Blind Professionals Network

07/04/2026

NFB 2026 in Austin TX: Interested in meeting some of our wonderful Directors or purchasing some exclusive BPN merch? Find us today between 1 and 3 in the main lobby of the JW Marriott. Get there early because merchandise is limited. We look forward to meeting you there.

06/24/2026

BPN Empowered “What Blindness Means to Me” essay call!
Are you ready to share your voice, your truth, and your journey?

Blind Professionals Network is proud to announce our upcoming special feature and presentation event, and we want you to be a part of it. We are officially opening a call for essays centered around a powerful and deeply personal theme: "What Blindness Means to Me."

Blindness is not a single, uniform experience; it is a complex, evolving, and deeply individual journey. We want to lift up the diverse voices within our community. We are asking you to dig deep, reflect on your unique experiences, and express your raw, authentic feelings. Whether it represents resilience, innovation, identity, or a unique perspective on the professional world, your story matters.

Submission Guidelines
To ensure your essay can be considered for our upcoming features and presentations, please adhere to the following criteria:
Length: Between 500 and 700 words.
Authenticity First: This is your story. The use of AI writing tools is strictly prohibited. We want to read your genuine voice, your personal prose, and your heartfelt perspective.
Deadline: All entries must be submitted using the official link below no later than Monday, June 29th.
Opportunities for Featured Writers
Submitting your essay opens up several exciting doors to share your story with the wider community:
Digital Feature: Selected essays will be prominently featured on the official BPN website and across our active social media platforms, amplifying your voice to professional networks nationwide.
Special BPN Presentation: We will be hosting a dedicated virtual event showcasing these powerful entries. When you submit, you will have the opportunity to opt-in to read your own essay live, or, if you prefer, have your essay read on your behalf by a designated speaker.
Why Share Your Story?
Your narrative has power. By sharing what blindness means to you, you help dismantle misconceptions, provide vital representation for others navigating their own professional and personal journeys, and contribute to the rich tapestry of our community's history. Your words could be exactly what someone else needs to hear to spark their own transformative action.
How to Enter
Ready to share your insight? Craft your piece, ensure it meets the word count, and submit it directly through our secure portal:
Submit Your "What Blindness Means to Me" Essay Here
https://forms.gle/47vYzfs4msELo1YA6
Note: The essay call is open to all blind and visually impaired individuals. Please feel free to share.

We can’t wait to read your powerful words and celebrate the depth of our community together.

Thank you for sharing your voice with Blind Professionals Network! Please use this form to submit your entry for our "What Blindness Means to Me" essay call. Guidelines Reminder: Length must be between 500 and 700 words. Submissions must be entirely your own authentic work. The use of AI writing too...

06/16/2026

BPN Professional Empowerment Wednesday (PEW): Aira Presentation
Join us on Wednesday, June 17th at 7:00 PM CT for an empowering presentation from Aira.
Aira is a visual interpreting service that connects blind and low-vision individuals with live, professional agents via a smartphone camera. Agents verbally describe surroundings, read documents, and navigate spaces.
In employment, Aira serves as a workplace accommodation, helping users apply for jobs, navigate offices, and independently access inaccessible software or visual data.

In this session, you will be guided through the aspects of the AIRA services that are the most useful for blind job seekers and other employment-related tasks.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84531237021?pwd=82FcCly6gvmomHpCPZWRzYj91BtgHR.1

Meeting ID: 845 3123 7021
Passcode: 973099
# Aira

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

06/09/2026

Join us tonight at 7:00 pm CT
Empower to Thrive Virtual Workshops
Job Boards and Jaws, Identifying the Most Accessible Options

In this session, Amanda Matheny will give you an overview of some of the most popular job board websites, including identifying those that don't work smoothly with screen readers. You will take with you a deeper knowledge of which boards to utilize and how to recognize when to seek better options.

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

05/22/2026

Join us tonight for this month's Career Connections Virtual Networking Mixer! Connect with other BVI professionals in similar careers or explore other interested career opportunities. This is a unique space designed to bridge the gap between shared experience and professional success.
Event Details
• Date: Tonight and Every 4th Friday of the month
• Time: 7:00 PM CT
• Location: Zoom (Access details below)
No registration required.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81806279889?pwd=epvaWCz0v4k4MpjoveZ168Jp2rSqak.1
Meeting ID: 818 0627 9889
Passcode: 902787
We look forward to seeing you there and helping you expand your professional Business eXchange Networkk!

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

05/20/2026

May Professional Empowerment Wednesday: Redefining What’s Possible!
Are you ready to be inspired and empowered? Join us for this month’s Professional Empowerment Wednesday (PEW) as we feature World Services for the Blind (WSB)!
This isn't just a presentation —it’s an inside look at how innovation, technology, and community are creating real-world pathways to independence and career success. Whether you're looking to grow your own skills or want to be part of a movement leading the charge in accessibility, this session is for you.
Why You Should Attend:
• Transformative Insights: See how immersive life skills and career training are changing lives.
• Career Pathways: Discover national partnerships that open doors to meaningful employment.
• Meaningful Impact: Gain a clear understanding of how you can contribute to a more inclusive future.
Mark Your Calendars:
• Topic: May PEW: World Services for the Blind
• Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM CT
How to Join:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82458813901?pwd=FpQT6dgfk87IGVX7U8zDZV3L2bl08d.1
Meeting ID: 824 5881 3901
Passcode: 269781
Let’s come together for a powerful discussion on innovation and opportunity. We can’t wait to see you there!

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

05/18/2026

05/17/2026

Reflecting on an incredible experience!
The 2026 BPN Professional Empowerment Conference this past April was nothing short of transformative. From the high-energy keynote sessions to the tactical breakout workshops, the atmosphere was buzzing with ambition and growth.
We’ve heard from so many of you who walked away with a renewed sense of purpose and a "toolbelt" full of strategies to elevate your professional journey. Seeing this community come together to level up is exactly why we do what we do!
A Heartfelt Thank You
An event of this magnitude doesn't happen in a vacuum, and we are overflowing with gratitude for those who made it possible:
 Our Generous Sponsors: Without your support, this vision would not have been possible. Thank you for investing in professional excellence and believing in our mission.
Our Empowering Speakers: Thank you for sharing your wisdom, your vulnerability, and your blueprints for success. You didn't just talk; you inspired action.
Our Career Fair Employers: A huge thank you for showing up to invest in our talent. By opening doors and sharing opportunities, you are helping build the future of our industry.
Our Planning Committee: The "architects" behind the magic. Thank you for the countless hours, the late-night meetings, and your unwavering vision to make this our best event yet.
Our Dedicated Volunteers: To the smiling faces at registration and the hands helping behind the scenes—you are the heartbeat of this conference. We couldn’t have done it without your energy!
Our Exhibitors: For showcasing the innovations and resources that will fuel our community's future endeavors.
Our Attendees (In-Person & Online): Whether you joined us in the room or tuned in from across the globe, your engagement is what truly brought this experience to life.
Looking Ahead
If you missed out this time around—don't worry, we felt your absence! We are thrilled to announce that the wheels are already in motion for the 2027 Conference. We’re taking everything we learned this year to make the next one even bigger, bolder, and more empowering.
Keep that momentum going! Drop a "🙌" in the comments if you’re ready to crush your goals this year, or share your favorite takeaway from the conference below!

alEmpowermentConi

04/07/2026

2026 BPN Professional Empowerment Conference Sponsor:

Have you ever found yourself mid-conversation… only to realize the other person walked away—and no one told you?

For many blind and visually impaired individuals, this isn’t hypothetical—it’s a daily frustration. Missing subtle visual cues like a smile, a frown, or even knowing whether someone is still standing in front of you can create moments of confusion, isolation, and even embarrassment. Imagine speaking, thinking you’re engaged in a meaningful exchange, only to discover you’ve been talking to the air because the other party walked away without any notice.
Now imagine that changing.

We’re excited to introduce one of our incredible sponsors for the 2026 BPN Professional Empowerment Conference: HapWarethe innovators behind Aleye, a revolutionary device that is transforming how blind individuals perceive and navigate social interactions.
Aleye empowers users by translating visual cues into real-time, accessible feedback—helping them stay connected, confident, and fully present in every interaction. This isn’t just technology—it’s independence, dignity, and inclusion in action.
And here’s the exciting part: HapWare will be joining us LIVE at the conference! Attendees will have the opportunity to experience Aleye firsthand, with live demonstrations—and even some of our exhibitors will get the chance to test this groundbreaking device themselves.
This is just one example of the powerful, hands-on experiences waiting for you at the 2026 BPN Professional Empowerment Conference.
Don’t just hear about innovation—experience it.

Want to Attend: Register Today at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdv9duD6wr6gDTA_Z0ff4TGQrzjJMkXqQxEttaJ9khcmy3w2w/viewform

Want to partner with us? Email us at [email protected]



Logo description:
geometric logo made of three vertical shapes on a white background:
a left bar split into black and green halves, a small black rectangle in the center, and a taller black rectangle on the right, forming an abstract ‘H’-like
design.

03/31/2026

The Room You Need to Be In
The BPN Professional Empowerment Conference: Building the Foundation for Transformative Action
Saturday, April 25th
Houston Lighthouse, 3602 W Dallas St, Houston, TX 77019
8 AM – 5 PM CST
Free to Attend
Seats are limited—register now!

Thank you for registering for the 2026 BPN Professional Empowerment Conference. Conference Theme: Building the Foundation for Transformative action We are proud to offer a hybrid experience, allowing you to join us either in person in Houston, TX, or virtually from wherever you are. Date: Saturday,....