Kendra Farrow and Polly Abbott with the Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC) represented the NRTC and OIB-TAC at the VisionServe Alliance Executive Leadership Conference on April 3-6 in Tampa, Florida. The conference allowed participants to meet with industry professionals and leaders involved in service to individuals who are blind or have low vision (B/LV).
The conference included interactive presentations, exhibits, and networking opportunities. Through attending conferences like VisionServe Alliance, Farrow and Abbott are able to share information about OIB-TAC and meet with many professionals in the field to increase the visibility of its resources.
Farrow, OIB-TAC Project Director, appreciated the opportunity to engage in discussions about the quality of services to older adults who are blind and represent the work done through the OIB-TAC. This conference was a great networking opportunity to share information about the OIB-TAC's training and technical assistance activities, support for services, and continuing education.
Abbott, OIB-TAC Program Manager, attended the Big Data Project session. This session showcased the analysis of national data on people who are 65+ and are living with a vision impairment. The reports provide information for strategic planning for service providers and a look into access to services. Abbott enjoyed learning more about direct services on a national level and is excited to “find comprehensive ways to bring these strategies to our work here at OIB-TAC.”