In our September 2018 Newsletter, we share out some good news, some upcoming events, and look forward to next year’s Dining in the Dark!
Blog
LGS and BIT: “Blind Person Running” Project
LGS Innovations and a talented team of students from the University of Denver have teamed up to create some amazing assistive technology that enables people who are blind or visually impaired safely run around a track. This video proves it! BIT’s own Founder and Executive Director, Mike Hess, gives the hardware a trial run.
BIT Summer News
This summer has been abuzz with activity, and we’d like to share it with you. In the latest issue of our newsletter, we highlight upcoming events, our symposium recap with links to speaker presentations, and shout out some good news. Read more >>
Recap of our 1st BIT Technology Symposium
This conference wan’t like other conferences focusing on technology in the BVI space. This was a “how to get it done” event. Presenters outlined exactly how to make impact changes and proved that the effort involved is less than most expect. Attendees walked away armed with knowing what changes can be made and how to make them and how to do it with their own organizations. Now you can benefit from the same information shared on our recap hosted by Pagedip. To see summaries, presentations, and source code, read more >>
Shedding Light on Disability
The Pueblo City-County Library District hosted an awareness event to shine a light on obstacles faced by those with disabilities and allow people without disabilities to get a sense for what it is like. Our Executive Director, Mike Hess, was there to host a “Blindfold Box Luncheon” where guests had to eat completely blindfolded. During his presentation, Mike encouraged those with disabilities to realize the value they might bring, not only to an organization, but to society as a whole. “Part of my job is to flip the perception within the job seeker to understand that you do have skills and talents and you should be proud of the work that you bring,” he said. Read more >>
Founder Mike Hess appears on Colorado TechCast
Founder Mike Hess Appears on Channel 9!
Mike Hess appears on Colorado and Company with Denise Plante!
Denise Plante chats with Mike Hess about BIT and our annual Dining in the Dark Gala on Channel 9’s Colorado & Company Program
BIT to Recognize OppenheimerFunds at Dining in the Dark 2018!
OppenheimerFunds and BIT have been hard at work creating a best-in-class diversity and inclusion program that can be scaled across the entire OppenheimerFunds organization. Read more in the full article on CSRwire, including comments by Andy Doyle, OppenheimerFunds’ Chief Human Resources Officer!
BIT Board Member Writing Seven-Part Article Series on Diversity and Inclusion
Mark Vivien, a member of the BIT Board of Directors, just published the first article in a planned seven-part series focusing on diversity and inclusion, and the value and talent that the blind and visually impaired community brings to the table. Read each of the published articles below!
BIT’s Mike Hess Receives an Inaugural Shining Stars of Vocational Rehab Award!
Governor Hickenlooper Welcomes Recipients of Shining Stars of VR Awards, Including BIT’s Own Mike Hess!
On November 16th, recipients of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s first-ever Shining Stars of VR awards received recognition during an awards ceremony at the State Capitol.
DENVER, Colo. – Nov. 16, 2017 – On November 16th, recipients of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s first-ever Shining Stars of VR awards received recognition during an awards ceremony at the State Capitol, followed by a meet and greet with Gov. John Hickenlooper.
The awards, established by the Department of Labor and Employment and its Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, honors people and organizations that are making progress in reshaping the employment landscape for people with disabilities.
Among the honorees were individuals who are achieving employment goals and changing attitudes in their respective workplaces. Other were businesses whose inclusive hiring practices are empowering workers with disabilities to achieve their employment potential. And, finally, individuals and organizations that have long championed the rights of people with disabilities.
Collectively, these award winners are tearing down barriers and making significant advances in promoting employment of people with disabilities. The Shining Stars of VR awards are an acknowledgement and a celebration of their efforts.
About the Blind Institute of Technology
Founded in 2013, the Blind Institute of Technology is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers solutions-based programs aimed at achieving its mission of reducing the excessively high unemployment and underemployment rate among the BVI community by preparing BIT candidates and the employers who hire them for long-term success. To learn more, visit www.blindinstituteoftechnology.org and connect with BIT on Facebook, @BlindInstituteT and LinkedIn.
Blind Institute of Technology Contact
Paul Lonnegren
Pulse8 PR
(720) 470-7488
plonnegren@pulse8pr.com