Blind Institute of Technology (BIT)
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thisisblindit.bsky.social
Blind Institute of Technology (BIT)
@thisisblindit.bsky.social
14 followers 28 following 97 posts
We’re the tech-savvy nonprofit run by professionals with disabilities, training and placing the next generation of Salesforce pros & accessibility experts. Run by people with disabilities. Built for the future. #NoBarriers
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thisisblindit.bsky.social
From the United Nations with Salesforce Accessibility to stages worldwide, the Golden Hoodie represents BIT showing up for accessibility and workforce equity. 🩵

Here’s a look at where the Golden Hoodie – and our mission – traveled over the past year and beyond. 🌟

#GoldenHoodie #TeamBIT
December 29, 2025 at 8:45 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
Happy Holidays! 🎁

BIT will be closed 12/24-12/25 and 1/1. ❄️

Wishing you a wonderful season and a bright start to the new year! ✨
Festive card with gold pine branches, cones, red stars, and snowflakes on a white background. Text in the center reads “HAPPY HOLIDAYS. BIT will be closed 12/24-12/25 and 1/1.” BIT logo appears at the bottom.
December 23, 2025 at 3:34 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
Happy birthday and thank you to Zenita Henderson (“Z”) for four amazing years on the BIT Board! 🎉

Z’s leadership and support helped guide BIT through growth and change. We’re so grateful — and wish her all the best in what’s next. 💚
Three people smile at the camera at a formal event. The woman on the left wears a zebra-striped jacket, the person in the center wears a shiny jacket, and the woman on the right wears glasses and a black dress. The background is dim with tables and illuminated screens
December 18, 2025 at 8:50 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
#TeamBIT attended Salesforce’s Agentforce Nonprofit Community Sprint in San Francisco last week and got hands-on with Agentforce. Great to see accessibility in action — including a service dog supporting one of our team members.

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant H421F240171
A large, diverse group of people pose and smile together in an office space with large windows. Some people kneel in front, while others stand. There is a guide dog, plants, and a screen in the background reading "Agentforce." The mood is cheerful and collaborative.
December 15, 2025 at 7:43 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
BIT’s apprenticeship model meets professionals where they are and supports their growth holistically.

Kristy Schenderlein explains how coaching and behavioral support help apprentices thrive.

Learn more: dif.blindit.org/employer-par...

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant H421F240171
December 8, 2025 at 8:49 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
BIT is excited to join Sight Tech Global 2025!

Join us Dec 9-10 for this FREE virtual event on AI & accessibility.

Register: forms.gle/MF36RTSxaxHn...

#SightTechGlobal #Accessibility #AI #TeamBIT #SalesforceAccessibility

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant H421F240171
Sight Tech Global 2025 promotional graphic with dark blue abstract tech background. Header reads "Proud to Present at Sight Tech Global 2025" with the Sight Tech Global logo in the top right corner. Main title in white text: "Spotlight - Bridging the Gap: How BIT Opens Tech Careers for Professionals with Disabilities." Four circular professional headshots below - from left to right: Mike Hess (Founder and Executive Director, BIT logo beneath) wearing sunglasses and smiling; Elliott Natale (Academy Director, BIT logo beneath) with beard smiling; Luis Salazar (Workforce Development Technical Associate, Salesforce logo beneath); Taylor Sone (Apprenticeship Program Manager, BIT logo beneath) smiling. Footer text reads "A Vista Center Production - Dec 9th and 10th."
December 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
Success starts with a BIT apprenticeship.

BIT's Kristy Schenderlein shares how grads like Kyle Lewis move from Academy→Apprenticeship→Employment – and how some of BIT’s own leaders started the same way.

Learn more: dif.blindit.org/employer-par...

Funded by US Dept. of Education, Grant H421F240171
December 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
Last chance to join our BIT Academy Open House!

Elliott Natale will walk through what we teach, how we teach it & how the Academy supports professionals with disabilities.

Today: 9AM MT
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Funded by US Department of Education, Grant H421F240171
Digital flyer for BIT Academy Open House Webinar with Elliott Natale, Academy Director. Details about BIT programs for professionals with disabilities. Event date: Wednesday, December 3rd, 9AM MT/11AM ET. Top shows Blind Institute of Technology logo and a person working on a laptop.
December 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
As Cyber Monday wraps up, we’re gearing up for Giving Tuesday.

Your support helps career seekers move from training to certification to long-term employment. 🎓💼

If you’re giving this year, we’d love for you to consider BIT. 💚
blindit.org/donate/

#CyberMonday #GivingTuesday #WorkforceEquity
Colorful paper cutout hands in a row at the bottom, with the Blind Institute of Technology logo above. Large text reads "#GIVING TUESDAY" with a heart-shaped icon between the words, all set on a light blue background.
December 1, 2025 at 9:45 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
BIT will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Wishing you a warm and happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
Dark green background with colorful autumn leaves and berries in the corners. Centered white text reads, "Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving." Below, smaller text says, "Grateful for community, driven by access for all." Includes the Blue Institute of Technology logo.
November 26, 2025 at 2:13 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
Team BIT had a great time at the Accessing Higher Ground Conference in Denver - Golden Hoodie included. 🌟

Mike Hess copresented with IAAP’s Samantha Evans on how higher ed can build stronger teams & career pathways by hiring professionals with disabilities.

Thank you to the AHG team & attendees! 🙌
A man wearing sunglasses, a black and gold jacket, and a name tag stands holding a white cane beside a smiling woman with curly hair and glasses. She wears a maroon top with several buttons, a name badge, and lanyard. They pose against a plain beige wall. Two people stand and present at a conference room podium. One gestures toward a projected slide titled “Academy – Apprenticeship Model From Learning to Earning.” The slide contains bullet points and a circular diagram. Another person stands near a table with a laptop. A conference room with several people seated facing a stage. On stage, two presenters speak at a podium beside a large screen displaying the title “Bridging the Gap: How Accessibility Training and Certifications Drive Workforce Readiness and Equity.” The audience takes notes.
November 21, 2025 at 7:19 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
Behind every successful BIT apprenticeship is a strong support system.

In this clip, Kristy explains how we support employer partners through check-ins, subject matter experts, and hands-on guidance so both apprentices and employers can succeed.

Funded by U.S. Dept. of Education, Grant H421F240171
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
Curious about the BIT Academy?

Join our virtual open house with BIT's Academy Director Elliott Natale & get an inside look at our tuition-free training programs for professionals with disabilities.

Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Funded by U.S. Department of Education Grant H421F240171
Digital flyer for BIT Academy Open House Webinar with Elliott Natale, Academy Director. Details about BIT programs for professionals with disabilities. Event date: Wednesday, December 3rd, 9AM MT/11AM ET. Top shows Blind Institute of Technology logo and a person working on a laptop.
November 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
Join BIT's VP of Operations, Kristy Schenderlein, for our Employer Partner Q&A series. Learn how the BIT Apprenticeship Program matches talented professionals with disabilities to employers' needs.

#WorkforceEquity #TeamBIT #Apprenticeships

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant H421F240171
November 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
Where’s the Golden Hoodie been? 🤔

Last week it stopped at CU Denver for the Salesforce Community Sprint! Mike Hess and Joe Crespo joined Trailblazers driving innovation in the #SFDOCommons. 💙

#SFDOSprint #TeamBIT #GoldenHoodie #Salesforce

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant H421F240171
A diverse group of people sit at round tables in a conference room, watching a presentation projected on a screen. The room has high ceilings, large windows, and “University of Colorado Denver” on the wall. Some attendees are taking notes or drinking coffee.
November 17, 2025 at 3:58 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
BIT’s James Warnken shares why accessibility should be built in - not added later.

💡 When users can personalize content like dark mode, larger text, less motion, or AI, accessibility happens by default.

🎥 Watch: blindit.org/digital-acce...

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant H421F240171
November 14, 2025 at 6:36 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
🎉 Congrats to Gail, one of BIT’s newest Salesforce Certified Administrators!

Gail’s passion for learning and growth shines through as she continues to build her Salesforce skills and explore new opportunities. 💻

#TeamBIT #SalesforceCertified

Funded by US Department of Education, Grant H421F240171
A professional spotlight profile for Gail Pryatel, Salesforce Administrator in Missoula, MT. It highlights her excitement for learning, goals to earn more certifications, and love for travel, with contact details and the Blind Institute of Technology logo at the top.
November 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
BIT Academy Director Elliott Natale shows how tools like Reader Mode highlight the power of simple, clutter-free design. 🧠

🎥 Watch “Neurodiversity & Digital Accessibility in the Workplace”: blindit.org/digital-acce...

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant H421F240171
November 11, 2025 at 7:49 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
BIT’s Mike Hess and Divergent Thinking’s Nat Hawley explain how understanding how our brains work can improve focus and accessibility for everyone. 🧠

Watch the full webinar: blindit.org/digital-accessibility-neurodivergence-workplace/

Funded by U.S. Department of Education Grant, H421F240171
November 10, 2025 at 7:13 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
We asked: What single change helps blind/low-vision & neurodivergent people most?

Nat Hawley says accessibility isn’t complicated - small adjustments help all. 💡

Watch the full webinar: blindit.org/digital-accessibility-neurodivergence-workplace/

Funded by US Dept of Education, Grant H421F240171
November 7, 2025 at 8:51 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
The Golden Hoodie stopped by the NFB of Colorado State Convention!

Mike Hess shared insights on tech & equitable employment, and BIT's Joe Crespo brought the fun (yes, mouse ears included!). 🐭

#GoldenHoodie #TeamBIT

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant H421F240171
A smiling man wearing reflective sunglasses, a shiny gold jacket, a black shirt, and khaki pants stands in a hallway holding a white cane. Behind him, people are seated at tables in a large, well-lit room with double doors open wide. Four adults pose indoors. Three wear black outfits, sunglasses, and grey cartoon mouse ears, each holding a white mobility cane. The fourth, on the left, wears glasses and a navy shirt with a name badge. They stand on a colorful carpet in a conference room.
November 7, 2025 at 6:53 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
👏 Congrats to Connor Susajlo, one of BIT’s newest Salesforce Certified Platform Administrators in Long Island, NY!

A tech-minded Yankees fan who loves automation, accessibility & adventure. 💻⚾🚴‍♂️

#TeamBIT #AccessibilityInAction

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant H421F240171
An informational profile features Connor Susajlo as Salesforce Administrator. Includes his photo, location (Long Island, NY), skills, contact info, what excites him, professional goals, and a fun fact about his interests in baseball and hiking.
November 6, 2025 at 6:56 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
Digital government met accessibility and AI head-on at #NAGW2025.

BIT's Joe Crespo led a powerful session on helping agencies move from planning to action as ADA Title II deadlines approach.

Read more: blindit.org/blog/nagw-20...

#AccessibilityInAction #TeamBIT
A group of people in a conference room stand and cheer with raised arms, facing a presenter. Open laptops and drinks are on tables. A green presentation slide is displayed on a screen at the front of the room.
November 5, 2025 at 6:59 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
BIT’s Mike Hess joins Samantha Evans from IAAP for two sessions at #AccessingHigherGround in Denver!

📅 Wed., Nov. 19
🕚 11:15 AM – Bridging the Gap
🕓 1:45 PM – From Learning to Earning

Learn more: accessinghigherground.org

#TeamBIT #AccessibilityInAction #DigitalAccessibility
November 5, 2025 at 6:38 PM
thisisblindit.bsky.social
Congrats to Colton Hill of Vidor, TX - one of BIT’s newest Salesforce Admins!

With a background in computer science and a passion for accessibility, Colton is ready to help organizations build equitable, efficient, data-driven systems. 💻

Funded by U.S. Dept. of Education, Grant Number H421F240171
A professional spotlight graphic features Colton Hill, a Salesforce Administrator at the Blind Institute of Technology. Colton wears sunglasses and a tie, smiling outdoors. The layout includes text about his goals, interests, contact info, and a fun fact about his music hobby.
November 4, 2025 at 4:58 PM