Welcome to ASB’s Participant Newsletter
Welcome to a special edition of Connections, ASB’s participant newsletter! Feel free to forward this email along to anyone who may be interested in our programs and resources.
WEDNESDAY: Comcast Internet Essentials Partnership Program Q&A Session
ASB is hosting a Q&A session on its Comcast Internet Essentials Partnership Program, which offers free internet access for individuals living with vision loss. This Q&A session will be held on Wednesday, August 4 at 10:30 a.m. and will answer all questions individuals have about the program and eligibility.
If you or anyone you know is interested in signing up for this session, they can register for FREE on ASB’s Eventbrite page.
Get more information about the program and determine your eligibility by contacting ASB’s Director of Participant Engagement and Outreach, Lexi Jones, at ajones@asb.org or calling 267-551-0561.
ASB’s Speaker Series — New August Dates
Every week ASB welcomes professionals from health care and other fields to speak about topics such as health and welfare, insurance and finances, legal assistance and much more! Review the upcoming August schedule below, and contact ASB’s Director of Participant Engagement and Outreach, Lexi Jones, at ajones@asb.org if you are interested in attending any sessions.
Topic: Information & Resources
Presenter: Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS)
Date: August 6, 2021
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Topic: Alzheimer’s & Dementia
Presenter: Health Partners
Date: August 13, 2021
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
ASB is sharing the events below as a courtesy to ASB participants. These are non-ASB events. Please be mindful of any requirements, including COVID-19 requirements, that may apply.
Access Technology Study
The National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision recently launched its first survey for the Access Technology (AT) workplace study. They are recruiting people living with blindness or low vision (age 21+) who are not working but are interested in working to be part of a multi-year study about AT use.
Why should you participate?
- Your opinions are needed. You’ll help identify gaps in AT, which the Center’s technology partners, including Microsoft, Google, OrCam, Vispero, Aira, and HumanWare, are interested in!
- You can make a difference. Findings will allow the Center to make recommendations for AT users, VR professionals, AT specialists and employers.
- You can learn from others. The Center will share study results directly with you, and you’ll have the chance to learn from other study group members.
Participation will involve completing two surveys, one now and one in 2023. Some questions it will seek answers to are:
- What AT do you most commonly use?
- How do you decide whether to use a specific AT?
- What are your technology challenges?
- What tools do you need that aren’t currently available?
Want to have your voice heard? Complete the center’s pre-screening survey online or call 662-325-2001 to schedule an appointment for a telephone screening. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Michele McDonnall at m.mcdonnall@msstate.edu.
Hadley Resources
Hadley, a nonprofit aiming to create personalized learning opportunities that empower adults living with vision loss and blindness to thrive, offers practical help, connection and support free of charge to individuals, their families and professionals supporting them.
Hadley provides online, large print, braille and audio media, reaching all 50 states and 100 countries. More people learn braille from Hadley than from any other organization worldwide. Since July 2020, more than 14,000 learners have accessed nearly 60,000 workshops. The program currently has over a 70% completion rate and has scored over 97% in satisfaction ratings.
Check out these three ways you can learn below or visit their website for more information.
If you have any questions, you can contact Hadley’s team at info@hadley.edu or by phone at 800-323-4238.
Audio Description at Opera Philadelphia
Opera Philadelphia is officially an Art-Reach ACCESS Partner and is inviting ASB participants to An Evening of Vocal Fireworks: Amici e Rivali featuring tenors Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyresat the Mann on Thursday, August 26 at 7 p.m. with an audio description provided by Nicole Sardella. Here is a link to Opera Philadelphia’s website with information about purchasing tickets in advance using the ACCESS Card.
Art-Reach is a non-profit organization devoted to increasing cultural participation among traditionally underrepresented audiences by partnering with over 400 organizations to develop more than 212,000 opportunities for engagement a year. Art-Reach is now offering Philly ACCESS Cards that allow cardholders to get discounted tickets for $2 admission to this event as well as over 50 museums, gardens, theaters and cultural sites throughout Greater Philadelphia. More information about the Art-Reach ACCESS cards can be found here.
Stay in Touch
Have questions about ASB’s programs and resources? Looking to get more involved? Please contact ASB’s Director of Participant Engagement and Outreach, Lexi Jones, at ajones@asb.org.