[Nfbv-announce] 2015 NFB of Virginia Convention Agenda

[Tracy Soforenko]

Please find below and attached the agenda For the NFB of Virginia 2015
Convention.

 

. 57th Annual Convention

 

National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

Voice of the Nation's Blind

 

Michael Kasey, President

 

October 30 - November 1, 2015

 

Westin Tyson's Corner

7801 Leesburg Pike

Falls Church, Virginia 22043

(703) 893-1340

 

 

Hosted by the Potomac Chapter of the 

National Federation of the Blind of Virginia 

John Halverson, President

 

The Federation 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 policies and programs of the Federation; 
and to abide by its Constitution."




Convention Registration/Information 

Convention registration/Information will be held in the Willow Room, located
in the meeting room area. The cost of on-site registration is $25.00.
Registration will be open on Friday, October 30, from 8:00 A.M. to 9:15 AM
and then again from 12:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. On Saturday, October 31,
registration will be open from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. and from 1:00 P.M. to
2:00 P.M. Door prizes and auction items can be brought to the registration
desk beginning on Friday morning. 

 

Meal Functions 

Tickets for all meal functions are available at the registration desk.
Banquet and box lunch tickets must be purchased by 10:00 A.M. on Saturday,
October 31st. 

 

Banquet: Banquet tickets may be purchased onsite for $37.00. We will not
have reserved seating at the banquet this year. Seating will be open, so
come early to get seats together. 

 

Box Lunch: Box lunch tickets may be purchased onsite for $17.00. There are
only a limited number of box lunches available for sale for those persons
who did not pre-order. 

 

Note: For more information about registration or meal functions, please
contact Brian McCann at (757) 472-2494.

 

Door Prizes

Door prizes will be drawn periodically throughout convention sessions on
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and at the banquet. To be eligible for door
prizes, you must be registered for the convention and present in the room
when your name is called.

 

Action Auction

Throughout the convention we will be holding an Action Auction to raise
money for the affiliate. The auction will be great fun with many valuable
items up for bid. You will have a chance to preview auction items on Friday
afternoon in the exhibit area. For more information contact Jacki Brown,
Chairperson and Auctioneer.

 

Contact Table

If you need assistance from the NFB of Virginia (such as helping a blind
child get a good education, help getting access to blindness skills
training, access to NFB Newsline, or help resolving an employment
discrimination problem), please go to the contact table. After the
convention, a member of the NFB of Virginia will contact you. In addition,
if you would like to sign up to receive any of our publications or would
like to get regular updates about our programs and legislative efforts,
please also visit the contact table. The table will be open during the board
meeting, after the opening ceremonies on Friday, during General Session on
Saturday, at the end of the banquet, and all morning Sunday. For more
information, please contact Chris O'Meally at (804) 658-6668.

 

Youth Track

Youth Track is coordinated by the Virginia Association of Blind Students and
will run parallel to the main convention program. The Youth Track will
connect students with positive role models and peers throughout the state;
challenge students to think about themselves and their role in the civil
rights movement; introduce students to our positive NFB philosophy on
blindness; educate students about their choices for blindness skills
training; and participate in a travel activity outside the convention hotel.
For more information please contact Brittany Savage at (804) 832-5439.

 

Childcare

Childcare will be available for infants through fifth graders throughout the
day on Friday and Saturday. Childcare will be located in the Redwood Room
(Lower Level). We will have activities and games for the children. For more
information please contact Nancy Yeager at (703) 283-2524.

 

Childcare will be offered at the following times:

 

Session 1 Friday morning 8:45 A.M. to 12:15 P.M.

Session 2 Friday afternoon 12:15 P.M. to 5:15 P.M. 

Session 3 Friday evening 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Session 4 Saturday morning 8:45 A.M. to 12:15 P.M.

Session 5 Saturday afternoon 12:15 P.M. to 4:45 P.M. 

Session 6 Saturday evening 6:15 P.M. to one half hour after the banquet
adjourns 

 

Snacks will be provided during Session 4 and Session 5. Even though
childcare will be open and fully staffed during lunch on both Friday and
Saturday, lunch will not be provided. Parents should either pick their
children up for lunch at the end of Session 1 and Session 4 or provide a
lunch for their children in the childcare room. Also, dinner will not be
provided on Saturday evening. Parents should feed their children dinner
prior to bringing them to Session 6. The cost of childcare is $5.00 per
family per session. 

 

Dog Relief Area Information

 

The Westin Tyson's Corner is a pet friendly hotel and has several grass
areas on the property. There is one designated dog relief area. It is
located at the end of the function hallway and through the exit doors. Walk
down the steps and on your left is a grassy area. Please deposit all waste
in the trashcans provided. Contact Brian McCann at (757) 472-2494 with any
questions, and pay attention to general announcements.

 

Daylight Saving Time

 

Don't forget to set your watches back one hour for the change that occurs
early Sunday morning.  Smart phones, of course, should handle this change
automatically.

 

Presidential Suite

The Presidential Suite is Room 939.

 

Friday, October 30, 2015

 

8:00 A.M. to 9:15 A.M. Registration: Willow Room

 

9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. NFB of Virginia Board of Directors Meeting (Open to
All): Oaks Rooms 1 & 2

 

General Session: Oaks Rooms 1 & 2

 

10:00 A.M. to 10:25 A.M. Opening Ceremonies

Call to Order: Michael Kasey, President, NFB of Virginia

Invocation: Mary Durban, President, Chesapeake Bay Chapter, Virginia Beach,
Virginia 

Presentation of the Colors: NFBV Veterans

 

America the Beautiful, Sandy Halverson, Potomac Chapter, Arlington Virginia 

Pledge of Allegiance: Naomi Mills, 2015 BELL Program Participant

Federation Pledge

Greetings from Our Host Chapter: John Halverson, President, Potomac Chapter,
NFB of Virginia

Welcome to Tyson's Corner: Local Politician, Fairfax, Virginia

Convention Arrangements: Brian McCann, Chairperson, Convention Organization
and Arrangements

Greetings from the Westin Tyson's Corner, Mark Namdar, General Manager

 

 

10:25 A.M. to 10:35 A.M. Students on the Move: The National Association of
Blind Students, Kathryn Webster, Secretary, National Association of Blind
Students and President, North Carolina Association of Blind Students

 

10:35 A.M. to 10:45 A.M.  Bringing Adaptive Sports Home  

Justin Chan, Treasurer, Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes,
Potomac Chapter, Arlington, Virginia

 

10:45 A.M. to 10:55 A.M.  Eliminating Barriers to Print: The KNFB App, 

Christopher O'Meally, Founder, Access Tech Media Inc

 

10:55 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Action Auction

 

11:00 A.M. to 11:20 A.M. Quiet Cars: A Worldwide Revolution

Fredric Schroeder, First Vice President, World Blind Union 

 

11:20 A.M. to 11:40 A.M. Six Days Plus One World Record Equals Transformed
Lives: Reflections from Virginia's 2015 McDonald Fellows and Kenneth
Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund Winners

Tracy Soforenko, Chairperson, McDonald Fellowship Committee, and NFB of
Virginia Liaison, Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund Committee

Annie Ascher, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Tasha Coles, Roanoke, Virginia

John Dubois, Manassas, Virginia

Veronica Gaspa, Crozet, Virginia

Robert Parsons, Richmond, Virginia

 

11:40 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Blind in
Virginia

Raymond Hopkins, Commissioner, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

 

12:00P.M. General Session Adjourns 

 

12:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Registration: Willow Room

 

12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Exhibits: The Birches Room

Robert Parsons, Exhibits Coordinator

 

1:00 P.M. to 2:45 P.M. Virginia Association to Promote the Use of Braille:
Evergreen Room 

Nancy Yeager, President, Virginia Association to Promote the Use of Braille 

Unified English Braille (UEB) is right around the corner. Are you ready?
Tactile graphics can help put that image at your fingertips. 

 

Friday Afternoon Concurrent Seminars 

 

2:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Get a Grip on Your Technology:  What Every Blind User
Needs to Know:  Oaks 1 Room, Bob Hart and Christopher O'Meally, Co-Chairs

Should you upgrade to Windows 10, what are the latest advances in assistive
tech, and how will transportation technology change your next trip in your
neighborhood or around the world.  In addition to helping Windows users
decide if they want to upgrade to Windows 10, this seminar will describe the
advantages and disadvantages of using the Apple Macintosh for school and
work, how the Apple Watch works, what is new in version 9 of the iPhone
operating system, and in a joint session with the transportation seminar, we
will hear about a new product called Sonar Glasses and learn about several
travel apps for the iPhone such as Blind Square, Uber and Click and Go. 

 

2:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Flexible Transit: Getting Where You Want When You
Want to Get There: Oaks 2 Room, Brian Miller and Rodney Neely, Co-Chairs

This seminar will discuss how to use fixed route transportation systems,
paratransit, and paid transportation services to maximize your ability to
get where you want to go. Know your options so you can make intelligent
transportation choices.

 

3:00P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Resolutions Committee: The Pines Room 

Jennifer Shields, Chair

We encourage the participation of all members in setting Federation policy.

Help shape the policies of the NFB of Virginia. 

 

5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Public Meeting on Rehabilitation Services: Oaks 1
Room

Susan Payne, Policy and Training Coordinator, Virginia Department for the
Blind and Vision Impaired

 

6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. At-Large Chapter Reception: Magnolia Room

Rick Holley, Chairperson, At-Large Chapter

 

7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Convention Hospitality: Oaks 1 Room

Hosted by the Potomac Chapter, John Halverson, President

7:00 P.M. to 8:15 P.M. Student Hospitality: Dogwood Room (Lower Level)

Brittany Savage, Coordinator 

 

7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. Halloween Carnival: The Birches Room

Hosted by the Virginia Association of Parents of Blind Children, Theresa
Willis, President

 

7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Share Your Voice: Communications Seminar and Video
Studio: Cypress Room

John Bailey, Communications Committee Chair and Robert Parsons, Video Studio
Coordinator

We invite any Federationist to join us to learn about the work of the
Communications Committee and shoot a video explaining their convention
experience. It is encouraged that new attendees come and shoot a 2-minute
video explaining why they decided to attend and what they are excited about.

 

Saturday, October 31, 2015

 

8:00 A.M. to 10:00A.M. Registration: Willow Room

 

General Session: Oaks Rooms 1 & 2

9:00 A.M.  Call to Order: Michael Kasey, President, NFB of Virginia

 

9:00 A.M. to 9:05 A.M. Invocation: Althea Pittman, President, Eastern Shore
Chapter, Melfa, Virginia 

 

9:05 A.M. to 9:25 A.M. A musical presentation by representatives from the
Alexandria Harmonizers

 

9:30 A.M. to 9:45 A.M. Introducing the NFB of Virginia Ledership Fellows 

Stephanie DeLuca, Potomac Chapter

Deepa Goraya, Potomac Chapter

Uricka Harrison, Peninsula Chapter

Brian  McCann, Chesapeake Bay Chapter

Brittany Savage, At Large Chapter & Student Division

Christopher Walker, Winchester Chapter

Michael Valentino, Richmond Chapter

9:45 A.M. to 9:50 A.M. Action Auction

 

9:50 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. National Report

John Fritz, President, National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin and
Member of the Board of Directors, National Federation of the Blind

 

10:30 A.M. to 10:35 A.M. Action Auction

 

10:35 A.M. to 10:55 A.M. IEP Advocacy: Overcoming obstacles to providing
students the skills they need for long term success

Sandy Halverson, Parent Liaison, National Federation of the Blind of
Virginia, Arlington, Virginia

Kandace and David Haney, Leesburg, Virginia

 

10:55 A.M. to 11:05 A.M. Recognizing 75 Years Advancing the Rights of the
Blind

Delegate Mark Cole, 88th District, Virginia House of Delegates,
Fredericksburg, Virginia

 

11:05 A.M. to 11:20 A.M. BELL: Early Literacy, A Lifetime of Possibilities

Nancy Yeager, BELL Program Coordinator 

 

11:20 A.M to  11:25 A. M. Introducing the 2015 NFB of Virginia James F.
Nelson Scholarship Winners

Sarah Patnaude and Brian  Miller, Co-Chairs

Chelsea Cook, Catholic University of America, Newport News, Virginia

Robert Parsons, J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, Virginia

 

11:25A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Action Auction

 

11:30 A.M. to 11:50 A.M. NFB Chapters - Developing Leaders Professionally
and Personally 

Joe Hobson, Moderator, Potomac Chapter, Arlington, Virginia 

CJ Fish, Richmond Chapter, Richmond, Virginia

Brian McCann, Chesapeake Bay Chapter, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Andre Tynes, Peninsula Chapter, Newport News, Virginia

 

11:50 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. The Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind
and Vision Impaired: Partnering for Success

     Melody Roane, Director, Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind
and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI)

 

12:00 P.M. to 12:30 P.M. Presidential Report

Michael Kasey, President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

 

12:30 P.M. Adjourn General Session

 

12:35 P.M. to 12:45 P.M. Box Lunch Pickup: At the intersection of Oaks Foyer
and main hall (at the top of the 'T')

 

12:45 P.M. to 1:45 P.M. Advocating for the Vocational Rehabilitation
Services You Need: An Advocacy Corps Discussion. River Birch Room

Stewart Prost, Vocational Rehabilitation Advocate, NFB of Virginia

(Box Lunch - $17.00)

This luncheon will be a discussion to address some of the most common
rehabilitation questions and answer questions from the participants. Our
affiliate Advocacy Corps members and representatives from training centers
will be there to help.

 

12:45 P.M. to 1:45 P.M. NFB of Virginia Blind Seniors Interest Group
Luncheon and Business Meeting. The Pines Room 

Nancy Yeager, Coordinator (Box Lunch - $17.00)

 

12:45 P.M. to 1:45 P.M. Blind Vendors Division Luncheon and Business
Meeting. Water Birch Room 

Lorraine Magnussen and Leon Anderson, Facilitators (Box Lunch - $17.00) 

 

12:45 P.M. to 1:45 P.M. Virginia Association of Blind Students Luncheon and
Business Meeting. Dogwood Room (Lower Level)

Sarah Patnaude, President, Virginia Association of Blind Students (Box Lunch
- $17.00) 

 

12:45 P.M. to 1:45 P.M. Virginia Parents of Blind Children Luncheon and
Business Meeting. Evergreen Room.

Theresa Willis, President, Virginia Parents of Blind, Children and Sandy
Halverson, Parent Liaison, NFB of Virginia (Box lunch - $17.00)

 

1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Registration. Willow Room

 

Afternoon Breakout Sessions 

2:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Owning Our Future--A Workshop to Transform Your
Career. Oaks Rooms 1 & 2

Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking for that
competitive advantage to take your career to its next peak, this
collaborative and engaging dialog will provide you with the confidence,
knowledge, skills, and techniques to achieve your career goals. At this
interactive workshop, you will learn from others, share your own stories,
and together, create solutions and action that will position each of us for
career success.  Tracy Soforenko and Melody Roane, Coordinators

 

2:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Parent Track, Evergreen Room

Can your blind/visually impaired son or daughter independently make a
sandwich?  Pour milk?  Use a knife when others are?  Join us; try our
hands-on techniques and see how they work and we'll do our best to answer
other questions you might have. Theresa Willis, President, Virginia Parents
of Blind Children, and Sandy Halverson, Parent Liaison, NFB of Virginia

 

2:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Youth Track, Dogwood Room (Lower Level)

Brittany Savage, Coordinator

 

2:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Senior Track: Staying In The Game, The Pines Room

Learn about equipment and services available for Seniors in Virginia.

Nancy Yeager, Coordinator

 

5:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. Pre -Banquet Reception (Cash Bar): Oaks Foyers

 

6:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. 2015 Convention Banquet: Oaks Ballroom

 

Banquet Program

Master of Ceremonies: Charles Brown, Past President, NFB of Virginia

 

Invocation: Reverend Kathy Dwyer, Senior Pastor,

Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ, Arlington, Virginia

 

2015 James F. Nelson Scholarship Awards Presentation: 
Sarah Patnaude and Brian Miller, Co-chairs, Scholarship Committee

 

Banquet Address: John Fritz, President, National Federation of the Blind of
Wisconsin and Member of the Board of Directors, National Federation of the
Blind

 

Action Auction: Jacki Brown, Chairperson and Auctioneer

Drawing for 2015 NFB of Virginia Raffle

 

 

Sunday, November 1, 2015

 

8:00 A.M. to 8:50 A.M. Devotions: Evergreen Room

 

General Session: Oaks Rooms 1 & 2

9:00 A.M. to 9:05 A.M. Invocation: Corlis Jones, President, Greater
Williamsburg Chapter, Williamsburg, Virginia

 

9:05 A.M. to 9:35 A.M. Your Philosophical Spirit:  What is it and how does
it guide you

Joanne Wilson, Federation Leader 

 

9:35 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Youth Track: Dogwood Room (Lower Level)

Brittany Savage, Coordinator

 

9:35 A.M. to 9:55 A.M. Teaching in College in the 21st Century

Moderator: John Halverson, Ph.D., President, Potomac Chapter 

Patrick Johnson, Ph.D., Associate Faculty, Cochise College Virtual Campus

Chelsea Cook, Graduate student and Teaching Assistant, Catholic University
of America

 

9:55 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Action Auction

 

10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Business Session

 

Audit Committee Report: Brian McCann, Chairperson

 

Treasurer's Report: Mark Roane, Treasurer

 

SUN Committee Report: Sandy Halverson, Chairperson

 

2016 Richmond and Washington Seminars: Jeannette Gholson and Stephanie
DeLuca, Legislative Directors

 

2016 National Convention

  

2016 NFB of Virginia Convention: Wyndham Oceanfront Virginia Beach, November
10- 13, 2016, Virginia Beach, Virginia

 

Resolutions: Jennifer Shields, Chairperson

 

Nominating Committee Report: Charles Brown, Chairperson 

 

Elections

 

Report of Youth Track Activities: Brittany Savage, Coordinator

 

Old and New Business

 

Closing Remarks: Michael Kasey, President, NFB of Virginia

 

 

12:00 P.M. Adjournment

 

Thank you to our Potomac Chapter for hosting the 2015 NFB of Virginia State
Convention. Your hospitality made us feel like family and it made the
convention one of our best ever.

 

Thank you to our Sponsors:

 

 

Torres Foundation for the Blind Inc.

Torres Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides assistive
technology support services in the United States and abroad. We are bringing
cutting edge technology products to the table.

Ancil Torres

1725 I Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006

202-349-8486

 <mailto:info at torresfoundation.org> info at torresfoundation.org

 

Adaptify Solutions (formerly Beyond Specs / White Cane & More)

Empowering lives, one solution at a time! TM

Adaptify Solutions provides aids for living independently to those who are
Blind, Deaf and DeafBlind.  We carry items that will enhance independence
inside and outside of your home such as large print, talking, Braille and
tactual items as well as mobility aids.

8720 Georgia Avenue, Suite 302, Silver Spring, MD 20910

(301) 589-0866

For sales inquiries:  <mailto:sales at adaptify.solutions>
sales at adaptify.solutions

For general information:  <mailto:info at adaptify.solutions>
info at adaptify.solutions

 

G-Technology Group

SONAR GLASSES are based on echolocation, and are designed to increase
mobility independence for the blind and visually impaired.  They complement
the white cane by alerting users to obstacles above waist level (such as
tree limbs and low ceilings) and also help to detect doorways.

Jeff Shad

2331 Mill Rd, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314

571-297-4756

 <mailto:jshad at g-technologygroup.com> jshad at g-technologygroup.com

 

 

The KNFB Reader

Now you can have the convenience of an OCR scanner in the palm of your hand.
The KNFB Reader app is a revolutionary tool that you can use, with the touch
of a single button, to read virtually any type of printed text, including
mail, receipts, class handouts, memos, and many other documents. Accuracy is
facilitated by a field-of-view report, automatic page detection, and tilt
control.

Proprietary document analysis technology determines the words and reads them
aloud to the user with high quality text-to-speech. Read the words you want
to read; live the life you want. Visit the Apple App Store to purchase the
KNFB Reader app and start enjoying it today!

For the latest news and information about the KNFB Reader, follow us on
Twitter @KNFBReader or like us on Facebook.

 

Help build a future full of opportunity for the blind by becoming a member
of the Jacobus tenBroek Legacy Society. Your legacy gift to the National
Federation of the Blind can be made in the form of a will or living trust,
an income-generating gift, or by naming the NFB as a beneficiary of a
retirement plan or life insurance policy. You can also become a member of
the Jacobus tenBroek Legacy Society by making a legacy gift to your state
affiliate. By committing to support an NFB affiliate, your gift will benefit
both local and national programs as all bequests made to affiliates are
split evenly with the NFB national treasury. In addition to having the
satisfaction of contributing to the future success of the NFB's mission,
tenBroek legacy society members will also receive a specially designed thank
you gift and other benefits. For additional information about the Jacobus
tenBroek Legacy Society, please contact Lou Ann Blake at the NFB Jernigan
Institute by e - mail at  <mailto:lblake at nfb.org> lblake at nfb.org, or by
telephone at (410) 659-9314, extension 2221.

 

 

Thanks to all for attending. See you all at the Wyndham Oceanfront Virginia
Beach, November 10- 13, 2016.

 

 

 

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