Vendors and speakers to highlight event for visually impaired

People with visual impairments can catch up on the latest innovations and services available to assist in their daily lives.

The DuPage Center for Independent Living is hosting its 14th annual Visually Impaired Awareness Day from 3 to 6 p.m. at College of DuPage.

The event features products such as computers and personal data assistants geared toward those with vision problems.

Other useful merchandise includes devices that convert text from a computer into speech, and technology that can enlarge printed documents and books.

"This event gives people who have questions about vision loss an easy opportunity to get to meet an awful lot of people who could answer their questions," the Center for Independent Living's Pat Byrne said.

Last year more than 30 vendors participated.

The awareness day also offers information about support groups and educational services - such as the Hadley School for the Blind, a Winnetka-based agency that works with the visually impaired.

Rich King, sports director for WGN, will speak about his experiences of caring for his late wife Maggie, who dealt with the challenges of both hearing and vision loss.

"Hopefully people will be able to relate to his story," Byrne said.

The awareness day will be in COD's Student Resource Center North, Room 2800, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

For details, call (630) 469-2300 or e-mail PAT_dupagecil@sbcglobal.net.