Carroll Center for the Blind

05/29/2026

Happy graduation day to Peter and Mary!

05/28/2026

Meet Beatrice from Uganda ✨

Earlier this month, Beatrice traveled all the way from Uganda to participate in a program at The Carroll Center for the Blind. Uganda is home to a large community of people who are blind or visually impaired, and over the years, we’ve had the privilege of serving many individuals from there on their path to independence.

During her time here, Beatrice had a unique opportunity to live on campus alongside other people who are blind, building community while learning practical skills to navigate daily life with confidence. Through training, connection, and shared experiences, she embraced new possibilities and strengthened the tools to pursue a fulfilling life on her own terms.

We’re proud to help make this experience possible for Beatrice and honored to be part of her journey.

05/27/2026

Join us for an educational webinar in 3 weeks with AAVantgarde Bio!

Our upcoming webinar, Innovations in Stargardt Disease Research: A Conversation with AAVantgarde Bio, will provide an overview of Stargardt disease and the gene therapy research informing the CELESTE Study, AAVantgarde Bio’s Phase 1/2 clinical trial for individuals with ABCA4-related Stargardt disease. You will also hear from Dr. Jayashree Sahni, Chief Medical Officer at AAVantgarde Bio, and Alice Cadman, who will share her experience of living with Stargardt disease as a musician, educator, and entrepreneur.

AAVantgarde Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing gene therapies for individuals with inherited retinal diseases.

Join us to stay informed and connected with the latest developments in vision research:
📅 Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 P.M. EST
📍 Zoom (link provided upon registration)
💲 Free
🎤 Speakers: Dr. Jayashree Sahni, Chief Medical Officer at AAVantgarde Bio, and Alice Cadman, musician, educator, entrepreneur, and Co-founder of Sing Education in the UK
🔗 Learn more & register: carroll.org/innovations-in-stargardt-disease-research/

05/27/2026

Today’s the last day to register for the Walk for Independence happening Saturday, May 30! 📣

Registration closes at 11:59 PM tonight, Wednesday, May 27, so don’t wait to sign up! Join us for a meaningful morning of community and connection as we come together to make a difference. We can’t wait to walk alongside you!

📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. ET
📍 Charles River Campus of UMass Amherst (formerly Mount Ida Campus), 100 Carlson Ave, Newton, MA 02459
🔗 Learn more and register: carroll.org/walk

Video Description: A PSA video from WCVB featuring Jennifer Eagan sharing details about the Walk for Independence event. Red and white graphic elements appear throughout the video, along with photos of participants walking and taking photos together at the event.

05/27/2026

Join us next month for the Virtual Book Launch of The Windows Screen Reader Primer, Fifth Edition! 📣

During this special event, David will walk us through the latest updates in the fifth edition and answer your questions live. This free digital resource, created by David Kingsbury, Assistive Technology Instructor at the Carroll Center for the Blind, will be available for download in both Word and ePub formats after the webinar.

📅 Thursday, June 25 | 7:00 P.M. ET
📍 Zoom (link provided upon registration)
👉 Register and learn more: carroll.org/virtual-book-launch

Join us for the Virtual Book Launch of The Windows Screen Reader Primer! 📣

We’re excited to celebrate the virtual launch of the Fifth Edition of The Windows Screen Reader Primer, a free digital resource by David Kingsbury, Assistive Technology Instructor at the Carroll Center for the Blind.

Since its debut in 2022, the book has been downloaded by thousands of readers worldwide and continues to serve as a trusted guide for screen reader users, educators, and accessibility professionals alike.

During this special event, David will walk us through the latest updates in the fifth edition and answer your questions live. Following the webinar, attendees will be able to download the book for free in both Word and ePub formats 💻

📅 Thursday, June 25 | 7:00 P.M. ET
📍 Zoom (link provided upon registration)
👉 Register and learn more: carroll.org/virtual-book-launch

05/26/2026

Come join us at the Walk for Independence and enjoy free savory and sweet bites from Farm Grill Rotisserie! They’ll be generously serving our community throughout the event, so be sure to stop by their table. Learn more about them at farm-grill.com

Join us and make a difference at our Walk for Independence 💙

📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 9:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. ET
📍 Charles River Campus of UMass Amherst (formerly Mount Ida Campus), 100 Carlson Ave, Newton, MA 02459
🔗 Learn more and register: carroll.org/walk

05/24/2026

Thank you to our Walk for Independence Silver Sponsor, Beacon Therapeutics! 🌟

We’re excited to have Beacon Therapeutics supporting our Walk for Independence and helping us further our mission and create a meaningful impact. ✨

Beacon Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on saving and restoring sight for people living with rare and prevalent ocular diseases. Their pipeline targets blinding retinal diseases such as X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP), geographic atrophy (GA), inherited cone rod dystrophy, and another undisclosed asset. Learn more about their work at www.beacontx.com.

We hope you’ll join us at the Walk for Independence!
📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. ET
📍 Charles River Campus of UMass Amherst (formerly Mount Ida Campus), 100 Carlson Ave, Newton, MA 02459
🔗 Learn more and register: carroll.org/walk

05/23/2026

Kudos to our incredible partner, BeaconBank, on this meaningful initiative to improve the banking experience for people who are blind or have low vision in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day 👏

Beacon Bank now provides complimentary Aira Explorer access at all 145 branches and for digital banking. Visitors who are blind or have low vision can use their phone to connect with a live guide for support in the branch, at the ATM, reading statements, or completing transactions—creating more opportunities for independent access every day.

We’re excited to see initiatives like this that expand access and make banking more inclusive through technology and real-time support.

Read more here: https://www.beaconbank.com/about-us/newsroom/news/beacon-bank-announces-free-support-for-visually-impaired-users-at-all-branches

BeaconBank

Beacon Bank is pleased to announce free access at all branches to an on-demand service that connects visually impaired users to live, real-time guides who provide assistance through an app using the camera and microphone on the user’s mobile phone. Learn more.

05/22/2026

Meet former Boston Red Sox World Series Champion Lenny DiNardo at the Walk for Independence! ⚾

We’re thrilled to announce that former Boston Red Sox pitcher and 2004 World Series Champion Lenny DiNardo will join beloved Red Sox mascots Wally the Green Monster and Tessie at this year’s Walk for Independence! 🌟

Lenny played for the Boston Red Sox from 2004–2006 and was part of the team’s historic 2004 World Series-winning season. Today, he serves as an in-studio baseball analyst for the Red Sox on NESN.

Don’t miss your chance to meet a Red Sox legend while supporting a meaningful cause!
📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 9:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. ET
📍 Charles River Campus of UMass Amherst (formerly Mount Ida Campus), 100 Carlson Ave, Newton, MA 02459
🔗 Learn more and register: carroll.org/walk

05/21/2026

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! 🌎

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, created by the GAAD Foundation, an organization dedicated to making accessibility an essential part of technology and digital design. Digital accessibility ensures that people with disabilities and impairments can independently access and engage with websites, mobile apps, and other digital content.

At The Carroll Center for the Blind, we see every day how access to technology can transform independence after vision loss. Our assistive technology training programs help people who are blind or visually impaired build the skills and confidence to access and use technology independently—from screen readers and magnification tools to everyday digital devices and applications.

Learn more about our Assistive Technology Training programs and how we help individuals thrive in an increasingly digital world: carroll.org/technology-training-for-adults