November 2020
Dear NEHEP Partners, 

November is National Diabetes Month, and we’re using this edition of the Eye Health Connection Newsletter to highlight the connection between diabetes and eye health — as well as resources for people living with vision loss. 

We’re also excited to share that NEI’s redesigned website recently won a ClearMark Award from the Center for Plain Language. Thank you to all of our partners who played a role in our site redesign — we couldn’t have done it without you!

Best, 
Maria Zacharias
Director of Communications
National Eye Institute 
See what it’s like to live with diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma
It can be difficult to describe what vision loss looks like for people with diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. But with NEI’s virtual reality (VR) app disease overlays, you can experience what it’s like to live with these common eye diseases. Download the NEI VR app See What I See on your smartphone to get started!
Take a look at Hadley’s new and improved website
This July, Hadley launched their redesigned website after several years of research, collaboration, and user testing. The new site makes it easy for people living with vision loss to find resources on a range of topics, as well as workshops on everything from daily living to technology to Braille. See for yourself how their new site empowers people living with vision loss to thrive.
Help parents and caregivers protect kids’ vision with NCCVEH’s toolkit
Vision plays a critical role in children’s ability to develop and learn. And now you can empower parents and caregivers to protect their child’s vision with a new toolkit from the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health (NCCVEH) at Prevent Blindness and the National Head Start Association (NHSA). The toolkit has educational resources and action steps to help caregivers play active roles in their kids’ eye care, including making sure kids get regular vision screenings. 
Help people who are new to vision loss with APH’s guide 
The American Printing House for the Blind (APH)’s Getting Started 2020: A Guide for People New to Vision Loss is a helpful resource for people who have recently been diagnosed with vision impairment. The guide offers tips on finding services, modifying your home, and other techniques for living independently with vision loss. 
Calendar of Events
Learn about eye health and diabetes with NEI and ADA
As we observe National Diabetes Month, join NEI and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) on November 10 from 4:30 to 5 p.m. EST for a LinkedIn and Facebook Live event about the connection between eye health and diabetes. NEI’s Dr. Emily Chew and ADA’s Dr. Robert Gabbay will talk about ways to prevent and manage diabetic eye disease — and discuss new treatment options.
Other Events and Resources
November 7, 14 and 15, 2020: The International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) is holding a virtual broadcast for their Annual Meeting 2020 — Nov. 5 is the last day to register online
November 10, 2020: National Keratoconus Foundation is observing World Keratoconus Day
November 10, 2020: American Foundation for the Blind is holding a town hall on the impact of COVID-19 on education across the lifespan
November 12, 2020: The Vision Council is holding their all-member virtual meeting
November 13 to 15, 2020: American Academy of Ophthalmology is holding their virtual annual meeting
Campaign: A workgroup of eye health organizations has launched the ScEYEnce campaign highlighting the benefits of vision research
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