MABVI Newsletter Fall 2019
Welcome to MABVI's new email newsletter. We will share with you the highlights, activities, achievements, and stories of the differences being made in the lives of the people we serve at the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Dangerous Vision the Podcast Debuts
Dangerous Vision logo Yellow road sign with a microphone image Text: Dangerous Vision with Randy Cohen
MABVI has launched a podcast to educate and entertain. On Dangerous Vision, host Randy Cohen, a blind Harvard Business School professor learns how other blind people "do blind." Randy, who has Retinitis Pigmentosa, loves to learn and talk and he applies all of his professional skill to reveal remarkable insights about what its like to be blind.

Listen and subscribe here:
October is White Cane Awareness Month
White cane icon
People who are blind use white canes to navigate curbs, steps, doorways, and obstacles. Here are some awareness tips from the National Federation of the Blind:
  • If you are driving or cycling and see someone using a white cane, you must follow the law and stop to give that person the right of way.
  • If someone using a white cane needs assistance, they will ask for it. There is no need to try to physically steer someone.
  • More information can be found in NFB’s “Courtesy Rules of Blindness.

Save the Date! MCB’s White Cane Event will take place on Monday October 21, 2019 at the Massachusetts Statehouse, Boston MA.
Access Technology Program Says Thanks to Summer Interns
Two women sitting at a table. Woman on the left is demonstrating an iPad with enlarged text to a woman in the foreground
MABVI’s growing Access Technology program got extra help this summer from Mass Commission for the Blind interns. These talented individuals helped train our consumers to use technology of all kinds, from email and internet access to screen reading software and transportation apps. It’s Disability Employment Awareness Month – let’s make meaningful internships and work available to people with disabilities. For more information about the Access Tech program, call us at 888-613-2777 or visit www.mabvi.org .
Join Our Support Groups
Group of people sitting around a conference room table listening to a speaker in front of the room
Our support groups have room for more people! Groups meet monthly in many locations across the state and most have room for more members. Groups are led by community members who are blind and can be an incredible source of support and information for people adjusting to vision loss. Call 888-613-2777 or visit www.mabvi.org for a list of group locations. Spread the word!
MABVI and Boston University Partner on
Community Tranist Challenge
Boston University Innovate@BU logo
I nnovate@BU and MABVI have have partnered to support a BU student and alumni design challenge to solve community transit problems that will benefit society at large–and particularly for senior and the blind and low vision community.   During the multi-round challenge, students and/or alumni will develop and design new transportation accessibility solutions for the aging and visually impaired communities, which will ultimately improve transportation for everyone, while competing for a $10,000 grand prize. " We each have a role in creating a more inclusive space for everyone to live and work and thrive, said Sassy Outwater-Wright, Executive Director of MABVI. “We have the duty to ask tomorrow’s designers, engineers and social scientists to start thinking about that today and to start building smarter solutions. MABVI is proud to partner with BU to solve some of the most common problems facing older adults who are blind or have low vision. Accessibility in design today creates a more inclusive future.” For more information about this initiative, click here.
MABVI Age Friendly Grant Needs Volunteers
Under a new grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation, MABVI is partnering with four “Age Friendly” cities—Boston, Framingham, New Bedford, and Springfield. The project will make community programs for older adults more accessible to participants who are blind or visually impaired. We’re seeking help from volunteers who live in these regions. Please contact Kyle Robidoux at 617-732-0312 or krobidoux@mabcommunity.org for more information.
Save the Date:
MAB Community Services Annual Meeting
Join MAB Community Services and Ivy Street School as our panel of "genius disrupters" will share their insights and principles of disruption.
For entrepreneurs, innovators, and all-around game-changers, successful disruption is the ultimate business goal. How can these principles of disruption be applied to improve outcomes in special education and help individuals with disabilities be fully integrated into their communities?

Wednesday, October 30, 2019
WBUR CitySpace a t The Lavine Broadcast Center
890 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
6:00 PM Registration and Reception
Please call 617-972-9100 for more information
MABVI in the News
Sassy Outwater-Wright Selected as Judge for Prestigious Hollman Prize
MABVI’s Executive Director partcipated as a judge for the presitgious Holman Prize. Created specifically for legally blind individuals with a penchant for exploration of all types, launched by LightHouse for the Blind, the Holman Prize provides financial backing – up to $25,000 for three individuals to pursue their passions, push their limits, and inspire and educate people around the world about the boundless abilities of the blind. T he three 2019 Holman Prize winners were Yuma Decaux, Alieu Jaiteh and  Mona Minkara. Read More
5 for good logo MABVI @7
NEWTON, Mass. — A desire to help others resulted in a special relationship between a Belmont woman and a Newton family.
It started nearly nine years ago, when Allie Dagg, who was in seventh grade at the time, found an opportunity to volunteer with the  Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired , or MABVI.




Get Involved. Be A Volunteer. Be A Champion.
Sign up to Volunteer Today! or call 888-613-2777