Residents from across Northern California who have vision loss, as well as their family and friends, can explore the latest in accessible technology and the region’s top resources at Society for the Blind’s Resource and Technology Fair on Nov. 5 from 10am-2pm at 1238 S Street in Sacramento. Representatives from area nonprofits, technology vendors, Department of Rehabilitation, blindness advocacy groups and independent living resources will be onsite, and the event will include light refreshments and door prizes. More info: SocietyfortheBlind.org/events/the-2022-resource-technology-fair.
“We are thrilled that our annual Resource and Technology Fair is back in person this year,” said Shari Roeseler, executive director, Society for the Blind. “This is a great opportunity for people with vision loss and their family and friends to try out the newest accessible technology and learn about community resources.”
At the event, California Braille and Talking Book Library will present new resources for accessing information online, and North State Assistive Technology will present new wearable devices. Cohosted by Society for the Blind, California Braille and Talking Book Library, and North State Assistive Technology, the fair draws more than a hundred visitors each year.
“We are proud to once again take part in this valuable showcase of regional vendors and public service providers dedicated to technological and lifelong learning opportunities for blind and otherwise print disabled residents of Northern California,” said Mike Marlin, director, California Braille and Talking Book Library. “The timing is perfect as we launch our assistive technology lending program this fall.”
The California Braille and Talking Book Library is a branch of the California State Library which cooperates with the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Books and players are provided by the Library of Congress. The California State Library directly administers the program in Northern California. Eligible residents can check out Braille and audio book titles, as well as magazines, movies, newspapers and more, for free. Braille e-readers and the equipment needed to use audio books, are mailed postage-free to and from library patrons. For more information, visit BTBL.ca.gov.
North State Assistive Technology is located at Society for the Blind in Sacramento. Store hours are by appointment to learn more about Braille products, calculators, canes and accessories, clocks, large print keyboards, fun and games, health aids, kitchen products, marking and labeling, personal organization, sewing items, tools, watches, writing aids, video magnifiers and more. Product demos are available. To learn more or shop online, visit NorthStateAT.com.
Society for the Blind also partners with these resources and more to provide virtual miniature Resource and Technology seminars each month. For more information: SocietyfortheBlind.org. For 68 years, Society for the Blind has created innovative ways to empower individuals living with low vision or blindness to discover, develop and achieve their full potential. Society for the Blind has grown from a dedicated group of volunteers to a nationally recognized agency and the only comprehensive rehabilitative teaching center that provides services for a 27-county region of northern California. The nonprofit provides low-vision eye care, life and job skills training, mentorship, and access to tools to maintain independence for more than 5,000 youth, working-age adults and seniors experiencing vision loss each year. For more information or to donate: SocietyfortheBlind.org.