AFB Leadership Conference Being Hosted Virtually, First Webinar Available
Due to the Coronavirus, we have moved our AFB Leadership Conference online. Many of the presentations that would have been presented live at the conference, will now be presented online. These virtual sessions are available to everyone, not only those who registered for the physical, in-person conference. To learn more, visit our Virtual AFB Leadership Conference webpage.
The first session from our Virtual AFB Leadership Conference is now available.
We’re so grateful to Dr. Rachael Sessler Trinkowsky for providing our first session, Remote Instruction and Services for Blind and Low Vision Participants, and for sharing her expertise on providing remote instruction to students who are blind or low vision—a critical topic now that so many schools and organizations are moving their classes online.
The webinar, transcript, presentation slides, and related resources are available on the Virtual AFB Leadership Conference website.
Topics include:
- The pros and cons of four different remote software programs for remote instruction and services for people with vision loss.
- Three advantages and three disadvantages of remote instruction for people with vision loss.
- Three recommended tools and methods for implementing remote instruction for people with vision loss.
Subscribe to the AFB YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on webinars as they become available. The second presentation, Inclusive Remote Work Environments, is coming soon.
Also bookmark our Virtual AFB Leadership Conference website, as we are updating it when new content becomes available.
Austin Lighthouse Shifts Production to Support Those Battling COVID-19
Austin Lighthouse for the Blind—a nonprofit that has been assisting people in building or restoring their independence through skills training and employment opportunities since 1934—has responded to the urgent need for products that help combat COVID-19. To answer a surge in demand on products they manufacture, including hand sanitizers and soaps for brands including Purell, the organization has increased production and shipping lines, tripled employee count on those lines, hired 20 additional temporary workers and invested in over $100,000 in additional equipment at their facilities, which total 1 million square feet. Austin Lighthouse has scaled to serve.
“We have a manufacturing and warehousing and distribution center that is making and shipping products people need right now during this global pandemic—an immense point of pride for our workers and the people of Austin,” Jim Meehan, CEO of Austin Lighthouse, said. “At a time when many are being furloughed or are having to seek new careers, we are grateful to be hiring and increasing service of our local and federal governments as well as commercial brands like Purell, which are keeping so many safe in the face of this health crisis.”
Now operating with 50 percent longer days, seven days a week, as an essential business with an essential critical infrastructure workforce as designated by the state and federal governments, Austin Lighthouse has dramatically increased production—which includes products ranging from sanitization to uniforms and body armor. Austin Lighthouse is accomplishing all of this while safeguarding the health and safety of their employees through social distancing, enhanced sanitation protocols, shift changes, and installation of ultraviolet lights among other tactics.
Meehan asserts their workforce is every bit as capable as that of any other high-level manufacturing operation—perhaps more so thanks to their unique skillsets and adaptability. He attributes their ability to adapt and scale to their cross-training program and the commitment of their workers. Over half of their employees are legally blind or have other visual impairments.
Since 1934, Austin Lighthouse for the Blind has helped serve the needs of the blind and visually impaired individuals in Travis County through training, education, and community outreach. More than 53 percent of their employees are visually impaired. In partnership with its statewide and national network of community rehabilitation partners (CRPs)—private, usually nonprofit, programs that provide rehabilitation service to individuals with disabilities—and key investments in technology and training, Austin Lighthouse is employing more Texans with visual impairments than ever at a time when 26 million have sought US jobless aid (1.3 million in Texas since mid-March).
Austin Lighthouse has maintained full employment—and has grown its workforce. One contract has increased over 330 percent in the past eight weeks alone, creating even more jobs for Texans with visual impairments, which is at the heart of their mission.
“At a time when the resilience and adaptability of Austin and our business community are being tested, this manufacturing deal and growth in production demand for Austin Lighthouse is not only symbolic of our resolve to serve but it is also a beacon of hope for us all,” Laura Huffman, president and CEO of Austin Chamber of Commerce, said.
Travis Association for the Blind (aka Austin Lighthouse), headquartered in Austin, Texas, has been serving the needs of the blind and visually impaired community of Travis County and surrounding areas since 1934. The Lighthouse’s mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who are blind or visually impaired by creating, sustaining and improving employment.
A 501(c3) nonprofit organization, the Lighthouse does this in several different settings, including warehousing and distribution facilities, manufacturing and repair facilities, assembly operations, bottling operations, custodial, retail, and vending operations. By leveraging technology and automation, the Lighthouse employs over 240 people who are legally blind to make the products and provide the services required by their customers. The Lighthouse also works with area business and community partners to assist with developing vocational and independent living skills.
HIMS is excited to announce the next upgrade for the BrailleSense Polaris.
This upgrade adds direct access to Google Drive via the Word Processor, Notepad, Media Player, and Excel Viewer, and launch access from File Manager.
HIMS has also added an Exchange e-mail program, the Macro Manager from their U2 models, and many more improvements and enhancements.
For more information and to download the latest firmware, visit the Polaris Firmware Page or the Polaris Mini Firmware Page.
The latest version of HIMS proprietary Google Drive integration gives users the ability to open and save documents directly from and to Google Drive within several Polaris applications. This upgrade will help anyone using Google Classroom or who use Google Drive at work, home, or in the classroom.
The latest firmware for the Polaris now includes Exchange email support! The Exchange Email application itself is a complete email client.
Macros allow you to automate function of the Polaris for ease of use and efficiency, especially in cases where you perform a similar action often. This is a beloved feature from the BrailleSense U2 line of notetakers that is now available on the Polaris.
M-Enabling Conference Postponed to September due to Coronavirus
The M-Enabling Summit leadership team, organizers E.J. Krause & Associates and G3ict, have been monitoring the COVID-19 situation very closely as it has affected many conferences and major events. While the M-Enabling team believes conferences and business events are critical to the development of the accessibility industry, the health and wellness of conference participants is the organization's top priority. After consulting with key stakeholders, the organizers have decided to postpone the M-Enabling Summit to September 14-16, 2020. The organization believes moving the M-Enabling Summit to September is in the best interest of all participants. The summit will proceed as planned with all conference and event activities during the new dates. The venue for the Summit, with the theme of “Digital Inclusion Strategies: A Catalyst for Action,” remains the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, VA.
The 2020 M-Enabling Summit will highlight how organizations can successfully leverage innovative enabling technologies to make their digital workplaces, learning environments and products and services accessible to users of all abilities.
Registration is currently open. Registration will be honored in September for any currently registered participants.
Disability:IN Annual Conference Goes Virtual
After much consideration, Disability:IN and its Board of Directors have decided the 2020 Disability:IN Annual Conference & Expo will now be a Virtual Event during the same dates, July 13-16th.
This is an unprecedented situation and the organization appreciates your patience and support as they work through next steps. This was not an easy decision as this would have been the 23rd year of the in-person conference. However, the organization explained that the safety and concern of conference attendees is the highest priority.
In the coming weeks, Disability:IN will be communicating next steps and any actions you need to take, including:
- Cancelling your hotel room (for reservations in the Disability:IN hotel block at the JW Marriott or Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes).
- If you have already registered – your options for a virtual event registration.
- If you have not registered – how to register for the virtual event.
- If you are an exhibitor, or would like to exhibit, how you can leverage this opportunity.
To learn more, visit the Disability:IN website.
