Thanks for coming to HAVIN Insight Expo 2017

Thank you to all who came out to yesterday’s HAVIN Insight Expo 2017, Pathways Toward Independence. There were abundant opportunities to grow, learn, and gather resources, not to mention lots of opportunities to meet some new friends and see some you haven’t seen in a while. Or, maybe you were one of those whose highlight was  hugging one of the many cute puppies that were there.

 

If you were there, you were probably, like most of us, moved by the personal account shared by our keynote speaker, Sandhya Rao. Even those of us who already know Sandhya found ourselves sitting on the edge of our seats, listening to everything she had to share about discovering her personal independence. The variety of people present throughout the event reflected well who makes up our community; it was a melting pot of ages, cultures, and ethnicities. Our youngest attendee was only 13, while our most senior attendee was 93. Wow! Talk about bringing unity to our community!

 

We at HAVIN are motivated to bring together a variety of speakers and exhibitors to best serve our community. While we don’t have a date set for it yet, it will be next year before the Insight Expo returns. However, know that our HAVIN board will be steadily looking for a way to bring together the most beneficial and interesting program long before that date gets here. There are many long hours spent planning our events months before they happen.

 

Until then, we will be out and about the Houston area, working with our individual groups, but also being involved to represent HAVIN at various events within our community. We hope to see you at one of those events.

Two weeks until the 2017 HAVIN Insight Expo

The Houston Area Insight Expo 2017 is now two weeks away and it is an event that you will not want to miss.

We are strongly encouraging pre-registration to get the “early bird” discount of only $5. Early bird registration deadline is February 20, which is this coming Monday…so don’t delay!

Remember, the Insight Expo is on Saturday, March 4, 2017.

The theme for this year’s Insight Expo is “Pathways Toward Independence.” In addition to key exhibitors promoting independence within the visually impaired community, we have six exciting workshops planned:

Independent Travel

Transportation

Recreation

Technology

Organization

Adjustment to Blindness.

Our keynote speaker will be Sandhya Rao, one of the most positive and dynamic members of our Houston visually impaired community.

Come out and join us for a day of sharing information and resources, not to mention the chance to hang out with some of the coolest people you’ll ever meet.

The registration form is right here, along with the media release form. (Sign the media release form and bring it with you on the day of the Insight Expo!)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/w3lmcabsupsb5e7/2017%20Insight%20Expo%20Registration.zip?dl=0

registration form for 2017 HAVIN Insight Expo

Here ye, hear ye…here it is, the registration form for the 2017 HAVIN Insight Expo!

We are strongly encouraging pre-registration, so don’t delay!

The theme for this year’s Insight Expo is “Pathways Towards Independence.” We have six interesting workshops planned: Independent Travel, Transportation, Recreation, Technology, Organization, and Adjustment to Blindness.

Our keynote speaker will be Sandhya Rao, one of the most positive and dynamic members of our Houston visually impaired community.

Come out and join us for a day of sharing information and resources, not to mention the chance to hang out with some of the coolest blind people you’ll ever meet.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zy58yr0ceinxrk2/Insight%20Expo%202017%20Registration%20Form.docx?dl=0

A Christmas gift from HAVIN!

We hope you are HAVIN a great holiday season!

 

Here’s a special Christmas gift for you…we have set the date for our next Insight Expo. It will be on Saturday, March 4. The location will be the same as it has been each year, the University of Houston’s main campus, in the Health and Biomedical Science Building.

 

Our theme is “Pathways To Independence.” We have a great keynote speaker lined up and a variety of workshops planned to address several aspects of being independent.

 

We are still busy little elves, working on planning the specific details of the event, so mark your calendar and keep watching for updates.

2016 White Cane Safety Day Details

In case you need the details of the event here they are!

Make sure to stop by the HAVIN table and say hello!

 

2016 White Cane Safety Day

Friday, Oct. 14Houston City Hall9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

9:30 a.m. – March from 915 Walker St. to Houston City Hall/Hermann Square at 902 Smith St.

 

10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Event will include a mayoral proclamation, speakers, activities for kids, prize giveaways, demonstrations of assistive technology, more than 40 exhibitors, live entertainment, non-visual simulations and more.

 

For more information contact:
houstonwhitecanesafetyday@gmail.com
or Visit online:
http://www.facebook.com/houstonwcsd

2016 White Cane Safety Day

Are you planning on going to the City of Houston’s White Cane Safety Day this Friday?

 

Son of a gun…so are we! Make sure to stop by the HAVIN table and say howdy!

https://m.facebook.com/events/626537320854187?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%221%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22%5B%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22dashboard%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22surface%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%22dashboard_filter%5C%22%3A%5C%22upcoming%5C%22%7D%7D%5D%22%7D&_rdr

Come see us at the Disability Awareness Month Kickoff on Sept. 30!

Please join us for the 2016 Disability Awareness Month Kickoff (DAMK) event sponsored by the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and the City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods. HAVIN will be there as an exhibitor, so stop by our table and visit with us!

 

WHEN:  September 30, 2016, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Registration begins at 9:30 AM

WHERE:  Metropolitan Multi-Service Center (MMSC), 1475 W. Gray, Houston 77019

The annual DAMK event promotes public participation in the citywide celebration of Disability Awareness Month set for October. Disability Awareness Month salutes the achievements of people with disabilities and educates about the value of diversity inclusion. This year’s theme is “Awareness and Advocacy”.

Event Features
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to Celebrate the Remodeling of the MMSC

Mayoral Proclamation – Mayor Sylvester Turner, Councilwoman Ellen Cohen

Keynote Address:  Celebrating The Spirit of Advocacy – Tribute to Jay Stiteley – Angel Ponce, MOPD

Exhibitors and Demonstrations

Live Entertainment

Family-Friendly Self-Advocacy Activities

Free Food and Refreshments

Door Prizes
To RSVP for the event and request accommodations, call the Department of Neighborhoods Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities at
832-394-0814
or visit
http://www.houstontx.gov/disabilities.

Tomorrow is the big day, 2016 Insight Expo!

That’s right, its almost here, the 2016 HAVIN Insight Expo. Saturday, July 30, 2016, from 9 AM to 2 PM, at the University of Houston Health and Biomedical Sciences Building, 4811 Calhoun.

 

Want to come but didn’t pre-register? Don’t worry, we’re taking walk-ups at the door, $10 per person!

 

Like they say on The Price Is Right…Come on down!