OIB-TAC January Webinar: Navajo Elders, Blindness, and Cultural Competence Part 1

Join OIB-TAC on January 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CT, for our next webinar! There are 574 federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Native Villages in the United States, along with many other state-recognized tribes. Beliefs, customs, and cultural foundations vary among the many Tribal Nations. Join us for Part 1 of this enlightening presentation by disability advocate, Sacheen Smith. This webinar explores culturally competent practices when working with Navajo (Diné) Elders who are blind or have low vision. Drawing on key insights from Native Communities on Health and Disability: Borderland Dialogues, the session highlights how cultural worldviews, relational communication styles, and traditional understandings of disability shape the experiences of Navajo Elders.

Participants will learn how oral tradition, cultural silence, family-centered decision-making, and concepts of hózhó (balance and harmony) influence service engagement and trust-building. This guidance emphasizes respectful collaboration with families, recognition of traditional healing perspectives, and strategies that honor autonomy, dignity, and cultural identity.

Attendees will gain practical approaches to enhance service delivery, reduce barriers, and support self-determination for Navajo Elders with blindness or low vision.

Sacheen Smith is a Diné (Navajo) artist, advocate, and presenter dedicated to advancing disability rights, youth empowerment, and creative expression. With decades of leadership in national organizations, she brings her lived experience as a blind Diné woman to keynote talks, policy advocacy, mentorship, and arts education. Her work spans exhibitions, publications, and community initiatives, championing accessible education and uplifting individuals with disabilities across diverse communities. This webinar is supported by the New Mexico Commission for the Blind.

This webinar is available for one ACVREP credit. Visit the following link to find instructions on how to obtain CE credits.

Click here to register for our January Webinar!

Job Opening with the OIB-TAC

The OIB-TAC is currently accepting applications for an intermittent worker position. Please visit our website to learn more about the open position and to apply.

Hadley Discussion Groups for January 2026

Here is a list of discussion groups hosted by Hadley for the month of January:

• Tuesday, January 13
  • Group: Writers’ Circle
  • Topic: Where Do I Begin?
  • 1 p.m. CT
• Tuesday, January 20
  • Group: Resource Roundtable
  • Topic: Navigating Key Financial Resources
  • Time: 1 p.m. CT
• Tuesday, January 27
  • Group: Tech It Out
  • Topic: Accessible Appliances
  • Time: 1 p.m. CT
• Wednesday, January 28
  • Group: What’s Cooking
  • Topic: Adventures in Food Tasting
  • Time: 4 p.m. CT

To join a discussion group live or listen to the archives, first sign up for a free login at www.hadleyhelps.org or call 800-323-4238 to register free by phone, or to get the meeting I.D.

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