SANDHYA RAO ON BLINDABILITIES - APRIL 17, 2021
iBUG VP Sandhya Rao was recently feature on the BlindAbilities program with Jeff Thompson and Pete Lane. She spoke about her life growing up, legal career and work with iBUG Today. You may listen to Sandhya's interview on the BlindAbilities program here.
IBUG TODAY ON BLINDABILITIES - MARCH 23, 2021
Sandhya Rao and Michael McCulloch were recently feature on the BlindAbilities program with Jeff Thompson and Pete Lane. They spoke about iBUG Today and its training sessions and social events. You may listen to the BlindAbilities program here.
IBUG TODAY ON ACCESSBILE WORLD TEK TALK PROGRAM - MARCH 1, 2021
Sandhya Rao and Michael McCulloch were recently feature on the Accessible World Tek Talk program as they spoke about iBUG Today and its training and other services. You may listen to the Tek Talk program here.
ONE STEP AT A TIME DOCUMENTARY OF BLIND HIKER MICHAEL MCCULLOCH
As many of you know, I hiked the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in June 2019. After more than a year in the making, the documentary of my trek is completed. I would like to extend a personal invitation to you to watch a replay of the world premiere of my film, One Step at a Time. See details below.
Michael McCulloch, a retired NASA engineer, would like to bring you along on an incredible journey – the 4-day trek along the Classic Inca Trail to one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu, Peru. It is a little over 26 miles and scales two nearly 14,000-foot mountain passes. The appeal of this particular trek is the stunning combination of Inca ruins, magnificent mountains, exotic vegetation and extraordinary ecological variety. The trail goes over high passes with unforgettable views, through cloud forests, and finally into subtropical vegetation.
At 64, Michael is the oldest blind person to hike this amazing trail. He had three able-bodied volunteers who helped train and get him in shape for the trek. He trained and prepared for more than a year. Then, the three sighted guides provided him step-by-step instructions in undertaking one of the most demanding hiking trails in the world in June 2019. The film highlights the teamwork, commitment, and personal and physical obstacles Michael had to overcome on his journey. It will empower you to get out of your comfort zones, take on new challenges and see that all things are possible regardless of your abilities.
Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/_043vAPMSVI
APPLE SPECIAL EVENT - NOVEMBER 10, 2020
CHECK OUT THE APPLE SPECIAL EVENT - NOVEMBER 10, 2020.
Apple introduces the new MacBook Air, 13‑inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini, all with the Apple M1 chip.
iBUG RECEIVES DR. JACOB BOLOTIN AWARD 2018
iBUG Today was awarded the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award on July 8, 2018 at the National Federation of the Blind National Convention in Orlando, Florida. Michael McCulloch, president and founder of iBUG Today, accepted the award on behalf of the non-profit organization whose mission is to promote individual independence, social integration and educational development of the blind community through accessible technology training and services.
The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards honor individuals and organizations that are a positive force in the lives of blind people and whose work advances the goal of helping transform their dreams into reality.
Dr. Jacob W. Bolotin (1888-1924) was the world’s first physician who was blind from birth. He achieved that goal despite the tremendous challenges faced by blind people in his time. Not only did he realize his own dream, but he also went on to support and inspire many others.
Recipients of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards break down barriers facing blind people in an innovative way; change negative perceptions of blindness and blind people; and push past existing boundaries to inspire blind people to achieve new heights.
The 2018 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award winners include:
Be My Eyes
Developers of Be My Eyes app
$25,000 award recipient
Be My Eyes is a free mobile app that connects blind and low-vision users with sighted volunteers for visual assistance through a live video call.
Peggy Chong
Creator of theblindhistorylady.com
$5,000 award recipient
For more than two decades, Peggy Chong has documented empowering stories about blind people on her website, theblindhistorylady.com.
Carol Begay Green
Creator of the Navajo Braille code
$5,000 award recipient
Carol Begay Green has developed a Navajo Braille code and a plan to teach that code across the entire Navajo Nation.
iBUG Today, Inc.
Leaders in technology training
$5,000 award recipient
iBUG Today, Inc. is a nonprofit that promotes independence, social integration, and educational development of the blind community through accessible technology training and services.
Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco
Innovators in tactile maps
$5,000 award recipient
Tactile Maps Automated Production (or TMAP) at the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco creates consumer-grade, on-demand tactile maps that give blind people information and self-confidence to travel independently.
Ski for Light
Leaders in accessible fitness
$5,000 award recipient
Ski for Light connects the blind and sighted communities in the joy of cross country skiing.
The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards are funded by the National Federation of the Blind with assistance from the Alfred and Rosalind Perlman Trust, which was created by a bequest left to the Santa Barbara Foundation and the National Federation of the Blind by Jacob Bolotin’s niece-in-law, author Rosalind Perlman.
iBUG is honored to be among such an esteemed group of individuals and organizations that are committed to transforming the lives of blind individuals. To be recognized by the National Federation of the Blind, a venerable organization that has long championed the cause of the blind, is truly humbling. iBUG would like to thank the National Federation of the Blind for this award. iBUG is also very appreciative of the time and efforts of its board members, Sandhya Rao and Belinda Skloss, and its many volunteers without whom this award would not have been possible. With this recognition and award, iBUG will continue to empower the blind through accessible technology training so that we can all live the lives we want!
Michael accepting the Bolotin Award 2018 from James Daschel, chairman of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award committee. Mark Riccobono, president of the National Federation of the Blind standing in the right background (mostly hidden by the podium)
The six Bolotin Award 2018 winners: Ski for Light, Be My Eyes, Carol Begay Green, iBUG Today, Peggy Chong, and Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco
Michael and Sandhya with the Bolotin Award 2018 trophy
Michael and Sandhya at the pre-awards luncheon with Mark Riccobono, NFB President and his wife, Melissa
IBUG RECEIVES DR. JACOB BOLOTIN AWARD 2018
iBUG Today was awarded the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award on July 8, 2018 at the National Federation of the Blind National Convention in Orlando, Florida. Michael McCulloch, president and founder of iBUG Today, accepted the award on behalf of the non-profit organization whose mission is to promote individual independence, social integration and educational development of the blind community through accessible technology training and services.
The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award honors individuals and organizations that are a positive force in the lives of blind people and whose work advances the goal of helping transform their dreams into reality.
Dr. Jacob W. Bolotin (1888-1924) was the world’s first physician who was blind from birth. He achieved that goal despite the tremendous challenges faced by blind people in his time. Not only did he realize his own dream, but he also went on to support and inspire many others.
Recipients of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards break down barriers facing blind people in an innovative way; change negative perceptions of blindness and blind people; and push past existing boundaries to inspire blind people to achieve new heights.
The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards are funded by the National Federation of the Blind with assistance from the Alfred and Rosalind Perlman Trust, which was created by a bequest left to the Santa Barbara Foundation and the National Federation of the Blind by Jacob Bolotin’s niece-in-law, author Rosalind Perlman.
iBUG is honored to be among such an esteemed group of individuals and organizations that are committed to transforming the lives of blind individuals. To be recognized by the National Federation of the Blind, a venerable organization that has long championed the cause of the blind, is truly humbling. iBUG would like to thank the National Federation of the Blind for this award. iBUG is also very appreciative of the time and efforts of its board members and its many volunteers without whom this award would not have been possible. With this recognition and award, iBUG will continue to empower the blind through accessible technology training so that we can all live the lives we want!
Other 2018 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award winners included: Be My Eyes, Peggy Chong, Carol Begay Green, Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, and Ski for Light.
Michael accepting the Bolotin Award 2018 from James Daschel, chairman of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award committee. Mark Riccobono, president of the National Federation of the Blind standing in the right background (mostly hidden by the podium). photo courtesy of the NFB
The six Bolotin Award 2018 winners: Ski for Light, Be My Eyes, Carol Begay Green, iBUG Today, Peggy Chong, and Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco. phot courtesy of the NFB
Michael and Sandhya holding the Jacob Bolotin Award. phot courtesy of the NFB
Apple Special Event, WWDC 2018
Check out the Apple Special Event, WWDC 2018 - June 4, 2018. WWDC 2018 Keynote provided highlights of iOS 12, watchOS 5, tvOS 5 and macOS Mojave software updates and more.
iBUG assists Houston METRO in testing new beacon system for bus and rail stop identification
The iBUG Guy was featured in the business section of the Houston Chronicle on May 29, 2018. He is part of a beta test team for the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority's (METRO) new app and beacons system identifying bus and rail stops in the Houston area. Other iBUG members on the beta test team include Raul Gallegos, Stacie Hardy, George Battiste, Richard Petty and Louis Maher. See the full article here.
iBUG at Insight Expo 2018
Belinda, Sandhya and Wes setting up the iBUG table in the Exhibition Hall.
Elisa stopping by the iBUG table for some help from Wes and Sandhya.
iBUG Go Texan BBQ
Sandhya, Michael and Belinda at stage area
Michael, Sandhya and Belinda at photo booth
iBUG Named Agency of The Month
Check it out! iBUG Today is the featured Agency of the Month on the American Foundation for the Blind's (AFB) VisionAware website.
iBUG at Insight Expo 2017 - March 4, 2017
Wes, Sandhya, and Michael taking a break between workshop sessions.
Sandhya, who gave the Keynote Address at the Insight Expo, giving some love to one of the guide dog puppies in the Exhibition Hall.
Sandhya, Michael and Chelsea all set up at the iBUG table in the Exhibtion Hall to help users with iOS and iDevice questions and issues
Sandhya Rao Receives Community Service Award,
Sandhya was honored to receive a community service award for her work with iBUG Today from Sneha Hastham. She shares this award with Michael McCulloch, (the iBUG Guy) and all of the other members of the iBUG team.
Sandhya and Michael presenting Amazon Look workshop at the ACBT State Conference
Chelsea, Sandhya, and Michael at the iBUG table in the Exhibition Hall.
The iBUG Guy appears on iAccessVO
The iBUG Guy, Michael McCulloch, appeared on the May 21, 2016 edition of the iAcessVO program. Michael was interviewed by iAccessVO hosts Brian Fischler and Ed Plumacher as he described the resources and services provided by iBUG Today to the blind and visually impaired community.
Listen to the recording of the iAccessVO program here. Note the iBUG Guy comes on at about 25 minutes into the program.
The iBUG Guy appears on the Accessible World Tek Talk Program
On Monday, December 1, 2014, the iBUG Guy, Michael McCulloch, appeared on the Accessible World Tek Talk program along with about a dozen other technology based groups. Dean Martineau who produces the Flying Blind, LLC Top Tech Tidbits newletter, moderated the program discussion as each group spokesperson described the resources and services they provide.
Listen to a recording of the Tek Talk program here. Note the iBUG Guy comes on at about 43 minutes into the program.
The iBUG Guy Receives CARE Award 2014
The iBUG Guy received the CARE Award 2014, presented by the Houston Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities for his outstanding dedicated service to citizens with disabilities in the City of Houston, Texas, September 26, 2014.