[nfbmi-talk] VISIONS 2012 Vendor Fair

J.J. Meddaugh jj at bestmidi.com
Thu Apr 12 22:26:18 UTC 2012


Matt brought this up to me yesterday. We're not a big fan of the mention of 
sighted volunteers. Not sure if anyone on this list has much of a connection 
to Visions other than as a vendor but it would be cool to not have that 
phrase in future PR from them and even cooler to have some blind volunteers.
I'll mention this to the organizers when I speak to them again.
Looking forward to seeing some of you on May 9.



Best Regards,
J.J. Meddaugh
A T Guys
Your Assistive Technology Experts
(269) 216-4798
http://www.ATGuys.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "trising" <trising at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NFBofMichigan List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 11:00 AM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] VISIONS 2012 Vendor Fair






VISIONS 2012 Vendor Fair



What:  Find out what's new in technology and services for people who are 
blind and visually impaired



When:  Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.



Where: Washtenaw Community College - Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 East 
Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan.



Who:  Presented by the Ann Arbor District Library and co-sponsored by the 
Michigan Commission for the Blind and Washtenaw Community College



Contact:  For additional information, see the details below or contact Tim 
Grimes at the Ann Arbor District Library at 734-327-4265.



The Ann Arbor District Library (which also serves as the Washtenaw Library 
for the Blind and Physically Disabled) will present the VISIONS 2012 Vendor 
Fair: What's New In Technology and Services for the Blind and Visually 
Impaired on Wednesday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Washtenaw Community 
College, Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor. 
Five hundred people attended the 2010 VISIONS Vendor Fair, and this year's 
fair, featuring presentations addressing national, international, and 
regional issues for people who are blind and visually impaired, promises to 
be even more eventful.



Co-sponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind and Washtenaw 
Community College, the event will feature a variety of Michigan exhibitors 
who will demonstrate and discuss the latest products and services for people 
who are blind and visually impaired. There is no admission charge, and ample 
free parking is available.  Sighted volunteers available to assist upon 
request throughout the day.



VISIONS 2012 Highlights:

·        Presentations offered every hour:



o       11:00 a.m.-The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically 
Handicapped: BARD & Beyond!  Neil Bernstein, NLS Research & Development 
Officer, will discuss new directions at the National Library Service, 
including changes in leadership; additions to, and the future of, the 
Braille and Reading Audio Download (BARD) system; mobile applications; 
collections development; and alterative distribution methods.



o       Noon-Adapting & Digitalizing Teaching And Learning Braille Material 
In Developing Countries.  Dr. Tamru Belay, founder of the Adaptive 
Technology Center for the Blind (ATCB) in Ethiopia, will discuss 
computerized Braille books and how they are essential for the education of 
the blind in developing countries.  Realizing this need, ATCB created an 
efficient computerized Braille to cater for the needs of libraries and other 
institutions for use by visually-challenged persons in Ethiopia.



o       1:00 p.m.-What's New in Assistive Technology?  This presentation by 
A T Guys will focus on the latest technology such as accessible mobile 
phones and tablets, computer software and portable devices.  They will also 
preview what's on the horizon. Bring your technology questions!



o       2:00 p.m.-The Role Of Technology To Enhance Teaching & Learning For 
Students With Visual And Physical Impairments.  Scott Menzel, Superintendent 
of Washtenaw Intermediate School District, will demonstrate  how emerging 
technology can enhance the educational experience from early childhood 
through postsecondary options, and can open doors for young people with 
visual or physical disabilities that were previously inaccessible.



·        Hands-on demonstrations and conversations with vendors.  Electronic 
readers,  magnifiers, support services for the blind, Braille devices, 
library services, CCTVs,  leader dogs, and transportation services are just 
a few of the many outstanding services and products that will be on display.



·        A variety of sandwiches, snacks, coffee, and cold beverages 
available on site, sold by an entrepreneur licensed by the Michigan 
Commission for the Blind Business Enterprise Program.



·        Sighted volunteers available to assist throughout the day.  Doors 
will open promptly at 10 a.m.



About the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled (WLBPD)



In Washtenaw County, this free service is administered by the Ann Arbor 
District Library, which loans books, magazines, and videos in alternative 
formats (including recorded cassette, digital cartridge, Braille and 
descriptive video) to individuals of all ages who are certified as unable to 
read or use standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent 
visual or physical limitations. A cassette or digital player and materials 
are mailed at no cost as Free Matter for the Blind.



In addition to mailed materials, all eligible individuals also have access 
to over 16,000 titles available for download through the National Library 
Service's Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) site. An application for 
access to BARD is required and available through the NLS website 
www.loc.gov/nls/



The WLBPD collection is housed in the Downtown AADL location at 343 South 
Fifth Avenue in Ann Arbor at the corner of Fifth Avenue and William Street. 
Visit the website at aadl.org/wlbpd for information on all WLBPD services.



About the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB)



The Michigan Commission for the Blind provides training and other 
opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve 
independence and/or employment, serving approximately 3,300 state residents 
in FY 2011.  For more information about the commission's programs and 
services, call toll-free at

1-800-292-4200 (voice) or 1-888-864-1212 (TTY), or visit the website at 
www.michigan.gov/mcb  The Michigan Commission for the Blind is part of the 
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).  For more 
information about LARA, visit www.michigan.gov/lara.



About Washtenaw Community College (WCC)



For over 40 years, WCC's open-door admissions policy, affordable tuition 
rates, and high-quality classes have attracted students from local 
communities and around the world. More than 18,000 register for credit 
classes each year, and thousands more enroll in non-credit LifeLong Learning 
classes. WCC's diverse student body includes more than 1,000 students from 
over 100 foreign countries.  For more information about WCC, visit 
http://www.wccnet.edu/



More Information about VISIONS 2012



For more information about VISIONS 2012, visit aadl.org, call the Ann Arbor 
District Library at 734-327-4555, or contact Tim Grimes at the Ann Arbor 
District Library at 734-327-4265.


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