Alphapointe

Being able to live an independent life is one of our most important objectives when we help people with vision loss. Alphapointe is currently working to renovate our facility in Queens to create a new Training Enrichment Center, which will provide a variety of training to help New Yorkers live independently and gain the skills they need to secure employment. The Allene Reuss Memorial Trust, which supports the aiding, prevention, and cure of vision problems, is supporting Alp...hapointe’s renovation. This expansion will allow Alphapointe to serve more New Yorkers with vision loss and help fulfill our mission. Learn more here: www.Alphapointe.org [Image description: Alphapointe employee.]

The month of March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month thanks to Prevent Blindness. No matter your occupation, eye protection plays a major role in keeping your eyes and vision safe and healthy. From jobs that require extended use of computer screens to those in construction or manufacturing where exposure to liquids, particles, or flying debris is a concern, taking care of your eyes should be a top priority. Always wear safety glasses or goggles when working in dangerous areas... where your eyes are at risk. If you cannot find proper eye protection - please stop and ask! For those who work on computer monitors or screens (OR EVEN those of us who might spend time watching TV at home!!) remember the 20/20/20 rule. For every 20 minutes take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. [Image Description: A graphic with large numbers 20, 20, 20 and the word "Rule" to remind us all of the 20/20/20 rule for eye health.] #blind #blindness #VisionLoss #braille #WhiteCane #accessibility #PartiallySighted #DisabilityVisibility #DisabilityAwareness #LowVision #LegallyBlind

Having a visual impairment definitely doesn't stop you from achieving your biggest dreams. Several well-known celebrities are visually impaired. Judy Dench, Alice Walker, Thom York, and many others make the list. Here is a link to the full story from Perkins School for the Blind if you'd like to learn more. https://loom.ly/adQmHWE [Image Description: A close-up of actress Judy Dench laughing.]

The Alphapointe Foundation works to follow through with the mission of Alphapointe and help people with visual impairments live an independent life. We provide advocacy and awareness so we can gain support for everyone. Independence is important - and should be available to one and all. We are dedicated and determined to do exactly that. To learn more about our Alphapointe Foundation please follow this link: https://loom.ly/5lgw6d0 [Image Description: An Adventure Camp attendee and instructor pose for a photo while shooting a slingshot.]

Itto Outini is proof that the American Dream is still very much alive. From being illiterate, blind and homeless on the streets of Morocco at the age of 17 to receiving her master's degree in journalism at the University of Arkansas to being granted asylum in the U.S. from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and learning how to use adaptive technology with the help of Alphapointe, Itto is an inspiration for anyone and everyone! She hopes that by learning how to us...e adaptive technology with Alphapointe, she will be able to work independently and continue to be a "voice for the voiceless!" Itto began going to school in her late teens while she was homeless. While living in Morocco, an American family helped her get off the streets, learn English and continue her education, which eventually led to her receiving The Fulbright Program scholarship to study in the U.S. There were numerous people throughout her journey that doubted her due to her disability, but with her high self-confidence and drive, she showed those people she could do anything! This link from Medium shares her journey: https://loom.ly/X7XdEsM [Image Descriptions: Itto Outini seated wearing a black top with white dots. Itto Outini seated with a notebook at a desk wearing a pink shirt and pink flower mask.] #hope #dream #Alphapointe #VisionForLife #VisuallyImpaired #VisualImpairment #LowVision #VisionLoss #SightLoss #LegallyBlind #NYC #VisionAware #Blind #KansasCity #KC #NewYorkCity

There’s a special version of braille just for mathematics called the Nemeth Code. It was developed by Dr. Abraham Nemeth in 1946 and can be used to transcribe math, algebra, and calculus. In 1952, the Braille Authority of North America accepted Nemeth Code as the standard code for representing math and science expressions in braille. [Image Description: the complex equation (1+ 3 over 4 + 5) over (3 + 4 over 5 + 6) on the left, and also transcribed in Nameth Code on the right.] #Braille #BrailleFacts #NamethCode #Math #STEM #blind #blindness #VisionLoss #braille #accessibility #PartiallySighted #LowVision #LegallyBlind

Thank you for the sacrifice that you made, so that I would be able to make my sacrifice. Without you, I would not be here. Antonio Arbello, a machine operator at Alphapointe’s Kansas City location, sends a message to other Veterans in advance of Veterans Day 2020. Sometimes a smile is the greatest thing in the world - you don’t have to say a word. Antonio offers to those of us seeking ways to thank our Veterans, and he leaves you with this final thought, Believe in one ...another, hold onto one another. All we have is our faith, hold onto your faith. Link: https://loom.ly/dIX5sYw [Image Description: This is a video link from KMBC 9 News KC and should play on your screen. The image is of Anthony lifting boxes near his machine in the production shop.]

Hopefully, you have received our Alphapointe eNewsletter in your email inbox earlier this week. IF you did not, that's okay there is still time and we encourage you to sign up to stay in the know. Read the newsletter at this link: https://loom.ly/261RTUU Sign up at this link: https://loom.ly/sB3-Evs... [Iamge Description: Masthead of Alphapointe eNewsletter with orange logo and title "November News" the top story includes a photo of a young girl being measured for a facemask designed and produced by Rightfully Sewn.]

Judge rules NYC crosswalks fail to protect blind pedestrians. Most crosswalks in New York City violate laws protecting people with disabilities by failing to properly protect blind and low-vision pedestrians, a judge ruled Tuesday. . U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer in Manhattan said the city has violated three laws protecting the disabled with its failure to equip most crosswalk signals to aid the blind or those with bad eyesight. . This story is from the AP and we hav...e a link to that story from Spectrum News NY1 here: https://loom.ly/hG87dz8 . [Image Description: A woman attempting to cross a busy NY street with a Traffic Officer pointing to her left. There is a barricade in the crosswalk and a large orange digital sign above her head that reads "Use Crosswalk" behind her.] . #blind #blindness #VisionLoss #braille #WhiteCane #AccessibilityNotDisability #access4all #AccessForAll #accessibility #PartiallySighted #disabled #UsherSyndrome #DiversityAndInclusion #DisabilityVisibility #diversity #DisabilityAwareness #LowVision #OrientationAndMobility #eyes #vision #LegallyBlind See more

Happy Halloween from all of us at Alphapointe! [Image is an orange background with the words "Happy Halloween" in teal and a black Alphapointe logo at the bottom.]

Tommy Edison, who’s been blind since birth, talks about how he celebrated Halloween growing up without sight and what Halloween is like as an adult. https://loom.ly/MyvrB9Y

Courtesy of Harlem World Magazine, we’d like to take the opportunity to thank The New York Community Trust for a recent $160,000 grant that will enhance our capabilities significantly. . These funds will be used to grow Alphapointe’s Training Enrichment Center, filled with a variety of assistive technology, such as computers, technology, and software designed for those with vision loss. A simulated apartment for Activities of Daily Living training, where people learn to meet... their daily needs, safely and independently. Building a conference area to host community meetings, ESL classes, and therapeutic groups. . Each of these services will lead to empowerment and employment. Alphapointe is developing independence that WORKS! . Read more here: https://loom.ly/OR4P-RE . [Image Description: NY Community Trust banner with the words "Together We Can Make an Impact" various images of community members with descriptors Poverty, Justice, Education, Health, Arts, Environment, LGBTQ, Elderly, and Children and Teens.] See more

Daylight savings is coming up this weekend. Did you know that you can buy a clock that will automatically set itself to daylight saving time without the use of a signal? Through our online store, you can eliminate the hassle of setting your clock this weekend while supporting Alphapointe vision services. It's a win-win! https://loom.ly/R__Wbhc... [Image of SKILCRAFT Self-Set Wall Clock.]

Cornell Williams, Lead Porter at Alphapointe’s facility in Richmond Hill, N.Y., was featured in a segment on the Dr. Oz Show that aired nationally on Thursday, Oct. 22. Williams, who contracted COVID-19 earlier in the spring through his volunteering activities to bring people food and medication who couldn’t leave their homes, was interviewed by Dr. Oz for the show’s One Good Thing segment. Dr. Oz asked Williams about contracting COVID-19, his recovery and about growing up ...blind before regaining a portion of his sight at the age of 12. The interview then concludes with a special surprise. [Image Description: This is a video link that can be clicked. Cornell Williams sits in the center of the screen inside one of our production areas.]

Make your tweets more #DisabilityInclusive by capitalizing the first letter of each word in hashtags. Screen readers can't decipher when a new word starts unless you capitalize them. This one simple change allows everyone to be a part of the conversation. #LeaveNoOneBehind Original post via RNIB -> https://loom.ly/-H7hYH4

Today is #OccupationalTherapyDay! We are proud of our Orientation and Mobility Specialists who improve the lives of those who are visually impaired and empower them to achieve their goals and aspirations every day! Thank you! [Image Description: Two of Alphapointe OT's, Morganne Appl-Culp and Shannon Crumpton, working with our community using various tools of the trade.]

14 million Americans having low vision by incorporating the fact that a person develops vision impairment every 7 minutes in the United States and that, according to the CDC, 93 million adults in the U.S. are at high risk for serious vision loss. Alphapointe can help you find solutions to live more productive lives with low vision. https://loom.ly/k7yCljM [Image is of a senior client and an Alphapointe occupational therapist. There is a purple overlay and the words "Solutions for low vision" written in white.]

For most of us, Halloween is a holiday filled with fantasy, fun and candy. For children and adults with a disability there can be some unique challenges. Here are 15 Halloween tips for children with disabilities from our friends at Braille Works https://loom.ly/4XpTMCY

When you see a guide dog team approaching, be observant and add a small amount of space between you as needed. There is no reason for exaggeration, but it’s easy to add a little physical separation to comply with safety practices. A slight movement one way or another will help a lot. We each do it every day in our people-to-people encounters. [Image of a guide dog with harness that reads "Don't pet me, I'm working."] https://loom.ly/tJ2ADmw

Did you know that YOU can use the same technologically advanced tactical pens members of our military use every day? Check out our B3 Aviator, Depender & Luminator pens. https://loom.ly/cH5-21o