Partner Events

 

Helen Keller National Center DEAFBLIND AWARENESS WEEK

Logo For Helen Keller National Center

June 26th to July 2nd

Online Learning on Us

To encourage awareness about the DeafBlind community, HKNC offering the following courses for free from 6/26 to 7/2.

Enter the corresponding code during checkout to access the course for free.

Info and Contact

If you have any questions, you can contact us at: PLD@hknc.org
Or visit helenkeller.org for more information.

NLS launches quarterly Patron Corner programming

On June 13, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the Patron Engagement Section at the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress will hold the first event as part of their Patron Corner programming. Each quarterly program will provide an opportunity for patrons to learn more about various services directly from NLS staff. The program will be interactive, last for one hour, and have a designated topic of discussion. The topic for the June 13 session is Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Collection Selection, but Did Not Have the Vehicle to Ask. Our guests will be members of the Collections Division at NLS who are responsible for selecting the books in the NLS collection. Bring your questions and your thoughts about the NLS collection and join us at https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1600983343?pwd=VW9tRWtwY3BsdHRac0s2MmJkN0RCZz09. The full Zoom invitation, including call-in numbers, is included below.

When you join this Zoom event, you will be in the waiting room until the program starts. When you enter the room, your phone or computer will be muted. Please stay on mute unless you are called on. If you want to ask a question, you may raise your hand by pressing Alt Y on your computer or Star 9 on your phone. Once you are called on, press Alt A on your computer or Star 6 on your phone to unmute yourself. Finally, this meeting will be recorded. If you do not wish to be recorded, we ask that you avoid speaking during the session.

NFB-NEWSLINE Workshops

The National Federation of the Blind NFB-NEWSLINE® team is pleased to announce that we will be holding two workshops on Tuesday, June 14, and Tuesday, June 21 2022 at 1:30 p.m. eastern time. We will present information about how qualified Floridians can benefit from NFB-NEWSLINE service. NFB-NEWSLINE is a free accessible audio and Braille information service for anyone who is blind, low vision, deafblind, or are otherwise print disabled. It offers access to more than five-hundred publications, national and local, newspapers, magazines, Florida state information, online information, job listings, retail ads, TV listings, emergency weather alerts, and the list keeps growing.

John Smith – “I access NFB-NEWSLINE via the telephone. I enjoy reading the Palm Beach Post and I like to keep up on the world news. NFB-NEWSLINE allows me to keep up with local and national news. I think it’s important to know what is going on not only in my neighborhood, but around the world and NFB-NEWSLINE allows me to do that just like my sighted peers.”

In this two-part workshop we will share details about the service.

June 14, 2022 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. eastern time

You will learn who is eligible, how to get access, receive a brief demonstration, and learn about the different easy to use ways you can access NFB-NEWSLINE.

June 21, 2022 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. eastern time

You will receive a brief summary of the topics covered in the previous session. You will then receive detailed training on how to easily use NFB-NEWSLINE with a touchtone phone, Amazon Alexa Skill, NFB-NEWSLINE iOS Mobile App, and a Victor Stream to access a world of content. This session is for potential subscribers and people who have direct interaction with subscribers and potential subscribers. We do welcome anyone who is interested in attending.

To participate in the training, please use one of the options listed below.

Join Zoom Meeting on your computer or mobile device:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91620180062
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,91620180062#
Dial by your location
3, 0, 1, - 7, 1, 5, - 8, 5, 9, 2
Meeting ID:
9, 1, 6, 2, 0, 1, 8, 0, 0, 6, 2

Helen Keller National Center 2022 Summer Program

All programs will be IN PERSON this summer! HKNC will have many safety protocols in place for a fun learning experience in a healthy environment. 

Below is a list of the various summer programs being offered:

1. Summer Youth Vocational Program – 2 sessions – 6 weeks each

Session I: June 6, 2022 – July 15, 2022
Session II: July 18, 2022 – August 26, 2022
Individualized and group instruction and part-time work experiences in the community around Port Washington.  Work is paid at NY minimum wage.  Students will try jobs to see what they like, and the supports they need for success. 

2. M~POWER (My Pursuit of Work, Empowerment & Resources) – 1 session – 2 weeks

July 25, 2022 - August 5, 2022
Hands on instruction and group discussions for students pursuing college OR employment.  Focus on self-advocacy, making informed choices, determine goals for after high school. 

3. Summer Assessment – Individualized – sessions are 4/6/8 weeks

Offered May-August 2022
Comprehensive summer assessment for transition-age youth in the core areas of employment/career exploration, communications, adaptive technology, orientation & mobility, and independent living with support from low vision and audiology.

For additional details, please visit the HKNC website at HKNC Summer Programs 2022   

2022 is alive with The Sound of Braille Music!

FIMC-VI is planning in-person Florida Regional Braille Challenge events with all the usual hands-on, interactive activities in the morning for students and families to enjoy as well as morning refreshments, vendors sharing resources and technology, a braille book fair, lunch, drum circle, and awards. Bill McCann, an energetic guest speaker, music braille reader and musician will share “7 Little Steps to Braille Music Literacy” with parents. 

You can register by using the link below for the location you plan to attend.

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST

January 21 - Tampa (register by January 14)
February 4 - Orlando (register by January 28)
February 18 - Jacksonville (register by February 11)
March 4 - Ft. Lauderdale (register by February 25)

For more information, please visit their website 2021 Florida Braille Challenge | Fimcvi

A Closer Look - Stream the film ‘Going Blind’ through October 31st for free!

Silhouette of a dog looking directly into a filming camera. Underneath it reads: A Closer Look.

World Sight Day, Thursday, October 14th, is the annual day of awareness that aims to focus global attention on vision impairment and blindness. The World Health Organization reports that at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment globally, and in at least 1 billion of these cases, vision impairment could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed.

In honor of World Sight Day, and October being World Blind Awareness Month, A Closer Look is offering free streaming of Going Blind: Coming Out of the Dark About Vision Loss through October 31st. Going Blind tells the stories of everyday people and the adaptations they make to live in today’s world with vision loss. Director Joseph Lovett tells this story with a very personal appeal as he reveals his diagnosis of glaucoma, a disease that robs 4.5 million people worldwide of their vision.

To watch the film for free during the month of October, please visit the Going Blind website and choose from one of the three yellow button options to stream one of three versions of Going Blind: Standard, Audio-Described, or Captioned.

The Blind Experience: Moving Without Limits
Promoting Inclusion and Pedestrian Safety for Visually Impaired

The blind experience, moving without limits banner.

Join Metro Plan Orlando, the Florida Division of Blind Services, and other local organizations on October 15th from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. for a Blind Americans Equality Day Program. Each year this event is organized to build awareness and reaffirm Central Florida’s commitment to improving access to basic pedestrian safety for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Though the name of the annual observance has changed, it is important for motorists to understand the implications of Florida’s White Cane Safety Law.

For more information, contact:

Marilyn Baldwin by phone 404-810-0554 or email commmdb@aol.com.

Tish Cooper by phone 561-876-6908 or email tkoop35@gmail.com.

The Blind Experience: Moving Without Limits
Join Us to Renew Your Commitment to the Equality of Blind Americans!

The blind experience, moving without limits banner.

Join Metro Plan Orlando, the Florida Division of Blind Services, and other local organizations at the Orlando City Hall on Wednesday, November 3rd from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Community leaders and supporters are invited to participate in this important opportunity to promote drivers’ awareness of the White Cane law and pedestrian safety. Show your support as you experience the built environment from the perspective of a visually impaired person.

Details

This event is hosted as part of Mobility Week to promote safe multimodal transportation.

Visit: www.MobilityWeekFL.com.

This is an RSVP only event. RSVP today.

For more information, please contact poorna.bhattacharya@dot.state.fl.us.

Miami Lighthouse: You’re invited to the celebration of our White Cane Day 2021

Put on your sneakers and join Miami Lighthouse as we celebrate National White Cane Day on Friday, October 15th, starting at 8:30am. Over 100 blind and visually impaired program participants will be escorted by City of Miami Fire and Police Departments walking from Miami Lighthouse, down SW 8th Street and back. The celebration will continue with food and music featuring musicians from Miami Lighthouse’s Music Program.

Event sponsors include presenting sponsors Florida Blue, High Standard Home Care and Uber, along with McDonald’s, Starbucks, OrCam, Vispero, Ambutech and others. If you cannot attend, you can still contribute virtually by supporting any of our program participants by visiting the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind White Cane Day page to learn more.

Independence for the Blind Celebrates White Cane Awareness Day

White cane awareness day flyer.

Please join us on a day to acknowledge the law that keeps persons with visual impairments safe when maneuvering in public places, roadways, and crosswalks. When encountering a white cane or guide dog, drivers must yield the right of way.ering a white cane or guide dog, drivers must yield the right of way.

When:
Friday, October 15, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where:
C. W. Gemmill Learning Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
3107 North Davis Highway
Pensacola, FL 32503

RSVP by October 10th:
Calli (850) 477-2663

Lunch and refreshments will be provided and vendors will be on site to share information.

Independence for the Blind is funded in part by the Florida Department of Education, Division of Blind Services, and United Way.

Independence for the Blind of West Florida

2021 Disability Employment Awareness Celebration

Disability Employment Awareness banner.

On Tuesday, September 28th we will honor outstanding employers who are committed to hiring people with disabilities! The Florida Department of Education (DOE), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Division of Blind Services (DBS), and the Able Trust will honor these incredible employers whose commitment provides much more than just income. They encourage community connection and purpose for employees by opening their companies to new levels of support from customers and other businesses that value inclusion. Join us on September 28th from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for the Disability Employment Awareness Celebration (DEAC), a showcase of employers who hire and support individuals with disabilities in Florida!

Register for FCAN's College Ready Florida and access free resources to support students

Is your school, district, or community organization registered for College Ready Florida?

College Ready Florida is a series of four statewide initiatives aimed at supporting a college-going culture. The four initiatives are:

The start of a new school year is the perfect time to register for College Ready Florida. Among the benefits for schools and community organizations that register as a host site:

Keep Your Future in Focus at FIMC-VI's Florida Festival of Families

September 17th and 18th, 2021 via Zoom

The Florida Festival of Families is a free event for children with visual impairments and their parents, family members and caregivers. Sessions are led by mentors who are visually impaired, other parents, and/or professionals in the field. Activities for families to do together are sprinkled throughout, making this a time for families to learn and have fun together.

Register by August 31st to receive a Family Activity box in the mail.

Download the complete agenda with session descriptions.

Friday

06:30 p.m. – Fit and Healthy Future

07:15 p.m. – Healthy Future with Food

Saturday

08:45 a.m. – Zoom meeting room opens to mix and mingle

09:00 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions

09:15 a.m. – Planning Ahead: Part I

10:00 a.m. – Family Activity: Future in Robotics

10:45 a.m. – Planning Ahead: Part II

11:45 a.m. – Planning Ahead: Part III

12:30 p.m. – Farewell Until the Future

Visit the Student and Family Events page for more information about this free family event and to learn more about our guest speakers!

https://www.fimcvi.org/student-and-family-events

LVIB's Dining in the Dark, Saturday, October 9, GlenLakes Golf & County Club

Announcing Lighthouse’s 6th Annual Dining in the Dark—please save the date!

The event takes place on Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at GlenLakes Golf & County Club, 9000 GlenLakes Blvd., Weeki Wachee, FL 34613-4200.

Dining in the Dark is a major fundraiser for the Lighthouse and includes dinner, dancing, and prize drawings.

Everyone can participate in the prize drawings—if you are not attending the event, you can purchase your chances before the event and watch the prize drawings live on Facebook. You don’t have to attend or watch the event to win.

More information is available at https://www.lvib.org/events/dining-in-the-dark/.

 

Return to top of page

DISCLAIMER: Links on the Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS) website that are directed toward websites outside the DBS, provide additional information that may be useful or interesting and are being provided consistent with the intended purpose of the DBS website. DBS cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by non-DBS websites. Further, providing links to a non-DBS website does not constitute an endorsement by DBS, the Florida Department of Education or any of its employees, of the sponsors of the non-DBS website or of the information or products presented on the non-DBS website.