Connect the Dots Event Emphasizes Accessibility in All Careers 

On Saturday, February 1, The Dot Experience team, APH staff, and volunteers attended the 2nd Annual Teen College & Career Fair at the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL). By exploring a variety of careers at our booth, participants learned about accessibility, innovation, and how they can choose professions that make the world a more welcoming place for everyone.  

Event Highlights  

The Teen College & Career Fair was a busy place as the APH team and volunteers spoke to more than fifty attendees about job opportunities and how to make accessibility a core focus in every field. Senior Software Engineers Ken Perry and Michael McDonald demonstrated how to use the Code & Go Mouse, a tool APH adapted by providing users with tactile graphics of the mazes so they could program Colby the mouse to find the cheese. Lord of the Rings tactile graphics were also on display, allowing students to see how making tools accessible can benefit everyone.  

Our production table, overseen by Braille Quality Assurance Specialist, Jason Wilson, and co-op student, Faid Mohamed, had examples of educational aid prototypes along with a Pop-A-Cell fixture. Staff spoke to visitors about how APH products are manufactured to fit the needs of students and Braillers were available for attendees to use to type their names, too.  

The Dot Experience team discussed the importance of careers in nonprofits and showed students the benefits of creating an attraction that’s accessible for everyone. People who are blind or low vision cannot see artifacts in glass display cases. Tactile representations will immerse visitors in our exhibit and even entice young kids to engage with these items. The team provided examples of some interactive elements, such as a cast of Helen Keller’s hand and a tiny model of a Hall braillewriter. As they ran their hands over our braille and tactile blueprints, participants were also able to discover what the museum will look like.    

Attendee Feedback  

During the event, visitors engaged with APH products, asked insightful questions, and provided us with positive feedback. One participant said, “It was an eye-opening experience, and I learned a lot from coming here.” A high school student agreed and said, “I love that there are a lot of opportunities to help individuals with disabilities. I’m very interested in working with you!”  

The Dot Experience Education Coordinator, Meg Outland Stewart, reflected on the program, saying “Working with The Dot Experience at APH is a true passion of mine, especially as I witness the transformative impact that our upcoming attraction is making in access and inclusion. It’s incredibly fulfilling to share with teenagers that visited our tables on Saturday that not only have I found a career perfectly suited to my history and library science degrees, but also, every day, I have the privilege of making a real difference in the world of accessibility and inclusion — something we need now more than ever.”  

We would like to thank the LFPL Main Library for allowing us to participate in the Teen College & Career Fair as well as APH staff and volunteers who worked to make this event a success. To learn more about The Dot Experience and future events, follow us on Facebook.