Virtual Helping Hands and a coalition of community volunteers are proud to announce Helen Keller Day in Second Life. Helen Keller Day is a community-event exploring how and why to employ, educate, entertain, and engage everyone through virtual worlds.
Helen Keller Day in Second Life is an annual event for information acquisition, education, exploration of employment opportunities, social engagement, and enjoyment of arts and entertainment. There will be vendors, employers, presentations, and pure, unbridled fun.
It's a day dedicated to raising our level of awareness for our fellow Second Life Residents who cope with disabilities. At some time in our lives, we've all felt what it feels like not to be able to participate... not to be included. Knowing how to include someone with a disability, and make them feel welcome, is an important social skill, and a small but significant kindness that we can all benefit from and feel good about.
Participants meet people learn things, get freebies, and be entertained for their efforts.
On June 27, 2009, we heard keynote speakers Keller Johnson Thompson, the great grandniece of Helen herself, Michael Hingson and Linden Lab's Education and Healthcare Developer, John Lester, aka Pathfinder inden. We also heard from experts in the fields of virtual education, employment, social engagement and entertainment. Information on accessible building in Second Life, as well as, contests featuring skilled builders doing accessible builds before our virtual eyes. There was a world premier "movie" featuring "Max," the virtual guidedog developed in Second Life for blind or visually impaired SL users. Also featured was an exhibition of Max's abilities, a fashion show, chess, a Braille chat display, dancing, singing quests and storytelling... even a virtual goldmine!
Helen Keller Day is returning back to Second Life on Saturday, June 19, 2010. The 13+ hour event beginning at 8:00 AM. PST/SLT will be held on four sims: The Ye, Olde, Supporte, and Faire. Presentations throughout the day include topics such as enabling deaf or blind users in Second Life, a style-enabled fashion show, and accessibility issues and solutions in Second Life. The day will conclude with a "dance till we drop wrap-up party" at Club Accessible.
You will hear keynote speaker Michael Hingson, survivor of the World Trade Center attack and National Sales Director for the National Federation of the Blind for the KNFB Reader, and you will hear from experts in the fields of virtual education, employment, social engagement and entertainment. You can be immersed into darkness as you and Max, the Virtual Guidedog developed in Second Life for blind or visually impaired Second Life users, explore a virtual goldmine or maze. Other events such as an accessible art exhibit, accessible fashion show and virtual braille display are planned. Check the VHH Event Calendar for the schedule of events and activities.
Experiences designed to spark our imagination and "see" and "hear" the world with all the senses in new and thought provoking ways. Plan to join the pioneers in virtual worlds who are inspired by the spirit of Helen Keller to explore ways in which everyone can participate and create a world that richer for all.
Please come and learn, connect, explore, be entertained, and pick up freebies while sharing this positive and uplifting experience with us. We are looking forward to your presence at the next Helen Keller Day in Second Life.