American Foundation for the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) cordially invites you to the 2025 American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference (AFBLC) at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Crystal City, Virginia, from November 12th to 14th! Leading Together: Leveraging Change to Advance Our Vision is this year’s theme, reflecting the evolving landscape of our community. AFB believes that together we can leverage this change, driving our mission forward for the next generation of leaders, scholars, and practitioners committed to creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/e_fZEr2s.

Your success can drive change! The American Foundation for the Blind is proud to support the next generation of leaders through the AFB Scholars Program, offering substantial financial assistance to students who are blind. This scholarship is more than just financial aid—it’s an investment in your future, your aspirations, and your potential to make an impact. Take the next step in your academic journey and gain the resources to achieve your academic dreams. Applications for the AFB Scholars Program close March 21, 2025. Apply today: www.afb.org/scholarships.

Happy #WomensHistoryMonth! On this day in 1887, Helen Keller met Anne Sullivan, the teacher who transformed her life. At just 20 years old, Anne, a graduate of Perkins School for the Blind, arrived in Tuscumbia to teach Helen, who was deaf and blind. Anne had endured a difficult childhood, struggling with her own severe vision problems and spending years as a ward of the state in Tewksbury Almshouse, an overcrowded home for the destitute, under brutal conditions. Through patience and perseverance, Anne taught Helen language by manually signing into her hand—beginning with the word “doll.” This breakthrough led to one of history’s most remarkable teacher-student relationships and a lifelong friendship, later immortalized in The Miracle Worker. Learn more about Helen Keller’s extraordinary life: https://lnkd.in/e23PDKvD. Explore the Helen Keller Archive: https://lnkd.in/ecWFPB5c. Learn more about AFB’s Helen Keller Achievement Awards: www.afb.org/HKAA

The AFB Scholars Program is now accepting scholarship applications for blind students seeking to serve as change agents in creating a more inclusive world. As an AFB Scholar, you’ll receive significant financial support for your education—up to $8K for community college students, $20K for undergraduates, and $28K for graduate students—plus access to mentorship, conferences, and networking opportunities to help you build a successful career. Don’t miss this chance to invest in your future! Apply now at www.afb.org/scholarships.

The Spring 2025 Edition of AccessWorld is Here! This issue focuses on #LowVisionAwarenessMonth and resources for those new to vision loss. In this edition, we review the latest Micro-Speak Recorder, a device designed for accessible audio recording. We also introduce the first article in a series on AI-powered music generation apps, focusing on their accessibility and usability. Another featured article explores The Case for Vision, a smartphone case that transforms a device into a handheld video magnifier. Additionally, we analyze accessibility for several popular video games, assessing how certain features support players with low vision. Finally, this issue includes an interview with Anthony Corona, who works with Open Doors to make travel more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. Explore the new edition of AccessWorld by visiting https://lnkd.in/e64TNcyb.

As we age, technology can turn from a bridge into a barrier for people with hearing loss, vision loss, and other disabilities. The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act would ensure that digital services like telehealth and streaming television remain accessible to everyone, allowing older adults to stay connected, informed, and self-sufficient. Support the #CVTA and help create a future where technology empowers independence for all: https://lnkd.in/e7kuSQE5. #AccessibilityForAll

AFB is proud to support the academic and career aspirations of students who are blind. The AFB Scholars Program provides substantial scholarships—up to $8K for community college students, $20K for undergraduates, and $28K for graduate students—along with mentorship and professional development opportunities. Eligible students must be legally blind, U.S. citizens, and enrolled full-time in an accredited degree program for Fall 2025. Applications are open until March 21, 2025. Start your application today: https://ow.ly/Bp3g50V6lzu.

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is proud to announce that Mattel, Inc., a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, will receive the prestigious Helen Keller Achievement Award. Mattel is being recognized for its global impact on the inclusion of people who are blind or have low vision following the release of the Blind Barbie Fashionista doll in 2024. Since 1994, the Helen Keller Achievement Awards have recognized thought leaders, change-makers, and performing artists who embody Helen Keller's mission of creating a world with full and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. The award will be presented during a special evening ceremony on April 24 in Midtown Manhattan. To learn more about the event, including how to attend, visit www.afb.org/HKAA. Press release: https://lnkd.in/dR6EAXC4

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the Dot Experience will unveil a 90-year-old audio recording of Helen Keller during a special livestream on Monday, March 17, at 3 PM ET. We thank the Center for Jewish History for hosting this event at their current location, the former site of AFB’s headquarters, where Helen Keller worked for decades. Join us for this historic event on AFB’s YouTube livestream as we celebrate Helen Keller’s enduring legacy as one of the world’s great women leaders, whose impact continues to inspire generations. For more information, please visit https://ow.ly/k2Fl50V3RER.

The American Foundation for the Blind is proud to support the academic and career aspirations of students who are blind. The AFB Scholars Program provides substantial scholarships—up to $8K for community college students, $20K for undergraduates, and $28K for graduate students—along with mentorship and professional development opportunities. Eligible students must be legally blind, U.S. citizens, and enrolled full-time in an accredited degree program for Fall 2025. Applications are open until March 21, 2025. Start your application today: www.afb.org/scholarships.