The Traveling Wheelchair

Vision & Vision Loss Services, DDS
Shriver Clinical Services Corporation
607 North Ave. Door 14
Wakefield, MA 01880
www.mass.gov/dmr/visionloss

Four Points by Sheraton Norwood Hotel & Conference Center
1125 Boston-Providence Turnpike (Route 1)
Norwood, MA 02062
Phone: 781-769-7900
http://www.fourpointsnorwood.com/

Wednesday, I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the fifth “Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference; Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability & Vision Loss at the very accessible Four Points by Sheraton Norwood Hotel & Conference Center.

In July, Kathleen Kenney, M.Ed., Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, The Carroll Center for the Blind, my mobility specialist and I reviewed the accessibility of this hotel which you can read by clicking on  Four Points by Sheraton Norwood Hotel & Conference Center. We found it was a wonderful accessible place to hold this year’s “Focus” Conference.

Elizabeth Fagan, Sales Manager did a superb job ensuring all attendees who are blind, deaf or in wheelchairs have full and equal access. Thank You Elizabeth!

The “Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference; “raises awareness of the increased prevalence for vision impairment, legal blindness, and deafness among people with intellectual disability and offering resources to help has been there mission”.

The generous “Focus” Sponsors, Friends and Supporters of this year’s conference were: Co-Lead Sponsors: Perkins Training Center; MA Commission for the Blind; Sponsors: DDS Southeast Region Training Council; Shriver Clinical Services Corp.; Friends: New England Eye Institute; New England College of Optometry; Supporters: The Arc of Massachusetts; Eye Hopes; and New England Consortium of Deafblind Projects.

Once again Lisa DiBonaventura, M.A., COMS, Statewide Director for Vision & Vision Loss Services, DDS did a wonderful job gathering all the organizations together as the Conference Chair. This year’s “Focus” Conference was a HUGE SUCCESS thanks to Lisa’s hard work and devotion!

There were over 300 persons attending the conference; including professionals from private and state human service agencies, families and individuals. All attending shared information with others regarding the needs of individuals with cognitive disability and vision loss.

Last year I attended the “Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference at Holiday Inn Conference Center . This is my second “Focus’ Conference and it was wonderful to see friends from last year’s conference and make new friends at this year’s conference.

I especially enjoyed once again meeting DDS Commissioner Elin Howe. She warmly thanked me for my 5 Star review in April of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – Boston Office .

This year’s Keynote Speaker, Susannah Rowe, M.D., M.P.H, Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Medicine, spoke about “Comprehensive Cataract Care & Cataract Surgery for Special Needs Populations”.

Literature Tables, Poster Displays and Vendors showing the newest technology were located by the entrance of The Gold Wing and Tiffany Ballroom. Various sessions by Presenters were held in different meeting rooms that provided State of the Art Technology.

You can view the “Focus” brochure which lists ALL the wonderful Participants @ http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dmr/events_focus_brochure.pdf.

I was delighted to see Jim Keating from Beacon Home Health Care had the Liko Hoyer Lift products on display. I love the Liko Sabina Hoyer Lift that I’ve had for six years. The Liko Lift is one of the first reviews I wrote for my website in March of 2008 which you can read by clicking on Liko Sabina Hoyer Lift.

The luncheon served in the Tiffany Ballroom was absolutely delicious! The accessible seating was very easy to access; the table was of a perfect height for my wheelchair; and the servers were all courteous, respectful and kind.

Immediately following the luncheon, two Awards were presented:

• “The Gift of Lunch” Award was presented by Kathy Stoffel to a conference attendee in memory of Mark Holt.
• “The Paul McDade”  Award for Distinguished Leadership was presented by DDS Commissioner Elin Howe to award recipient Senator Therese Murray, Senate President. Senator Murray has been a champion for individuals with intellectual disability and vision impairment, blindness or deafness across Massachusetts.

I was honored to be asked to Present “Accessibility Reviews by Kenny & Company” in which Tony, Ric and I spoke. We began by showing a 4 minute video of My Story and The Traveling Wheelchair which you can view on You Tube @  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH9GxS1R8ec.

We spoke about accessibility, my accessible home, my Permobil Power Chair and our wheelchair accessibility reviews for my website The Traveling Wheelchair.  We also spoke of the important 2009 Massachusetts legislation filed; House 3785 and Senate 1948: “An Act Relative to the Transportation of Individuals Seated in Wheelchairs “regarding the safety of transporting wheelchair-seated travelers.

I passed out the RIDE SAFE brochure which provides Critical Information to help you travel more safely in motor vehicles, while seated in your wheelchair which you can find online @ http://www.travelsafer.org/.

More information regarding Transportation Safety for Wheelchair-Seated Travelers and the need for this important MA Legislation can be found on my website by clicking on  W/C Passenger Safety.

I wasn’t able to stay for the Special Closing Performance by The M.A.I. Band (The Music and Art Innovation Organization) but heard it was fantastic.

If you want information on next year’s “Focus” Conference or about the services and/or training offered by ‘DDS Vision Loss’, just call 508-384-5539 or click on MA Health and Human / Blindness and Low Vision.

Kenny & Co give the fifth “Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference FIVE STARS. The “Focus” Conference is an inspiring event where all share information to help improve the services for individuals with cognitive disability and vision loss.

We also give FIVE STARS to the 2010 “Focus” Conference Committee: Lisa DiBonaventura, M.A., COMS, Statewide Director for Vision & Vision Loss Services; Jean E. Ramsey, M.D., M.P.H., Boston University School of Medicine; Barry S. Kran, OD, FAAO, New England College of Optometry, New England Eye Institute; Meg Robertson, COMS, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind; Betsy Bixler, M.Ed., Perkins School for the Blind; Kathleen Kenney, M.Ed., COMS, The Carroll Center for the Blind; and ALL Participants for helping to make the World more Sensitive, Respectful, Safer and Accessible to all.

And FIVE STARS to Four Points by Sheraton Norwood Hotel & Conference Center and Elizabeth Fagan, Sales Manager FIVE STARS for providing a wonderful accessible and barrier free conference.

Hope to see you in 2011 at the sixth “Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference; Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability & Vision Loss.

Thank-You!!