5 minute summary of data This session is a panel discussion of the preliminary findings of the Flatten Inaccessibility study, which investigated the impact of COVID-19 on US adults who are blind or have low vision. The survey was completed…
Author: VSAadmin (page 9)
Working to Achieve Medicare Coverage of Low Vision Devices
The Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition was formed to raise awareness and build support for policies that will enhance access to assistive devices, technologies, and related services for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. The coalition is broad-based including disability and aging organizations as well as health and provider associations.
Now Thats Good News
Live Virtual Celebration Event
Thank you to those that shared your good news and accomplishments over the last few months with us. Join us on August 12th at 3 pm ET/ 12 pm PT for our live event: Now That’s Good News as we highlight good news from our members. This event will be MC’d by Mike Gilliam (CEO of Lighthouse San Antonio) with videos, prizes, lighthearted humor, and fun! Come to celebrate the good work of our members. Join us to share in the good news and the fun. All are welcome to attend.
Breathe in…Breathe Out
Today is Monday, April 27, 2020, which would have been our first full day together in Albuquerque, New Mexico for our CEO-Focused Summit. I was feeling sentimental over the weekend – grieving for what might have been. View the photos from…
Resilience and Responsiveness in a Time of Unprecedented Challenge
Author: Paul Schroeder, April 8, 2020
Across the US, businesses, and agencies, and the communities and individuals they serve are struggling in countless ways to maintain well-being – physical, mental and economic. And, our political leaders are also struggling, with limited resources and levers to provide assistance and guidance. Recently enacted legislation has certainly helped and most agree that more action will be needed. In light of these unprecedented times, making our voices heard, on behalf of those we serve, those we employ and those we care for is more challenging than ever. Over the next several issues of Enews, we will try to keep you informed of developments and action needed regarding policy advocacy and provide resources here and on the website. Read on to see current threats to education, accessibility, and voting rights.
Important Survey Shared Flattening the Inaccessibility Curve
Today VisionServe Alliance joins many other organizations and companies in a collaborative project to collect data and information about the experiences of adults who are blind or have low vision during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the lives of adults with visual impairments and to identify solutions for these challenges.
VisionServe Alliance Joins Nonprofit Community in Signing COVID-19 Stimulus Letter
March 19, 2020 – VisionServe Alliance joined over 144 national nonprofit organizations calling for the federal government to pass a stimulus bill to support nonprofit organizations facing the COVID-19 crisis.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act Signed
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) was signed by President Donald Trump on March 18. A congressional summary of H.R. 6201 can be found here.
Lou Moneymaker Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Lou was present with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the VisionServe 2019 conference in Atlanta Lou Moneymaker, former President of BOSMA Enterprises Lou Moneymaker has dedicated his life to service. For 50 years, Lou has worked to create equal opportunities…
David Ekin Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Dave was the President of the Board of the National Council of Private Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCPABVI) from 2001-2004 . Back then NCPABVI was a loosy-goosy volunteer led organization, so whoever was President of the Board also…
Rod Haneline Receives Excellence in Managerial Leadership Award 2019
Nominated by Sue Daniels, Leader Dogs for the Blind “It is with great pleasure that we, the chief executive officers of Leader Dogs for the Blind and Guiding Eyes for the Blind, recommend Rod M. Haneline, vice president and chief…
Mike Gilliam Awarded Excellence in Leadership 2019
Presented by Erika Petach, BVRS- Pittsburgh “Not only has Mike achieved tremendous success for the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind (SALB) during his tenure as CEO. He has also been a significant contributor to the field and a mentor…
Sharon Giovinazzo Awarded Roxann Mayros Champion Award
Presented by Lauren Branch, NewView Oklahoma “I respectfully nominate Sharon Giovinazzo for this year’s Roxanne Mayros Champion Award. I believe Sharon embodies the spirit of this award. I have known Sharon since her days as an employee of Central Association…
Bryan Bashin Awarded Excellence in Leadership Award 2019
Present by Sassy Outwater-Wright, MAB Community Services “The leaders who effect the most transformative change are those who, by their example, support the work of those around them, encourage exploration, and invite in diverse voices and topics of inclusion before,…
Take-Aways From the ELC in Atlanta
“There is lots of work to be done, and together we can do it.”
181 leaders in the blindness and low vision field attended VisionServe’s Executive Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia this past November. This figure sets a record high attendance for any of our conferences and included representatives from 75 VisionServe member organizations (61% of VisionServe’s total membership).
Executive Leadership Conference to Provide 100% Accessibility for Blind and Visually Impaired Attendees; Exciting Technology To Be Demonstrated
November 3 – 6, 2019 at the Georgian Terrace in Atlanta, GA
St. Louis, Missouri – September, 2019 – Over 220 national leaders will convene in Atlanta, Georgia this fall for discussions on the future of providing services to people who are blind or have low vision. With more than 26.9 million[1] American adults in the US and 226 million[2] more around the world living with blindness and low vision, and thousands more projected to join these ranks, this is an important national issue.
VisionServe Alliance Forms Aging & Vision Loss National Coalition
St. Louis, Missouri – August 7, 2019 – VisionServe Alliance announces it is spearheading the new Aging & Vision Loss National Coalition to tackle critical issues related to older people experiencing impaired sight as the result of age-related eye diseases. The coalition is comprised of 15 national, state, local, private and public agencies representing broad constituencies who will advocate for equal access and quality of life for older Americans with vision loss.
Web-based Referral System Launched in Florida, New Hampshire and Oklahoma
St. Louis, Missouri—February 20, 2019 – VisionServe Alliance has launched a pilot program of its new web-based patient referral system known as “VisionRefer!” The web-based referral system will help make referrals of low vision patients by their doctors to vision rehabilitation centers nationwide easy, fast, and HIPAA compliant. The goal is to make VisionRefer! available to every ophthalmologist in the country by year end and to increase referrals to VisionServe members.
Results of the 5th Biennial Compensation and Benefits Survey Now Available
St. Louis, Missouri – June 19, 2018 – In partnership with the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB), VisionServe Alliance announces that the results of the 5th Biennial Compensation & Benefits Survey are now available to all participating members. This survey is the only comprehensive survey performed in the field for vision rehabilitation professionals, manufacturing positions, and executives.