02/06/2026
The Science and Engineering Division and National Association of Blind Students Joint STEM Seminar
Two divisions of the National Federation of the Blind, namely: The Science and Engineering Division (SED) and the National Association of Blind Students (NABS), are presenting a joint Zoom conference on how blind college and graduate students, and blind professionals, are succeeding in courses and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Zoom conference link will be the standard NABS Zoom link shown at the bottom of this message. The call will occur at 7:30 PM EST through 9 PM EST on Sunday, February 22, 2026. We will have three speakers. Each talk will be twenty minutes long with an extra five minutes for questions.
Topics will be of interest for blind students from middle school through graduate school and for professionals. Parents of blind school-aged children and educators are also welcome.
Currently, the scheduled titles, speakers, abstracts, and speaker introductions, are Lauren Altman, president, National Association of Blind Students, John Miller, president, Science and Engineering Division.
Title: Engineering the Future: Storing Clean Energy Deep Beneath Our Feet (7:40 PM) Speaker: Matthew Ard
Abstract: The transition to clean energy is one of the greatest challenges of our time, but what opportunities actually exist to solve this crucial problem? In this talk, I will introduce the field of Energy Science and Engineering and discuss how I am working to tackle climate change through my research on large-scale energy storage. I will share my journey from undergraduate studies to a PhD program and discuss the methods and technologies I use to conduct high-level research as a student with a visual impairment. By sharing my research and personal experience, I hope to demystify the research process and show that a career in research is a tangible reality for students from all backgrounds.
Title: Birding by Ear and Beyond; Exploring, experiencing, and engaging in the wonder of the Natural world as a person who is blind (8:05 PM) Speaker: Donna Posont
Abstract: Wonder of the natural world is for everyone and that includes those who are blind or low vision. Sometimes we learn in various ways by engaging all our other senses to experience natural science. This program at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Environmental Interpretive Center meets at least monthly to learn about nature and is taught as though all participants are blind, but, friends and family are welcome.
Title: Audiom: Evaluating if digital interactive alternate text provides the same information as visual spatial maps and diagrams (8:30 PM) Speaker: Brandon Biggs
Abstract: Sighted people view over 300 digital maps a year, in contrast to blind people, who view less than one map a year on average. Only around 17.5% of blind
people have ever viewed a map of any kind as a blind person. This talk will present Audiom, an interactive alternate text game-like digital interface that can allow the non-visual viewing and creation of different types of spatial information, such as maps and diagrams. Over 13 academic studies and co-designs
have been performed on over 150 blind and 40 sighted participants to create and evaluate Audiom. The presentation will then discuss how Audiom is being compared with visual digital maps and diagrams. The objective of this work is to clearly define what it means for a non-visual text map to serve the equivalent
purpose to a visual map to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. The results of this work should inform digital accessibility legislation to facilitate equal educational and employment opportunities for professions requiring the use of spatial information.
Questions: (8:50 PM)
Closing Remarks
Lauren Altman and John Miller (8:55 PM)
Join Zoom Meeting:
February 22, 2026, 7:30 PM EST
Zoom Meeting Room https://zoom.us/j/4678833687?_x_zm_rtaid=KOKAICd1R4ihtmx1LS5OTg.1769021469326.3ccbb5b08dc1b4996eb5278c87f34feb&_x_zm_rhtaid=216%23success
Meeting ID: 467 883 3687
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+13017158592,4678833687 US (Germantown)
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