview of the new communications accessibility informal complaint procedures
This information is also available through the FCC complaints system.
