Events

The 2025 OIB Program Manager's Conference is scheduled for February 26-27, 2025, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

Join us as our panel of presenters share the array of activities and services offered with Area Agencies On Aging along with the benefits of connecting with these resources to promote collaboration and inclusion.

Join Dr. Stephanie Welch-Grenier, CVRT/COMS/TVI, to learn about smart devices and smart home options on the market, along with considerations for determining the appropriateness of incorporating smart devices into the home.

When working with older adults, we may find they have a concern about safely and confidently preparing meals. Join Susan Dalton, CVRT, and Jennifer Ottowitz, CVRT, to discover why and when countertop appliances would be the best option, not just the trendy option, for consumers.

Orientation and mobility (O&M) skills involve much more than crossing streets and using public transportation. Join James Scott Crawford, COMS, CLVT, CATIS, as we discuss the variety of basic skills that fall under O&M which can be helpful for older adults including those with additional mobility issues.

Although suicide in the general population has been described as a crisis, with rates at all-time highs, research has demonstrated that those with a disability are at four times higher risk. Dr. Michael Nadorff and Ms. Chandler McDaniel, from Mississippi State University, will explain why we believe suicide is so high among those with a disability, and more importantly, how we can reduce suicide risk.

Are you looking for ways to meet the orientation and mobility (O&M) needs of your consumers? Join Marc Gillard from Guide Dogs for the Blind and Leslie Hoskins from Leader Dogs for the Blind as they share information about basic O&M training available to help meet the needs of your consumers regardless of a guide dog goal.

AI is the latest buzzword, but what exactly is it and where does it fit in your teaching toolkit? Join us for a conversation with Ricky Enger as we explore real-world examples for using artificial intelligence in daily living, on the job, and for recreation.

Join Carol Hamer and Scott Davert from Helen Keller as we discuss appropriateness, accessibility, and information to help those working with individuals who are blind or have low vision understand the pros and cons of OTC hearing aids for this population.

Whether you’re preparing information for staff, community partners, or the individuals you serve, you don’t need to be an accessibility expert to make your documents more accessible to readers of all abilities.

Whether support groups are peer-lead and community-based, agency lead and hosted, virtual or in-person, educational or social, vision rehabilitation professionals value the role of the vision loss support group in aiding the adjustment process for the individuals they serve.

As professionals, we recognize that a new diagnosis of vision impairment can bring feelings of sadness, fear, frustration, and even stubbornness, which can impede an individual from seeking or accepting help. What can we do to facilitate growth in this early stage?