AURORA of Central New York, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization with a 90+ year history of serving individuals of all ages who are blind, visually impaired, Deaf, hard-of-hearing, late deafened and deaf blind. The agency is dedicated to being a leader in the field and is committed to: Read More
Finding Described TV Just Got Much Easier!
The landmark Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) has begun a revolution in mainstream telecommunications and video technology accessibility. Among its many groundbreaking achievements, the CVAA mandates several of the most popular television networks to make some of their prime-time and children’s programs accessible to viewers with vision loss by adding video description. To help celebrate and promote this achievement, AFB has implemented a Described TV Listings page on their website, an online guide where visitors can determine which shows will be described as well as when they air. Read More
Abby Anderson and the Disney Princess
Abby Anderson, aged six, used to throw her hearing aids onto the floor out of frustration because she needed new ear molds so that they could fit and work properly. Her mother Michelle, a pediatric nurse, understood her child’s frustration because she is hearing impaired, as well. Even with all of her knowledge and connections, Michelle couldn’t find an appropriate provider for her daughter because, while Medicaid covered the initial cost of the aids, no Medicaid dispenser is available locally to provide the necessary upgrades and continuous follow along required for children with significant hearing loss. Michelle was told that she might have to go as far away as Cooperstown to get new hearing aids for her child. Read More
“Dedicated, hardworking, reliable,”… that’s the description given by Kelly Kiggins, Executive Director of The Hearth on James for her two newest workers, Demetrius Stevens and Michelle McClean. She was able to bring them on board through a partnership with AURORA’s Employment Services and a work force development initiative provided through the New York State Commission for the Blind known as Work Experience Training (WET). The initiative offers paid employment training for workers on a vocational track toward employment.