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Home   >   Training  > "Focus" Talks
Technology and Access
 
Leveraging Mainstream Consumer Technology for Consumers with Visual Impairments
Presenter: Alexander Pooler, MPA
Director of Assistive Technology and Consumer Database Information
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
  • While dedicated assistive technology has been the primary go-to for deployment to visually impaired consumers, there has been a shift to leveraging mainstream consumer technology that can be rendered accessible for those in need.  From built-in accessible options in iOS devices and add-ons to smart phone technology, to working with identifying tasks that smart speakers can help our consumers with, Assistive Technology professionals are able to use more mainstream consumer technology every year to maintain, and in many cases, improve community independence with easy-to-learn and easy-to-use technology that many of us already have at home.
  • CEUs: None available; Certificate of Attendance by request
  • Length: ​55 minutes
  • Resources: 
    • ​iOS Voiceover Gestures and Navigation (PDF)
    • Personal Power (electronic book to learn Voiceover and functions of iPhone). This is a book in the public domain written by a user of this technology who is blind, offers great context for what consumers may be dealing with when learning this technology. 
    • Hadley IOS training videos - a series of videos from Hadley that cover a variety of devices and how to access the accessibility features of those. 
  • REGISTER to view this free session. Please Note: The date you will see when registering for the "Focus" Talk is the date that the presentation was recorded. All "Focus" Talks are available for viewing immediately after registration. 
 
Intro to Assistive Technology Assessments
  • Presenters: Kate Kutalak, M.Ed., TVI and HuyenTran Vo, M.Ed., TVI, COMS, CVRT, CATIS, Perkins School for the Blind (recorded at "Focus" Conference 2019)
  • This session is an introduction to how Assistive Technology Assessments for people who are Blind/Visually Impaired are conducted. There will be an overview of current technology available including high tech, low tech, and cost effective tools. There will also be discussion of the decision making process of finding the right tool(s) to meet the needs of students/clients.
  • CEUS: None available; Certificate of Attendance by request
  • Length: 47 minutes
  • Resources: 
    • Assistive Technology Assessment: Tips, Tools and Resources from Perkins eLearning
    • Assistive Technology from Georgia AT Project
    • Assistive Technology Assessment from Teaching Visually Impaired
    • Assistive Technology Consideration to Assessment free publications from Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative
    • Access World - from American Foundation for the Blind 
    • AppleVis
    • Apple Accessibility 
  • Register to view this free session. Please Note: The date you will see when registering for the "Focus" Talk is the date that the presentation was recorded. All "Focus" Talks are available for viewing immediately after registration. 
 
  • Talking Information Center
    • ​Presenter: Anna Dunbar, Executive Director
    • This presentation gives an overview of the mission of the Talking Information Center (TIC) and the free service TIC provides for individuals who are blind, living with low vision, or a print impairment. Executive Director, Anna Dunbar, explains how TIC’s services can best be utilized to make the printed word accessible to those who need it.
    • Length: 20 minutes
    • CEUS: None available; Certificate of Attendance by request
    • Resources:
      • ​Talking Information Center: The Radio Reading Network
    • Register to view this free session. Please Note: The date you will see when registering for the "Focus" Talk is the date that the presentation was recorded. All "Focus" Talks are available for viewing immediately after registration.
For more information please contact: 
Lisa DiBonaventura,  M.A.,  COMS
Statewide Director Vision & Vision Loss Services
Department of Developmental Services  (DDS)
131 Emerald Street, Wrentham, MA 02093

Email: [email protected]
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"Focus" on Vision and Vision Loss: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability
  • MCB/DDS
    • About >
      • Site Accessibility & Download Policy
      • Vision Loss Terminology
    • APH Federal Quota Account >
      • APH Activity Ideas
    • DDS Collaborative Eye Care Centers
    • Orientation & Mobility/Low Vision Services >
      • Areas Served
      • COMS Log In
    • Let's Walk Together
    • Vision Loss Support Groups
    • EOHHS Resources
  • Eye Care
    • Find an Eye Care Provider >
      • By Town >
        • Ayer
        • Beverly
        • Boston
        • Burlington
        • Cambridge
        • Chelmsford
        • East Bridgewater
        • East Harwich
        • Fairhaven
        • Fall River
        • Falmouth
        • Fitchburg
        • Framingham
        • Franklin
        • Gardner
        • Greenfield
        • Holyoke
        • Lowell
        • Marlborough
        • Melrose
        • New Bedford
        • Newton
        • North Dartmouth
        • North Reading
        • Plymouth
        • Quincy
        • Revere
        • Sagamore
        • Salem
        • Sandwich
        • South Dennis
        • Spencer
        • Sturbridge
        • Sudbury
        • Taunton
        • Tewksbury
        • Waltham
        • Watertown
        • West Springfield
        • Worcester
    • Holyoke Vision Center
    • Center for Adaptive Eye Care SEMA
    • MCPHS Eye and Vision Center
    • DDS Vision Care Guidelines
    • Eye Health & Safety
    • Eye Conditions & Simulations >
      • A
      • B
      • C
      • D
      • E
      • F
      • G
      • H
      • I
      • K
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      • M
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      • S
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    • In the News
  • Everyday Life
    • Strategies
    • COVID Resources
    • Deafblind Resources
    • Orientation & Mobility >
      • Movement, Safety and Fun
    • Recreation >
      • Leisure and Learning at Home
    • Local & National Organizations
  • Tech and Access
    • Apps for Vision Loss
    • Technology Equipment
    • Technology Resources
    • Products for Accessibility
    • News and Information Access
  • Students
    • Birth - 22 >
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    • Transition
  • Connect
    • Focus Blog
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  • Training
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    • Conferences & Workshops >
      • "Focus" Conference Archive
    • Equitable Access
    • Online Courses & Webinars
    • Downloadable Resources & Videos
    • Train the Trainer: Human Guide >
      • Trainer Log In (password needed)
    • Train the Leader: Support Groups >
      • Support Group Leader Log in (password required)