This year was the 100th anniversary of the first federally funded program to assist people with disabilities who had not acquired their disabilities as a result of serving in the military.
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Smith-Fess Act of 1920, also known as the Industrial Rehabilitation Act and referred to as “The National Civilian Vocational Rehabilitation Act,” into law June 2, 1920.
As part of the celebration, the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) developed a historical perspective video. In addition, the VR Workforce Studio has a VR Turns 100 Podcast discussing this milestone with RSA Commissioner Mark Schultz.
A smiling Kenneth Meredith with his dog, Chase. When Kenneth Meredith reached out to the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB), he was at a very low point in his life due to his vision loss. He expressed a lot of frustration and described living as a “daily struggle.” He was no longer able...
Landon Bryson. Landon Bryson was referred to the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) by his school Vision Instructor, Susiene Rayson. At the time, Landon was in 5th grade and doing well academically, but falling behind on his braille assignments due to an improperly functioning Perkins Brailler, a type of mechanical braille typewriter. Tameka...
Michael Cooper became a consumer with the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) when he was eight years old. He was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic disorder that results in the breakdown of cells in the retina, which is the light sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. It causes the...
The following comment was recently received from a consumer who received SCCB’s Older Blind services: It was my lucky day when a friend gave me your telephone number. I called and [the counselor] made an appointment to come and meet me. She offered suggestions, making my house easy to move around in. She gave me...
This year is the 100th anniversary of the first federally funded program to assist people with disabilities who had not acquired their disabilities as a result of serving in the military.
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Smith-Fess Act of 1920, also known as the Industrial Rehabilitation Act and referred to as “The National Civilian Vocational Rehabilitation Act,” into law June 2, 1920.
A smiling Kenneth Meredith with his dog, Chase. When Kenneth Meredith reached out to the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB), he was at a very low point in his life due to his vision loss. He expressed a lot of frustration and described living as a “daily struggle.” He was no longer able...
Landon Bryson. Landon Bryson was referred to the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) by his school Vision Instructor, Susiene Rayson. At the time, Landon was in 5th grade and doing well academically, but falling behind on his braille assignments due to an improperly functioning Perkins Brailler, a type of mechanical braille typewriter. Tameka...
Michael Cooper became a consumer with the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) when he was eight years old. He was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic disorder that results in the breakdown of cells in the retina, which is the light sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. It causes the...
The following comment was recently received from a consumer who received SCCB’s Older Blind services: It was my lucky day when a friend gave me your telephone number. I called and [the counselor] made an appointment to come and meet me. She offered suggestions, making my house easy to move around in. She gave me...
Students from around the state demonstrated their knowledge and expertise with assistive devices at the 8th Technology Olympics, recently held at the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) in Columbia.
“Assistive technology helps ensure students who are blind or visually impaired have access to everything their sighted peers have,” says Micko Hughes, Technology Olympics Coordinator at the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind. “This is an opportunity for them to showcase those skills.”
More than 50 students competed in one of three events. In the tablet event, they demonstrated how well they can use an iPad or laptop, including accessibility settings, accessories, and various apps. In note taking, they proofread, analyzed or edited text, and/or compose a document. In magnification, they utilized portable magnification devices to locate information from illustrations or print sources, quickly find keywords in text passages, and record information in print or braille format.
“It’s exciting to see them use their skills and assistive technology in real world situations,” says Kisa Grate, Director of Training and Employment at SCCB.
As students demonstrated their capabilities in using adaptive equipment and technology, they were evaluated based on their individual skill level and received either a bronze, silver or gold medal.
“It’s a big accomplishment and boost to their self-esteem,” says Grate. “The students are so proud and excited when they receive their awards.”
“Each year we see growth in their skill set,” adds Hughes. “Plus, I love the camaraderie I see here. The students really support each other.”
In between events, students had the opportunity to bowl, play boardgames and participate in an interactive story time. Representatives from Quintex Low Vision were on hand to demonstrate optical character recognition devices that can be used to read signs, books, or the labels on items in stores. Additionally, two employees from Apple—part of the Apple Champions program—taught students how to use tools on an iPad or laptop to create and edit music.
The Technology Olympics is open and free of charge to students who are blind or have low vision in grades K-12. It is sponsored by the SC Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, SC Commission for the Blind, SC Department of Education, SC School for the Deaf and the Blind Division of Statewide Outreach Services, and the University of South Carolina Upstate.
A smiling Kenneth Meredith with his dog, Chase. When Kenneth Meredith reached out to the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB), he was at a very low point in his life due to his vision loss. He expressed a lot of frustration and described living as a “daily struggle.” He was no longer able...
Landon Bryson. Landon Bryson was referred to the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) by his school Vision Instructor, Susiene Rayson. At the time, Landon was in 5th grade and doing well academically, but falling behind on his braille assignments due to an improperly functioning Perkins Brailler, a type of mechanical braille typewriter. Tameka...
Michael Cooper became a consumer with the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) when he was eight years old. He was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic disorder that results in the breakdown of cells in the retina, which is the light sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. It causes the...
The following comment was recently received from a consumer who received SCCB’s Older Blind services: It was my lucky day when a friend gave me your telephone number. I called and [the counselor] made an appointment to come and meet me. She offered suggestions, making my house easy to move around in. She gave me...