JAWS is a Windows screen reader designed for totally blind individuals. This presentation will provide an understanding of what screen readers are able to do. JAWS will be demonstrated with Microsoft Office and with Google Workspace. Beginning instruction on browsing the Internet will be presented as will frequently used keystrokes. The CA School for the Blind Screen Reader Training website will be presented. The W3C accessibility guidelines will be discussed.
Learning Objectives
- Individuals will develop an understanding of beginning JAWS commands, to include using the Startup Wizard. We always turn off the touchpad on the Windows PC.
- Individuals will develop an understand of the importance of using HTML commands to browse the web with JAWS.
- Individuals will develop an understanding of which web pages are more accessible and which web pages are less accessible.
Traditional employment programs for blind individuals often rely on campus-based training. The Foundation for Blind Children (FBC) takes a real-world approach, ensuring clients build skills in their actual environments. Our comprehensive training includes Assistive Technology, Orientation & Mobility (home/work travel, flights), Daily Living Skills (self-care, cooking, cleaning), Braille, and Adjustment to Disability.
The Employment Launch Pad provides hands-on job search support, employer connections, interview preparation, accommodations, and 90-day follow-ups.
This session will present three years of data, showcasing success rates, client feedback, and evolving best practices. Attendees will gain insights into effective strategies for preparing blind individuals for lasting employment and independent living. Join us to learn how FBC empowers independence and achieves outstanding employment outcomes.
Learning Outcomes
- Enhanced Understanding of Real-World Training Approaches: Participants will gain insights into the unique real-world training methods employed by the Foundation for Blind Children (FBC), which prepare clients for actual environments rather than campus-based settings. This includes comprehensive training in assistive technology, orientation and mobility, daily living skills, Braille, and emotional support.
- Effective Employment Support Strategies: Attendees will learn about FBC's Employment Launch Pad, which provides hands-on job search support, employer connections, interview preparation, accommodations planning, and 90-day follow-ups. They will understand how these strategies contribute to successful employment outcomes for blind and visually impaired individuals.
- Data-Driven Best Practices: Participants will be presented with five years of data showcasing FBC's success rates, client feedback, and evolving best practices. They will learn how to apply these data-driven insights to improve their own programs and support services for blind and visually impaired individuals.
Despite advancements in civil rights protections and non-discrimination laws, people with disabilities continued to be employed at much lower rates than their non-disabled peers. This unacceptable practice persists for many reasons, all of which need to end. It is well established that people with disabilities also experience higher rates of poverty. The only route out of poverty is WORK, yet we continue to deny individuals the opportunity for real work at real wages. Let's end this practice now and understand that when everybody works, everybody wins.
Learning Outcomes
- Recognize and accept that employment opportunities are a right for everyone including individuals with significant disabilities.
- Understand multiple strategies/approaches to employment and how to best utilize these to meet employment needs of individuals facing workplace barriers.
- Generate 3 positive statements to support and encourage individuals to seek real jobs at real wages.
Customized Employment is transforming the way individuals with significant disabilities access meaningful work. This session will provide an overview of Arizona’s Customized Employment Pilot, an innovative initiative designed to enhance competitive integrated employment outcomes. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the Customized Employment process, including Discovery, job development, and employer engagement. Through real-world examples and insights from the pilot’s implementation, this session will explore how professionals can leverage Customized Employment strategies to create inclusive work opportunities tailored to individual strengths. Join us to learn how Customized Employment is reshaping employment services in Arizona.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the foundational principles of Customized Employment, including Discovery, job development, and employer engagement.
- Identify key components of Arizona’s Customized Employment Pilot and how it is shaping employment services in the state.
- Learn strategies for implementing CE within their own organizations, including practical tools and lessons learned from pilot implementation.
The new APH Monarch has a multi-line refreshable braille display that renders on-demand tactile graphics in an easily accessible format, bringing interactive mathematics, science, language arts, music, and other learning directly to the fingertips of students in ways only previously imagined. During this session, we will discuss the skills that must be first be learned with graphics created using traditional methods before being transferred to an electronic braille display. Participants will gain insight into the ways that students most effectively learn to read tactile graphics, and how the Monarch takes that learning and academic/recreational access to new levels.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will learn about three unique features on the APH Monarch that make interactive tactile graphics learning possible.
- Participants will discuss five foundational skills that must be first be learned with graphics created using traditional methods before being transferred to an electronic braille display.
- Participants will gain three insights into the ways that students most effectively learn to read tactile graphics, and how the Monarch takes that learning and academic/recreational access to new levels.
In life, we want to find things that will help us in our endeavor to do great things. Technology can help us or hinder us depending on how it is used. As technology continues to advance and integrate into every aspect of our lives, it is important that we learn to maximize its efficiency while still maintaining one’s personal self-efficacy, problem solving skills and mobility skills. This presentation will discuss best practices for integrating technology use in orientation and mobility instructions (however the principles can be applied in all disciplines). Things that will be covered will include the compass app, Moovit app, transit apps, google maps, Blindsquare, ride share apps, note taking, recordings, technologies such as Aira, Meta Glasses and AI enhancing navigation tools.
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding Foundational Skills: Participants will gain insight into the essential O&M skills needed to effectively use technology in Orientation and Mobility.
- Real-Life Applications: Participants will explore real-life examples of how various apps and technologies can enhance their travel experiences.
- Implementing Structured Discovery: Participants will acquire strategies for integrating Structured Discovery Training with technology and cane travel to enhance their teaching practices.
Individuals with disabilities often experience trauma due to medical interventions, systematic barriers, and social stigma, which can impact their employment journey. Vocational Rehabilitation professionals must integrate trauma informed strategies to foster engagement, retention and long term success. This presentation explores the intersection of trauma disability, and employment, offering practical tools for trauma responsive services delivery. Attendees will learn how to apply structured and predictable processes, strength based employment planning, and self regulation techniques to support individuals with mental health conditions. The session will also emphasize counselors role in VR, reinforcing the importance of engagement, empowerment and client centered planning. By implementing these best practices, VR professionals can create a more inclusive and effective system that acknowledges trauma and promotes meaningful employment outcomes for individuals with
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Intersection of Trauma and Disability
- Apply Trauma Informed Care Principles in Vocational Rehabilitation
- Enhance the Counselors Role in Trauma Informed VR Services
The Rapid Roundtable Forums will take place in the Yucca Room.
Rapid Roundtable Forum Topics
- Getting Past the Transportation Desert (Snead / Barry)
- Makers Making Change AZ Chapter (Levac)
- NAMI Ending the Silence (Cross)
- Something to Talk About: Advance Care Planning – Helping to Guide Medical Decision Making (Sutter)
