Blind Institute of Technology

🧹 Mike Hess Takes Flight – The BIT Way! 🧹 Not long ago, BIT’s fearless leader, Michael Hess, brought his Salesforce magic to the Harry Potter Experience in New York City, soaring through iconic scenes in his Salesforce Golden Hoodie. From zipping through magical streets to flying over shimmering waters and historic castles, this adventure perfectly captures what BIT does every day: 🌟 Keep your Salesforce instance smooth and frustration-free. 🌟 Guide your business to new heights with inclusive, affordable solutions. 🌟 Keep everything on track – no broomstick required! 🔮 Experience the magic in our newly enhanced video, where Mike soars through the Harry Potter universe with his white cane, showcasing how BIT transforms challenges into seamless solutions. 📽️ Watch the full video: https://lnkd.in/gvrHyqrc 🎩 Ready to work your Salesforce magic? Email us at info@blindit.org and let BIT make your success story legendary!

Golden Hoodie Sighting: Right Here at Home 🧥 This week, Michael Hess brought the Golden Hoodie to Salesforce’s Education Summit To You event at their Denver office – right in BIT’s own backyard. We were proud to join the conversation alongside Colorado universities and education leaders, sharing how we’re advancing accessible tech training and workforce development through our partnership with Salesforce. 💙 The Golden Hoodie made an appearance but as always, the real spotlight was on accessible career pathways. 💡 #GoldenHoodie #Salesforce #BITxSalesforce #AccessibleTech

We can’t help you file your taxes, but we can certainly help you file a smarter workforce strategy! 💡 BIT connects employers to professionals who are certified in Salesforce Admin and Digital Accessibility (CPACC) and are ready to hit the ground running. Our apprentices bring real skills, hands-on training, and the confidence to contribute from day one. No forms. No stress. Just talent. 👏

Golden Hoodie Sightings: Volume 21 🧥✈️ This week, the Golden Hoodie joined forces with Randstad’s Global Chief Equity Officer, Audra Jenkins SPHR, SHRM SCP, CDE, and BIT’s own Michael Hess at the National Diversity & Leadership Conference in Los Angeles! Together, they led a session titled “Talent, Unlocked: Inclusive Recruitment and the Power of Potential” which explored how accessible and equitable hiring can open doors for professionals of all abilities. If this hoodie could talk, it’d be quoting Mike and Audra on equitable hiring right now! 😉 #GoldenHoodie #AccessibleHiring #TeamBIT #Randstad #NDLC2025

We’re already in week 2 of our newest Salesforce Associates cohort – and this class is one for the books! This is the first course led by Mike Vrabel, with the incredible Angie Staudt serving as TA – both of whom are blind and BIT Academy graduates themselves! Now, they’re paying it forward by leading 7 new students through hands-on, accessible Salesforce training. 🩵 At the BIT Academy, we provide free, career-building training in Salesforce and Digital Accessibility designed specifically for professionals with disabilities. Our mission is to open doors to meaningful, sustainable careers in tech – and this cohort is living proof of that. 💡 Are you ready to start your own journey? Learn more and apply today at https://lnkd.in/eCZK_ywe #Salesforce #DigitalAccessibility #BITAcademy #Trailblazers #TeamBIT Alt text: An animated image of a Blind Institute of Technology promotional video with QR code, showcasing different BIT Academy tracks. Launch your career with BIT. Explore our Academy tracks: Salesforce Admin. Digital Accessibility. Professional Development. Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/g7qk5ZGK.

For the second time, Michael Hess had the honor of speaking to participants in The Colorado Bar Association’s COBALT program – and yes, the Golden Hoodie made another powerful appearance. 🌟 Mike delivered a thought-provoking session that challenged attendees to reflect on how perceptions around disability are shaped – and how true leadership means creating space for talent that’s too often overlooked. COBALT is an interactive leadership program designed for attorneys who have a deep commitment to the legal community. It equips rising leaders with tools to tackle ethical, professional, and community challenges – and fosters lasting relationships across experience levels and practice areas. We’re not only grateful to the Colorado Bar Association for welcoming Mike back, but also for their ongoing commitment to building a more accessible and equitable legal community. 👏 #COBALT2025 #ColoradoBarAssociation #DisabilityLeadership #GoldenHoodie #TeamBIT

⏰ Last chance to register! If you work in government web design, development, or communications – this is the accessibility session you’ve been waiting for. Join BIT and National Association of Government Web Professionals (NAGW) tomorrow, April 8, for a free webinar: “Addressing Accessibility Barriers on Government Websites”. Led by BIT’s own James Warnken, CPACC – a digital accessibility expert with lived experience, you’ll learn what automated tools miss, what the law says now, and how manual testing and practical solutions can make all the difference. 🗓️ Tuesday, April 8 | 12-1PM CT / 11AM-12PM MT 🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/41XPDSu 📌 Part 1 of a 3-part series with NAGW. This session is open to all – the next two are exclusive to NAGW members.

Our team can’t wait to present at NTEN's Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) in Baltimore! Join us for, “Unlock Accessibility: Empower Teams to Include All Abilities,” where we’ll explore how making technology more accessible for professionals with disabilities doesn’t have to be complicated, time-consuming, or expensive – and how it can benefit everyone. 📅 Event dates: April 15-18, 2025 📍 BIT's Session: Thursday, April 17 | 3:15PM ET | Room 344 🎤 Presented by Kristy Schenderlein, VP of Operations, and James Warnken, CPACC, BIT’s Accessibility Expert 🔗 nten.link/25ntc-register #25NTC #TeamBIT #AccessibleTech

This morning, our newest Salesforce cohort had the pleasure of hearing from the always insightful and engaging Jodi Hrbek, who returned to talk about something deceptively simple: asking questions. Jodi reminded us that while asking questions may seem straightforward, it’s actually a skill – and a Salesforce superpower. 🔹It's how we uncover intent. 🔹It's how we define ambiguity. 🔹It's how we shift from order-takers to problem-solvers. She also walked us through mindset myths and broke down what prevents us from speaking up. Most importantly, she reminded us that all problems are not created equal – and asking the right questions is how we make the difference between delivering what was asked for and delivering what is actually needed. Jodi, we are all grateful for your time, insight, and for helping our future admins strengthen one of their most valuable tools. Check out Jodi's book, “Rock Your Role as an Admin Superpower”: https://a.co/d/6mGRkAp 👥 Connect with Jodi right here on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gm4wXPEp

🎉🎸April Fools’ Day shenanigans…with a side of birthday cheer! 🎂🎤 Today isn't just April Fools’ Day – it’s also the birthday of our fearless, funny, and endlessly roastable founder, Michael Hess! 🎉 And let’s just say – we couldn’t let it slide by without a little BIT-style celebration. During yesterday’s Monday morning team meeting, Mike was surprised by a full-blown singing telegram! Complete with a colorful wig, patterned tights, sparkly jacket, and acoustic guitar, the serenade was loud, proud, and absolutely unforgettable. 👨🎤 Mike, your leadership continues to inspire us daily. You’ve created a place where we can work hard, show up as our authentic selves, and celebrate with just the right amount of chaos. Happy Birthday, Mike! Only you could take a joke, roll with a surprise serenade, and still manage to look like the coolest guy in the room. 💙