OIB-TAC Weekly Brief: February 19, 2026
OIB-TAC Weekly Brief: February 19, 2026

Hunter College’s Spring Beginnings Conference
Announcement from Hunter College:
Spring Beginnings is almost here!
Hunter College Blind and Visually Impaired Program, AVRT, and NYSAER
Invite you to a one-day conference.
March 6, 2026 – 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. EDT
This will be a free, virtual conference.
Our presentations this year are:
1. Service Delivery for Older Adults: Models and Effective Strategies
Presenters: Jennifer Ottowitz, CVRT and Kendra Farrow, CVRT
- This presentation explores service delivery models for vision rehabilitation in older adults, including itinerant, center-based, individual, group, and retreat approaches. Participants will examine benefits and limitations of each model, learn strategies for effective assessment, instruction, and documentation, and identify resources to address service gaps and optimize staff and program efficiency.
2. Apps You Should Know – and Teach
Presenter: Eric Boklage, CVRT, CATIS
- Come learn about a cadre of apps that collectively transform cell phones into a veritable Swiss Army Knife for those who are blind or low vision. As CVRTs, we owe it to our clients to teach them how to use these apps to enable them to thrive in today’s world.
3. Tech, Trust & Tension: Ethical Decision-Making in a High-Tech Rehab World
Presenter Ian Shadrick EdD, CRC, CVE, CVRT, OMS, FNRCA
- Client rights and informed choice
- Confidentiality and privacy
- Professional responsibility and competence
- Technology and distance counseling
- Evaluation and assessment (AI and predictive tools)
We will also have an overview of the programs at Hunter College, including some exciting new program options.
We have 1.5 to 4 CEUS pending (CTLE and ACVREP).
Please share this information with friends and colleagues who may be interested.
Register in advance for this meeting:
Hunter College Spring Beginnings Registration Link
If the above link does not work, please copy and paste it into your browser.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Linda Fugate
Project Director
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