[nabs-l] Draft agenda for employment seminar

[David Andrews]

>
>Dear Listers,
>This is the draft agenda for the National 
>Employment Seminar to be held at the NFB 
>Convention in Orlando. I used the term "draft" 
>because it is possible that there may be some 
>last minute changes if Disney decides to 
>come.   The seminar is Sunday July 3 from 9 a.m. 
>to 3 p.m.  I want to thank all of you who took 
>the time to offer your ideas and suggestions, 
>most of which we were able to use.
>
>  Thanks,
>Dick Davis



Draft Agenda for National Employment Seminar
June 9, 2011


9:00 a.m.  Introduction: How to Act Smart and Be 
Smart in Today’s Job Market. – Dick Davis*, Chair, NFB Employment Committee

9:10 a.m.  Beyond Technological Uncouth – Don't 
Forget the Human Element. - David Ticchi*, 
Special Assistant to the President, Legal Seafood 
and public school teacher, Boston, 
MA.  Technology continues to define our 
relationships with others, but not necessarily 
for the better.  There are fundamental rules for 
networking, employer research, and interviewing - 
here’s what you need to remember.

9:45 a.m.  Want to Start a Small Business, But 
Don't Know How? Hadley Can Help. – Dawn Turco, 
Senior Vice President, Hadley School for the 
Blind, Winnetka, IL. Hadley School for the Blind 
has some brand new resources for blind 
entrepreneurs that can get you started in the 
right direction. The goal of this new business, 
entrepreneurship and technology initiative is to 
provide individuals who are blind or visually 
impaired with the knowledge, resources and 
networking opportunities enabling them to advance 
in their careers or to successfully launch and grow their own businesses.

10:10 a.m.  Job Search Techniques­Things That 
Work and Things That Waste Time. - Mike Bullis*, 
Executive Director, The IMAGE Center for People 
with Disabilities, Towson, MD.  Electronic job 
search, networking, employer research and 
informational interviews.  Using technology 
effectively to connect with real people and find 
jobs.  How to focus your energies to get a job in the shortest time possible.

10:45 a.m.  Off Your Duff - Good Paying, 
Physical, Fun Jobs Blind People Can Do. – George 
Wurtzel, Industrial Arts Instructor, BLIND, Inc., 
Minneapolis, MN  Because of blindness 
stereotypes, blind people are often steered away 
from skilled blue collar employment and into 
sedentary jobs.  But not everyone is made for 
customer service.  Learn about some fun and good 
paying jobs that blind people really can do.

11:20 a.m.  Job Exchange and Announcements.  The 
Employment Committee began as the Job Exchange 
Committee, a function we still perform.  If you 
know of job vacancies, bring them to the seminar 
and tell people about them.  If you are looking 
for a job, tell people what you are looking for, 
and bring along some resumes.  If you know of 
training or other opportunities, share them with others.

11:30 a.m.  Lunch break and networking

1:00 p.m.  Getting Your Ducks in a Row: What Do 
You Need to Be Job Ready? - Robert Leslie 
Newman*, Rehabilitation Counselor (retired), 
Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually 
Impaired, Omaha, NE.  Discussion of employment 
preparation, with a checklist of things you need 
to do to get ready, including training in 
alternative techniques, assistive technology and 
training in its use, resumes and cover letters, a 
portfolio with letters of recommendation and work 
samples, and interview preparation and practice.

1:40 p.m.  Framing Blindness: How You Can Sell 
Yourself As Equal To Or Better Than a Sighted 
Employee. – Dick Davis*, Assistant Director for 
Employment, BLIND, Inc., Minneapolis, MN Why, 
with so many sighted job applicants, would anyone 
hire a blind person?  The answer isn't the ADA, 
Affirmative Action, financial incentives, or 
charity.  Find out what it really is, and how to 
use it effectively in job interviews.

2:15 p.m.  Job Exchange and Announcements. The 
Employment Committee began as the Job Exchange 
Committee, a function we still perform.  If you 
know of job vacancies, bring them to the seminar 
and tell people about them.  If you are looking 
for a job, tell people what you are looking for, 
and bring along some resumes.  If you know of 
training or other opportunities, share them with others.

2:25 p.m.  What Do You Want to Know?  Individual 
Questions and Discussion. – Bethel Murphy, 
Employment Specialist, Louisiana Center for the 
Blind, Ruston, LA.  This is your agenda item, so 
bring your questions and ideas about employers, 
resumes and cover letters, when and how to talk 
about blindness, interviewing, how to get 
assistive technology, reasonable accommodations, 
federal employment, and other topics of interest 
to you.  We may want to break into smaller 
groups, depending on the response. – Presenters and participants.

NFB Employment Committee members are designated 
with an asterisk * after their names.

Note: This is a draft agenda because there may be 
a few changes in it between now and the 
convention.  I’m still trying to get someone from 
Disney to come talk about their jobs.  If they do 
agree to come, we may have to alter the agenda somewhat.













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