Technology Blizzard for the Blind and Visually Impaired Returns to Metro Detroit

The 4^th Biennial Technology Blizzard for the Blind and Visually Impaired will be Friday, February 11, 2005 from 8:30 am – 5 pm at the Dickinson Center, 18000 Newburg Road in Livonia, Michigan.

The Technology Blizzard presents both a vendor fair and information sessions to demonstrate technology solutions for people with visual impairments. This year, vendors and presenters will also share ideas for people with learning disabilities. Students, teachers, adults, seniors with low vision, service providers, families and a host of others interested in learning more about new products and new ways to apply technology are invited!

Along with Upshaw Institute for the Blind, the Technology Blizzard is sponsored by the Wayne County RESA V.I. Task Force and the Michigan School for the Deaf and Blind. Special thanks to the Livonia Public Schools for hosting the Blizzard.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Dan Oates, national coordinator of the Space Camp program for visually impaired youngsters that is held annually at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Dan will talk about Space Camp and other opportunities for young people who are blind or visually impaired to expand their knowledge and skills in technology areas.

Also presenting this year will be Cliff Winters of the American Foundation for the Blind’s Career Connect web service. Career Connect offers a variety of online helps including a mentor program in which a visually impaired person can be paired with a visually impaired mentor working in his or her career area. Other online tips provide advice on resumes, how to conduct a job hunt, and how to learn more about a career.

The vendor fair will provide people in metropolitan Detroit with the opportunity to see new commercial products and also to learn about services available in our community. More than 40 organizations are expected to participate.

There is no cost to attend the Technology Blizzard, nor any pre-registration. Come with some questions and an open mind and take advantage of this tremendous "blizzard" of information.

For more information about the program or location, contact Beverly Arsenault at the Livonia Public Schools V.I. Program (734-744-2600, ext. 43140).