[Nfbk] FW: Office for the Blind to hold assistive technology expo in September

[George Stokes]

From: Wright, Jennifer (OFB-FK) [mailto:JenniferN.Wright at ky.gov] 
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2012 3:02 PM
To: Flanagan, Allison A (OFB-FK); Ann Smits; Becky Cabe; Bess Douthitt; Bill
Deatherage; Cathy Jackson; McNabb, Cora L (OFB-FK); David Lawson; Don
Gerard; George Stokes; Gordon-Brown, Gerry (CAP-FK); Gerry Rader Slusher;
Jim Shaw; ki4vjd at gmail.com; Kim Zeigler; Michael Freeholm; Shirley, Patrick
B (Education Cabinet); Paul Wiese; Paula Wiese ; Nesbitt, Richard (OFB-FK);
Sharon Fields; Sharon Fields (Home); Matthews, Soraya - Division of Learning
Services; Deeley, Stephen P (OFB-LV); Susan Ament; Hammons, Twyla S (OFB-SS)
Subject: FW: Office for the Blind to hold assistive technology expo in
September

 

 

Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet

 

NEWS RELEASE                      

 

 


Contact:  Cora McNabb (502) 564-4754 or 1-800-321-6668


     cora.mcnabb at ky.gov

 

 

Office for the Blind to hold assistive technology expo in September

Inaugural expo and conference is open to the public and free of charge

 

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 29, 2012) - The Kentucky Office for the Blind (OFB) is
hosting its first assistive technology expo and conference Sept. 18 - 19 at
the Galt House in Louisville. The conference, themed "2012 Odyssey - A New
Vision," is designed to increase knowledge and provide current information
on assistive technology for the blind and visually impaired. The deadline to
register is Sept. 7.

 

"This is a wonderful opportunity for people to experience the many assistive
technology devices that are available to help people who are blind, visually
impaired or deaf and blind become independent or retain their independence
at home, work and in the community," said Allison Flanagan, OFB acting
director. "The presenters and breakout sessions offer a variety of
information and insight into the advances in adaptive technology and how
technology can improve someone's quality of life." 

 

The conference will feature nationally-known speaker and writer Michal
Hingson, the New York Times best-selling author of "Thunder Dog." Hingson's
life changed dramatically on Sept. 11, 2001, when he and his guide dog
Roselle escaped from the 78th floor of Tower One in the World Trade Center
moments before it collapsed. Soon after, Hingson and Roselle were thrust
into the international limelight where he began to share his unique story
and lessons of trust, courage, heroism and teamwork.  

 

Hingson has been involved in developing and selling assistive technology for
more than 35 years.  He directed operations in a project to help create the
Kurzweil Reading Machine for the blind, the first omnifont OCR device which
read print to blind persons.

 

Other presenters at the conference include Anindya (Bapin) Bhattachary,
technology development and training specialist at the Helen Keller National
Center; Beth Loy, a principal consultant with the Job Accommodation Network;
and Jennifer Genderman, an occupational therapist at the Kentucky Lions Eye
Center. In addition, there will be breakout sessions on a variety of topics.


 

The conference, open to the public and free of charge, is federally funded
by the U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration.
It is geared toward individuals who are blind, visually impaired and
deaf/blind, family members, teachers, employers and assistive technology
staff. The expo will provide individuals the opportunity to view a wide
range of low- and high-tech adaptive products. 

 

For more information, contact Cora McNabb at (502) 564-4754 or
cora.mcnabb at ky.gov. Additional information may be found on the OFB website
at http://blind.ky.gov.  

 

OFB, an agency in the Department of Workforce Investment, provides job
counseling, education, job training and assistive technology services to
Kentuckians who are blind and visually impaired so that they can have
opportunities for employment and independence.

 

(30)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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