Join us for Carroll Families Conversations and Connections, a Zoom series that connects parents and caregivers who can share ideas, resources, joys, and concerns. Facilitated by Barbara Duffy, a parent of a visually impaired son, our goal is to build strength, comradery, suggestions, solutions, and resources to help those in our care. 

Event Details

Date:  Friday, September 26, 2025

Time: 12:15 – 12:55 p.m. (ET)

Location: Zoom

Topic: Assistive Technology 101: What Every Parent Should Know

Facilitator: Barbara Duffy, Carroll Center Director of Foundation & Family Relations and parent of a Carroll Center alumnus

Guest Speaker: Brian Switzer, Program Manager of Accessibility Technology, Training, and Research

What You’ll Learn:

• Learn how common tools like screen readers (JAWS, VoiceOver), screen magnifiers (ZoomText), and Braille displays work. Even a basic understanding helps you support your child at home and advocate for them at school.
• Explore apps like Seeing AI, Bookshare, and Learning Ally to see how they empower—not replace—your child’s learning. Understanding these resources can help you encourage appropriate, empowering use that builds academic confidence.
• Discover strategies to motivate your child to practice consistently and celebrate moments of independence—like using a tool on their own or solving a tech challenge—which builds self-esteem and resilience.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Barbara Duffy via email or call (617) 969-6200 x 255. To learn more about the Carroll Families initiative, visit www.carroll.org/carroll-families.