She received intense backlash almost immediately, and the resulting scrutiny made international headlines. In June 2019, celebrity Jessica Biel lobbied against a pro-vaccine bill.
#COMSO.ORG MAILIST SOCIAL NETWORK HOW TO#
As campers and staff both agree, it has so much value for the visually impaired and blind community to be aware of and learn how to use the technology available to them.Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit People who have disabilities usually get kind of put to the side when it comes to technology, so Technology Camp is a good way for them to be prioritized in the world of technology.”Īlphapointe’s Technology Camp has been happening every summer for almost 10 years, first just using iPads and tablets, and then upgrading to laptops in recent years. “Since everything is so computerized, it’s so important for everyone to have access to technology and to keep pace with all the changes. “The most important thing is just to keep updated with society,” Willis said. Helen Willis, an intern helping with Technology Camp this summer, shared that she wants to be a speech language pathologist and that the best way to learn about different disabilities is to work hands-on, so she chose to intern at Alphapointe. “The better an individual understands various accessible technologies, the more it closes the gap to their sighted peers.”Īs well as full-time staff, Alphapointe has many interns – both sighted and visually impaired – who are involved in the youth programs and Alphapointe as a whole. “The earlier that we’re able to introduce accessible technology to youth that are visually impaired or blind, the more prepared that these individuals will be when it’s time to seek higher education or employment,” he said. When asked about how a camp like this benefits visually impaired and blind students in the future, McLaughlin gave this response:
#COMSO.ORG MAILIST SOCIAL NETWORK SOFTWARE#
“This camp is really important because it gives youth the opportunity to learn accessible software and to keep challenging themselves each year in a social, positive environment,” he said. Jake McLaughlin, Senior Manager, Special Events and Programs at Alphapointe, shared: I asked some of the sighted staff at Alphapointe what they think of Technology camp and its importance. For some of these kids, this is the first time they’ve really used a computer, so allowing them to take one home is a great opportunity. This camp really does show the benefits of technology and different ways to use it.”Īfter a week of learning and practicing technology skills, each camper gets to take a laptop home thanks to donations from Computers for the Blind. “When I younger, I didn’t really have the opportunities that I do now. “It helps me understand what is out there for visually impaired and fully blind people,” Cook said. It’s great for blind or visually impaired students to learn how to use computers just as well as their fully-sighted peers in order to be at an equal playing field.Īccording to Caleb Cook, who’s been a camper at Technology Camp in the past and is now interning at Alphapointe, he has greatly benefitted from participating. No matter what career you go into, you’re going to use technology in some way, so computer skills is something that everyone needs to know, sighted or not. Campers will also have the opportunity to work with a variety of mentors who have successfully utilized technology in their chosen careers as professionals with vision loss.” Ī camp like this is very important for a number of reasons. Campers will also learn to utilize various technologies that impact academic development, advance their internet navigation skills, develop social networking knowledge, and establish internet safety and security awareness. “Technologies that improve internet navigation and provide social networking knowledge and safety Campers will train with Jaws or ZoomText software depending on the camper’s visual needs. At this camp, students learn how to use a laptop and navigate the internet with low or no vision by using screen-reading or zoom software. One such camp is a week-long Technology Camp for middle and high schoolers.
For kids and teens, there are many camps during the summer and activities throughout the year. They give visually impaired and blind adults job opportunities by hiring them in office or manufacturing jobs at the Alphapointe building. This article was written by Lyra, a longtime Alphapointe Technology Camp participant who will begin her sophomore year of high school in the fall.Īlphapointe is a non-profit based in Kansas City, Mo., that has many services and opportunities for both youth and adults with visual impairments.