SmartBuyGlasses Optical Group’s Post

Would you rather be unable to see or have to wear eyeglasses that embarrass you? That's the question that opened the eyes of VisionSpring founder, Jordan Kassalow, when he was volunteering in Colombia in 1987. Dr. Kassalow met Noka, a woman from a rural community who took a full day to visit their eye care outreach camp. "By U.S. standards, Noka was legally blind," wrote Jordan in his book, 'Dare to Matter.' "After examining her eyes, however, I was able to find the one pair of used eyeglasses we had that were a 100 percent match for the prescription she needed." But three days later, Noka returned because her friends and family were mocking her and Jordan understood why — the glasses he had given her were 1950's cat-eye style with rhinestones and Coke-bottle lenses. Not something she would have chosen for herself. Jordan brought this insight to the founding of VisionSpring, "[It's] the difference between what it feels like to have to take whatever someone has to give, and having the power to choose for yourself." Since Day 1, we have offered style options for eyeglasses. We proactively seek feedback, and update our designs to match what people want. By providing choice, we respect people's dignity, confidence, and identity. And by supporting our partners in adopting stylish, affordable, glasses, we can ensure that everyone has the 'Dignity of Choice.' #DignityOfChoice #SocialEntrepreneurship

📢TOMORROW’S THE DAY!! 🗞️ You won’t want to miss our upcoming workshop tomorrow. To learn more and register, head to the link below. https://lnkd.in/eRvmWadH #MCS #Multiplechemicalsensitivity #awarenessiskey #healthawareness #misdiagnosis #sharetheknowledge

A lot has changed at auticon Switzerland in just a few months. With Iris Gallmann as our new CEO, we have embarked on a journey that has both challenged us and brought us closer together. We have evolved from an approach that focused mainly on “helping autistic people” to an understanding that the strengths of our autistic IT experts mean real added value for our customers AND employees. We want to fully utilize this advantage (and by that we empower autistic people). These changes have unsettled us to some extent. We didn't think we had time for a team values workshop - there were more urgent things to do. But precisely because of the changes and the associated uncertainties, it was all the more important to hold this workshop! The discussions not only gave us a stronger “sense of unity”, but also a clear orientation for our decisions and actions. We discussed the following questions together as a team:   1. what does the autistic community in Switzerland need and value?   2. what do our customers need and value?   3. what do I personally need and value?   4. what does auticon Switzerland need and value?   5. what does our team need and value? The results are beautiful values, perhaps formulated in big words to the outside world, but of profound importance to us.  We realized that it's not just the end result that counts, but also the journey to get there - the conversations and discussions that these different perspectives bring are priceless. Without them, the results would not be worth the same. Our team is made up of mostly neurodivergent people and we quickly realized that we place a particularly high value on honest and direct communication. We value our diversity and draw enormous motivation from it to do a good job and create real added value. So, curtain up for our values! 🦚 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 & 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 We commit to honesty and transparency. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 & 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 We value everyone's perspective and act with compassion and good intentions. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 We support our team's growth and well-being. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 We create value for our customers and employees. Thank you Johnny Luu for leading the workshop! Thanks to Christopher Ball for the super good formulations! And a thank you to the whole team! 😊 Felix Schlegel, Daniel Baur, Iris Gallmann, Joanna Williams, Niclas, Damian Steiner, Elias Styner, Emanuel Kohler, Mira Ebinger, Martin Eisenhammer, Matthias Engels, Nithurshan Thavendran, Taryn Kiser, Zino Zischek #Neurodiversity #TeamValues #InclusiveWorkplace #AutismAtWork #Empowerment #Leadership

Start planning your impact for 2025! Partner with Small Sums and outfit workers experiencing homelessness with the gear and confidence they need to get to their first and next paycheck and on the path toward stability.

BSL summary: https://lnkd.in/gc-bmXZG Yesterday, 12 March 2024, we held a hybrid community information event for the Justisigns2 & the Royal Society of Edinburgh funded #SILENTHARM projects. Funded through the Heriot-Watt University internal impact fund to accelerate translation of research to impact, we co-delivered with officers from PoliceScotland. The session was divided into 4 parts: 1) Identifying domestic abuse - what is it? 2) You have identified you are a victim, or you know someone who is - what to do next? 3) You've contacted the police- what service do you get? 4) Other things in place to support. There were also contributions from Contact Scotland, Tayside Deaf Hub & Cats Protection on how deaf people can report domestic abuse, access support & also make sure their pets are protected if they want to leave an abusive relationship. People in the room & online included deaf women, interpreters, representatives from SignHealth & the #ScottishEthnicMinorityDeafCharity Thanks to: Deaf Action for hosting the in-person venue (with tea & biscuits!) & organising the livestream (sorry no virtual tea & biscuits!); Lucy Clark for being MC; & all contributors & attendees for making it such a successful event This type of event illustrates the importance of #partnership & #collaboration in achieving real world impact from research - making a difference to people's everyday lives Free resources from the projects are available for deaf people, interpreters & anyone working in a professional capacity with survivors of domestic abuse on the following websites: https://lnkd.in/gyTDZhyE https://lnkd.in/g7vJcGaH There is also a mini-documentary in BSL about deaf women's experiences of domestic abuse in the UK based on our research (trigger warning: some of the scenarios may be upsetting to watch): https://lnkd.in/g9rXRQSs A video recording of the event is available here: https://lnkd.in/gBGc7m_A These important projects have been challenging in many ways due to the content, but so worthwhile. We will continue to seek funding to further the cooperation as we have only just scratched the surface.

Have you heard of Period Pin? Period Pin is working away to make it easy for menstruators to find the free products they need, when they need them. We appreciate the support from libraries, museums community-based organizations, and some private businesses – all committed to providing free menstrual products. And many others sharing the map with menstruators within their communities they serve. Check this link to learn more! https://periodpin.ca/

Listen to the latest episode and learn how innovation and compassion for a community is improving oral health in Oregon!

A few weeks ago, I came across a post about the United Nations General Assembly’s Arts and Health week in NYC. Being the curious person I am, I couldn’t help but sign up! The first event I attended was a panel discussion at Lincoln Center on arts and health policy. It was a good conversation that left me thinking about how arts and health are already working together to make real change, and how much more impact it can make with increased funding and recognition. Next, I participated in an Art Observation Workshop at the Whitney Museum, where we explored how healthcare facilities are using the arts to support their staff’s well-being. It was refreshing to see arts in action, making a tangible difference in the workplace. What I loved most was that the focus wasn’t on whether art can help people, it was all about how it’s already happening. Since the 2022 executive order, the momentum around arts and health has been growing, and now it’s about pushing that forward and making it sustainable. For organizations, not just those in healthcare, there’s a real opportunity here: Are you considering how the arts can support your team’s well-being? For arts organizations, have you engaged your staff through artistic opportunities? It’s not just about creativity for creativity’s sake, these programs can reduce burnout, boost morale, and create a healthier workplace environment. It’s powerful stuff. A great alternative to happy hours! Or you can just include the wine! I’m so excited to be part of these conversations and to see how arts and health will continue to intersect and evolve beyond its sector. https://lnkd.in/eTFjP5aP

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Today on World Sight Day 2024, we’re focusing on the eye health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Healthy vision supports not only educational and social development but also a strong connection to culture and Country. Increased access to early detection and intervention services will offset the future risk of poor eye health and vision care outcomes. In our Report 'Taking Action' a key recommendation included ensuring there is an increase in resourcing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preventative eye health care activities for children as a priority to ensure our children can thrive in their early years. You can read the report here https://lnkd.in/gVUBdDrY Join us in raising awareness about the importance of eye care for our young people and the need for increased investment in preventative health activities by Government and sector stakeholders to prioritise prevention and early intervention activities. Together, we can ensure our vision, our way for generations to come. 🌟 #WorldSightDay #EyeHealth #FirstNationsEyeHealth #HealthForAll #LoveYourEyes #preventativehealth