[Trainer-Talk] Important: Ideas and Presentation Pitches for our 2021 Division Meeting

[Humberto Avila]

Hello, Andy and All, 

I am not so much new to this list, however, I am new the access technology trainers division of the NFB, of which I would like to be a part of very much. I would be very interested in attending your sessions, and would very much like to suggest some topics of discussion. 

I am passionate about accessibility, technology and working with Blind folks to access their world through the technology and am currently seeking an employment opportunity in such a role. I would like to suggest maybe, talking about certifications, credentialing and other steps to get on this pathway of training in the use of AT in rehabilitation and other settings. I understand there is the CATIS (certified Access Technology Instructional Specialist for the Blind) but would like to know if folks are actually getting value out of it, and whether employers are seeking credentials such as these, and different paths / education needed to do so. Might also be interested in where the field of VI AT will be going next and whether there is truly a demand for it in both the government and private sector world. 

The next topic I would like to suggest is more of a research thing, given the NFB is also interested in research, and the NFB convention is, basically considered a conference, for consumers. But what is the effect of computer / screen time among individuals with blindness? I (and probably most of us) have heard about the possibly harmful effects of too much screen time on sighted people's eyes, and posture; how social networking, being on smartphones and other technologies are making people far less connected with real, in-person interactions; and the psychological effects of zoom fatigue on sighted people, when we were all locked down and all of our work and personal social lives switched to Zoom. I would be curious if we as blind people have similar dilemmas regarding technology, or equivalents. Like, for instance: can being on the PC / phone all the time, and listening to a screen reader make us more or less, well... something? Smart? Dumb? Focused or unfocused? How does the attention span of someone who, say, reads Braille full time, and uses a Braille display for work and bookreading compare with that of someone who reads no Braille, and only relies 100% of the time on ETI Eloquence TTS or Microsoft Sam? Well, for those who used to long use Windows XP, you might remember who that is, and how it sounds, with that earlier version of Narrator, NVDA or JAWS. Believe me, I've been there. :)  But anyways, does being on Zoom offer more benefits or drawbacks to a blind person using a screen reader and how is the greater impact? What is the impact of someone with low vision using something like Zoomtext or Fusion and Zoom fatigue? 

At any rate, I hope I may have sparked some light in someone, perhaps amongst the NFB AT trainers division leadership. And even if the NFB isn't able to tackle these questions during this, next or another convention 10 years from now, I think these questions do deserve some merit, because we live in a world that is constantly changing and not sometimes for the better. 

Thanks for reading, and have an awesome day. 

Best, 

Humberto



> On Jun 27, 2021, at 11:20 AM, Andy Smith via Trainer-Talk <trainer-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hey, is there a list of topics that people are interested in?
> 
>> On 6/27/21, Chancey Fleet via Trainer-Talk <trainer-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi everyone,
>> As our 2021 division meeting approaches, we welcome your input and
>> participation!
>> Please write to me directly if you are interested in presenting on a
>> particular topic of interest this year, or if you have a topic you'd like
>> us to try to cover.
>> 
>> Best,
>> Chancey Fleet
>> President, NFB  Assistive Tech Trainers' Division
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