Are you interested in starting your own business but not sure where to start? Or maybe you are a VR counselor with a client who wants to start a business? Make sure you join us our upcoming webinar to learn about our new partnership with the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind - the Business Start Up Microcredential! 

The microcredential includes learning everything it takes to start a business to even taking a college class through the University of Miami in Marketing! 

Want to learn more? Join us on February 29th at 2:30 CT!

State of the World (services for the blind) with CEO Eric Yarberry!

With a new year comes the State of the World! Join CEO of World Services for the Blind, Eric Yarberry, to hear about all things WSB! What do we have planned for the year? How has Eric’s first year as CEO gone? Want to know what Eric’s favorite Assistive Technology is? We’re covering it all in the State of the World 2024!

When: January 24 at 3 CT

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrates the contributions of America's workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices.

We will be joined by several people who are blind and working in several fields, as well as Disability Rights Arkansas! Learn how people who are blind and visually impaired earned their jobs, the importance of internships, how they navigate accommodations and accessibility in the workplace, and more! 

Is a guide dog right for me? | National Guide Dog Month

Its National Guide Dog Awareness Month! Have you ever thought about the difference between a guide dog and a white cane? Maybe you’ve thought about getting a guide dog for yourself or you know someone who is interested. Make sure you join our webinar on September 27th at 1pm Central time! We’ll be joined with the admissions team at the Seeing Eye and our very own O&M Instructor, TJ! 

What you’ll take away from this webinar?

• How do I even get white cane training?

• When is the right time for me to get a guide dog?

• The process of getting a guide dog

• Tips and tricks to improve my Orientation and Mobility training

Vocational Rehabilitation 101!

Do you find the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) system confusing? Join us on Wednesday, July 26th to learn from a third generation Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Kyle Kiper! Kyle has worked in a variety of roles, and with all kinds of disabilities, in the vocational rehabilitation system. You won’t want to miss this!

What you’ll learn in this webinar:

• The History of VR & how it has changed

• How to get started in VR

• What VR can do for YOU

• How to make the most of your VR experience

As a member of, at least, the 4th generation of family members with adult onset Retinitis Pigmentosa, Kyle returned to college and is an alumnus of Arkansas State University at Beebe, Arkansas State University, Sunderland University in England, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he earned a Clinical Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. After receiving a paid clinical internship with the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Kyle promoted to Senior Counselor He also worked for the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, as a Senior Counselor specializing in Mental Health, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and PolyTrauma caseloads.

 In 2017, Kyle returned to Arkansas where he served the Little Rock Metro Caseload, for the Division of Services for the Blind, before transferring to his current position, as a Pre-Employment Transition Services Counselor, serving Students with Disabilities  in 12 Rural School Districts near the Arkansas-Oklahoma Border. He was a 2017 Mayoral Appointee to the Little Rock Workforce Development Board’s Executive Committee and was the Chair of the Services for Individuals with Disabilities Committee. 

AI For the Blind

When: June 28 at 2:30 CT

AI is everywhere these days. But have you ever thought how it is changing technology and daily life for the blind? In our latest webinar WSB is so excited to have a roundtable discussion with Be My Eyes Founder, AYES Founder, and Envision on how their apps are changing the game for the blind and visually impaired! AI for the blind can change assistive technology forever.

Hear from the Founder of Be My Eyes on their new AI features they are beta testing and how it will work going forward. AYES founder will also discuss a new app (that we love at WSB!), OKO, and how it uses AI to help those in the blind and visually impaired community use street crossings safely. Envision will also discuss how they are using AI and even have an AI powered virtual assistant!

What you’ll learn in this webinar: 

• The History of Be My Eyes, AYES (OKO), and Envision

• How Be My eyes, AYES, and Envision are implementing AI technology 

• New Features from Be My eyes 

• The Future of AI and assistive technology 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Mental Health is often overlooked for people with disabilities, but it is just as important as your physical health. 

 In this month’s webinar, we will be introducing you to our new and amazing social work team, Griselda and LaKisha! WSB offers a wide range of social work services on-campus and you can learn all about them in this informative webinar. 

When: May 25 at 2:30 CT

Learn about the Certified Accessibility Professional Program at WSB!

When: April 17 at 2:30 CT

World Services for the Blind is thrilled to announce our newest vocational training program - Certified Accessibility Professional!

Individuals who complete the Accessibility Professional course will learn to identify a variety of disabilities and challenges, use assistive technologies, compare and contrast accessibility and usability, identify local and international standards, laws, and management strategies in order to develop plans and actions resulting in products and services universally designed for all in mind. Students in this course will also take part in a small business management course aiding graduates in weighing their options in future employment.

Potential jobs available to graduates include: Accessibility Specialist Accessibility Tester Accessibility Industry Specialist, User Experience Auditor, user interface Auditor, Web Access Auditor, Digital Accessibility Specialist, Web Design Accessibility Specialist, Accessibility Engineer, Digital Accessibility Subject Matter Expert

Women in Disability Webinar

Join us for Women in Disability, a special webinar in honor of Women’s History Month! We will have a panel discussion featuring our very own Director of Education and Training, Heather, Assistive Technology Instructor, Jerri-Ann, and Ashley, who is in the workforce and a part of our mentor team. 

What you’ll take away from this webinar

• The unique struggles of being a woman with a disability and how to combat them 

• How to overcome and get into the workforce 

• How to navigate life with a disability 

Summer Fun at WSB!

Join Director of Education and Training, Heather, and Orientation and Mobility Instructor, TJ, to hear about all of the summer fun happening at WSB for 2023 and how YOU can get involved!

WSB is excited to announce our summer program for transitional-aged youth - Beyond Your Limits! This summer, we at World Services for the Blind are going to help you reach beyond your limits! We have designed a fun, educational, intensive program that will give you the knowledge, resources, connections, and courage to step into the real world with success. You will have the chance of a lifetime to interact with community leaders in leadership, politics, finance, technology, post-secondary education, workforce development, hospitality, and health education--a truly one-of-a-kind experience you will not want to miss. Learn more about Beyond your limits here

We are also extremely excited to announce our newest program for TVIs! We are hosting n Assistive Technology Boot Camp for the K-12 Teacher for the Visually Impaired. We know when it comes to teaching technology, on top of the incredible work you are already doing, you need a helping hand. World Services for the Blind is putting together a 4 week assistive technology boot camp available only to teachers of the visually impaired and Mobility Specialists working in K12. Register for the course here.

Learn about both of these excited programs on March 23 at 2pm CT! Sign up using the form below.

Summer Fun at WSB!

Join Director of Education and Training, Heather, and Orientation and Mobility Instructor, TJ, to hear about all of the summer fun happening at WSB for 2023 and how YOU can get involved!

WSB is excited to announce our summer program for transitional-aged youth - Beyond Your Limits! This summer, we at World Services for the Blind are going to help you reach beyond your limits! We have designed a fun, educational, intensive program that will give you the knowledge, resources, connections, and courage to step into the real world with success. You will have the chance of a lifetime to interact with community leaders in leadership, politics, finance, technology, post-secondary education, workforce development, hospitality, and health education--a truly one-of-a-kind experience you will not want to miss. Learn more about Beyond your limits here

We are also extremely excited to announce our newest program for TVIs! We are hosting n Assistive Technology Boot Camp for the K-12 Teacher for the Visually Impaired. We know when it comes to teaching technology, on top of the incredible work you are already doing, you need a helping hand. World Services for the Blind is putting together a 4 week assistive technology boot camp available only to teachers of the visually impaired and Mobility Specialists working in K12. Register for the course here.

Learn about both of these excited programs on March 23 at 2pm CT! Sign up using the form below.

Meet Heather, the new Director of Education and Training!

Join WSB for a webinar with our new Director of Education and Training, Heather Miller! She will be interviewed by CEO, Eric Yarberry. Hear what is upcoming for WSB, new programs, and more!

A little about Heather:

Heather lost her vision in late 2018 due to complications from diabetes.  She spent nearly two and a half years trying to find training and services before learning about WSB in early 2021.  Heather arrived at WSB in April as a scholarship student and began her pre-vocational training.  Though she had initially planned to return to the practice of law, Heather decided to remain at WSB for the Assistive Technology Instructor program.  During her time at WSB, Heather learned how to live life as a fully independent visually impaired person and started to entertain ideas of a new career path as well.  Following her graduation from the ATI program, Heather happily accepted a job as the program instructor for WSB’s online Assistive Technology Instructor and CATIS programs.  Heather is very excited to now move into the position of Director of Education and Training and is looking forward to promoting and developing  training programs that will continue to help blind and visually impaired persons find sustainable independence and a firm place in the workforce.

Heather is very thankful for the opportunity that she had to find a new career path that brings her joy and allows her to help others change their lives for the better.  Heather believes that there is no reason that a blind or visually impaired person should have to curb their dreams for the future just because they have a disability.  Heather explains that “maybe your life won’t look the way you thought it would, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go after anything you want.”  The quote she likes to remember is ”Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

When: February 27 at 3:30 CT. Join Via Zoom or Facebook Live

National Disability Employment Awareness Month Roundtable Discussion

Join WSB for an informational and open discussion about National Disability Employment Awareness Month!  

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrates the contributions of America's workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices.

Learn how people who are blind and visually impaired earned their jobs, the importance of internships, how they navigate accommodations and accessibility in the workplace, and more! We will have employees who are blind and visually impaired from several sectors including transportation, Federal government, and the accessibility field. 

Envisioning Independence - Collaboration with WSB and Envision

Join WSB and the envision team for an upcoming webinar with the co-founder of Envision, Karthik Kannan! 

Envision are lightweight glasses with a camera and speaker that speak out text and environmental information. Envision is revolutionizing the assistive technology field, and even has a new partnership with Aira!

What you’ll learn in this webinar: 

• All About the latest technology from Envision

• Demo of the glasses and how they work 

• Envision’s partnership with Aira

• How you can book your own demo

All About the Assistive Technology and CATIS Program at WSB!

WSB is known for our Assistive Technology Instructor career training program, and we are so excited to offer a path to CATIS! Join Director of Education and Training, Eric Yarberry, ATI Instructor, Heather Miller, and two current clients on what it’s like in the ATI program! 

WSB is honored to partner with ACVREP to provide a path to CATIS certification as a Category 3 applicant. A Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments, ("CATIS"), is a highly trained expert who specializes in working with individuals who are blind, visually impaired or who have functional visual limitations, and empowers them to achieve their life goals for education, employment, avocation, and independence through the use of assistive technology.

Earning the CATIS grants eligibility to work for federal and state agencies for the rehabilitation for the blind and visually impaired and k12 institutions.

What you’ll learn in this webinar:

•  All About the ATI and CATIS program at WSB

• How is CATIS different than the ATI program already offered?

• How do I become CATIS certified?

• A day in the life of the program 

• How does the online ATI program work? Do I have to move to Little Rock? 

• How do online client’s gain teaching hours? 

• What is the timeline for this program?

• What are the job prospects for CATIS?  

Conversation with Brian Bushway and Eric Yarberry

When: June 28th at 2:30 CT

At WSB we love highlighting those in the blind and visually impaired community doing amazing things for the community! Join us for our June Webinar for a chat with Brian Bushway, an Orientation and Mobility Instructor, leader in Echolocation, and mountain biker! 

What you’ll take away from this webinar: 

• How to not let blindness stop you from achieving your dreams

• The basics of echolocation 

• How to continue learning new orientation and mobility skills 

• How even sighted athletes are harnessing echolocation to achieve better results 

Sign up using the form:

From the Past to the Present - Meet the WSB Foundation!

Join us for a webinar introducing you to the WSB Foundation! Michelle will walk us through the heart of what the WSB Foundation does and how it supports WSB, as well as talk about the upcoming 75th anniversary Gala in September. 

What you’ll take away from this webinar: 

• Who is the WSB Foundation

• What the WSB Foundation does and how they support WSB

• Upcoming and current campaigns 

• The 75th Anniversary Gala 

• How you can get involved in the WSB Foundation and give back to WSB! 

Join us for Accessibility in Action in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Join us on May 19th at 12 CT for Accessibility in Action! In this Facebook Live presentation we will be speaking with several WSB alumni working in the field of Assistive Technology and Accessibility. Learn how they got started in the field, how WSB helped them get there, and some tips and tricks to make the web more accessible!

What you'll take away from this presentation: 

• How WSB can help you achieve your goals of working in assistive technology or accessibility 

• What it means to be fully accessible on the web and simple tricks to get there 

• Hear from successful alumni working in the field teaching assistive technology and providing web auditing 

• An Overview of the technology programs offered at WSB 

Join us for Facing Your Financial Fears with Penny Forward! 

For the blind and visually impaired, financial literacy is often overlooked but an incredibly important skill to learn. April is Financial Literacy Awareness Month, and in this webinar, we’ll be discussing all things financial at WSB and beyond! WSB offers a wide range of financial literacy courses and career training courses. In this webinar we are also partnering with Penny Forward, an online resource, blog, and podcast for the blind and visually impaired all about financial literacy! 

Join Director of Education and Training, Eric Yarberry, and Founder of Penny Forward, Chris Peterson, to learn more about the services provided at WSB and Penny Forward. 

What you’ll take away from this webinar: 

• The Importance of Financial Literacy, especially for those who are blind and visually impaired

• Financial Literacy Program Available at WSB 

• Credit Counseling Career Training Program at WSB 

• Overview of Penny Forward, including a breakdown of online courses - Taking on Taxes! 

Learn about the Prep and Supportive Services Summer Program at WSB!

We welcome all high school students, parents, and educators to our webinar discussing the transition to the real world!

When?

February 23rd at 2:30 PM! Sign up using the form below to receive the zoom link!

In this webinar we will have an open discussion about successfully transitioning from high school into the world of college, work, and independent living. We will be joined by a skilled TVI & our Director of Education and Training!

What will participants take away?

• As a student or a parent, how do I know if college, technical education, or finding work immediately is the right fit?

• How do I choose college or technical education??

• What skills are critical for independent living at college or the workforce?

• What tools are used in college, the workforce, and in adult living to maximize independence?

• What can students do now and in the future to prepare for independent living after high school?

• How can families and educators support tomorrow’s goals of blind and visually impaired students?

World Services for the Blind is taking applications for our Prep and Supportive Services program that prepares students for college and the workforce.

This program is available virtually & on-campus.

Applications are due May 1.

Learn more and apply on the PASS Program webpage

Sign up for the webinar below!

Eyes on the prize | Changing your perspective with a parent of a blind child

SIGN UP TO WIN A FREE T-SHIRT!

Parents of the blind and visually impaired, this webinar is for YOU! This month, we are thrilled to partner with EyeSwear Apparel. When you sign up for the webinar, you’ll be entered to win a FREE T-SHIRT from EyeSwear Apparel (you must be present in the webinar to win the t-shirt!). 

What will be covered in this webinar: 

• A mom’s perspective on raising a son who is blind and how to navigate everything from resources to starting a business! 

• The importance of getting resources early 

• Resources available, including the WSB Transitional Aged Youth Program 

• An introduction to the amazing EyeSwear Apparel 

Announcing CATIS!

WSB is thrilled to announce our newest program – CATIS! Join us on October 27th at 2:30 CT to learn all about this exciting new program!

WSB is honored to partner with ACVREP to provide a path to CATIS certification as a Category 3 applicant. A Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments, ("CATIS"), is a highly trained expert who specializes in working with individuals who are blind, visually impaired or who have functional visual limitations, and empowers them to achieve their life goals for education, employment, avocation and independence through the use of assistive technology.

Earning the CATIS grants eligibility to work for federal and state agencies for the rehabilitation for the blind and visually impaired and k12 institutions.

What you’ll learn in this webinar:
-All About the CATIS program at WSB

-How do I become CATIS certified?

- How is this different than the ATI program already offered?

-What is the timeline for this program?

-What are the job prospects for CATIS?  

Sign up below to receive the zoom link and make sure you don’t miss any exciting announcements from WSB!

CEO Update!

Join us for an update with CEO, Sharon Giovinazzo! September 28 at 2:30 CT

Sharon will discuss all of the exciting things happening on-campus from construction updates, the WSB Group Home, new programs, and more! You don’t want to miss this! There will also be an opportunity for Q&A with Sharon.

Join via zoom or on Facebook Live!

Breaking Barriers to Employment

Join us on August 4 at 2:30 CT

It is no secret that the unemployment rate for the blind and visually impaired is higher than the average population, even within the disability community. With the unemployment rate for the blind and visually impaired at over 70%, there are so many barriers that can attribute to this number that can feel vast and overwhelming. In this webinar, you'll learn about various barriers to employment but also ways to help combat them! We will also have a focus on financial literacy and how to grow your knowledge of financial independence! With special guest, Chris Peterson from Penny Forward, we're sharing some ways to beat the statistics and gain financial independence!

In this webinar we'll cover the following barriers and how to overcome them:

• Transportation

• Lack of Training

• Negative Attitudes from Employers

• Lack of Workplace Accommodations

Fun With Fusion!

Sponsored by Freedom Scientific

Sign up and be entered to win a one-year home Fusion license!

Join us for a webinar on June 30th all about Fusion - a combination of Jaws screen reader and Zoomtext Magnifier/reader! You don’t want to miss this chance to learn from our very own Assistive Technology Instructor, Jerri-Ann Morrow!  

What you’ll learn in this webinar:  

• What is Fusion?

• Is Fusion right for me?

• What features does it entail?

• Demonstration of some of the most used features

• Q&A

Confidence in the Kitchen!

Learning the ins and outs of daily and independent living can be daunting, especially to those who have lost their vision later in life. WSB’s mission is to empower people who are blind and visually impaired to achieve sustainable independence, and that means being confident in the kitchen! For this webinar, we are sharing a few of our favorite tips and tricks from our very own TDL instructor, Doris Pettis!   

What you’ll learn from this webinar:  

• An overview of Techniques of Daily Living; why it’s important, what is covered at WSB, and how it can help in your everyday life

• Technology that can help in the household

• How to pour and measure in the kitchen effectively

• Kitchen Safety 101

Sign up here to receive the zoom link!

April is Financial Literacy Awareness Month!

For Financial Literacy Awareness month, join us on a webinar all about Financial Literacy. Please Join Keith Word, Credit Counseling Instructor, and Eric Yarberry, Director of Education as they the importance of gaining financial independence as blind and visually impaired individuals, as well as the wide scope of programs available at WSB.

What you’ll learn

• How does society influence our money mindset?

• How to define your personal financial success & how to get there

• How to set financial goals & how to achieve them

• Resources available to gain financial literacy

We will also give an overview of our programs at WSB. WSB offers a wide range of financial literacy education including the basics of Financial Literacy all the way to a career training program to become a Certified Credit Counselor. Certified by the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors (NACCC), our Certified Credit Counselor program prepares students to serve individuals in need of credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, financial coaching, student loan debt counseling, and housing counseling.   

Once in a career training program, clients participate in an extensive employment preparation course, meaning you have all the tools you need to navigate the world after WSB. WSB also boasts an 85% placement rate in jobs for all graduates of career training programs!