[nfbmi-talk] National Federation of the Blind Of Arizona 67th Annual Convention
Larry Posont
president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
Thu Sep 19 02:14:13 UTC 2013
National Federation of the Blind Of Arizona 67th Annual Convention
Bob Kresmer, President
9014 East Bellevue Street
Tucson, Arizona 85715-5652
520-733-5894
Email: krezguy at cox.net
Toll – free (888) 899-6322
www.az.nfb.org
September 13, 14, & 15, 2013
Radisson Suites Hotel
6555 E. Speedway
Tucson AZ 85710
(520) 230-1100
The National Federation of the Blind of Arizona is a 501 (c) 3
consumer organization comprised of blind and sighted people committed
to changing what it means to be blind. Though blindness is still all
too often a tragedy to those who face it, we know from our personal
experience that with training and opportunity it can be reduced to the
level of a physical nuisance. We work to see that blind people receive
the services and training to which they are entitled and that parents
of blind children receive the advice and support they need to help
their youngsters grow up to be happy, productive adults. We believe
that first-class citizenship means that people have both rights and
responsibilities, and we are determined to see that blind people
become first-class citizens of these United States, enjoying their
rights and fulfilling their responsibilities. The most serious
problems we face have less to do with our lack of vision than with
discrimination based on the public’s ignorance and misinformation
about blindness. Join us in educating Arizonans about the abilities
and aspirations of Arizona’s blind citizens. We are changing what it
means to be blind.
The NFB of Arizona has local chapters, at-large members, and special
divisions for diabetics, merchants, students, seniors, the Deaf-Blind,
and parents of blind children. Information about blindness, self
advocacy, and current issues is circulated by email and posted on
NFB-NEWSLINE®, our digitized newspaper-reading service by phone, and
on our website, www.az.nfb.org. For information about the National
Federation of the Blind of Arizona or to make address changes or be
added to the mailing list, call toll free (888) 899-6322 or email
bob.kresmer at gmail.com. For information about NFB-NEWSLINE, our free
digitized newspaper-reading service, call (866) 504-7300.
1st Vice President, Allison Hilliker
2nd Vice President, Debi Chatfield
Treasurer, Donna Silba
Secretary, Marcus Schmidt
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Mark Feliz, Sharonda Greenlaw, Donald Porterfield,
Deborah Smith, Amy Murillo, Garret Mooney,
NFB of Arizona chapter contact information
Phoenix Chapter President, Sharonda Greenlaw
602-281-5955
East Valley Chapter President, Mark Feliz
480-560-0641
West Valley Chapter President, Marcus Schmidt
602-942-0181
Tucson Chapter President, Larry Martin
520-747-0937
Yuma Chapter President, Ofelia Mendoza
928-920-8729
Northern Arizona Chapter President, Eric Billy
928-657-3397
Host Chapter: NFBA of Tucson,
Larry Martin, President
Door Prize Committee: Sharonda Greenlaw, Chair
Please turn in all door prizes to the members staffing the designated
table next to the Registration Table
Foyer, Room
Registration opens Friday, September 13, at 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,
and 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Registration on Saturday, September 12,
will open at 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Thereafter, Registration will be
closed, unless a prior arrangement has been made with the State
President.
Please register so you will be eligible for door prizes and other
convention activities. Even if you have pre-registered, please come
to this area to pick up your registration packet.
Friday, September 13, 2013
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Stop and talk with this year’s selection of
Convention Exhibitors and find out what is new in technology,
products, and services. Vendors will be available in the Exhibit
Hall— Catalina Ballroom 1 at the following times:
Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 9:15 am
12:00 noon – 1:15 pm
Louis Braille Commemorative Silver Dollar – sales Table
(Think about Christmas presents you will be giving!)
Arizona Association of Blind Students – Mini Independence Market
Arizona Braille and Talking Book Library
Bookshare: Accessible books for individuals with print disabilities
Colorado Center for the Blind
Desert Low Vision
Vision services and products in Southern Arizona
Digital Apex LLC,
The Pinnacle of Information Access
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Dog Guide School, San Rafael, California
Learn about the use of a dog guide, discuss benefits and
responsibilities, and try out a Juno walk
NFB Literature & Publications
NFBA White Elephant Treasures
Pima Council on Aging
Rehabilitation Services Administration -
Business Enterprise Program; Vocational Rehabilitation Services;
Independent Living Services
SAAVI: Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired
(Also Arizona Association for Athletes Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
(AAABVI)
Sight Compass
Changing the World of Accessibility
Sun Sounds of Arizona, Radio Reading Service and
Information Access
Friday Morning Seminars 8:30 through 11:30 a.m.
8:30 to 9:20 a.m. Using the Victor Reader Stream as an audible
prompter and a literacy development device
Bruce Gardner, presenter Catalina Ballroom 2 and 3
8:30 to 9:20 a.m. Arizona Dog Guide Users Committee to develop an NFBA division
Connie Ryan, chair Room 401
9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Technology Seminar, Catalina Ballroom 2 and 3
Allison Hilliker, Chair
Need to know more about tablet computers or the IOS devices? Are you
comfortable creating and using tactile graphics? These and other
topics will be discussed, demonstrated, and you can participate in
questions and answers sessions.
9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Association of Blind Seniors and Diabetic Action
Network combined Seminar, Room 301
Fred Rockwell, and Ann Courtney, presidents
Tiffany Leblond will update us regarding diabetes advances, exercise,
and self-management.
Glen Spencer, Director of the Benefits Assistance Program at The Area
Agency on Aging, Region One, will talk about the Affordable Care Act
and its impact on Medicare and the disabled population. This is a
great opportunity to learn the facts about how Medicare has already
been affected by Obamacare and what to expect in the future, as well
as insurance options for persons without health insurance currently.
9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Blindness Professionals Seminar, Reddington Room
Discussion leaders – Joanne Wilson, Amy Murillo, Steven Patten, and
Petr Kucheryavyy
We will discuss topics common to all blindness professionals, whether
teachers of blind / VI children, VR counselors, RT teachers, travel
skills teachers, agency administrators, or those involved in
university preparation programs. We will discuss methods and
motivations for raising expectations of the professionals, the
customers and their families. Topics will include: ESL in a training
environment; teaching O and M as a NOMC certified instructor;
importance of giving back for the whole client experience, building it
into the structure of services; Successes, Jobs and people to be proud
of, sharing stories
12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., Plated Lunch for those who pre-purchased,
Catalina Ballroom 2 & 3
Luncheon Guest Speakers –
Joanne Wilson, NFB Director of Affiliate Development, Former
Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services Administration, Founder of
Louisiana Center for the Blind
The effect on Arizonans of Expanding Transportation–
State Senator Steve Farley,
Afternoon Seminars 1:15 through 5: p.m.
1:15 to 3:30 p.m. Arizona Association of Blind Students Catalina
Ballroom 2 & 3
Garrett Mooney, president
For blind high school and college students - Working with student
resource offices; acquiring accessible instructional materials; your
rights and responsibilities as a blind student; scholarships and other
resources; participating in the community
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Deaf / Blind Seminar Room 301
Mary Hartle – Smith, Chair
Guest speakers: Ellen Boyd, Statewide Coordinator for Deaf-Blindness,
Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration, Update on RSA Needs
Assessment of persons with combined hearing and vision loss; Update on
Implementation of the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution
Project (NDBEDP) administered by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC); Possibility of Other speakers; Elections for Division Officers;
other business or discussion.
3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Legislative / Advocacy Seminar Catalina Ballroom 1 and 2
Discussion Leaders Joanne Wilson and Donald Porterfield
The Tools for Grassroots and Legislative Advocacy: How You Can Make a Difference
Seminars wrap up at 5:30 p.m.
Hospitality by the Tucson chapter –
Because you have limited time between seminars and the resolution
committee meeting at 7:00 p.m., You can purchast pizza, snacks and
drink for a $5.00 donation at the hospitality room number 101.
Hospitality room will be closed from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. during the
resolution committee meeting.
At 8:00 p.m., hospitality room 101 will re-open with a cash bar,
finger foods, snacks,ice cream, and entertainment.
7:00 p.m. Resolutions Committee, Catalina Ballroom 2 & 3
Donald Porterfield, chairman
We will discuss and recommend for membership approval the resolutions
which will guide the legislative work the NFB of Arizona will pursue
in 2014.
8:00 p.m. Hospitality eveming, Room 101
Hosted by NFBA Tucson Chapter
All Welcome! –finger foods, entertainment, and cash bar
9:00 p.m. Friday Evening Arizona Association of Blind Students Room 401
Information Exchange and Social get-together
9:00 p.m. Nominating Committee (Closed Meeting) Room 201
Sharonda Greenlaw, chair
(This is the only meeting of the weekend not open to the general
membership, but rather only to those appointed to the committee.)
Saturday, September 14, 2013
8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Registration, Foyer, Catalina Ballroom
8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Exhibitors, Catalina Ballroom 1
8:30 to 9:15 a.m. Northern Arizona chapter meeting Pool Patio
9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. General Session, Catalina Ballroom 2 & 3
9:30 a.m. Call to Order,
Bob Kresmer, President, NFB of Arizona
9:35 a.m. Welcome to Tucson
Larry Martin, president
NFBA Tucson chapter
Invocation, ,
9:40 a.m. Pledge to the American Flag & NFB Pledge
The National Federation of the Blind Pledge
I pledge to participate actively in the efforts
of the National Federation of the Blind
to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind;
to support the programs and policies of the Federation;
and to abide by its constitution.
9:45 a.m. Panel will discuss the comprehensive adult training programs
and the summer youth transition programs
(Includes Arizona Youth Transition Summer Students)
Colorado Center for the Blind and Southern Arizona Association for the
Visually Impaired (SAAVI)
10:15 a.m. National Report
Joanne Wilson, NFB Director of Affiliate Development, Former
Commisioner of Rehabilitation Services Administration, Founder of
Louisiana Center for the Blind
11:00 a.m. RSA report
Karin Grandon, Deputy Administrator
Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration
11:20 a.m. Braille Readers Are Leaders and Bell (Braille Enrichment
for Learning and Life) Program
11:40 Sight Compass
Briggs Cunningham
11:55 Convention business, Questions and answers
Adjourn for lunch
Noon to 1:15 p.m. Exhibits open, Catalina Ballroom 1
Noon to 1:15 p.m. Breakout Lunch Sessions
Pick up box lunches in Foyer Area, and attend the business meeting of
your choice (Box Lunches are reserved for pre-registrants).
NFBA Diabetes Action Network, Room101
Ann Courtney, President
Arizona Association of Blind Merchants Room 201
Deborah Smith, President
NFBA Association of the Senior Blind, Room 301
Fred Rockwell, president
NFBA Parents of Blind Children, Room 401
Lynda Zwinger, president and Maniga Tarin, Vice -president
NFBA Association of Blind Students, Catalina Ballroom 2 and 3
Garrett Mooney, president
Afternoon General Session
1:30 Call to order
1:40 p.m. State Report
Bob Kresmer, president
NFB of Arizona
2:00p.m. Deaf / Blind Services – Progress in Arizona
Ellen Boyd, Statewide Coordinator for Deaf-Blindness, Arizona
Rehabilitation Services Administration: Update on the Needs
Assessment of persons with combined hearing and vision loss; Update on
Implementation of the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution
Project (NDBEDP) administered by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC);
2:30 p.m. Talking Book Library and Newsline
Christine Tuttle, Arizona Braille and Talking Book Library
2:45 p.m. Arizona School for the Blind
Bill Koehler, Assistant Superintendent
3:00 p.m. Supported Education in Arizona Community Colleges and Universities
Panel discussion – Darcy Hostettler of the Foundation for Blind
Children, Stephanie Dekker of SAAVI, and students
3:30 p.m. Guide Dogs for the Blind
Sandi Alsworth
3:45 p.m. Bookshare update,
Allison Hilliker
4:00 p.m. My First Time at NFB National Convention
Panel discussion
4:20 p.m. A Guide Dog Users Division in Arizona?
Connie Ryan, chair of development committee
4:40p.m. Reading of 2010 Arizona resolutions recommended to the membership
Donald Porterfield, chairman
4:55 p.m. Announcements
5:00 p.m. Adjourn
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Reception, cash bar, Catalina Ballroom foyer
7:00 p.m. NFBA Banquet, Catalina Ballroom
Master of Ceremonies –Allison Hilliker, first vice president, NFBA
Keynote Speaker: Joanne Wilson, NFB Director of Affiliate Development,
Former Commisioner of Rehabilitation Services Administration, Founder
of Louisiana Center for the Blind
Scholarship Committee - Marc Schmidt, Chair, NFBA
Raffle Drawings & Auctions
After banquet cash bar
Sunday, September 15, 2013 Affiliate Business Session
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Chapter/Division Breakfast, Catalina Ballroom
Chapter and Division reports
9:00 a.m. Memorial for our members who passed away this year,
Janna Peyton, Tucson Chapter
9:15 a.m. Nominating Committee Report
Sharonda Greenlaw, chair,
9:20 a.m. Affiliate elections
10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. Resolutions vote
Donald Porterfield, chair
10:30 a.m. Treasurer’s Report
Donna Silba, treasurer,
10:45 a.m. Funding the Movement
* PAC Plan
* SUN Shares
* Imagination Fund
*Vehicle donation
11:00 a.m. Brainstorming Our Future
Ideas, goals, and strategies to develop our affiliate, leadership and
membership
11:50 a.m. to Noon Wrap Up, Bob Kresmer
12:00 Noon Adjourn
Please Note: Hotel “Check Out” time is 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2013
A sincere “Thank You” to all who contributed time and effort to make
this convention a success, especially -
* Radisson Suites Hotel Staff
SAAVI for embossing the agendas
* NFBA Convention Arrangements Committee
* Door Prize committee
*Registration committee
* And all the members who work together to make our mission possible.
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