ACB Focus: Transportation and Advocacy (2021)

~~That’s What Friends are For: Are you having a problem handling low vision? What’s been your journey with low vision? We discussed the journey of low vision, and shared experiences, offered encouragement and strategies. Come join our low vision community as we support one another. Sponsored by CCLVI

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 21~~

~~crossings with no traffic signal or stop sign: When you're at a crossing that has no stop sign or traffic signal, do you wonder when is the appropriate time to cross, and whether it is safe to do so?  Then this presentation is for you!  Attendees learned about analyzing these crossings and what kinds of skills you will need. Presenter: ♠ Dona Sauerburger, MA, COMS, Gambrills, MD Co-sponsored by: Environmental Access and Transportation Committees

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19~~

~~Out and About with Canines and Canes: A panel of cane and guide dog users, with some vision to none, discussed pedestrian adventures, tips and tricks for fun and safe travel. Hear how getting lost can be a confidence-boosting adventure and how to leverage blind street smarts to create a more pedestrian friendly environment for everyone! Moderator: Sheila Styron, chair, ACB Transportation Committee, Kansas City, MO  Co-sponsored by: Environmental Access and Transportation Committees

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19~~

AAVIA hosts this presentation by Bill Piatt, former dean at St. Mary's law school in San Antonio TX, as he reviews the 2020-21 Supreme courst decisions and their ramifications. Recorded on July 17 during the 2021 ACB virtual conference and convention

~~Saturday School: “Advocating for the Best Learning Options in a Hybrid Environment”: In this workshop, we explored how parents and college students can work with schools to get the best learning options whether instruction takes place in person, online, or using a combination of both methods. Presenters: ♦ Tabitha Brecke, Accommodations Specialist and Adult Education Adjunct Professor, Auburn, AL ♦ Kaila Allen, Parent with Special Needs Experience, Mesa, AZ ♦ Hayley Agers, Parent and Former Independent Living Instructor, Marysville, WA ♦ Nat Ratcliff, Student Perspective, Carson, CA Co-sponsored by: AABT, ACBS AND ACB Next Gen

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

En-vision America: Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda, WILL: Why Asking for Help is so Difficult: En-Vision America briefly addressed the psychology of why it is so hard to ask for help, offered hints and how to overcome hesitations and how to craft more effective requests.

• ~~Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 16~~

~~RSVA® “The Journey- Navigating the Challenges”: Motivational speaker: Dr. Bill Takeshita, OD, FAAO, F.C.O.V.D., Northridge, CA, spoke on his own challenges as a sighted optometrist and continuing his career after losing his sight.

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

~~RSVA® “The importance of the RS15”: Kathy Roet, Director of the Business Enterprise Program, Iowa Department of the Blind, Des Moines, IA will led this deepening discussion following the initial presentation at the 2021 Sagebrush conference. She shared how to use the RSA form to show the details of each state’s current program.

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

~~411 from the IAC – Part 2: Rehabilitation, providing remote services: Attendees heard from two rehabilitation professionals about what providing rehabilitation services virtually has been like. ♠ Megan Conway from the Helen Keller National Center  ♠David Kingsbury from the Carroll Center for the Blind Discussed providing rehabilitation services virtually, what accessibility challenges they faced and how they worked through them to continue serving their clients. They then began a conversation about remote support-based services. Many continue to work from home and they gave some opinions on the leading products in this space and some tips and tricks when working with each of these products. They discussed Apple, Microsoft, AIRA and more during this part of the 411 presentations. In addition, Judy Dixon made a brief presentation about a new technology found on the latest iPhones. Is this truly the thing to have for your iPhone? Attendees learned how this technology can be put to use in your environment to help follow people in a line, learn about a new space, and locate large objects. Presenters: ♠ Megan A. Conway, PhD, Research and Accessibility Specialist, Helen Keller National Center, Healdsburg, CA ♠ David Kingsbury, Assistive Technology Instructor at the Carroll Center, Stoughton, MA ♠ Judy Dixon, Co-chair of the IAC, Arlington, VA ♠ Ray Campbell, Second Vice President of ACB, Glen Ellyn, IL  Co-sponsored by: Information Access committee and Rehabilitation Issues Task Force

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

~~BITS/SASI: Do You Hear What I Hear: Are you getting the most from your hearing devices? Have you ever wondered if any hearing aids will work with other technology such as your iPhone?  Attendees enjoyed an informative presentation during which two audiologists and a Hearing Care Professional served as panelists as they addressed the issues and answered questions. Presenters: • Dr. Carol Hamer, Audiologist, Hellen Keller National Center, Sands Point, NY • Jacob Smith, Hearing Instrument Dispenser, Oak Lawn, IL • Dr. Nancy Mascia, Audiologist, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Birmingham, AL

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~