IAAP Announces Certification Testing Exam Sites at Upcoming Accessibility Conferences
The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) announced the addition of several hosted exam sites in conjunction with accessibility conferences and events. IAAP offers the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) or Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) credentials.
Upcoming exam locations at accessibility events and conferences are as follows:
IAAP Exams in Anaheim, CA on Tuesday, March 12, 2019:
* Two sessions 8 a.m. - Noon and 1 - 5 p.m. Sponsored by eSSENTIAL Accessibility. Applications and payments due by March 5.
IAAP Exams at AccessU 2019 on Tuesday, May 14, 2019:
* Session from 2-5 p.m. (applications and payments accepted now through May 6)
IAAP Exams at M-Enabling 2019 on Wednesday, June 19, 2019:
* Session from 2 - 5 p.m. (applications and payments accepted now through June 12)
Applications for the general March 11-April 19 exam window are also being accepted. Applications for the exams can be found on the IAAP Apply to take an Exam page.
IAAP has provided several options to help test takers prepare for either the CPACC or WAS exam. A certification content outline lists the topics participants will be tested on and the percentages at which those topics will be covered on the exam. A complete Body of Knowledge provides an outline of the knowledge and skills that are expected. Additional training resources are available on the IAAP website.
For further questions about certification, E-Mail the IAAP.
Leader Dogs still Accepting Applications for Summer Experience Camp
Leader Dogs for the Blind is still accepting applications for its Summer Experience Camp. The program combines activities like rock wall climbing and tandem biking with leadership building exercises and things specific to Leader Dog—GPS training and spending time with Leader Dogs in training. The combination aims to help increase independent travel skills, interpersonal skills and leadership skills.
The free program is for boys and girls ages 16 and 17 who are legally blind. Leader Dog covers all costs including airfare to Michigan—and all participants receive a free HumanWare Victor Reader Trek GPS device. The 2019 camp dates are June 22 through June 29. Applications are due by March 31, 2019.
You can view a Fox Sports clip about camp, read camper stories and download an application here.
Bosma Enterprises Names New CEO
Bosma Enterprises, an Indiana nonprofit dedicated to providing opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired, has tapped COO Jeffrey Mittman to serve as its next CEO, effective August 1. Having lost his vision while on active military duty in Iraq, Mittman becomes the first chief executive who is blind in the organization's 100-year history.
Master Sgt. Mittman served for 21 years in the United States Army, including four combat tours--one in Afghanistan and three in Iraq. His military career was cut short in July 2005 when the vehicle he was driving while deployed in Baghdad, Iraq, was hit by an improvised explosive device, sending shrapnel through his window and destroying most of his face and arm. He woke up a month later at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and received the news that he would never regain his vision.
"There I was, 35 years old with a wife and two children," Mittman recalls. "The only thing I had ever done was jump out of airplanes, rappel from helicopters and chase bad guys. What was I going to do now? My first concern was how I was going to recover and take care of my family."
After roughly 40 surgeries and years of rehabilitation, Mittman eventually returned to civilian life. Having earned a bachelor's degree in resource management from Troy University while serving in the Army, Mittman went on to earn master's degrees in both executive development for public service and business administration from Ball State University. Before coming to Bosma Enterprises, Mittman held positions at the Defense Finance and Accounting Services and National Industries for the Blind, leveraging his experience in strategic planning, leadership, team building, and management.
Mittman joined Bosma Enterprises' board of directors in 2012 and was hired as COO in July 2018. In that role, he oversaw a 25-percent increase in productivity in the organization's packaging and logistics operations.
Mittman will replace outgoing CEO Lou Moneymaker, who announced his retirement last year. In his new role, Mittman hopes to build on his past successes while also diversifying Bosma Enterprises' business and employment opportunities. And as the organization's first CEO who is blind, Mittman brings a unique perspective to the nonprofit's mission of helping people come to terms with the effects of vision loss and lead independent, productive lives.
"Jeff has demonstrated unwavering dedication to our mission and is fired up about the opportunities that lie ahead for the company to expand employment and training for people who are blind," Moneymaker said. "Jeff's passion will be a valuable asset not only to Bosma Enterprises but to the community at large."
"This is a game changer," added Lise Pace, Vice President of External Affairs, who served on the executive search committee. "Jeff's appointment is indicative of a paradigm shift in the way disability organizations look today and into the future, where qualified individuals with disabilities are represented in greater numbers at the very highest level."
American Foundation for the Blind Accepting Scholarship Applications Until April 1
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) administers 4 post-secondary education scholarships for up to 8 deserving students who are legally blind. Applications are now being accepted but will close on April 1st, 2019. 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, 304-710-3034, apreece@afb.net.
New Company Selling Products for People with Vision Loss
Blind in Mind, LLC is a new Washington State business producing and selling gadgets for blind consumers. Founded by Craig Faris, who is totally blind, the company's mission is to offer rugged and practical products that either talk or feature braille.
Blind in Mind's flagship product is a talking wristwatch that is waterproof up to a depth of 100 feet, which sells for $19.95.
To learn more, you can visit the Blind in Mind website or call: 800-213-4567.
American Printing House for the Blind releases Jupiter Magnifier
The Jupiter Portable Magnifier is now available from American Printing House. The Jupiter is a sleek, compact device that helps users of all ages who are visually impaired see the world in high definition. Weighing only 8 lbs, it's easy to take on the go.
"The camera allowed for high quality images to be captured on the screen in photo view mode, or viewed in real time with little to no motion blur when documents were moved under the camera," explains educator, Martin Monson who reviewed the Jupiter. "The color representation was also near perfect."
With the following three camera modes, the Jupiter is versatile:
- Reading: for reading a book, prescription bottle labels, or completing a homework assignment.
- Distance-view: magnifies up to 150x and is great for viewing a presentation, speaker, instructor, or anything at the front of a classroom or venue.
- Self-view: works just like an HD mirror, and can be helpful when applying makeup and other grooming activities.
The Jupiter is currently available and can be purchased from APH for $3,200.
National Council on Disability Chairman Neil Romano to Deliver Keynote at the 8th M-Enabling Summit
The organizers of the M-Enabling Summit are pleased to announce that Neil Romano, Chairman of the National Council on Disability (NCD), will be delivering the opening keynote of the 2019 M-Enabling Summit on June 17, 2019.
The National Council on Disability is an independent federal agency charged with advising the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities. In 1986, NCD recommended the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and then drafted the first version of the bill introduced in the House and Senate in 1988. Since the enactment of the ADA in 1990, the NCD has continued to play a leading role in analyzing the needs of people with disabilities, crafting and recommending policy solutions.
Prior to being designated by President Donald J. Trump as NCD's Chairman, Romano was appointed as a council member in February of 2015 and then reappointed for a second term of three years by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on February 15, 2018.
Romano has dedicated his career to the marketing of ideas and messages to help save lives and promote public policy. In 2007, he was nominated by President George W. Bush to be the assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy and was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. His extensive professional background includes tenure as director of communications for the White House Office of Drug Abuse Policy. In that role, he worked on notable public awareness campaigns including "Just Say No" and "America Responds to AIDS."
As a producer/director, Romano's film, "Youth Homicide: A Public Health Crisis," earned a Best Director Emmy Nomination. He graduated from New York University, Phi Beta Kappa.
"As Chair of the Council Advising the President and Congress on Disability matters, Neil Romano's leadership and focus on promoting innovation will be of great interest to all M-Enabling Summit participants." said Axel Leblois, President of G3ict, co-organizer of the conference. "His unique background and experience in many of the core topics discussed at the Summit will serve as a great kick-off to this year's Summit, possibly generating opportunities for new initiatives."
For more information on registering visit the M-Enabling Summit website.
