Purpose of the Seminar Series
The purpose of the Educate to Equip to Empower seminar series is to provide blind and low vision individuals with tools, training, and confidence to live independently, pursue opportunities, and embrace a positive philosophy of blindness. Through these courses, participants will gain practical skills, explore resources, and build networks that encourage empowerment and success.
Fall Semester (October – December 2025)
Participants will learn to read braille letters, numbers, and basic punctuation marks. Participants will explore ways to use braille in daily activities and to make the workplace more accessible using braille. Participants will also learn survival braille, which is sufficient for reading some signage such as bathroom signs, elevator signs, etc., label foods and other items, etc.
Instructor: Jeannie Johnson
Class Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Psychological Adjustment to Blindness
In this four-week seminar, participants will discuss the psychological factors in adjustment to blindness as it impacts all areas of daily life including: identity and self-worth or self-esteem, social life, work life, recreation, and full integration into society.
Instructor: Dr. Deborah Carter, Ph.D.
Class Days: Mondays
This four-week course is designed to help participants understand the importance of setting boundaries for independence as we navigate life as people who are blind or have low vision.
Instructor: Dr. Deborah Carter, Ph.D.
Class Days: Mondays
Going Places: A No-Sight-Required Travel Guide
A four-week virtual seminar on travel for blind people, covering white cane, guide dogs, planes, rideshare, and navigation apps, with humor and practicality.
Instructor: Christy O’Dell and Christina Clift, ATS
Class Days: Wednesdays
Spring Semester (January – May 2026)
Learn to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with knife skills and culinary terms.
Instructor: Jeannie Johnson
Class Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
This four-week course helps participants build confidence and skills using their iPhone, including navigation, gestures, Voice Over, App Store, and text editing.
Instructor: Byron Meador
Class Days: Wednesdays
Participants who have foundational skills in uncontracted braille will learn to read contracted braille. They will also learn about tools for writing in braille.
Instructor: Christina Clift, ATS
Class Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Take Control and Gain Independence with Organization and Labeling
This FOUR course covers methods, techniques, apps, and products to help create systems of organization and labeling in your home or office.
Instructor: Cindy Schaffner
Class Days: Tuesdays
Assistive Technology Options and Resources
This three-week seminar introduces assistive technology for everyday tasks and resources for training.
Instructor: Tracey Fields, ATS, CATIS
Class Days: Tuesdays
Course on enhancing opportunities, navigating college, and securing employment through advocacy, networking, and social capital.
Instructor: Amanda Juetten
Class Days: Thursdays
Harnessing Your AI At Home and At Work
This is a four-week course exploring AI platforms such as Copilot, Chat GPT, and Gemini for creating images, searching, and productivity.
Instructor: Tracey Fields, ATS, CATIS
Class Days: Tuesdays
We appreciate our instructors and want to be able to compensate them in some way. If you are not a VR client, there is a $10 registration fee for each seminar. If you are a VR client, VR has agreed to cover the registration fee and other fees for the courses.
If you are interested, please register on our site: http://www.nfbtn.org
If you are a VR client, please reach out to your VR counselor and let them know you are interested and that you have registered for the seminars.
Registrants must be adults who are at least 18 years of age. Also, registrants must be blind, low-vision, or professionals who work with the blind.
For information or assistance with registration, e-mail to educatetoempower@nfbtn.org or call toll-free, 800-318-4201, or 629-236-2428 Extension 7