[nfbmi-talk] VISIONS 2012 Vendor Fair

Thu Apr 12 22:44:02 UTC 2012

Great idea!  Esppecialy sence some of us live here!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J.J. Meddaugh" <jj at bestmidi.com>
To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 6:26 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] VISIONS 2012 Vendor Fair

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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