VRATE 2025!

Imagine a bustling exhibit hall filled with cutting-edge assistive technology, rooms with engaging presentations echoing through the venue, and a vibrant mix of attendees; individuals who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind, along with families, professionals, and volunteers! All connecting and learning together. It’s a powerful reminder of the difference we can make when community and compassion come together.

VRATE is a free educational and informational expo focused on the visually impaired, blind and the deafblind communities here in the greater Phoenix area and throughout the Southwest. This expo provides the opportunity for individuals to explore upcoming technology and learn about resources that would be beneficial to those living with a visual impairment at all stages of life. VRATE is a non-profit organization who have been working over 20 years on the vent and is operated by an all-volunteer board who come together to plan and organize this annual event.

To help facilitate a successful expo, we are seeking volunteers. As a volunteer, you’ll find yourself guiding someone to a booth, assisting an exhibitor with setup, or simply offering a friendly presence to someone exploring resources for the first time. The energy is warm, purposeful, and inspiring; everywhere you turn, people are sharing stories, discovering solutions, and celebrating possibilities. We would be honored for you to be part of this great event. We will provide training on best practices when assisting visually impaired and deafblind individuals before the event.

VRATE 2025 is scheduled for Friday, November 14, 2025, at ABILITY360 located at 5025 E. Washington Street in Phoenix.

Please consider volunteering with VRATE for this colossal event. Bring yourself, add some friends and bring a group of colleagues with you!

Private Group Details:

• Group Size Range: 1 - 50+
• Event can be held at a volunteer group location (e.g. office, park)
• No Donation

Watch our video to learn more: Expo helps improve lives of visually impaired- 12

5 shifts available:

• Looking for people to help move items, such as boxes, tables, technical equipment, exhibitor, set up, and set up for evening event.: Thursday November 13, 2025 - 12:00 to 15:00 MST
• Looking for people to help move items, such as boxes, tables, technical equipment, exhibitor, set up, and set up for evening event.: Thursday November 13, 2025 - 15:00 to 18:00 MST
• Helping for final set up, helping with attendees and exhibitors.: Friday November 14, 2025 - 07:30 to 12:00 MST
• All day volunteers: Friday November 14, 2025 - 07:30 to 16:00 MST
• Helping with attendees and exhibitors, breakdown of event.: Friday November 14, 2025 - 11:00 to 16:00 MST