News & Events

the Iris Network's White Cane Awareness Walk

The Walk raises funds for The Iris Network's programs such as Vision Rehabilitation Services, Low Vision Clinic, Maine AIRS and Resident Support Services at Iris Park Apartments.

To read the full article, please click here.

Did you know that one in three people in the United States will experience significant vision loss in their lifetime? And did you know there are over 100,000 Mainers who report they have trouble seeing even with corrective devices or who cannot see at all? Of these, 40,000 can benefit from the services of The Iris Network. This number is expected to double over the next 10-15 years.

The Iris Network's mission is to help people who are visually impaired or blind to... Continue Reading

An Evening with Tom Sullivan

The Iris Network and Maine Handicapped Skiinghave joined together to share the story of Tom Sullivan, a highly sought after inspirational speaker who lives his life by "Sullivan's Rules". The rules, invented by Tom Sullivan’s dad so he could play baseball with the neighborhood kids, has shaped his life and become the cornerstone of his success — turning every negative into a positive and every disadvantage into an advantage. The Iris Network and Maine Handicapped Skiing share these values in their mission and programming. Join us for this amazing performance followed by dinner and an auction to benefit both organizations!
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Maine AIRS brings newspaper stories to vision-impaired

John Steadman, a resident of Robbinston who gradually began to lose his vision as he grew older, has been listening to an audio broadcast program of local, regional and statewide newspaper articles through Maine AIRS for two years now. "As long as it's on the air, it's on in the house," he says.

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United States Association of Blind Athletes

4th IBSA World Championships and Games
and the
2011 IBSA World Youth and Student Championships

CALLING ALL ATHLETES!
Seeking athletes who meet the requirements for both competitions These events are being held at two different times of the year and in two different geographical locations. Age specifications vary. 

In 2011 USABA will compete in two International Blind Sports Federation multi-sports events.

4th IBSA World Championships and Games 

• Dates:  April 1-10, 2011
• Location:  Antalya, Turkey
• Sports we will enter as Team USA: Athletics (Track and Field) Goalball (based on prior Paralympic qualification status) Judo Powerlifting Swimming
• Age Standards:  15 (as of  April 3,
... Continue Reading

Gubernatorial Candidate's Forum

Gubernatorial Candidate's Forum - Sponsored by the Disability Rights Center

SAVE THE DATE! September 22nd, 2010. This will be held at Hill Mansion in Augusta at 12:00 noon.
Confirmed candidates include Elliot Cutler, Paul LePage and Libby Mitchell.

In preparation for this forum, The Iris Network will be holding a pre-forum discussion groups at 11:00 a.m. on September 8th in Portland and on September 9th in Bangor. This discussion will cover the delivery of vision rehabilitation services throughout the state of Maine as well as educational services provided for children who are blind or visually impaired. The next governor can impact how these services are delivered either positively or... Continue Reading

New Website

The Iris Network's New Website
is Better than Ever 

As we all rely more and more on the Internet for everything from email to personal shopping, from entertainment to news, our expectations of an online experience continue to evolve.  That evolution dictates that every organization should redesign, or at the least refresh its Website roughly every three years.  Here at The Iris Network we've not undertaken such a project in a number of years and those who use our site to obtain information, access services or offer support have no doubt noticed it's long past time for some change.

Starting from the perspective of the users of our Website, our staff examined every aspect of the site with... Continue Reading

Senate Bill Introduced

Senators Mark Pryor and John Kerry Introduce the Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act (S. 3304)

May 5, 2010, Washington, DC:--The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) thanks Senators Mark Pryor (AR) and John Kerry (MA) for introducing the "Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act" (S. 3304). The measure is a major step forward for people with disabilities in ensuring accessible technology. Also co-sponsoring are Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad, both from North Dakota.

Similar to the "Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act" (H.R. 3101) introduced in the U.S. House, S. 3304 would modernize disability accessibility... Continue Reading