Vol. 39, No. 2
Fall 2009

13th Annual Vision Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Expo

Join Us for VRATE 2009!

November 13th, 2009    •    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Mesa Convention Center
263 N. Center Street    •    Mesa, Arizona 85201

VRATE is a unique event that features informative speakers and day-long exhibits that provide expert services or products for people with visual impairments.  This event is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the newest technologies, medical research and helpful resources available to those with visual impairments.

Some of the scheduled speakers and topics will be:

Karim N. Jamal, M.D.  Retinal Specialist, Retinal Consultants of Arizona; “Retinal disorder and new treatment options”.  Dr. Jamal’s talk will conclude with a roundtable discussion with additional retinal specialists from Retinal Consultants of Arizona. The Doctors will take questions from the audience on vision related disorders.

Tom Hicks and other members of “Team Kili”, a group of blind hikers that conquered the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro this summer, will give a presentation on their excursion. This determined group of eight blind climbers and their guides broke two world records. They were the Largest Group of Blind Climbers to Summit Mt. Kilimanjaro and had the Youngest Blind Climber to Summit Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Jeff Williams and Mark Nelson from the Foundation for Blind Children will discuss “Virtual TVI- Teacher for the Visually Impaired” a program for schools using a virtual teacher in the classroom to assist visually impaired students.

Lisa Chiles, O.D., Low Vision Specialist, will discuss “Optical Tool use in the Classroom”

Daniel Martinez, Community and Public Relations Manager for Arizona Industries for the Blind, will speak on “Adjustment to Blindness”

Randy Collins, Outreach and Training Coordinator AzTAP, will speak on the Arizona Technology Access Program, designed to aid individuals with acquiring equipment to assist with their visual or physical impairments.

Gail Irons Wilt, Counselor with the Foundation for Blind Children, will speak on “Social Recreation in Arizona”
Additionally, Kevin Huff, OD and Lynn Noon, OD will each speak on different aspects of coping with vision loss.
For most of the speakers, FREE continuing education credits from ACVREP will be available.

With more than 35 vendors and local agencies represented, VRATE will provide information and hands-on evaluation of all the new equipment and devices available to assist in daily living or to continue to maintain their independence

www.vrate.org (623) 505-4830