- NOMC - lists.nbpcb.org

NBPCB SD Professional Code of Conduct
by admin＠nbpcb.org 06 Dec '21

06 Dec '21

Greetings, This is a reminder to those of you who have not yet signed the April 2021 Structured Discovery Professional Code of Conduct that you need to do so before the end of this month. You can access the code and submit your signed copy by going to our website, www.nbpcb.org <http://www.nbpcb.org> . As always, please let us know if you have any questions or if you just want to verify that we have your signed code on file. As we have been communicating to our certificants since July, those who choose to not sign this code will forfeit Structure Discovery Professional certification with our organization as of January 1, 2022. Please reach out to your friends and colleagues to be sure that they are aware of this information as we do not want to terminate anyone's certification without their knowledge of this requirement. We hope that all of you have a happy and peaceful New Year! NBPCB Office PO Box 2373 Ruston LA 71273 318 299-7340 <mailto:admin at nbpcb.org> admin at nbpcb.org <http://www.nbpcb.org> www.nbpcb.org <https://www.nbpcb.org/pages/lookup.php> Click here to verify the status of NBPCB certified professionals

1 0

FW: job posted
by ebell＠pdrib.com 06 Dec '21

06 Dec '21

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY Your Partner for A Stronger Arizona DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision that every child, adult, and family in Arizona will be safe and economically secure. Our Mission is to make Arizona stronger by helping Arizonans reach their full potential through temporary assistance for those in need, and care for the vulnerable. REHABILITATION INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES SPECIALIST 3 Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA) <http://www.azdes.gov> www.azdes.gov 3443 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012 Salary: $38,962.12 Grade: 18 Closing Date: 17 December 2021 Would you like to be part of an amazing culture that helps Arizonans reach their full potential through temporary assistance? The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) is looking for individuals that are committed to service, community, and teamwork. DERS Mission/ Job Summary: The Department of Economic Security, Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) performs an integral role in improving Arizona?s workforce by assisting individuals who are unemployed or underemployed, and those with barriers, to prepare for and obtain meaningful employment. DERS supports Arizona employers with recruitment assistance by connecting them to a skilled workforce. We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Rehabilitation Instructional Services Specialist 3 with the Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA). This position is responsible for working under the RAES Assistant Manager teaching independent living skills which include Orientation and Mobility, Home Management, Personal Management, Communication, plus functional Low Vision evaluation and Orientation and Adjustments to blindness as well as the provision of adaptive aids and devices. Duties: * Vision Rehabilitation Therapist/Nationally Certified Rehabilitation Teacher of the Blind. * Teach independent living skills to blind or visually impaired persons in appropriate environment(s) (home, skills center, work). * Record clients? performance and evaluate clients? progress. * Interview clients for services, noting essential information and client?s need and reason for applying. * Develop service plan based on assessment and knowledge of client?s situation, gained from interviewing, and gathering case information. * Performs functional low vision evaluations. * Attend meetings of community action or community service organizations. * Develop and participate in the development of training aids, instructional guides, written and performance tests and other instructional course material. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSAs): * Knowledge of limitations imposed by blindness/visual impairment. * Knowledge of the methods and techniques of instructing blind/visually impaired persons. * Knowledge of adaptive aids/devices available for blind/visually impaired persons. * Knowledge of resources available in the community. * Skills in teaching a range of independent living skills to blind/visually impaired persons. * Skills in behavioral observation, evaluation, and interpretation. * Skills in counseling blind/visually impaired persons to provide information, assist in the resolution of adjustment to disability problems. * Skills in oral and written communication. * Ability to motivate. * Ability to prioritize, assign and organize work. * Ability to multitask and problem solve. * Ability to work well with others. Selective Preference(s): * Rehabilitation Teacher or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. * Master?s degree in Rehabilitation Teaching, with certification as either a Rehabilitation Teacher or a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist or Low Vision Specialist. * Counseling degree or counseling skills or experience in addressing adjustment to disability issues. Pre-Employment Requirements: * Bachelor?s or master?s degree in Rehabilitation Teaching, Vision Rehabilitation, Special Education, Education, Social work, Counseling, or a degree with an emphasis in Rehabilitation or closely related field. * Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify), applicable to all newly hired State employees. * Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency?s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions. * Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459. * Candidate shall have or meet the requirements to obtain prior to their first day of employment, a valid Level One Arizona fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults. Benefits: We offer a competitive benefits package that is unmatched by the private sector and a culture that encourages team success and advocates for personal advancement. - Affordable Health, Dental, Vision and Life and Disability Insurance - 10 holidays per year - Paid Vacation and Sick time off - start earning it your 1st day - Eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications) - Contribute to, and participate in the Arizona State Retirement System - Ride Share and Public Transit Subsidy - Career Advancement Opportunities - Tuition reimbursement - Opportunity to work remotely (home office) on an ad-hoc basis Retirement: State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments. On, or shortly after, your first day of work, you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates. Contact Us: For questions about this career opportunity, please call (480) 204-2707 or email daisyrhodes at azdes.gov <mailto:daisyrhodes at azdes.gov> . Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting (480) 204-2707 or email daisyrhodes at azdes.gov <mailto:daisyrhodes at azdes.gov> . Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com ************* "I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops." -- Stephen Jay Gould From: EvaMarie Sanchez <evamariesanchez at azdes.gov> Sent: Friday, December 03, 2021 10:37 AM To: Edward Bell <ebell at pdrib.com> Subject: job posted Hello, our posting for a new rehab teacher is live as of today. Attached is a summary of the position for you to share with any you feel are qualified and may be interested. Thank you, Eve Sanchez, MA NCRTB Program Manager OIB Arizona RSA ILB Cell: (480)322-7448 3443 N Central Ave suite 110 Phoenix AZ 85012 Fax: (602)250-8583 Empowering individuals with vision loss to gain and retain confidence, independence and employability. NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential under state and federal law. This information may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply email and then delete the original. Thank you. NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential under state and federal law. This information may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-mail, and then delete the original e-mail. Thank you.

1 0

FW: Vacancy Notice - NCBVI Technology Manager
by jeff.altman＠nebraska.gov 01 Dec '21

01 Dec '21

From: Halvorson, Kevin <Kevin.Halvorson at nebraska.gov> Sent: Wednesday, December 1, 2021 5:01 PM Subject: Vacancy Notice - NCBVI Technology Manager Hello, The following position is being posted and available for application: IT Infrastructure Support Analyst Senior (NCBVI Technology Manager) - NCBVI Closes - 01/04/2022 For more information, click HERE<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gover…> *if the link doesn't work, copy the link into a different web browser It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess, including your current position. Information contained in a resume will not be considered in lieu of the formal application. AS Personnel will reject your application if it is not complete or if you do not provide the required materials. Please read the job posting and the requirements carefully before you submit your application. Once you submit your application for a job, you cannot modify it for that job, nor re-apply for that job, unless the job is posted again. When you have successfully applied for a job, you will receive an instant confirmation via e-mail. Thank you, Kevin Halvorson, C.L.S.S.Y.B. Lead Human Resources Specialist - Recruitment | Shared Services HR Nebraska Department of Administrative Services 1526 K Street, Suite 150 I Lincoln, NE 68508 OFFICE 531-207-3602 | FAX 402-742-8361 kevin.halvorson at nebraska.gov<mailto:kevin.halvorson at nebraska.gov> Treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically, and creating a culture where the customer is always the priority.

1 0

Fwd: VRCBVI Virtual Trainings - Fall, 2021
by becky.keller＠dbvi.virginia.gov 29 Nov '21

29 Nov '21

Hello fellow NOMC'ers!! Happy holiday season to you all!! I would like to cordially invite any and all of you who might have a couple of hours available this Friday afternoon, the 3rd of December from 1pm to 3pm eastern standard time, to join our virtual training session our Center is putting on here in Richmond, Virginia. The Zoom gathering is entitled "Discovering Freedom with the Long White Cane". We hope to engage the audience in a lively discussion highlighting the cane and its immense value for individuals who are blind, and share stories focusing on individual journey's when it comes to the acceptance of the cane. I am certain that your personal stories and insights would greatly add to our conversation, so I hope that you can gather with us. Please see the advertisement below and click on the link to register. Hope to see you there! Take care and all the best to you! *Becky Keller, MA, NOMC, COMS* *Lead Orientation and Mobility Instructor* Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired 401 Azalea Avenue <https://maps.google.com/?q=401+Azalea+Avenue+Richmond,+VA+23227+(804&entry=…> Richmond, VA 23227 <https://maps.google.com/?q=401+Azalea+Avenue+Richmond,+VA+23227+(804&entry=…> (804) 371-3093 <(804)%20371-3093> becky.keller at dbvi.virginia.gov Facebook: VDBVI <https://www.facebook.com/VDBVI> Worldwide Web: Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired <http://www.vrcbvi.org/> YouTube: VRCBVI <http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwsqnBw28gUNgMMSkH_eYci37g9XY6Qzd> "Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome." *-Arthur Ashe* **CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE** This message (including any attachments) contains information that may be confidential. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the intended recipient), you may not read, print, retain, use, copy, distribute, or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail, and destroy all copies of the original message (including any attachments). *VRCBVI is pleased to continue its virtual training program on Friday afternoons this fall!* *VRCBVI Virtual Trainings are open to anyone and free of charge. * Like our prior trainings, we will be using Zoom as our virtual platform. If any accommodations are needed, please contact Amy Phelps ( amy.phelps at dbvi.virginia.gov) no later than fourteen days in advance of the training. And if you have any questions about the registration process or virtual training sessions, please contact Greg Chittum at 804-371-3204 or greg.chittum at dbvi.virginia.gov. Finally, we offer certificates of participation to individuals who need to maintain professional certification. If you would like a certificate for a training you attend, please email brooke.rogers at dbvi.virginia.gov with the title of the presentation, the beginning and ending codes, and the certification you are maintaining. *Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision ImpairedVirtual Trainings - Fall, 2021Friday afternoons - October 15 through December 10* *Friday, November 12* - 1:00 to 3:00 (2 hours) *Conversations About Blindness - Give and Receive: Sharing Holiday Traditions That Mean the Most To You* What role do you play in your family?s holiday traditions? In this session, participants will share how they celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and beyond. You will learn that blindness does not have to stop you from bringing comfort and joy to others during this season. Sometimes, the greatest gift you can receive is found in what you do for others. *Facilitator:* Melody Roane, VRCBVI Director *Friday, November 19* - 1:00 to 3:00 (2 hours) *November is American Diabetes Month* 88 million adults have prediabetes and 34.2 million have diabetes. Join this webinar to learn if you are at risk for developing diabetes, to get an overview of diabetes, and to learn about resources that can help you better manage your health to prevent or control diabetes. *Presenter:* Kim Ladd, Health Educator *Friday, December 3* - 1:00 to 3:00 (2 hours) *Discovering Freedom with the Long White Cane* What is the long white cane?s purpose? How do I know if I am ready for a long white cane? Why would I ever want to use one? What will my friends and family think if I used a cane? Come join us for a lively discussion highlighting the long white cane and the freedom it provides. *Presenters:* VRCBVI Orientation and Mobility Instructors: Becky Keller, Jimmy Morris and Sarah Call *Friday, December 10* - 1:00 to 2:30 (1 hour 30 minutes) *Let?s get cooking!!! Episode 1: Brownies* Who doesn?t love a rich, warm brownie on a cold December night? Join Michael Triplett and Dave Fuller for a 90 minute, step-by-step presentation on Baking Brownies non-visually. Topics will include: accessing recipes, ingredients and tools you will need, setting up your workspace, setting the temperature on your oven, measuring techniques, stirring and pouring techniques, how to crack eggs, how to safely place your dish into and take out of a hot oven, and tips on cutting and plating your brownies. Just in time for the holidays, learn how to make this tasty treat independently in your home kitchen to share with your family and friends. *Presenters: VRCBVI Personal and Home Management Instructors: Michael Triplett and Dave Fuller * Please use the following link for session details and to register! VRCBVI Virtual Trainings - Fall, 2021 <https://www.formrouter.net/forms at VRCB/VirtualTrainingsFall2021.html> -- Greg Chittum Coordinator for Community Engagement Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired 401 Azalea Ave. Richmond, VA 23227 804-371-3204 vrcbvi.org Commonwealth of Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Established 1922 ?Celebrating our past and empowering our future? www.vdbvi.org <http://www.vdbvi.org/> *Notice:* This email is for the exclusive use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain privileged and confidential information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or duplication of this email is expressly prohibited. If you are not an intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately, delete the email from your computer, and do not copy or disclose it to anyone else. Your receipt of this message is not intended to waive any applicable legal privilege and does not constitute an electronic signature or provide consent to contract electronically. Also, given the nature of electronic mail and its potential to carry computer viruses, the Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired and the sender in no way warrant a virus free transmission. You and your organization should use appropriate means to check this email and any attachments for potential viruses and to prevent their execution. -- Commonwealth of Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Established 1922 ?Celebrating our past and empowering our future?www.vdbvi.org? <http://www.vdbvi.org/> **Notice:**?This email is for the exclusive use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain privileged and confidential information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or duplication of this email is expressly prohibited. If you are not an intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately, delete the email from your computer, and do not copy or disclose it to anyone else. Your receipt of this message is not intended to waive any applicable legal privilege and does not constitute an electronic signature or provide consent to contract electronically. Also, given the nature of electronic mail and its potential to carry computer viruses, the Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired and the sender in no way warrant a virus free transmission. You and your organization should use appropriate means to check this email and any attachments for potential viruses and to prevent their execution.

1 0

Gloves
by carleymullin＠gmail.com 24 Nov '21

24 Nov '21

Hi Everyone, I hope you all are gearing up for a relaxing or at least fulfilling holiday weekend. For those of you who work in cold environments, I was wondering if you have any recommendations for good gloves to wear in very cold temperatures that still allow for control and tactile sensitivity. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot, Carley Mullin, NOMC, NCRTB Pronouns: she/her

1 0

FW: Openings in Hawaii
by ebell＠pdrib.com 22 Nov '21

22 Nov '21

*** Job openings in the Department of Education in Hawaii ** I am just checking if you have any TVI/O&M instructors who may be willing to apply for open positions in the Hawaii Dept of Education. The openings are for teachers, so the applicants would have to have a Bachelors of Education from a teaching certificate program. In Hawaii, we only have Itinerant teaching positions, so the applicant would need to travel to several schools throughout the week. Currently, we have job openings in Honolulu, HI and Hilo side of the Big Island. Here is the teach in Hawaii website about how to apply, but anyone you know who may be interested can also email me. https://www.teachinhawaii.org/ Thank you so much for your assistance. Aloha, Amy Downard TVI/O&M Honolulu Cell (808) 258-7525

1 0

FW: Vacancy Notice - Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II
by jeff.altman＠nebraska.gov 04 Nov '21

04 Nov '21

From: Halvorson, Kevin <Kevin.Halvorson at nebraska.gov> Sent: Thursday, November 4, 2021 3:09 PM Subject: Vacancy Notice - Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II Hello, The following position is being posted and available for application: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II - Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Closes - Continuous posting For more information, click HERE<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gover…> *if the link doesn't work, copy the link into a different web browser It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess, including your current position. Information contained in a resume will not be considered in lieu of the formal application. AS Personnel will reject your application if it is not complete or if you do not provide the required materials. Please read the job posting and the requirements carefully before you submit your application. Once you submit your application for a job, you cannot modify it for that job, nor re-apply for that job, unless the job is posted again. When you have successfully applied for a job, you will receive an instant confirmation via e-mail. Thank you, Kevin Halvorson, C.L.S.S.Y.B. Lead Human Resources Specialist - Recruitment | Shared Services HR Nebraska Department of Administrative Services 1526 K Street, Suite 150 I Lincoln, NE 68508 OFFICE 531-207-3602 | FAX 402-742-8361 kevin.halvorson at nebraska.gov<mailto:kevin.halvorson at nebraska.gov> Treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically, and creating a culture where the customer is always the priority.

1 0

FW: Saavi Services for the Blind seeks Orientation and Mobility Instructor
by ebell＠pdrib.com 04 Nov '21

04 Nov '21

We want you! Saavi Services for the Blind is hiring Orientation and Mobility Instructors needed at our Tucson AZ Campus and our Phoenix, AZ Campus Do you love sunshine, the outdoors, and a melting pot of culture and entertainment? Then Arizona is the place you want to be! Living in the desert affords more than 300 days of sunshine per year, a rich cultural life, great outdoor activities, great food, and it's a haven for sports fans with teams representing all four major professional sports leagues. Moving to Arizona can easily prove to be one of the best decisions you've made in a long, long time. Saavi has two training centers, one in Phoenix and one in Tucson with a satellite location in Yuma. Saavi uses nonvisual skills training for all ages based on high expectations in preparation for higher education, employment, and everyday living. Our Vision: We believe in a world where blind individuals are equal contributors locally, nationally, and throughout the world, demonstrating it is not what you can see.it is what you can do. What we offer: Competitive Salary Sign-on Bonus Moving Allowance Health Benefits for you and your family with shared costs by Saavi (Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, HSA) 401(k) Training and opportunities to grow Abundant time off including Holidays, Vacation, Sick and Personal Time We strive for work/life balance What you will do for us: * Work along side a dynamic collaborative staff serving children, Teens, working Aged Adults, and Seniors. * Evaluate the student's skill level and provide a proper cane recommendation based on their needs. * Teach using Structured Discovery and NOMC-based approved methodologies * Facilitate one-on-one and multi student environment lessons. * Plan lessons geared towards transferability that students are able to take with them in their lives and future career goals * Participate in outings where promotion of the cane is required. * Provide direct instruction with travel and navigational applications. * Teach the difference between different types of canes and promote a positive outlook of the usage of canes in the everyday life geared towards self-reliance and independence. * Foster opportunities for confidence growth at all times * Requirements * NOMC, COMMS certification or equivalent * Or have at least 5 years of experience in the field of teaching Orientation and Mobility * Or willing to work towards their NOMC apprenticeship upon employment. * Experience teaching students with secondary disabilities and adapt the curriculum based on their needs including working with PT's, OT's, and other specialists. * Able to demonstrate proficiency with a cane under learning shades. Please send your resume to <mailto:mkurtz at saavi.us> mkurtz at saavi.us We want to hear from you! Amy Porterfield Chief Operations Officer Saavi Services for the blind 520-795-1331 EXT 321 <mailto:aporterfield at saavi.us> aporterfield at saavi.us <http://www.saavi.us> www.saavi.us Expect More, Achieve More, Become more

1 0

FW: New cane with camera, sensors may help visually impaired. UPI News 2021 10 13
by ebell＠pdrib.com 18 Oct '21

18 Oct '21

Seminar Material anyone? From: Trapp, Greg, CFB <Greg.Trapp at state.nm.us> Sent: Monday, October 18, 2021 2:21 PM To: President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>; Pamela Allen <pallen at louisianacenter.org>; Edward Bell (ebell at pdrib.com) <ebell at pdrib.com>; 'nfbnewmexicopresident at gmail.com' <nfbnewmexicopresident at gmail.com> Subject: New cane with camera, sensors may help visually impaired. UPI News 2021 10 13 You have all likely already seen this article, but in case you have not I am passing it on. As I like to say when I see these kind of stories, it "brings tears to my eyes." It will definitely make a good seminar topic. New cane with camera, sensors may help visually impaired. Oct. 13 (UPI) --. Researchers at Stanford University have given the traditional white cane used by the visually impaired a technological upgrade to help them better avoid potential obstacles, they said Wednesday. Called the Augmented Cane, the new tool is equipped with multiple sensors and intuitive feedback mechanisms to guide users around indoor and outdoor obstacles and enable them to walk faster, the researchers said in an article published by Science Robotics. The new cane also includes technology to help guide users to specific locations preprogrammed into its on-board system. With additional refinements, the new cane could assist the more than 250 million people around the world who have difficulties moving outside their homes due to visual impairment, according to the researchers. The increased mobility potentially would improve the physical and mental health, as well as their economic and social well-being of those living with visual impairment, the researchers said. Robotic devices like this one actually can help improve both navigation and mobility if they are designed in a way that people find intuitive and confidence-building, researcher Patrick Slade told UPI in an email. We've built a device to help navigate in many situations, [and] a general solution like this could be beneficial, once improved as a product to make it lighter and simpler, said Slade, a post-doctoral in bioengineering at Stanford University in California. The visually impaired face a number of mobility challenges, including reduced walking speed and increased risk for accidental injury, studies have found. Traditional white canes with a red bottom section and guide dogs are commonly used tools that help people with impaired vision remain mobile and independent, but neither are perfect solutions, according to Slade and his colleagues. Older canes can help users avoid obstacles, but can only detect those within its length, and the availability of guide dogs is limited due in large part to training costs that exceed $40,000, research shows. Built with open-source technology, the current version of the Augmented Cane features a camera and GPS antenna, as well as a motorized wheel at its tip to help steer the user in real time, the researchers said. In its present form, the cane, which weighs about 2 pounds, costs about $400 to manufacture, but Slade and his colleagues hope to further refine the design to make it more user-friendly. They hope to partner with manufacturers to streamline the cane's development and, ideally, enable it to link with a user's smartphone to expand its ability to respond to needs in real time, Slade said. A similar device is in development at Virginia Commonwealth University. For this study, Slade and his colleagues assessed the walking speeds of users of the Augmented Cane. Walking speed was used as the key measure because it is reflective of a person's mobility as well as their ability to efficiently avoid potential obstacles, the researchers said. Study participants included 12 sighted adults who were blindfolded to simulate visual impairment and 12 adults with diagnosed visual impairment with experience using a white cane. Compared to a traditional white cane, the Augmented Cane increased the walking speed of people with visual impairments by an average of 18%, the data showed. Users of the Augmented Cane also had fewer collisions with obstacles in their environment and reported higher confidence in their navigation abilities, the researchers said. Although our device is relatively low cost relative to other research devices, it definitely has room for improvement to become a product, Slade said. We've open-sourced the design to help researchers and people interested in this problem to benefit from the design [and] we are thinking about streamlining future designs and would love to work with corporate partners to make a really useful product, he said. . Greg Trapp, JD Executive Director New Mexico Commission for the Blind 2200 Yale Blvd SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 505-383-2231 www.cfb.state.nm.us This email may contain confidential or privileged information meant only for the intended recipient. Any use, distribution, copying, or disclosure by any other person is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of this email and any accompanying attachments.

1 0

NBPCB Code of Conduct
by admin＠nbpcb.org 05 Oct '21

05 Oct '21

Greetings, This is just a reminder that if you are certified in either NOMC or NCRTB, we need you to sign our April 2021 Code of Conduct if you have not already done so. We are requiring all certificants to confirm that they are willing to abide by this newly adopted code. If you are planning to recertify in the next couple of months signing the document will be a part of that recertification process. If your current certification expires after December 2021, you can meet this requirement by accessing the Code of Conduct on our website www.nbpcb.org <http://www.nbpcb.org> . As we announced at this past summer's rehab conference, if we do not have a signed updated code of conduct by the end of this calendar year, certificants will forfeit their certification. If you would like to confirm that you have met this requirement, or if you just have questions, please contact us at admin at nbpcb.org <mailto:admin at nbpcb.org> . NBPCB Office PO Box 2373 Ruston LA 71273 318 299-7340 <mailto:admin at nbpcb.org> admin at nbpcb.org <http://www.nbpcb.org> www.nbpcb.org <https://www.nbpcb.org/pages/lookup.php> Click here to verify the status of NBPCB certified professionals

1 0