Announcing the 2019 AFB Leadership Conference
February 28–March 1, Crystal Gateway Marriott
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is pleased to present the 2019 AFB Leadership Conference, which will cover the most pressing and relevant topics in the field of blindness and offer many opportunities to learn from the best and brightest minds in our field, make new connections, and reunite with old friends.
Held annually, AFBLC attracts established and emerging leaders in the blindness field. Conference attendees include technology experts, corporate representatives, university professors, and researchers. They come from diverse organizations and institutions spanning the public and private sectors.
The conference will have five primary areas of focus, including leadership, aging and visual impairment, education, technology, and employment. We are pleased that the National Rehabilitation and Training Center on blindness and Low Vision at Mississippi State University will hold its State-of-the-Science conference during AFBLC, presenting research findings on important aspects of employment and visual impairment. An exciting program is being finalized and will be released soon, so please check the AFBLC page for updates. The 2018 AFBLC attracted approximately 400 attendees from 40 states and four countries.
Attendees will receive a special group rate of $195/night at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. Reserve online through our dedicated reservations page. If you prefer to speak with a reservations specialist, please call 888-236-2427 and reference our conference to get the group rate.
If you are interested in sponsorship, advertising, or exhibiting opportunities, please contact Amanda Kolling directly.
Vispero (formerly VFO) Announces ZoomText and Fusion 2019 updates
Vispero recently announced the December updates for ZoomText 2019 and Fusion 2019. The December updates deliver new "ClearSharp" smoothing and improved support for Microsoft Edge, Cortana, Office 2016 and 365, alongside other improvements.
These free updates for users of ZoomText 2019 and Fusion 2019 can be downloaded and installed over top of previous ZoomText 2019 and Fusion 2019 installations. The downloads are available from these webpages:
You can also use the ZoomText or Fusion update wizard to get the December update by following these instructions:
On the ZoomText 2019 toolbar, choose ZoomText > Manage License > Check for Updates.
On the Fusion 2019 toolbar, choose Fusion > Manage License > Check for Updates.
Checking for updates will launch the update wizard and walk you through the update process.
To learn about all of the changes in the ZoomText 2019 and Fusion 2019 December Update, see the What's New in ZoomText and Fusion 2019 webpage.
National Braille Press Announces Opening of Submissions for Touch of Genius Prize
The National Braille Press's Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation is now accepting entries. The Touch of Genius Prize was developed to inspire entrepreneurs, educators, or inventors to continue the promotion of braille and tactile literacy for blind and deafblind people worldwide. This prize can be granted for innovative and accessible computer software, Android applications, iOS applications, or tactile hardware that promotes braille and/or tactile literacy. NBP encourages all applicants to think outside the box as to what can be used to help improve the lives of blind people.
The winner of this prize will receive up to $20,000 to help them continue to innovate in the fields of technology and education for blind people. Frank Gibney and the Gibney Family Foundation helped fund and establish this award in 2007, inspiring people to go beyond what was thought possible.
The deadline to apply is January 11, 2019. Full application details and more information can be found at the National Braille Press website.
William L. Hudson BVI Workforce Innovation Center Secures Contract for SatPaq Satellite Messaging Accessory
Representatives Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired to Provide Customer Service For Product that Delivers Satellite Communication to Mobile Devices Outside Coverage Areas
Envision recently announced the William L. Hudson BVI Workforce Innovation Center has received a contract to provide customer service for SatPaq, a lightweight pay-as-you-go satellite messaging accessory sold by Higher Ground LLC, based in Palo Alto, California. The product delivers connectivity to smartphones in areas outside of cellular coverage. This is the first contract to be awarded to the BVI Workforce Innovation Center, which was launched earlier this year by Envision and Durham-based LC Industries, two of the largest employers of people who are blind or visually impaired in the country. The center's objectives are to train individuals with visual impairments, place them into skilled positions and provide accessibility inclusion expertise to businesses around the United States.
As part of the agreement, a team of representatives with visual impairments who are fully versed on SatPaq and its customer service protocols will offer first-level interface and support from within the BVI Workforce Innovation Center, housed on the fifth floor of Envision's Wichita headquarters. Customer inquiries will be received by email and phone and typically responded to within 24 hours.
The innovative SatPaq technology has been in use since last December by National Park rangers, county search and rescue teams, Homeland Security agents, US Army Special Operations Forces, and power hikers. In addition to inexpensive two-way text messaging, the device provides access to location-based precision weather services, on-demand AI-guided first aid advice, roadside assistance, tracking, social media posting and 24/7 emergency assistance. Late last month, Higher Ground made SatPaq available for purchase by outdoor enthusiasts, those caught in the midst of natural disasters and others who find themselves with no other means of communication.
"This is a very exciting partnership for us," said Mike May, executive director of the BVI Workforce Innovation Center. "As an organization that employs staff with visual impairments, we have great appreciation for technologies that break down barriers to connectivity and communication. Our team has been trained to handle a wide range of issues and respond quickly and professionally. This will be a great opportunity to show how simple ? and effective ? it can be to put willing and able employees who are blind or visually impaired to work in technology jobs."
The 70 percent unemployment rate within the visually impaired segment of the population has remained disproportionately high compared to individuals without disabilities. Lack of inclusion, accessibility, and accommodation in the workplace create significant barriers to the generation and availability of jobs. Higher Ground and the BVI Workforce Innovation Center hope their partnership will be an example to businesses everywhere about the need for workplace inclusivity for people of all abilities.
"We are very pleased to be working with the BVI Workforce Innovation Center and be part of groundbreaking efforts to expand employment opportunities for adults who are blind or visually impaired in professional positions," said Rob Reis, president of Higher Ground LLC. "We were impressed by the skills and capabilities of the team in Wichita who were very eager to learn and even more eager to help. I'm very confident they will form a very efficient, effective interface with our customers."
For additional information about the BVI Workforce Innovation Center can be found on the BVI Workforce website.
About Envision: Envision promotes advocacy and independence for those who are blind or low vision. Founded in 1933, Envision is one of the largest employers of individuals with vision loss in the nation. Headquartered in Wichita, Kan., Envision's mission is to improve the quality of life and provide inspiration and opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired through employment, outreach, rehabilitation, education and research. For more information, visit the Envision website.
About LC Industries: Founded in 1936, LCI's mission is to provide meaningful employment for people who are blind. Since its founding, the company has grown to manufacture more than 2,500 different products and supply more than 4,500 products to military bases from its 36 Base Supply Stores and two distribution centers in Durham, N.C., and Las Vegas, Nev. For more information, visit the LC Industries website.
About Higher Ground: Higher Ground LLC, a Silicon Valley technology company, is the fourth successful start-up from serial entrepreneur, Rob Reis. Investment capital for Higher Ground provided by KFI, BergVC, Global Real Estate and Intelsat Corporation. For more information about SatPaq, visit the website.
The American Foundation for the Blind Now Accepting Applications for its 2019 Scholarship Program
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) administers 4 post-secondary education scholarships for up to 8 deserving students who are legally blind. The available scholarships for 2019 are detailed below.
The Rudolph Dillman Memorial Scholarship: Four scholarships of $2,500
Requirements:
Full-time Undergraduate or Graduate student
Studying rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind and/or visually impaired
The Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship: Two scholarships of $2,000
Requirements:
Full time Undergraduate or Graduate student
Studying engineering or computer, physical, or life sciences
The R.L. Gillette, Gladys C. Anderson, and Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship: One scholarship of $3,500
Requirements:
Female undergraduate student
Studying music
The Delta Gamma Foundation Florence Margaret Harvey Memorial Scholarship: One scholarship of $1,000
Requirements:
Undergraduate or graduate student
Studying rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind or visually impaired.
Visit the AFB scholarships website for further information and to complete an application.
Please direct all scholarship questions to:
Aaron Preece, Scholarship Coordinator
Telephone: 304-710-3034
E-mail: apreece@afb.net
