[SC-CSTD] FW: The Carroll Connector - January Edition

Thu Jan 15 11:48:07 UTC 2026

From: The Carroll Center for the Blind <news at carroll.org> 
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 6:55 PM
To: Frank Loza <floza58 at bellsouth.net>
Subject: The Carroll Connector - January Edition

The Carroll Connector
Bringing you the latest in rehabilitation training, education services, computer and assistive technology training, low vision, store news, research and more.

Registration for 2026 Summer Youth Programs is Open!

Looking for a meaningful and memorable summer experience for your child or teen? The Carroll Center for the Blind offers six unique programs for students who are blind or visually impaired, ages 8 to 25. Each program is designed to build confidence, develop independence, and connect students with peers who share similar experiences.

Join us for one of our upcoming virtual info sessions to learn more:

*	 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/7B9E9357-BA3B-4F1A-8992-8B9A4CE025F4/c> Thursday, February 5 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. (EST)
*	 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/A5CF9C57-8494-4E43-8E5D-2B60A595741E/c> Friday, February 6 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. (EST)

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/280CB30F-88B1-4FE7-A137-EAA25D399ACD/c> Learn More About our Summer Programs >

Get Ready for the New England Regional Braille Challenge

Get ready for the New England Regional Braille Challenge on Saturday, February 28 at the Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton, MA!

The Braille Challenge is a national competition for school-aged youth who read and write braille. Through a series of timed contests, participants practice reading comprehension, proofreading, spelling, tactile graphics, speed and accuracy—all in a supportive and spirited environment. The top 50 students with the highest scores across North America will be invited to the annual Braille Challenge finals competition in Los Angeles!

Unable to make it to our in-person event? You can compete in our Virtual Braille Challenge via Zoom on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. EST.

Learn More About the Braille Challenge  <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/DF054CDF-7C64-458E-98BD-62155C71B1DC/c> >

Job Market Prep: Search and Soft Skills

Have you heard about our new Job Market Prep: Search  <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/A2217E83-AC49-4E98-A5B9-3F23E2BCEFB0/c> & Soft Skills program? It's a 4-week training designed for individuals who are actively seeking part-time or full-time employment and want to build the skills, confidence, and strategies to thrive in today’s competitive job market. Tailored for individuals who are already proficient with technology, this program helps participants refine their job search and networking skills, build compelling professional materials, and prepare for interviews with confidence.

With a powerful combination of personalized career counseling and ongoing job search support, you’ll gain the tools you need to achieve your employment goals—and maintain long-term workplace success. If you’re ready to take the next step toward meaningful employment and greater independence, this program is designed to help you succeed!

Learn More About our Job Market Prep Program  <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/A0B43AA5-8DC7-4EF3-9015-79E576172B22/c> >

Support Our Boston Marathon Runner!

Join us in supporting Michael George, a physician at Boston Children’s Hospital, who will be running the 130th Boston Marathon on behalf of The Carroll Center for the Blind. 

After his daughter, Sasha, was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease and became legally blind, their family turned to the Carroll Center for guidance, connection, and support during a deeply uncertain time. Inspired by that experience, Michael is running to raise awareness about Stargardt’s Disease and the importance of early diagnosis, while also supporting the Carroll Center’s mission to provide critical resources, training, and community for individuals who are blind or visually impaired and their families.

Through this year’s Boston Marathon, Michael aims to raise $20,000 to help ensure families facing vision loss have access to the education, support, and services they need to move forward with confidence.

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/41A439D6-E3E6-42D9-92E0-CF84CF276F53/c> Show Your Support for Michael >

Upcoming Events

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/8E4F7D1D-23E9-43A2-BE90-79611BB708E4/c> Carroll Tech Talk

Friday, January 23, 2026

 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET 

Zoom

Lunch and Learn: CPACC <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/24E76A5D-6E9B-464F-9DD0-52709E99CEC4/c> 

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. ET

Zoom

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/FFACF695-5705-4DDB-9F0D-8F4D0556F74C/c> Carroll Families Dining with Your Senses

Saturday, January 31, 2026

9:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Carroll Center, Newton, MA

Carroll Alumni DREAM Movie Screening <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/80CC3B61-EA32-4B18-92F8-1BB88C7C17A7/c> 

Saturday, January 31, 2026

12:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Carroll Center, Newton, MA

Carroll Families Conversations  <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/BD8BE4AA-EDB7-4A54-A30D-7ACA75465ECF/c> & Connections: Summer Planning (Option 1)

Thursday, February 5, 2026

7:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET

Zoom

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/C3D058F1-5B87-489C-B6C1-A7A8E37EC00E/c> Carroll Families Conversations & Connections: Summer Planning (Option 2)

Friday, February 6, 2026

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. ET

Zoom

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/8E5E421E-2401-4544-A386-D48DE5B30FF3/c> Information Day

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Carroll Center, Newton, MA

Lunch and Learn: Expanded Core Curriculum and Career Readiness <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/085755DA-69CC-4A0B-AAE4-F32550A0CE6F/c> 

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. ET

Zoom

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/5FE030F1-0558-4F0A-AAFC-B09B3ADFEBE5/c> Braille Challenge

Saturday, February 28, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Carroll Center, Newton, MA

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/D54BBED2-5E75-40D5-B2FC-3AA537BFB1E8/c> Walk for Independence

Saturday, May 30, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst

Newton, MA

Industry News

“No barriers” mindset of blind adventurer helps secure his place as a GWR ICON | Guinness World Records <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/6168DBF2-A8B2-484E-8D18-93F6D2ADF873/c> 

How to Volunteer to Record Audiobooks for People Who Are Blind - Philadelphia Magazine <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/07D4F64F-79E2-4B57-AD16-F854A87CB0D7/c> 

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/C7A9E94D-6CA7-4823-BC90-974C303BA855/c> "Planning Options for You and Your Family" Webinar on February 10 | PLAN of MA & RI

The articles that appear in the Carroll Connector newsletter are chosen from a variety of sources to reflect media coverage of issues related to blindness and vision impairment. An article’s inclusion in the Carroll Connector newsletter does not imply that the Carroll Center for the Blind endorses, supports or verifies its contents or expressed opinions. Factual errors are the responsibility of the listed publication.

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/8B72573E-897E-46E8-87D8-7977DEE4822E/c> Home  |   <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/A1D977C1-DC50-4582-A798-0F3524D5922C/c> Contact  |   <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/7A933845-B9F1-4E85-A24D-CEA3FC793A3E/c> Our Impact  |   <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/B260787E-A44B-4851-845B-8FD76BB4B9D7/c> Giving

If you or someone you know is challenged by vision loss, please call The Carroll Center for the Blind at (617) 969-6200 (ext. 215). For more information, please visit  <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/75C0D747-1EF4-4E57-AB97-A37486DF69D1/c> our website.

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/9D5949B9-BD1D-4A13-A119-769EFA266177/c> 

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/EB562083-B6F8-4CB6-8802-EC867711CE04/c> 

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/F7129F64-075C-4052-AC6D-52AF842475F2/c> 

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 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/29AF0053-B197-4313-B1A2-090A95504432/c> 

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/DD0F1534-828C-4612-AD41-3AFAEE56AC37/c> Donate 

Unsubscribe <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/oo>  

 <https://eml-pusa01.app.blackbaud.net/intv2/j/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781/r/4A5B71A6-7703-46DD-9D7E-226D05D81781_aaaa43c6-2138-4122-b499-45961c86743b/l/A1C2CAE5-ACDE-47E4-99FF-6E6A4B8BC778/c> The Carroll Center for the Blind 

https://www.carroll.org 

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