American Foundation for the Blind President & CEO, Carl Augusto, to Retire in Spring 2016
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) announced that its President & CEO, Carl R. Augusto, will retire in the spring of 2016 after 25 years of service to AFB. Augusto, a longtime champion of people with disabilities and a preeminent leader in the field of blindness, joined the organization in 1991. Under his leadership, AFB has made significant strides in leveling the playing field for people with vision loss, especially in the areas of public policy, education, technology, aging, and employment.
AFB's Board of Trustees has established a search committee and retained Pangburn Partners, LLC, a leader in nonprofit executive search to identify a successor for Mr. Augusto. Mr. Augusto plans to remain at AFB until a successor is in place to ensure a smooth transition.
"Carl Augusto is one of my personal heroes," said Larry B. Kimbler, chair of the AFB Board of Trustees. "He is a remarkable leader and collaborator who has dedicated his life to making the world a better place for people with vision loss, their families, and the professionals who work with them. We are incredibly grateful for his outstanding service."
"This has been my dream job from beginning to end," said Mr. Augusto. "AFB is a very special place with a talented and committed staff and board. I feel fortunate and honored to have spent my career doing what I love and working alongside colleagues who share my passion to ensure people with vision loss have an equal shot at achieving their dreams."
A change agent known for his collaborative leadership, Mr. Augusto has forged numerous strategic partnerships and alliances within the vision loss community and beyond to address critical issues and expand opportunities for people with vision loss. This includes broadening AFB's scope to influence corporate America to make its products and services accessible.
Augusto has led AFB's move into the digital era. He significantly bolstered its technology program and created and expanded the organization's award-winning web programs and services, increasing access to AFB's information and services. He oversaw the establishment and growth of AFB TECH, the Technology and Employment Center at Huntington, West Virginia, and the AFB Center on Vision Loss in Dallas, Texas. In addition, he has strengthened AFB's leadership role and spearheaded efforts to help AFB attain greater financial stability by professionalizing its fundraising program and exercising rigorous fiscal discipline.
Mr. Augusto is the fifth chief executive of the American Foundation for the Blind since its founding in 1921.
Association of Rehabilitation Nurses Launches ReSTART Recovery Online Resource
The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) announced the launch of the brand-new ReSTART online recovery resource for rehabilitation. The ReSTART site provides key information for those starting the journey of rehabilitation, as well as their family members, loved ones, and caretakers.
The ReSTART site also features an easy to understand glossary, to help familiarize anyone with some of the most common terms used by rehabilitation healthcare staff. In addition, visitors will find links to helpful resources and support organizations, as well as rehabilitation care planning tools.
Following surgery, a stroke, or other health event, many people may prefer to go home and "get back to normal." However, many people need help regaining their abilities. That's why the role of the rehabilitation nurse, as a patient advocate, advisor, and educator, is more important than ever.
According to one study, a 1% increase in rehabilitation nursing staff was correlated with a 6% decrease in patient's length of stay at in-patient rehabilitation facilities. To help support these impressive statistics, The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) recently announced the launch of the brand-new ReSTART online recovery resource for rehabilitation. The ReSTART site provides key information for those starting the journey of rehabilitation as well as their family members, loved ones, and caretakers.
The recovery site was created by rehabilitation nurses who understand the special needs of people who experience a major injury, chronic illness, or disability. Using the ReSTART site, visitors can learn about what to expect when first beginning rehabilitation, how to make the most of participating in the rehabilitation journey, how to best manage transitions between facilities and healthcare settings, and common financial and legal concerns, such as insurance coverage and disability qualification questions
Visit the ARN's ReSTART site. for more information.
JAWS 16 and MAGic?13 Are Windows 10 Ready
Freedom Scientific announced the compatibility of the latest updates of the JAWS 16 screen reader and MAGic 13 screen magnification software with Windows 10. Windows 10 was released on July 29, 2015, and will be offered as a free upgrade for devices running Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.
Anyone planning to update to Windows 10, who has an earlier version of JAWS or MAGic, will need to follow the instructions provided on the Freedom Scientific prepared guide for our customers. Please visit the Windows 10 Upgrade web page for the smoothest transition to the new Windows Operating System.
Envision Conference?2015: Low Vision Showcase
Get up to date on the latest in low vision products, optical, technology, and services at the Envision Conference?2015?Exhibit Hall.?The Exhibit Hall opens at the Grand?Hyatt Denver, on Thursday, September 10 at 3:00 pm?with a special evening reception from 5:30–8 pm Exhibit hours on Friday, September 11?are 7 am?to 2 pm and include a continental breakfast, 10:15 am?coffee break and a buffet lunch hour.
Be sure to stop by and visit the many low vision rehabilitation and research vendors and sponsors. See a listing of exhibitors here. Some highlights:
Optelec
Enjoy life beyond reading glasses! Optelec provides life-changing assistive technology for the blind and visually impaired by reaching out with simple and effective low vision solutions. The ShopLowVision.com division offers the latest in Professional Optical Products and Daily Living Aids.
OrCam
OrCam is an intuitive portable device with a smart camera designed to assist people who are visually impaired. OrCam translates what it sees and speaks to the wearer through a bone-conduction earpiece. OrCam gives independence.
Vanda Pharmaceuticals
Vanda Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to raising awareness of Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder and supporting the blindness community. Non-24 is a rare circadian rhythm disorder affecting up to 70% of people who are totally blind. People living with Non-24 experience excessive daytime sleepiness and nighttime sleeplessness. Visit the Vanda booth to learn more about Non-24.
Reading Connections: Strategies for Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Released
Reading Connections is a guide for professionals in the field of visual impairment that explains the central components of reading. This book provides specific, targeted strategies for addressing each component, along with a description of the process of reading development, and the impact of visual impairment on the formation of reading skills.
Reading Connections is 360 pages long and is now available in paperback for $49.95. Electronic formats—e-books for $34.95 and online subscriptions for $29.95—will be available shortly.
Recommend Helen Keller for the new $10 Bill
You are invited to join in recommending Helen Keller to be chosen as the woman on the new $10 bill. According to the Treasury, the chosen candidate's legacy should illustrate "America's values" and "inclusive democracy" internationally, since the dollar is also the world's currency. Additionally, the new $10 bill will be the first US paper currency with a tactile feature distinguishable by people who are blind or visually impaired. Who better than Helen Keller meets these criteria? You can express your opinion via Share your Ideas.
Computers for the Blind is now shipping over 100 computers per month!
Computers for the Blind (CFTB) broke a new record by shipping 107 computers in July! Although our costs have gone up we are keeping the prices the same.
$110 for a desktop
$160 for a laptop
All computers are custom made to meet consumer needs for accessibility. Options include:
- NVDA and JAWS demo screen readers
- Fully licensed copy of MAGic screen magnification software valued at $395
- Large flat screen monitors, speakers, mouse, keyboard, etc.
- Free shipping
- All the necessary software to access the internet, do word processing, e-mail, Facebook, etc.
We continue to accept purchase orders. Several state agencies for the blind are now saving thousands of dollars on assistive technology for their consumers.
Contact info:
www.computersfortheblind.net
info@computersfortheblind.net
214-340-6328
