AFB Blog

Are you interested in employment and transition? The Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB) is planning a free online event that will coincide with the November-December JVIB Special Issue on Employment and Transition, edited by Karen Wolffe. The week of November 18th, JVIB will be hosting an open forum with a blog by Joe Strechay, program manager for CareerConnect, the American Foundation for the Blind's employment information resource for students and adults with vision loss…

Editor's note: We recently asked Emily to write this post for us, discussing the importance of specialized services. You can also read Joe Strechay's thoughts on specialized employment services here. Simply walk into your average classroom, pre-school through high school, and you will immediately be aware of how much learning is processed visually. The obvious examples are posters on the wall. They're often not just for fun, but provide "hints" for students to remember their ABC's or even…

As advocates for people who are blind or visually impaired, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) knows first-hand the value of specialized services. They change lives by teaching people with vision loss the skills needed to thrive in the classroom, the workplace and everyday life. Yet, these services are almost perpetually in danger of being cut due to shrinking state budgets. It is therefore crucial that we continue to advocate to our policymakers of their importance, and to ensure…

On October 15, we celebrate National White Cane Safety Day, or as I call it more plainly, White Cane Day. So, you might remember that the nickname for my long white cane is "Slim," as I have written about him on the AFB Blog and FamilyConnect Blog in past years. That's right: I am 35 years old, and have a nickname for my long white cane. You know, my white cane and I travel the country, and I depend on this tool to protect me in many environments. No, I am not a member of Seal Team Six, I am…

As the federal government shutdown continues, I am troubled by some of what I've been hearing—and some of what I've not been hearing. On October 1, as the shutdown began, I heard some comments on news programs that they didn't really notice any change. And as Day 1 of the shutdown came to a close, the House of Representatives took up bills to fund certain parts of the government, the ones that people may already be noticing, such as closed national parks. This is sad and irresponsible. Of…

Everyone in the blindness field, and every braille reader, knows the name of Abraham Nemeth. He's probably the biggest name in blindness, if there is such a thing. This morning, I was saddened and shocked to hear of his passing. I had the lucky, really just lucky, opportunity to meet Dr. Nemeth several times. The first was at an NFB convention in Chicago. It was my first convention, and I had just started a new job at... you probably won't remember... Computer Aids Corporation... and they…

As my favorite month of the year kicks off, I think of all of the exciting updates I will be providing about AFB CareerConnect—new content and stories. I don't just love October because of Halloween, and getting to dress up (though I have been known to enjoy the whole costume tradition and Halloween parties—I make a mean pirate). No, the real reason I love October is because it's National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It focuses on my favorite topics: employment and persons with…

Now that the U.S. Congress has once again given the American people a reason to lose confidence in them by failing to avoid a federal government shutdown, there are more questions than answers. What will become of so many of the programs and services affecting people who are blind or visually impaired? What are the long-term implications? How long will the government be closed for business? Well, at least with respect to core programmatic functions, such as special education and vocational…

[Editor's note: In 2007, AFB Press published "Cortical Visual Impairment: An Approach to Assessment and Intervention" by Christine Roman-Lantzy. Pictured on the cover was 12 year-old Jeremy Sun. We recently caught up with his mother, Cynthia, to see how Jeremy, now 18, was doing.] Tell us about Jeremy. How has he been doing? Jeremy is now 18 years old and ready to move on to a new environment this autumn. His case manager is now putting together a program which incorporates some academics…