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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> Louis Maher <ljmaher03@outlook.com> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, February 2, 2026 6:36 AM<br><b>Subject:</b> The Science and Engineering Division and National Association of Blind Students Joint STEM Seminar<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Science and Engineering Division and National Association of Blind Students Joint STEM Seminar<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Two divisions of the National Federation of the Blind, namely: The Science and Engineering Division (SED) and the National Association of Blind Students (NABS), are presenting a joint Zoom conference on how blind college and graduate students, and blind professionals, are succeeding in courses and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Zoom conference link will be the standard NABS Zoom link shown at the bottom of this message. The call will occur at 7:30 PM EST through 9 PM EST on Sunday, February 22, 2026. We will have three speakers. Each talk will be twenty minutes long with an extra five minutes for questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Topics will be of interest for blind students from middle school through graduate school and for professionals. Parents of blind school-aged children and educators are also welcome. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Currently, the scheduled titles, speakers, abstracts, and speaker introductions, are:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Opening Remarks</span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Lauren Altman, president, National Association of Blind Students (<a href="mailto:nabs.president@gmail.com">nabs.president@gmail.com</a>), and John Miller, president, Science and Engineering Division (<a href="mailto:Johnmillerphd@hotmail.com">Johnmillerphd@hotmail.com</a>) (7:30 PM)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Title: </span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Engineering the Future: Storing Clean Energy Deep Beneath Our Feet (7:40 PM) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Speaker:</span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Matthew Ard (<a href="mailto:mattard@stanford.edu">mattard@stanford.edu</a>) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Abstract: </span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The transition to clean energy is one of the greatest challenges of our time, but what opportunities actually exist to solve this crucial problem? In this talk, I will introduce the field of Energy Science and Engineering and discuss how I am working to tackle climate change through my research on large-scale energy storage. I will share my journey from undergraduate studies to a PhD program and discuss the methods and technologies I use to conduct high-level research as a student with a visual impairment. By sharing my research and personal experience, I hope to demystify the research process and show that a career in research is a tangible reality for students from all backgrounds.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Speaker Introduction: </span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Matthew is a second-year PhD student at Stanford University in the Energy Science and Engineering program and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. His research is focused on enabling a clean energy future through underground energy storage. He graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. As an undergraduate, he conducted research at Stanford University and Columbia University, where he focused on solving problems related to climate change. Beyond the lab, Matthew is dedicated to improving accessibility and advocating for inclusion in his communities. He works with the Office of Access, Belonging, and Community and mentors undergraduate and graduate students to help them navigate their own paths in higher education.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Questions: (</span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>8:00 PM)<b><u> <o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Title: </span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Birding by Ear and Beyond; Exploring, experiencing, and engaging in the wonder of the Natural world as a person who is blind (8:05 PM)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Speaker:</span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Donna Posont (<a href="mailto:dposont@umich.edu">dposont@umich.edu</a>) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Abstract: </span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Wonder of the natural world is for everyone and that includes those who are blind or low vision. Sometimes we learn in various ways by engaging all our other senses to experience natural science. This program at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Environmental Interpretive Center meets at least monthly to learn about nature and is taught as though all participants are blind, but, friends and family are welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Speaker Introduction:</span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Donna Posont<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Coordinator: Birding by Ear and Beyond<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Environmental Interpretive Center<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>University of Michigan-Dearborn<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:dposont@umich.edu">dposont@umich.edu</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I have a bachelor's degree in social work from West Liberty University in West Virginia. I returned as a non-traditional student and received a degree in Environmental Studies with a naturalist focus and a minor in Biology graduating in 2015 from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. During my time as a student I started a monthly program for blind people to learn to identify birds by sound. Upon graduation I became a staff naturalist and the program grew to Birding by Ear and Beyond. The Beyond part provides for experiencing all aspects of the natural world such as frogs, tree, and plant identification, learning about the watershed, building, and maintaining a Butterfly Garden. I received training as a Certified Interpretive Guide from the National Association of Interpretation, and this is helpful in sharing about nature. The program has been featured in national magazines such as Audubon and Birds and Blooms as well as appearing on CBS and NBC nightly news and various podcasts such as Ray Brown’s Talkin Birds, Any Bird, Anybody, and Eyes Free Sports. In 2016 I receive the Outstanding Part time Interpreter the Year award from the National Association of Interpretation Region IV. In 2024 I was a Merit Award recipient from Michigan Association of Environmental Outdoor Educators. My proudest moment came when I received the Jacob Bolotin Award from the National Federation of the Blind in 2024 for an outstanding program which has enhanced the lives of people who happen to be blind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Questions: (</span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>8:25 PM)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Title: </span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Audiom: Evaluating if digital interactive alternate text provides the same information as visual spatial maps and diagrams (8:30 PM)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Speaker: </span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Brandon Biggs (<a href="mailto:brandon.biggs@xrnavigation.io">brandon.biggs@xrnavigation.io</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Abstract: </span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sighted people view over 300 digital maps a year, in contrast to blind people, who view less than one map a year on average. Only around 17.5% of blind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>people have ever viewed a map of any kind as a blind person. This talk will present Audiom, an interactive alternate text game-like digital interface that<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>can allow the non-visual viewing and creation of different types of spatial information, such as maps and diagrams. Over 13 academic studies and co-designs<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>have been performed on over 150 blind and 40 sighted participants to create and evaluate Audiom. The presentation will then discuss how Audiom is being<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>compared with visual digital maps and diagrams. The objective of this work is to clearly define what it means for a non-visual text map to serve the equivalent<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>purpose to a visual map to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. The results of this work should inform digital accessibility legislation to facilitate<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>equal educational and employment opportunities for professions requiring the use of spatial information.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Links to Audiom:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Personal use:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="https://audiom.net">https://audiom.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Commercial use:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="https://xrnavigation.io">https://xrnavigation.io</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Speaker Introduction: </span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Brandon Biggs is an entrepreneur, researcher, inclusive designer, developer, and life-long learner. He is the CEO of XR Navigation, an Engineer at the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, Co-Founder and board treasurer at Sonja Biggs Educational Services Inc., and a PhD student at the Georgia institute<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>of Technology. In 2016, he received his bachelor's in music from California State University East Bay, in 2019 he received his master's in Inclusive Design<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>from the Ontario College of Art and Design University, and in 2021, began his PhD in Human Centered Computing from the Georgia Institute of Technology.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>He is almost completely blind from Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). His projects and ventures center around building tools to solve some of the most<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>difficult problems in the blindness field. He leverages his lived experience coupled with human centered inclusive design principles to create solutions<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>that create lasting and sustainable impact. To achieve this goal, Brandon is half entrepreneur and half academic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Questions: (</span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>8:50 PM)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Closing Remarks <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Lauren Altman and John Miller (8:55 PM)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Adjourn: </span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>(9:05 PM)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Division Contact Information <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If you wish to learn more about NABS, including how to become a member, go to:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>"<a href="https://www.nabslink.org/">https://www.nabslink.org/</a>". <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If you wish to join the SED, go to:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>"<a href="http://www.nfb.org/divisiondues">http://www.nfb.org/divisiondues</a>".<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dues for NABS and SED are $5 per division per year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>NFB divisions' fiscal years start on January 1 and end on December 31 of the same year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Individuals may join the NABS and SED e-mail discussion groups at "<a href="https://www.nfbnet.org/">https://www.nfbnet.org/</a>". <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If you have any questions about the mechanics of the seminar, please contact Louis Maher (713-444-7838, <a href="mailto:ljmaher03@outlook.com">ljmaher03@outlook.com</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>----- <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Join Zoom Meeting:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>February 22, 2026, 7:30 PM EST<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="https://zoom.us/j/4678833687?_x_zm_rtaid=KOKAICd1R4ihtmx1LS5OTg.1769021469326.3ccbb5b08dc1b4996eb5278c87f34feb&_x_zm_rhtaid=216%23success">Zoom Meeting Room </a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Meeting ID: 467 883 3687<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>One tap mobile<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>+13017158592,4678833687 US (Germantown) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>13126266799,,4678833687# US (Chicago)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Regards<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Louis Maher<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Phone: 713-444-7838<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Email: <a href="mailto:ljmaher03@outlook.com">ljmaher03@outlook.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>