Sensory Solutions

11/06/2026

Join the Low Vision Centre of Learning for a free Zoom webinar on 17 June at 17:30.

The topic will be "Vision Evaluation for Concussion and Brain Injury".

You can find out more or register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_d5uuUm1iT1anw7sswIZKzA #/registration

You are invited to register for a Zoom webinar!

When: Jun 17, 2026 17:30 Johannesburg

Topic: Vision Evaluation for Concussion and Brain Injury.

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_d5uuUm1iT1anw7sswIZKzA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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Webinar Speakers
Cathy Stern (Dr )
Dr. Cathy Stern, OD, FOVDR, FCSO, FNORA is a behavioral and neuro optometrist in the Boston area. She is retired from her private practice and as the optometrist for Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. Her practice was devoted solely to vision therapy and vision rehabilitation. Dr. Stern is currently chair of the International Committee for the Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association and a member of their Fellowship Committee, Research director of the College of Syntonic Optometry (CSO), and Facilitator of the monthly Chat VT study group for the Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEP). She is a recipient of the CSO Charles Butts award and the OEP Skeffington-Alexander Award for her significant contributions to behavioral optometry and vision therapy. Dr. Stern.teaches optometrists and other professionals worldwide and is passionate about vision therapy, vision rehabilitation, optometric phototherapy, sports vision and the use of assistive technology. Dr. Stern believes the eyes and vision are key players in prevention, enhancement, and rehabilitation for lifelong success.

Vision problems are common after concussion and brain injury. Research supports the effectiveness of vision rehabilitation treatment after brain injury. Discover how vision evaluation helps for early detection, monitoring & rehabilitation of concussion and brain injuries

10/06/2026

Freedom Scientific, Inc. is presenting a free webinar with the topic “Ten Essential Tips for Using PowerPoint with JAWS”.

Microsoft PowerPoint is commonly used for creating presentations for meetings, lectures, training sessions and other events where information needs to be shared visually and verbally. In this webinar, you will get an overview of the PowerPoint interface and learn how to navigate and create presentations more efficiently using JAWS. Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your workflow, this session covers essential commands and techniques to increase productivity and efficiency.

Learn how to:
• Open an existing presentation and explore the slide layout.
• Create a new presentation and add slides.
• Use the thumbnails pane to navigate between slides and add new slides.
• Read and edit slide content.
• Start a slide show, plus navigate and read slide content.
• Insert multimedia elements like images or videos into slides.
• Add and read speaker notes.
• Check spelling.
• Duplicate a slide.
• Share and collaborate on presentations.

The webinar will be presented by Elizabeth Whitaker and Rachel Buchanan.

Date: 18 Jun 2026
Time: 6pm (SA Time)
Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hscwzyabQf-K7AZWWjUGzg #/registration

Image description: Man sitting behind a laptop, along with the topic and date of the webinar

09/06/2026

3 Lesser-Known JAWS Shortcuts That Can Save You Time

Most JAWS users rely on a handful of familiar commands every day, but JAWS offers an extensive range of features designed to enhance navigation and boost productivity. Whether you're using JAWS for work, study, or leisure, these lesser-known shortcuts can help you get even more from your screen reader.

1. Find Any JAWS Command with Command Search
(Keystroke: INSERT+SPACEBAR, then J)

Ever heard about a useful JAWS feature but couldn't remember the keystroke? Command Search allows you to type a keyword or description and instantly find the relevant command. It's one of the fastest ways to discover new functionality and learn JAWS shortcuts without searching through documentation or training materials.

2. Analyse Window Content with Virtualize Window
(Keystroke: INSERT+ALT+W)

Need to review information that's difficult to navigate or read in its current format? Virtualize Window creates a text version of the active window in a virtual viewer. From there, you can use familiar reading commands, search for text, copy information, and review content at your own pace. This is particularly useful for dialog boxes, system messages, and applications that don't present information in an accessible layout.

3. Master Tables with Table Layer
(Keystroke: INSERT+SPACEBAR, then T)

Working with tables on websites, in Microsoft Word, or in PDF documents? Table Layer puts you in a special navigation mode designed specifically for tables. Quickly move between cells, read entire rows or columns, and gain a better understanding of complex data without repeatedly using standard navigation commands. With practice, Table Layer can make navigating tables much faster and more intuitive.

💬 What is your favourite time-saving JAWS shortcut? Let us know in the comments!

Image description: Coloured text blocks showing the different JAWS shortcuts and related icons.

05/06/2026

📜 The History of Braille 📜

Braille has transformed literacy and independence for visually impaired individuals for nearly two centuries. The system was created by Louis Braille, a French student who lost his sight in childhood and later attended the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris.

While studying there, Louis Braille encountered a military communication system called “night writing”, developed for soldiers to read messages in the dark without speaking. Inspired by the concept, he developed a simplified tactile reading and writing system using raised dots that could be easily read with the fingertips. By 1824, at only 15 years old, he had developed the foundation of the braille system still used today.

Although braille was not immediately accepted, it eventually spread around the world and became an essential literacy tool for education, employment and independence. Today, braille continues to evolve through modern Assistive Technology like refreshable braille displays and braille notetakers.

Learn more about the history of braille from the American Foundation for the Blind: https://afb.org/about-afb/history/online-museums/life-and-legacy-louis-braille/braille-nvents-his-code

Image description: The above text alongside a photo of a hand reading braille on a page.

03/06/2026

Join the Low Vision Centre of Learning for a free Zoom webinar on 10 June at 17:30.

The topic will be "Colour Vision Deficiencies: Causes and Assessment".

You can find out more or register here:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g22LKiwdThSW46bGcbZ6gA #/registration

You are invited to register for a Zoom webinar!

When: Jun 10, 2026 17:30 Johannesburg
Topic: Colour Vision Deficiencies: causes and assessment

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g22LKiwdThSW46bGcbZ6gA


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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Webinar Speakers

Andrew Stockman (Prof )
Professor Andrew Stockman is the Steers Chair of Investigative Eye Research at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, and part-time Quishi Chair Professor at Zhejiang University. Andrew is an international authority on normal and abnormal visual function with expertise in physiological optics, colour vision, rod vision, visual adaptation, temporal sensitivity, retinal processing, clinical vision and display and film colour. He is especially well known for his work on cone spectral sensitivities and luminous efficiency functions, which have been adopted by the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE) as international standards. Other important work includes measurements and models of cone and rod temporal sensitivity and delay and the identification of slow and fast rod and cone signals, including an inverted S-cone signal that contributes to luminance; measurements of visible distortion that allow the performance of the visual system to be dissected into early and late stages, measurements and models of light adaptation; and a substantial body of clinical work on understanding and modelling the effects of molecular loss in eye disease. Andrew is also the principal author of the Colour & Vision Research Laboratories website at www.cvrl.org, a well-known and widely-used resource for both science and industry and is Chairperson of the new Commission Internationale de l'Écla

02/06/2026

Braille eMotion 40 – One Device, Every Environment.

The Braille eMotion 40 is a refreshable braille display designed to support you wherever you go — whether at home, at work, or in the classroom. With 40 refreshable braille cells in a compact, lightweight design, it offers portable braille access without compromising performance.

🏠 At Home:
• Simplify daily tasks with standalone apps like the Calculator, Alarm and Countdown Timer
• Read books and documents using the built-in DAISY reader
• Create and store voice notes, reminders and recordings for home organisation

💼 At Work:
• Navigate emails, reports and applications with compatible screen readers
• Maintain efficiency in meetings with real-time braille access and note-taking
• Seamlessly switch between multiple connected devices without re-pairing

🎓 In the Classroom:
• Take notes and revise using the built-in Notepad application
• Use the advanced calculator for maths, science and technical subjects
• Listen to recorded lectures and training materials in a range of audio and video formats

From relaxed reading at home to high-performance productivity at work or school, Braille eMotion fits seamlessly into every environment.

For more information on the Braille eMotion 40, visit our website at https://sensorysolutions.co.za/online-catalogue/braille-emotion-40/ or email us at [email protected].

Image description: A photo of the Braille eMotion 40 along with its uses in different environments.

28/05/2026

🌟 Term of the Week: Tactile Graphics 🌟

Tactile graphics are raised or textured images that allow visually impaired people to access visual information through touch.

Unlike standard printed images, tactile graphics are specially designed with raised lines, textures and shapes to represent information such as diagrams, maps, graphs and illustrations in a tactile format. They are widely used in education, orientation and mobility, and everyday navigation.

Tactile graphics play an important role in making visual information more accessible, helping users better understand concepts, navigate environments and engage more independently with the world around them.

Image description: The term of the week with its definition, alongside a picture of a tactile graphic.

27/05/2026

Freedom Scientific is presenting a free webinar with the topic “Use AI Features in JAWS, ZoomText and Fusion to Better Understand and Navigate Digital Content”.

Discover how the built-in AI features in JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion can help you work more efficiently and independently. This webinar will highlight practical tools that provide insight into your digital environment, enhance navigation, and make it easier to understand and interact with content across applications and on web pages.

You will learn how to:
• Use Vispero Companion to get help with JAWS, ZoomText, Fusion, and other applications
• Describe images, charts, and graphics using Picture Smart AI in applications, documents, and on web pages
• Identify unlabeled buttons and controls using AI Labeler
• Explore and understand complex web pages using Page Explorer

The webinar will be presented by Elizabeth Whitaker and Rachel Buchanan.

Date: 4 Jun 2026
Time: 6pm (SA Time)
Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IQmbJUKXSoGd8pNwUdUHIQ #/registration

Image description: Woman sitting behind a laptop, along with the topic and date of the webinar

25/05/2026

Join the Low Vision Centre of Learning for a free Zoom webinar on 3 June at 17:30.

The topic will be "How Low Vision Patients Can Develop Almost Limitless Visualization Ability".

You can find out more or register here:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g0c1oCfuRieouD0JgiiMnw

You are invited to register for a Zoom webinar!



When: Jun 3, 2026 17:30 Johannesburg

Topic: How Low Vision Patients Can Develop Almost Limitless Visualization Ability



Register in advance for this webinar:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g0c1oCfuRieouD0JgiiMnw





After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.



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Webinar Speakers



Deborah Zelinsky (Dr )

Deborah Zelinsky, O.D. is an optometrist noted worldwide for her work using retinal processing to change sound perception. She founded The Mind-Eye Institute, located in a northem Chicago suburb, serving as its executive director of research. Mind-Eye team members are

prescribing Mind-eye Brainwear TM (using her patented Z-Bell Test TM ) to balance eye-ear disconnects.

Dr. Zelinsky's involvement with low vision patients began in 1985, having a rotation through the Minneapols Society for the Blind, being the director of the Schwartzman-Steinberg Low Vision Clinic in

Fort Lauderdale, and partnering with the Society for Blind Services in Chicago while leading a class called The macular connection. An ever-growing number of scientific studies show that the retina reflects the condition of the brain and body, and that neuroplasticity allows for brain growth. Continuing advancements in understanding the role of retinal signaling as a significant component to overall brain function may one day make optometrists the go-to professionals for a variety of disorders

22/05/2026

FAMOUS FIGURE FRIDAY: Haben Girma

Haben Girma is a lawyer, educator and disability rights advocate who became the first deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School. From an early age, she embraced her disability as a strength and learned the power of self-advocacy, paving the way for her work advancing accessibility and equal access for people with disabilities.

Haben’s work focuses on improving access to education, technology and digital information. She makes use of innovative solutions such as real-time transcription paired with a braille display, allowing her to communicate more effectively during conversations, meetings and presentations.

Through her achievements and advocacy, Haben Girma inspires people worldwide to challenge barriers and build more inclusive communities.

To read more about Haben Girma’s story, visit https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/disabilityrights/initiatives_awards/spotlight/girma_h.

Image description: A photo of Haben Girma alongside a snippet of the above text.