[nfbwatlk] FW: [Nfbnet-master-list] 2012 NFB National Convention Agenda
Mike Freeman
k7uij at panix.com
Sun May 27 20:06:51 UTC 2012
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Subject: [Nfbnet-master-list] 2012 NFB National Convention Agenda
2012 ANNUAL CONVENTION
DALLAS, TEXAS
JUNE 30 to JULY 5
NFB Pledge
I pledge to participate actively in the effort
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.
NFB Contact and Social Media Information
Telephone: (410) 659-9314
Fax: (410) 685-5653
E-mail: nfb at nfb.org
Web: www.nfb.org
Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind
Follow us on Twitter: @NFB_Voice
Tweet about the National Convention: #NFB12
THE MEMBERS OF THE
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF TEXAS
WELCOME YOU TO THE
72ND ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
Marc Maurer, President
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Mary Ellen Jernigan, Chairwoman
Convention Organization and Activities
Kimberly Flores, President
National Federation of the Blind of Texas
314 East Highland Mall Blvd., Suite 353
Austin, Texas 78752
Hilton Anatole Hotel
2201 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75207
(214) 748-1200
WELCOME!
Welcome to the 72nd annual convention of the
National Federation of the Blind being held in
Dallas at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. A detailed
description of the layout of the hotel can be
found immediately after the “Convention Notes,”
which are at the conclusion of the program
listings. Check the “Notes” for further
information about a variety of convention topics.
When you check in to the hotel, you will be asked
to confirm your departure date. If you decide to
leave earlier than the departure date you confirm
when you check in, there may be a change fee.
ROOKIE ROUNDUP
All first-time convention attendees are
cordially invited to attend a reception from 8:00
to 10:00 pm on Saturday in the Stemmons Ballroom,
Atrium I lobby. President Maurer and other
Federation leaders will be on hand to welcome you
to the convention and preview the week’s
activities. Veteran conventioneers should urge
all first-timers to attend this special
event. Also, first-time rookies are invited to
join an informal, fun gathering on Monday from
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm in the Affiliate Action Suite 2372.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Preregistration Packet Pickup on Sunday and
Monday is located in a different area of the
hotel than are the on-site Registration activities.
PREREGISTRATION PACKET PICKUP
On Sunday and Monday all who preregistered for
convention may pick up their preregistration
packets at the Conference Registration area
located in the northeast corner of the Atrium II
lobby. Preregistration begins at 9:00 am on
Sunday and at 8:30 am on Monday. On Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday preregistration materials
may be picked up in the upper Chantilly foyer in
the Tower lobby at times as listed.
ON-SITE REGISTRATION
If you did not preregister for convention,
registration activities take place in the upper
Chantilly foyer, Tower lobby beginning at 9:00 am
on Sunday; at 8:30 am on Monday; and at other
times as listed throughout the week. The fee for
registration at convention is $30 per person. All
those attending the convention (both local and
out
of
town people) are asked to register.
Convention registration is a requirement for door
prize eligibility and a number of other
convention activities. We condition rates for
hotel rooms on proof of registration, including
the showing of an NFB registration badge if requested.
TEXAS-STYLE BARBECUE WITH LIVE MUSIC
Continue the excitement of convention opening day
by enjoying a delicious Texas-style barbecue with
family and friends in Anatole Park. Listen to
popular singer/songwriter JP Williams perform his
original music, which has scored him bookings all
over the U.S. Hosted by the NFB of Texas on
Tuesday, July 3, starting at 6:00 pm. Tickets
(while they last) are $45 per person and may be
purchased at the on-site registration area located in the Tower lobby.
COMMON GROUND CAFETERIA
Common Ground, located in Atrium I, will provide
express cafeteria-line food service for breakfast
(6-11 am), lunch (11 am-2 pm), and dinner (5-10
pm except on Barbecue and Banquet evenings).
Lunch and dinner offerings will include salads,
hot and cold sandwiches, fruits, pastries,
desserts, and beverages. Service will be quick
and seating plentiful. The grab-and-go $10 sack
lunch (sandwich, chips, and beverage) can be
picked up here as well. Additional food service
and restaurant options are described in Note 4 of the Convention Notes.
EXHIBITS
Exhibits (excluding the NFB Independence Market)
are on display in the Khmer Pavilion, Atrium
third level. There is a special Sponsor-level
exhibitors preview for convention attendees on
Sunday morning from 9:00 to 11:00.
Exhibit hall hours of operation are:
Sunday 9:00 to 11:00 am (Sponsors only)
Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday Noon to 1:45 pm and from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Wednesday Noon to 1:45 pm and 6:00 to 8:30 pm
INDEPENDENCE MARKET
The Independence Market is located in the Grand
Ballroom, Atrium lobby. Hours of operation are:
Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday Noon to 1:45 pm
Wednesday Noon to 1:45 pm (final opportunity to visit the
Market)
SAME BOOK, SAME TIME, SAME PRICE: BLIO, WHERE
BOOKS ARE MORE THAN WORDS AND READING MEANS EQUALITY
Learn how Blio can make a difference in
your life! Developed by Ray Kurzweil and K-NFB
Reading Technology, Blio is free book reading
software available for Windows computers, Apple,
and Android devices. Shop our online bookstore at
blio.com and choose from a growing selection of
more than 300 thousand titles, which are all
immediately accessible with text to speech and no
extra steps required. Want to know more? Visit
our “Getting to Know Blio” training sessions on
Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday as listed in the
agenda, and get started with Blio today!
SPECIAL ATTENTION ITEMS
• The Presidential Suite (2572), the Convention
Organization and Activities Suite (2472), the
Affiliate Action & Rookie Activities Suite
(2372), and the Texas Affiliate Suite (2272) are
all open during much of the convention. All are
welcome to come to these suites to visit.
Appointments to meet with Dr. Maurer may be made
at the Presidential Suite.
• Banquet tickets ($60.00) may be purchased at
the on-site registration area in the Tower lobby.
No tickets will be available after 2:00 pm on
Tuesday. At the Banquet Exchange Table you may
make arrangements to reserve a specific seat for
yourself or for a group of up to ten people. On
the evening of the banquet, tickets will be collected at the tables.
• General Sessions will be held in the Chantilly Ballroom, Tower lobby.
• Individuals needing to conduct business with
the NFB Treasurer may do so by going to the Opal
Room, Tower lobby on Tuesday between 5:30 and
7:30 pm, or on Wednesday between noon and 2:00 pm.
• Tactile guided tours of the Anatole’s
spectacular sculpture collection, both indoor and
out, are offered on Saturday at 10:00 am and 2:00
pm; Sunday at 1:00 pm; and Monday at 1:00 pm and
3:00 pm. The one-and-a-half-hour tours are
limited to twenty people and depart from the Atrium Concierge Desk.
CONVENTION AGENDA
SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012
7:30 - 8:45 am—AMATEUR RADIO DIVISION EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
Discuss convention frequencies, hotel
architectural features, and distributing special
FM receivers for the hearing-impaired and
Spanish-speaking attendees. D. Curtis Willoughby (ka0vba), President
7:30 am - 4:45 pm—LIFE IN THE MAINSTREAM
A
Conference for Families and Teachers of Blind/Visually Impaired Children
Stemmons Ballroom, Atrium lobby
7:30 to 8:45 am—Registration: adults $35; children (5 to 18) no
charge
9:00 to 11:00 am—Conference
11:00 am to 4:45 pm—Concurrent Workshops (see agenda listings)
Sponsored by the NFB’s National Organization of
Parents of Blind Children Division (NOPBC); Laura Bostick, President
7:30 am - 5:00 pm—CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN
REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION FOR THE
BLIND--ELEVENTH ANNUAL REHABILITATION AND ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY
CONFERENCE
Emerald Room, Tower lobby
7:30 to 8:30 am—Registration; 8:30 am—Conference begins
Registration Fees (includes lunch):
Students $75; Professionals $100 before June 15;
$85 and $125 after that date applies.
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm—NBPCB Awards Luncheon in Carpenter Ballroom,
Atrium lobby.
Sponsors: National Blindness Professional
Certification Board (NBPCB); and the Professional
Development & Research Institute on Blindness
(PDRIB) at the Louisiana Tech University. Chairperson: Dr. Edward Bell
8:00 am - 10:00 pm—SELF-DEFENSE CLASS; SPORTS & REC DIVISION
Coronado C and D Ballrooms, West wing
Back by popular demand and better than
before! We are hosting a 1Touch self-defense
coach the coaches workshop instructed by
internationally renowned Sensei Stephen
Nikols. Space is limited, so contact Liz Myska
at emyska at charter.net for fee and registration
info. Lisamaria Martinez, President
8:30 am—CHILD-CARE (Preregistration by June 15 was required)
Batik A & B and Cardinal A & B Rooms, Atrium mezzanine
Please see “Convention Note 7” for further information.
SATURDAY, JUNE 30, Continued
8:30 - 11:30 am—A FIRST LOOK AT JAWS 14—FREEDOM SCIENTIFIC
Senators Lecture Hall, Tower lobby
Join Eric Damery, JAWS Product Manager, and
Jonathan Mosen for a session covering new details
surrounding JAWS development. In addition to many
demonstrations of JAWS 13 with Convenient OCR,
we'll have a first look at JAWS 14 scheduled for
public beta in Sept. 2012 and Microsoft Windows 8.
8:30 am - 12:30 pm—JOB SEEKERS SEMINAR
Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine
Need a job, but can't seem to get one? This
seminar will show you how, with creative ideas and resources you can use.
Dick Davis, Chairperson, Employment Committee
8:30 am - 5:00 pm—NFB JERNIGAN INSTITUTE’S (NFBJI) ACCESS TECHNOLOGY
SEMINARS
Governors Lecture Hall, Tower lobby
8:30 - 10:00 am—Smartphone Showdown: iOS and Android (which device is
best for you, and how do the two compare on features and apps?)
10:00 am - 12:00 noon—Money Management: Getting Intuit (improvements
being implemented by Intuit concerning the Quickbooks system)
1:30 - 3:00 pm—Technologies for Deaf-Blind Users (in communication,
daily
living, and on the job)
3:30 - 5:00 pm—The Best of Both Worlds: Windows on Mac (advantages and
disadvantages, and how to make it work)
10:00 - 11:30 am— TACTILE GUIDED TOUR OF THE
ANATOLE’S SCULPTURE COLLECTION (Limited to 20 people); Atrium Concierge Desk
11:00 am - 12:15 pm—NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
Access Tech: Apple Products (iPhone, iPad, iPod)
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
Instructor: Dan Wenzel
Active Learning: featuring Dr. Lilli Nielsen’s innovations
Fleur-de-lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Instructor: Gigi Newton
SATURDAY, JUNE 30, Continued
NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS, Cont’d.
Getting the Wrinkles Out: Activities of Daily Living
Fleur-de-lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
Instructors: Teachers from the Louisiana Center for the Blind
The New National Reading Media Assessment and
Integrating Print and Braille Guidebook
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
Instructors: Casey Robertson and Sharon Maneki
11:00 am - 12:15 pm—“BURST” INTO NFB YOUTH TRACK (Ages 11-18)
Madrid Room, Tower mezzanine--Balloon build or bust, ages 11-14
Manchester Room, Tower mezzanine--Balloon build or bust, ages 14-18
Youth Track events are sponsored by the NFBJI and
are designed to foster positive attitudes about
blindness among youth. Coordinator: Natalie Shaheen
11:00 am - 7:00 pm—NFB DIVISION CRAFT SHOW AND DEMONSTRATIONS
Topaz Room, Tower lobby
If you are interested in crafts and appreciate
hand-made items, this is the place to be! Come
and meet some very talented Federation crafters
and purchase their beautiful items for sale. Joyce Kane, President
1:00 - 3:00 pm—THE NEW MAGIC 12, PEARL/OPENBOOK
9, & SARA CE—FREEDOM SCIENTIFIC; Senators Lecture Hall, Tower Lobby
First look at the all new MAGic 12 with HD Font
Smoothing, HD Mouse, and a brand new user
interface. Join Eric Damery and Jonathan Mosen as
we explore this exciting new version of MAGic. We
will also demonstrate and discuss the latest
versions of PEARL/OpenBook 9 and SARA CE.
1:00 - 5:00 pm—HUMANWARE PRODUCT SHOWCASE AND USER GROUPS
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby
1:00 pm: Victor Stream; 2:00 pm: GPS travel
with the Trekker Breeze; 3:00 pm: BrailleNote
Users Group; 4:00 pm: Pairing the Apex and new
Brailliant displays with iPhones and iPads. Join
us to learn about new updates; tell us your
suggestions and ask questions about your favorite HumanWare product.
SATURDAY, JUNE 30, Continued
1:30 - 4:30 pm—YOUTH TRACK SESSIONS (AGES 11-14).
Madrid Room, Tower mezzanine
1:30-2:30 pm—Show the world what you want them to know about blindness;
an art activity.
2:30-3:30 pm—Tell the world what you want them to know about blindness;
record your thoughts on video.
3:30-4:30 pm—Federation Scavenger Hunt
1:30 - 4:30 pm—YOUTH TRACK SESSIONS (AGES 14-18).
Manchester Room, Tower mezzanine
1:30-3:00 pm—Federation Pop Culture and Stars of the NFB Scavenger Hunt
3:00-3:45 pm—Federationbook: Look at the Federationbook page of one of
our leaders, and then make your own.
3:45-4:30 pm—Tell the world what you want them to know about blindness;
record your thoughts on video.
1:30 - 4:30 pm—SENIORS SEMINAR: WE’RE STILL LEARNING & TEACHING
Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine
1:30 pm—Registration; 2:00 pm—Seminar begins
Our seniors are the fastest growing part of our
blind population. Come learn about the real
potential of seniors and the services that are
available. Please be prepared to teach what you
already know. Judy Sanders, President
1:30 - 4:30 pm—SAME BOOK, SAME TIME, SAME PRICE:
GETTING TO KNOW BLIO, HANDS-ON TRAINING AND HELP. James Gashel, Presenter
Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine
2:00 - 3:15 pm—NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
Technology in the Classroom
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
Instructor: Dr. Denise Robinson
Movement and Exploration for the Young Blind Child
Fleur-de-lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Instructor: Denise Mackenstadt
SATURDAY, JUNE 30, Continued
NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS, Cont’d.
Tactile Graphics: maps, illustrations, charts, and graphs
Fleur-de-lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
Instructors: Deborah Kent Stein and Barbara Shalit
Reading Issues: Getting to the Root of the Problem
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
Instructor: Carol Castellano
2:00 - 3:30 pm—TACTILE GUIDED TOUR OF THE
ANATOLE’S SCULPTURE COLLECTION (Limited to 20 people); Atrium Concierge Desk
3:00 - 4:30 pm—SAME BOOK, SAME TIME, SAME PRICE:
GETTING TO KNOW BLIO, HANDS-ON TRAINING AND HELP. James Gashel, Presenter
Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine
3:30 - 4:45 pm—NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
Technology: When, Where, How?
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
Instructor: Al Lovati and Dr. Matt Maurer
Creative Classroom Solutions for the Child with Additional
Disabilities
Fleur-de-lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Instructors: Casey Robertson and Krystal Guillory
Out and About: Independent Mobility for Your School-Aged Child
Fleur-de-lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
Instructor: Deja Powell
Reading Strategies for the Blind/VI Student: What Works?
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
Instructor: Dr. Ruby Ryles
5:00 - 6:30 pm—NFB LIONS GROUP; Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
Federationists who are members of Lions or
thinking of joining the Lions should
come. Discuss activities of your club that help
blind people locally or nationally. Together we can improve what we all do!
Co-Chairpersons: Ramona Walhof and Milton Ota
SATURDAY, JUNE 30, Continued
5:00 - 7:00 pm—SPANISH SEMINAR; Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Blindness is blindness, no matter what the
language. Meet new and old friends; learn about
Federation philosophy and the truth about
blindness—in Spanish. Moderator: Alpidio Rolón
5:00 - 7:00 pm—COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUP
Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
Let’s get involved! Join service-minded
Federationists as we open doors for the blind in
the field of community service. Hear from those
who serve in their communities and learn about
service projects you will really enjoy. Darian Smith, Chairperson
5:00 - 8:00 pm—MIX-AND-MINGLE RECEPTION FOR
REHABILITATION PROFESSIONALS; Travertine Room, Atrium mezzanine
6:00 - 10:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GUIDE DOG
USERS (NAGDU) ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING; Emerald Room, Tower lobby
6:00 pm–Registration; 7:00 pm–Meeting begins
Updates on division initiatives, including the
Information and Advocacy Hotline, legal cases,
Consumer Satisfaction Survey, and affiliate
division reports; also election of officers and
board members. Marion Gwizdala, President
6:30 - 10:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND
OFFICE PROFESSIONALS; Dardanelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
6:30 pm–Registration; 7:00 pm–Meeting begins
Learn about new technology and how blind
telephone operators, receptionists, customer
service reps, Braille transcribers and
proofreaders, and other office workers solve
problems and challenges in the office setting. Lisa Hall, President
7:00 - 8:00 pm—COMMUNITY SERVICE DIVISION FORMATION MEETING
Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
Together we serve, building our strength. Join
members of the Community Service Group who wish
to establish a formal Community Service Division
within the Federation. Each affiliate is
encouraged to send a representative. Darian Smith, Group Chairperson
7:00 - 8:30 pm—LIVING HISTORY GROUP
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
Dedicated to recording, preserving, and
appreciating Federation history. Michael Freholm, Chairperson
SATURDAY, JUNE 30, Continued
7:00 - 9:00 pm—NOPBC FAMILY HOSPITALITY NIGHT
Carpenter Ballroom, Atrium lobby
Relax, chat, meet new families, and connect with
old friends. “Veteran” parents will be on hand to
welcome you and provide information.
8:00 - 9:00 pm—WHITE CANE AND AFFILIATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Are there new and ingenious ways to collect money
and spread the word about the NFB? I’m sure
there are. Come and share your ideas on how to
fund our movement. Alpidio Rolón, Chairperson
8:00 - 10:00 pm—ROOKIE ROUNDUP
Stemmons Ballroom, Atrium lobby
First-time convention attendees—don’t miss this
event! President Maurer and former rookies will
be on hand to welcome you and answer questions
about the week’s activities. Coordinator: Pam
Allen, Director of the Louisiana Center for the
Blind and President of the NFB of Louisiana
8:00 pm - midnight—KARAOKE NIGHT?? (Admission: $5.00)
Peacock Terrace, West wing
Enjoy music, door prizes, and a cash bar; meet
BLIND, Incorporated’s students and alumni and
share their experiences from training. Here’s
your chance to sing like a rock star; Braille
song lists are available. Hosted by BLIND, Incorporated
8:30 - 10:00 pm—#NFB12 TWEET UP!; Grand B Ballroom, Atrium lobby
The NFB convention is the ultimate "social
network." Drop in to meet Federationists you
only know from Twitter; learn how to use the
power of online social media; get geared up to
share your convention experience and to know
others who are supporters of @NFB_Voice. A cash bar is available.
9:00 - 10:00 pm—NFB AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE MEETING
Fleur-de-lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
Angela Wolf, Chairperson
9:00 pm - midnight—STUDENTS OPEN HOUSE
Affiliate Action Suite 2372
Students of all ages are invited to this informal
open house gathering sponsored by the National
Association of Blind Students Division. Come to
meet and mingle with other blind students and young professionals!
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2012
6:30 - 7:30 am—ROMAN CATHOLIC MASS
Wedgwood Ballroom, Tower lobby
Father Gregory Paul, C.P., Celebrant
7:00 - 8:00 am—JERNIGAN SCHOLARSHIP MENTORING ASSEMBLY
Affiliate Action Suite 2372
9:00 am - 5:00 pm—PREREGISTRATION PACKET PICKUP
Conference Registration, Atrium lobby
9:00 am - 5:00 pm—REGISTRATION ($30); BANQUET
TICKET SALES ($60); BARBECUE TICKET SALES ($45);
Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby
9:00 am - 5:00 pm—INDEPENDENCE MARKET
Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby
9:00 - 11:00 am—SPONSOR-LEVEL EXHIBITORS PREVIEW
Khmer Pavilion, Atrium third level
The exhibit hall opens its doors and is dedicated
solely to sponsor-level exhibitors. Come to say
“thank you” to our sponsors and enjoy their
interesting offers and demonstrations. Our convention sponsors are:
Web Accessibility Champion: Deque Systems, Inc.
Platinum: UPS; Oracle; HumanWare
Gold: Market Development Group, Inc.; Google; Vanda Pharmaceuticals
Silver: Freedom Scientific; FoxKiser
Bronze: IBM; VitalSource Technologies; Adobe Systems; Research In Motion;
C AND P – Chris Park
White Cane: Sendero Group; Southwest Airlines; eBay Inc.; Independence
Science; ScriptsForJaws.com; HIMS; Bookshare; Learning Ally;
Sprint; and En-Vision America.
11:00 am
5:00 pm—EXHIBITS; Khmer Pavilion, Atrium third level
1:00 - 2:30 pm—TACTILE GUIDED TOUR OF THE
ANATOLE’S SCULPTURE COLLECTION (limited to 20 people); Atrium Concierge Desk
1:00 - 2:30 pm—CHURCH SERVICES FOR THE CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS; Wedgwood Ballroom, Tower lobby
SUNDAY, JULY 1, Continued
1:00 - 4:00 pm—BLIND MUSICIANS GROUP
Dardanelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
Share ideas and tips and network with other blind
musicians. Linda Mentink, Chairperson
1:00 - 4:00 pm—VIDEO DESCRIPTION FOCUS GROUP
(Participants must have registered in advance.); Madrid Room, Tower
mezzanine
Demos of description technologies; discussions on
the changing role of video in education and
training; opportunities for participants to
provide input to the technology development
process. Offered by the Smith-Kettlewell Video
Description Research & Development Center and the NFB Jernigan Institute.
1:00 - 4:30 pm—TRAVEL AND TOURISM DIVISION
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
1:00 pm: Registration; 1:30 pm: Meeting
beings. Discussing travel with blind consumers
and blind travel professionals; panel discussions
with guests Robert Leslie Newman, Karl Smith,
Margo Downey, Daniel Carr, and division President
Cheryl Echevarria; elections; division dues are $10.00.
1:00 - 5:00 pm—NFB-NEWSLINE® DEMONSTRATION OPEN HOUSE
Plum Blossom A Room, Atrium lobby
Stop by and learn about NFB’s free audio
information service and get hands-on experience
with our new access methods including the
NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile application for iPhone and
our Global Publication Search feature.
1:00 - 5:00 pm—NATIONAL CERTIFICATION IN LITERARY
BRAILLE (NCLB) OFFICIAL EXAMINATION—SECTIONS ONE AND TWO
Carpenter Ballroom, Atrium lobby
Participants must have preregistered. Exam
sections three and four are on Monday at 1:00
pm. Sponsored by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board
1:00 - 5:00 pm—HIMS, INC. PRODUCT SEMINAR
Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Come and learn about exciting Braille and low vision products from HIMS.
SUNDAY, JULY 1, Continued
1:00 - 6:00 pm—ARTWORKS AND ART ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES
Topaz Room, Tower Lobby
Author/editor Debbie Kent Stein and author/artist
Ann Cunningham host a drop-in art room featuring
a variety of artworks available for exploration
by touch. Also art materials are on hand, so
visitors may work on their own creations—at no
charge—and keep their finished designs. So stop by, create, and enjoy!
1:00 - 10:00 pm—SELF-DEFENSE CLASS; SPORTS & REC DIVISION
Coronardo C and D Ballrooms, West wing
Back by popular demand and better than
before! We are hosting a 1Touch self-defense
coach the coaches workshop instructed by
internationally renowned Sensei Stephen
Nikols. Space is limited, so contact Liz Myska
at emyska at charter.net for fee and registration
info. Lisamaria Martinez, President
1:30 pm—RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE; Sharon Maneki, Chairperson
Chantilly West Ballroom, Tower lobby
1:30 - 4:30 pm—SAME BOOK, SAME TIME, SAME PRICE:
GETTING TO KNOW BLIO, HANDS-ON TRAINING AND HELP. James Gashel, Presenter
Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine
1:30 - 5:00 pm—BUILT-IN ACCESSIBILITY IN APPLE
TECHNOLOGY (NFBJI ACCESS TECHNOLOGY TEAM & APPLE SEMINAR)
Governors Lecture Hall, Tower Lobby
1:30 - 3:00 pm—VoiceOver on iOS Devices (iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad)
3:00 - 3:30 pm—Break
3:30 - 5:00 pm—VoiceOver on the Mac (getting started with using Apple's
screen access software on Mac computers)
2:45 - 4:00 pm—NOPBC CHILDREN’S FASHION SHOW (Admission: $5)
Miro Room, Tower mezzanine
Come and enjoy the fashions and music as our
young blind models walk down the runway. All
proceeds will support the National Organization of Parents of Blind
Children.
3:00 - 4:30 pm—SAME BOOK, SAME TIME, SAME PRICE:
GETTING TO KNOW BLIO, HANDS-ON TRAINING AND HELP. James Gashel, Presenter
Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine
SUNDAY, JULY 1, Continued
4:00 - 4:30 pm—KENNETH JERNIGAN FUND COMMITTEE MEETING
Fleur-de-lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine; Allen Harris, Chairperson
4:00 - 5:00 pm—WRITING YOUR SCRIPT: NFB YOUTH TRACK (ages 11-18)
Madrid Room, Tower mezzanine
Whether you are an aspiring writer or just want
to brush up on the basics, join members of the
Writers Division for a fun and informative workshop.
4:15 - 5:45 pm—FIFTEENTH ANNUAL MOCK
TRIAL—National Association of Blind Lawyers
(Admission: $5.00) Stemmons Ballroom, Atrium lobby
Federation lawyers are pitted against each other
reenacting an old Federation case with the
audience serving as the jury. Although the
subject matter is serious, the courtroom
portrayers are very entertaining. Scott LaBarre, President
6:00 - 7:30 pm—NFB AFFILIATE PRESIDENTS AND TREASURERS SEMINAR
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby
All affiliate presidents and treasurers are asked
to attend this session. Topics include internal
controls, state charitable registrations,
end-of-year preparations, and discussing
individual state issues with facilitators Charlie
Brown, Ron Gardner, Bridgid Burke, and Nick Lambright
6:00 - 8:00 pm—STORY TIME IDOL (Admission $5)
Dardanelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
Listen to tall and scary stories (suitable for
all ages) or tell a story for $1.00.
Idol winners share in the take! Presented by the
Writers Division; Robert Leslie Newman, President
6:00 - 9:00 pm—NFB KRAFTERS DIVISION BUSINESS MEETING
Fleur-de-lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
Unveiling new craft initiatives, including
discussion on classes available via telephone
conference and information on our Monday night
nationwide chats. We are seeking teachers and students for crafting classes.
Joyce Kane, President
6:15 - 10:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND STUDENTS (NABS)
Stemmons Ballroom, Atrium lobby
6:15 pm–Registration ($5.00); 7:00 pm–Meeting
Students, young professionals, parents, teachers,
and anyone interested in learning about issues
affecting blind students are welcome to attend.
Sean Whalen, President
SUNDAY, JULY 1, Continued
6:30 - 8:30 pm—“SAYS YOU” EVENT (Admission $5)
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
The Sports and Recreation Division invites you to
an evening of puzzles, puns, and word
play. Antonio Guimaraes and Amy Ruell will
entertain you along with our two teams of NFB
contestants playing word bluff and other
challenging puzzles. Proceeds benefit the Sports and Recreation Division.
7:00 - 8:30 pm—PUBLIC EMPLOYEES DIVISION; Ivan Weich, President
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
7:00 - 9:00 pm—NFB-NEWSLINE® GOES MOBILE!
Plum Blossom A Room, Atrium lobby
Learn about the NFB’s free audible newspaper
service for the blind, with specific information
on the Global Publication Search, our newest
access method, the NFB-NEWSLINE® Mobile
application for iPhone, and the variety of content available to subscribers.
7:00 - 10:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND VETERANS
Fleur-de-lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
How can we better serve our veterans and show
them our appreciation at the same time? Find out
about the Wounded Warrior Initiative program and
how you can become involved. Let’s grow the NABV
like never before! You don't have to be a blind
veteran to join us, just interested in veteran issues. Dwight Sayer,
President
7:30 - 9:00 pm—STATE CAPITOL HILLS AND BILLS
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Do you want to be more successful at passing laws
at the state level? Join the discussion with
experienced advocates on developing a legislative
agenda for your affiliate, writing bill language,
networking with your legislators, engaging our
members, and turning bills into laws. Lauren McLarney, Coordinator
7:30 - 9:00 pm—LIBRARY SERVICES COMMITTEE; David Hyde, Chairperson
Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
SUNDAY, JULY 1, Continued
7:30 - 9:30 pm—BLIND PARENTS GROUP; Ming Room, Tower mezzanine
Blind parents share their experiences around
child-raising issues, such as learning infant
care, coping with printed homework assignments,
finding print/Braille books, dealing with the
public’s misconceptions, and more.
Deborah Kent Stein, Chairperson
7:30 - 10:00 pm—COMMITTEE FOR THE PROMOTION,
EVALUATION, AND ADVANCEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY; Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine
Hear exhibitors explain briefly what they are
exhibiting and where they are located in the
exhibit hall. We will also evaluate the
effectiveness of what our Committee is doing now
and consider programs for the coming year. Gary Wunder, Chairperson
8:00 - 9:00 pm—JUDAISM MEETING; Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
David Stayer, Chairperson, NFB in Judaism Group
8:00 - 9:30 pm—MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE—THREE THINGS
EVERY MEMBER NEEDS: FINDING, ATTRACTING, AND
KEEPING NEW MEMBERS IN OUR CHAPTERS AND AFFILIATES; Sapphire Room, Tower
lobby
The NFB is a dynamic organization, achieved
entirely by the sheer determination and
creativity of its members—present and
past. Please join us to discuss new ideas to
increase our membership further, such as “at
large” chapters and how they work. Ron Gardner, Chairperson
9:00 - 10:00 pm—SPANISH TRANSLATION COMMITTEE
Dardanelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
We provide simultaneous translation into Spanish
during the general sessions of the
convention. Please join us if you would like to help with this effort.
Conchita Hernandez, Chairperson
MONDAY, JULY 2, 2012
8:30 am - 5:00 pm—PREREGISTRATION PACKET PICKUP
Conference Registration, Atrium lobby
8:30 am - 5:00 pm—REGISTRATION ($30); BANQUET
TICKET SALES ($60); FINAL BARBECUE TICKET SALES
($45); Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby
8:30 am - 5:00 pm—EXHIBITS; Khmer Pavilion, Atrium third level
8:30 am – 5:00 pm—INDEPENDENCE MARKET
Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby
9:00
11:30 am—NFB BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (Open to all)
Chantilly Ballroom, Tower lobby
11:30 am-12:30 pm—DIVISION MEET & GREET: YOUTH TRACK (ages 11-18)
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Want to be a lawyer? Do you plan to teach or work
in the human services field? Are you unsure what
career to consider? No matter how you answered
these questions, gather with us to hear from
members of the NFB’s various divisions as they
describe their division to find the one that is right for you.
12:00 noon - 2:00 pm—FIRST-TIME NFB CONVENTION ATTENDEES
Affiliate Action Suite 2372
Is this your first National Federation of the
Blind convention? If so, please bring your own
lunch and participate in a fun gathering; meet
some friendly people and have your convention
questions answered by experienced Federationists.
12:30 - 5:00 pm—DIABETES ACTION NETWORK SEMINAR
Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine
12:30 pm–Registration; 1:00 pm–Meeting begins
Learn about new, accessible diabetes equipment
coming to market and strategies for living well
with diabetes. Mike Freeman, President
12:30 - 5:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND LAWYERS (NABL)
Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
12:30 pm–Registration; 1:00 pm–Meeting begins
Examine laws affecting blind people and others
with disabilities; address ongoing struggles to
gain equal access to Web sites, employment, legal
texts and exams. Scott LaBarre, President
MONDAY, JULY 2, Continued
12:30 - 5:00 pm—NFB IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
Governors Lecture Hall, Tower lobby
12:30 pm–Registration; 1:00 pm–Meeting begins
Some of the topics include nonvisual access to
software used by Information Technology
professionals, Accessible Network Administration
Tools, and much more. Curtis Chong, President
12:30 - 5:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND
IN COMMUNITIES OF FAITH; Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
12:30 pm–Registration; 1:00 pm–Meeting begins
The theme is “Meeting Challenges: Gaining
Opportunities.” Speakers tell how their faith
has helped them face and overcome challenges;
also hear representatives from various
faith-based libraries and publishing houses
describe what their organizations do; elections. Tom Anderson, President
12:30 - 9:00 pm—SPORTS AND RECREATION DIVISION MEETING
Coronardo C and D Ballrooms, West wing
12:30 pm–Registration; 1:00 pm–Meeting begins
Our division meeting is quite an experience—short
and sweet and followed by several fun sporty
activities for everyone. Wear comfortable
clothing so you can move! Lisamaria Martinez, President
1:00 - 2:30 pm—TACTILE GUIDED TOUR OF THE
ANATOLE’S SCULPTURE COLLECTION (limited to 20 people); Atrium Concierge Desk
1:00
3:00 pm—PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING & SEMINAR
Fleur-de-lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Don't wait for the media to discover you—come and
share ideas and strategies on how to harness the
power of the media! Members of the committee and
the newly created NFB Press Corps, as well as
others interested in getting our message out, are
encouraged to attend. Chris Danielsen, Chairperson
1:00 - 3:30 pm—NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF
PROFESSIONALS IN BLINDNESS EDUCATION; Fleur-de-lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
All professionals working with students (from
birth to age 21) are welcome and encouraged to
join us for this informative and interactive
meeting. Come network and collaborate! Eric Guillory, President
MONDAY, JULY 2, Continued
1:00 - 4:00 pm—NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF PARENTS
OF BLIND CHILDREN ANNUAL DIVISION MEETING; Emerald Room, Tower lobby
Featuring a keynote address by the 2012
Distinguished Educator of Blind Children, other
special guest speakers, news from NASA, summer
programs for our kids, focus on math and science,
Parent Power, business meeting, elections, and
much more. Laura Bostick, President
1:00 - 4:00 pm—PERFORMING ARTS DIVISION
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
General meeting; be part of the future of the
division by attending our bi-annual
elections. We will have speakers as well. Dennis H.R. Sumlin, President
1:00 - 4:30 pm—NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF BLIND EDUCATORS
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
1:00 pm–Registration; 1:30 pm–Meeting begins
Blind teachers discuss techniques they use in
their classrooms; participants also meet in
groups specific to grade level and content areas
of interest to create a network of mentors. If
you teach or are considering a career in teaching
at any level, please join us. Sheila Koenig, President
1:00
5:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND
MERCHANTS REVOLUTIONIZING RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD: THE
NEW NFB ENTREPRENEURS INITIATIVE; Senators Lecture Hall, Tower Lobby
1:00 pm–Registration; 1:30 pm–Meeting begins
Let’s continue to protect and defend the
Randolph-Sheppard Program. The need to expand
business opportunities and to develop new
business initiatives for the blind of America is
pressing. Nicky Gacos, President
1:00 - 5:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND
REHABILITATION PROFESSIONALS; Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
1:00 pm–Registration; 2:00 pm–Meeting begins
Network, share mutual interests, find placement
strategies, and examine and discuss concerns and
current issues. Melody Roane, President
1:00 - 5:00 pm—NATIONAL CERTIFICATION IN LITERARY
BRAILLE (NCLB) OFFICIAL EXAMINATION—SECTIONS THREE AND FOUR
Carpenter Ballroom, Atrium lobby
Participants must have preregistered. Sponsored
by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board
MONDAY, JULY 2, Continued
1:00 - 5:00 pm—SENIORS IN CHARGE—NFB SENIORS
DIVISION BUSINESS MEETING AND (SOMEWHAT) SILENT AUCTION
Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Join us to hear enthusiastic seniors share ideas
about what they are doing; find out ways
(gathered at our seminar) to spread our message
of hope to seniors who have recently become
blind. And then we have our hugely popular
not-so-silent auction (Coordinator: Margot Downey). Judy Sanders, President
1:00 - 5:00 pm—NFB-NEWSLINE® DEMONSTRATION OPEN HOUSE
Plum Blossom A Room, Atrium lobby
Stop by and learn about NFB’s free audio
information service and get hands-on experience
with our new access methods including the
NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile application for iPhone and
our Global Publication Search feature.
1:00 - 6:00 pm—ARTWORKS AND ART ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES
Topaz Room, Tower Lobby
Author/editor Debbie Kent Stein and author/artist
Ann Cunningham host a drop-in art room featuring
a variety of artworks available for exploration
by touch. Also art materials are on hand, so
visitors may work on their own creations—at no
charge—and keep their finished designs. So stop by, create, and enjoy!
1:00 - 6:00 pm—HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION
Ming Room, Tower mezzanine
1:00–Registration; 2:00–Meeting begins; 5:00–Mingle and network
Psychologists; social workers; counselors; and
music, art, or dance therapists meet to discuss
topics and network. Rick Brown, President
1:30 - 4:30 pm—WRITERS DIVISION BUSINESS MEETING
Travertine Room, Atrium mezzanine
Updating members on division business, announcing
the 2012 winners of the youth and adult writing
contests, interacting with a literary agent, and
planning for the future. Robert Leslie Newman, President
2:00 - 6:00 pm—LookTel’s NEW iPHONE APPS
Plum Blossom B Room, Arium lobby
The LookTel Breadcrumbs, Recognizer, and
MoneyReader iPhone apps are demonstrated in an
interactive presentation with participation invited. Questions are
encouraged.
MONDAY, JULY 2, Continued
3:00 - 4:30 pm—TACTILE GUIDED TOUR OF THE
ANATOLE’S SCULPTURE COLLECTION (limited to 20 people); Atrium Concierge Desk
3:00 - 5:15 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND PIANO TECHNICIANS
Wedgwood Ballroom, Tower lobby
Piano tuning and repairing is a challenging and
rewarding career. Join us to learn about this
exciting field. Don Mitchell, President
5:00 - 6:30 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND
LAWYERS (NABL) RECEPTION; Manchester Room, Tower mezzanine
For NABL members and seminar participants only to
promote networking and fellowship within our
membership. Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar available.
Scott LaBarre, President
5:00 - 7:00 pm—BRAILLE BOOK FAIR (Cosponsored by NOPBC and NAPUB)
Cortez A and B Ballrooms, West wing
A book lover’s dream! Browse tables of new and
used Braille and print/Braille books. Volunteers
will box your books and deliver them to the post
office for Free Matter shipment. Books are free;
donations are encouraged to help support our
Braille programs. Coordinator: Barbara Cheadle
5:15 - 7:15 pm—BLIND ACADEMICS GROUP (INITIAL GATHERING)
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
Matriculating all professors, graduate students,
and future college-level teachers. Whether your
specialty is comparative literature, musicology,
economics, chemistry, or something esoteric that
we haven't heard of yet, join us to discuss the
many facets of thriving in academia. Dr. Adrienne Asch, Chairperson.
6:00 - 7:30 pm—SONG-WRITING WORKSHOP (Admission: $5.00)
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
Learn the tricks and methods for writing songs.
Instructor: Kevin Reeves. Sponsored by the Performing Arts Division
6:00 - 8:00 pm—NFB COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
(formerly the Newsletter Publications Committee);
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
We’ve changed our name! Join our think tank; the
questions are: how are we doing, and how can we
improve our overall communication within and
outside our Federation? Robert Leslie Newman, Chairperson
MONDAY, JULY 2, Continued
6:00 - 9:00 pm—BACK TO BASICS CHAPTER BUILDING SEMINAR
Carpenter Ballroom, Atrium lobby
Featuring fresh, new ideas to make chapter
meetings exciting, informative, and
philosophically strong; presentations from
inspiring Federation leaders; live
demonstrations; audience participation; and a
special recognition for chapter
presidents. Presented by the NFB Affiliate Action Team
6:00 - 10:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GUIDE DOG
USERS (NAGDU) SEMINAR; 6:00 pm–Registration; 7:00 pm–Seminar begins
Emerald Room, Tower lobby
Understanding the application and interaction
between federal and state laws concerning service
dogs; guide dog training program reports; also,
test drive a guide dog! Marion Gwizdala, President
6:30 - 8:00 pm—MEET THE BLIND MONTH SEMINAR
Fleur-de-lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Join us as we explore Meet the Blind Month (each
October) through fun and exciting activities!
Learn more about planning creative events. This
seminar is for Meet the Blind Month beginners to
seasoned veterans. Sponsored by NFBJI Outreach;
Coordinators: Melissa Kobelinski and Mika Baugh.
6:30 - 9:45 pm—SCIENCE & ENGINEERING DIVISION AND
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE; Senators Lecture Hall, Tower Lobby
6:30 pm–Registration; 7:00 pm–Meeting begins
We are combining our meetings to promote
mentorship opportunities for students and
developers of the technology of tomorrow. Get
answers to your questions regarding access to
science, technology, engineering, and math. John
Miller, President, S&E Div. and Hai Nguyen Ly, Chairperson, R&D Comm.
6:30 - 10:00 pm—ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINERS DIVISION
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
6:30 pm–Registration; 7:00 pm–Meeting begins
Topics: exciting training courses through Hadley
School for the Blind with Larry L. Lewis of
Flying Blind, LLC; IOS devices and using them
with note takers; and Mac training. We will also
hear from Bookshare.org. Michael Barber, President
MONDAY, JULY 2, Continued
7:00 - 9:00 pm—“ONE MAN WITH COURAGE,” a play
written by Jerry Whittle Admission: $5.00
(Please note: only one performance this year)
Stemmons Ballroom, Atrium lobby
A play based on the life of Dr. Jacob Bolotin—the
first blind, licensed medical doctor in the
world. All proceeds support the Buddy Program at
the Louisiana Center for the Blind, a summer
program for blind children which fosters independence.
7:00 - 9:00 pm—KURZWEIL 1000™ USERS’ CONTINGENT
Morocco Room, Tower Mezzanine
We are unveiling the latest version of our
software, and a light dinner will be
served. Participants must register beforehand by
going to “K1000 User Group Meeting” and space is
limited. Hosted by Stephen Baum, David Bradburn,
and reps from Audio Optical Systems, your local area Kurzweil 1000 reseller.
7:00 - 9:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND
AUTOMOBILE ENTHUSIASTS SEMINAR AND BUSINESS MEETING
Dardanelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
Come and hear speakers from automobile clubs talk
about their activities and participate in the
division business meeting. David Hutchins, President
7:00 - 9:00 pm—COMMITTEE TO EMPOWER UNDERSERVED
POPULATIONS; Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine
If you are feeling underserved, come and let your
voice be heard! Ron Brown, Chairperson
7:00 - 9:00 pm—YOUTH TRACK SESSIONS (AGES 11-14)
De Soto A Room, West wing
7:00-8:00 pm—Self-Defense Class
8:00-9:00 pm—Dance
7:00 - 9:00 pm—YOUTH TRACK SESSIONS (AGES 14-18)
De Soto B Room, West wing
7:00-8:00 pm—Dance
8:00-9:00 pm—Self-Defense Class
MONDAY, JULY 2, Continued
7:00 - 10:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE
THE USE OF BRAILLE (NAPUB) SEMINAR; Wyeth Room, Atrium mezzanine
Learn about Braille-related research, discuss
current projects with vendors who produce Braille
through hard copy and technology, experience the
enthusiasm of some of our Braille Readers Are
Leaders winners, and develop strategies for
strengthening our division. Sandy Halverson, President
7:30 - 9:00 pm—DAD’S NIGHT OUT
All dads, sighted and blind, are welcome. Contact
Jim Beyer at (406) 239-2057 for location.
8:00 - 9:30 pm—WEBMASTERS MEETING
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
A meeting for all NFB affiliate and division
Webmasters to discuss the importance of an
informative, accessible, and visually attractive Website.
Gary Wunder, Chairperson, Webmasters Group
8:15 - 9:15 pm—FRIENDS OF RECOVERY MEETING
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
All convention delegates involved in or
interested in twelve-step recovery programs are
invited to attend. A second Friends of Recovery
meeting will be on Wednesday at 8:00 pm. Coordinator: Gary Ray
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012
8:00 - 8:45 am—DEVOTIONS; Sapphire Room, Tower lobby
8:15
8:45 am—PREREGISTRATION PACKET PICKUP,
REGISTRATION ($30), AND BANQUET TICKET SALES ($60)
Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby
OPENING GENERAL SESSION
9:30 am INVOCATION
9:35 am WELCOMING CEREMONIES
9:55 am CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM: VETERANS RECOGNIZED
Dwight Sayer, President, National Association
of Blind Veterans, National Federation of the Blind;
Winter Gardens, Florida
10:05 am ROLL CALL OF STATES AND APPOINTMENT OF NOMINATING
COMMITTEE
11:40 am ACCESS TO THE INTERNET FOR THE BLIND
Preety Kumar, C.E.O., Deque Systems, Inc., Web
Accessibility Champion; Herndon, Virginia
11:55 am REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS
12:00 pm ADJOURN
12:00 noon
12:30 pm and 1:30 - 2:00
pm—PREREGISTRATION PACKET PICKUP, REGISTRATION
($30), AND FINAL BANQUET TICKET SALES ($60): Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower
lobby
12:00 noon - 1:45 pm—EXHIBITS; Khmer Pavilion, Atrium third level
12:00 noon - 1:45 pm—INDEPENDENCE MARKET
Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby
TUESDAY, JULY 3, Continued
12:15 - 1:45 pm—LOUISIANA CENTER FOR THE BLIND
ALUMNI RECEPTION; Peacock Terrace, West wing
All LCB alumni and those interested in learning
more about how training at the Louisiana Center
for the Blind will change your life are welcome. Pam Allen, Director
GENERAL SESSION
2:00 pm CALL TO ORDER
2:05 pm PRESIDENTIAL REPORT, Marc Maurer
3:00 pm DESCRIPTIVE VIDEO EXCHANGE: ENHANCING THE
EXPERIENCE BY EMPOWERING THE CONSUMER
Joshua A. Miele, Ph.D., Director, The
Smith-Kettlewell Video Description Research and
Development Center; San Francisco, California
3:20 pm THE DEGREES OF FREEDOM, THE ORGANIZED
BLIND MOVEMENT: THE DYNAMICS OF INDEPENDENCE AND SUCCESS
Mark Riccobono, Executive Director, National
Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute; Baltimore, Maryland
3:45 pm WINDOWS 8 ACCESSIBILITY
Rob Sinclair, Director of Accessibility and Chief
Accessibility Strategist, Microsoft; Redmond, Washington
4:05 pm MINAR DIRECTAE
Scott LaBarre, Esq., LaBarre Law Offices;
President, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado; Denver, Colorado
4:30 pm ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL AND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
FOR THE BLIND: A COMMITMENT FROM THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
The Honorable Ray H. LaHood, Secretary, United
States Department of Transportation; Washington, D.C.
TUESDAY, JULY 3, Continued
4:50 pm REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS
5:00 pm ADJOURN
5:30 - 6:30 pm—NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
6:00 - 10:00 pm—DEMO RECORDING PROJECT (Fee is $5.00)
Dardanelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
This is a chance to make a demo recording of
yourself. If possible, please bring a CD of an
instrumental. Instructor: Jordy Stringer.
Sponsored by the Performing Arts Division.
6:00 pm—NFB OF TEXAS BARBECUE AND LIVE MUSIC; Anatole Park
Come and take part in a real welcome to Dallas
hospitality hosted by the Texas affiliate. Live
music performed by singer/songwriter JP Williams.
Catch up with old friends and make new ones in an
evening as fun as you choose to make it!
6:30 - 9:00 pm—COLORADO CENTER FOR THE BLIND OPEN HOUSE
Topaz Room, Tower lobby
Have you ever wondered what training can do for
you? Meet the staff and students at the Colorado
Center for the Blind; pick up a Braille recipe
and a Braille puzzle; draw a tactile picture and
learn about challenge recreation and the latest
technology. Join us for this exciting open house! Julie Deden, Director
7:00 - 8:00 pm—THE NEW WAY TO CREATE “ACCESSIBLE
PAPER” AND ACCESS IT BY SMARTPHONE—iPHONE AND ANY ANDROID PHONES
Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine
VOICEYE solution allows a print impaired person
to access printed information using our VOICEYE
code technology, which can contain two pages of
text. Any document you produce can become
accessible to anyone with a smart phone!
TUESDAY, JULY 3, Continued
7:00 - 8:30 pm—EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
Fleur-de-lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
What can we do to increase employment of blind
people? What barriers stand in the way, and how
can we remove them? These and other questions are
the focus of this committee. If you’re a
recruiter or job seeker, come tell us what you’re
looking for. If you have questions, committee
members are loaded with advice. Dick Davis, Chairperson
7:00 - 8:30 pm—BOOKSHARE 10th ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION FOR MEMBERS; Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Bookshare Members: Join us in celebrating
Bookshare’s 10th Anniversary! You are an integral
part of what we’ve been able to accomplish over
these past ten years, and we hope you will join
us for refreshments, games, prizes, and friendly
interactions with Bookshare staff and other Members.
7:00 - 9:00 pm—EXHIBITS; Khmer Pavilion, Atrium third level
7:00 - 9:00 pm—LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES SEMINAR:
MOVING LEGISLATION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL
Fleur-de-lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Each affiliate should send one representative.
Learn the best methods of increasing support for
our national legislative priorities. Changing
lives through laws is our business. Led by Anil
Lewis, Lauren McLarney, and Jesse Hartle.
7:00 - 9:00 pm—NFB-NEWSLINE® DEMONSTRATION OPEN HOUSE
Plum Blossom A Room, Atrium lobby
Stop by and learn about NFB’s free audio
information service and get hands-on experience
with our new access methods including the
NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile application for iPhone and
our Global Publication Search feature.
7:00 - 9:45 pm—NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
7:00 - 8:15: IEP Basics for Parents of Blind/VI Students
Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
Instructors: Carlton Walker and Chantel Alberhasky
TUESDAY, JULY 3, Continued
NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS, Cont’d.
7:00 - 9:45: 2-4-6-8 What Do We Appreciate? The Nemeth Code!
Manchester Room, Tower mezzanine
Instructor: Eric Guillory
7:00 - 9:45: Tactile Graphics
Madrid Room, Tower mezzanine
Instructors: Ann Cunningham, Shirley Keller, and Robert Jaquiss
8:00 - 9:30 pm—NFB GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Learn to plan, write, and submit a strong grant
application, and hear how others have won grants
for their chapters and affiliates. Coordinator:
Seth Lamkin, NFB Jernigan Institute
8:30 - 9:45 pm—IEP DEVELOPMENT AND LEGAL PROCESS OVERVIEW
Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
Do’s and don'ts for the IEP meeting; preparing
for possible mediation, due process, appeal,
etc.; overview of the legal process; how to
prepare for a due process hearing so you don't
have to have one! Instructors: Chantel Alberhasky and Carlton Walker
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012
8:00 - 8:45 am—DEVOTIONS; Sapphire Room, Tower lobby
8:15
8:45 am—PREREGISTRATION PACKET PICKUP AND
REGISTRATION ($30): Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby
GENERAL SESSION
9:00 am INVOCATION
9:05 am FINANCIAL REPORT
9:55 am ELECTIONS
10:40 am THE SEEING EYE APP: GPS FOR THE BLIND ON THE iPHONE
Mike May, Chief Executive Officer, Sendero Group; Davis, California
11:00 am INSPIRING INDEPENDENCE FOR THE BLIND
THROUGH FAITH AND SERVICE: FROM NEW YORK TO THE VATICAN
Father John R. Sheehan, S.J., Chairman, Board of
Directors, Xavier Society for the Blind; New York, New York
11:20 am THE FEDERATION IN THE WORLD
Maryanne Diamond, President, World Blind Union;
and General Manager, International and
Stakeholder Relations, Vision Australia; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Arnt Holte, Vice-Executive Director, Norwegian
Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted; Majorstuen, Oslo, Norway
11:50 am REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS
12:00 pm ADJOURN
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, Continued
12:00 noon
12:30 pm and 1:30 - 2:00
pm—PREREGISTRATION PACKET PICKUP AND REGISTRATION
($30): Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby
12:00 noon - 1:45 pm—EXHIBITS; Khmer Pavilion, Atrium third level
12:00 noon - 1:45 pm—INDEPENDENCE MARKET (final
opportunity to visit the Market); Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby
12:15 - 1:30 pm—AT-LARGE CHAPTER MEETING; Affiliate Action Suite 2372
To all NFB affiliate representatives: If your
state is interested in starting an at-large
chapter, please bring your lunch and join us to
learn about new possibilities for membership recruitment and chapter
building.
GENERAL SESSION
2:00 pm CALL TO ORDER
2:05 pm EQUAL ACCESS FOR THE BLIND; AIRFARES,
HOTELS, CRUISES: SAVINGS WITH TRAVELOCITY
Steve Dumaine, Senior Vice President of Global
Strategy and Product Innovation, Travelocity Global; Southlake, Texas
2:20 pm THE AFFORDABLE POWERFUL NOTETAKER FOR THE BLIND
Deane Blazie, Inventor; Hobe Sound, Florida
Brian A. Mac Donald, President, National Braille Press; Boston,
Massachusetts
2:40 pm STRATEGIC INITIATIVES REPORT
John G. Paré, Jr., Executive Director for
Strategic Initiatives, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
Anil Lewis, Director of Strategic Communications,
National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, Continued
Lauren McLarney, Governmental Affairs Specialist,
National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
Jesse Hartle, Governmental Affairs Specialist,
National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
3:30 pm REPORTS, RESOLUTIONS, AND OTHER BUSINESS
5:00 pm ADJOURN
6:00 - 8:00 pm—AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND
LAUNCHES NEW RESOURCE FOR INDEPENDENCE! Peacock Terrace, West wing
You are invited to an informational reception
featuring demonstrations of our family of
websites available to you 24/7/365 to enhance
your independence and employability. We look
forward to greeting AFB’s old friends and making new ones.
6:00
8:30 pm—EXHIBITS; Khmer Pavilion, Atrium
third level (final opportunity to visit the Exhibits)
6:00 - 9:00 pm—NFB-NEWSLINE® DEMONSTRATION OPEN HOUSE
Plum Blossom A Room, Atrium lobby
Stop by and learn about NFB’s free audio
information service and get hands-on experience
with our new access methods including the
NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile application for iPhone and
our Global Publication Search feature.
6:00 - 11:00 pm—TWELFTH ANNUAL SHOWCASE OF TALENT—Fee: $5.00
Stemmons Ballroom, Atrium lobby
Register early by contacting Performing Arts
Division leaders (phone 347-948-4445) by Tuesday,
July 3. Proceeds benefit the division’s
scholarship program and other programs. Sponsored
by the Performing Arts Division; Dennis H.R. Sumlin, President
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, Continued
7:00
9:00 pm—SOCIAL SECURITY AND SSI: WHAT
APPLICANTS, ADVOCATES, AND RECIPIENTS SHOULD KNOW
Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine
Seminar topics: Social Security and SSI benefits,
including eligibility criteria, the application
process, reporting obligations, and appeals process. Also get
information on the Medicare prescription drug benefit income subsidy
program.
Presenter: Daniel B. Frye, J.D., Social Security Advocate/Consultant
7:00 - 9:45 pm—SAME BOOK, SAME TIME, SAME PRICE:
GETTING TO KNOW BLIO, HANDS-ON TRAINING AND HELP. James Gashel, Presenter
Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine
7:30 pm - midnight—SALSA NIGHT IN DALLAS! (Admission: $5.00)
Wedgwood Ballroom, Tower lobby
Learn to dance salsa using the Braille cell.
Group and individual instructions provided at any
level of proficiency; Merengue and Bachata
lessons have been added this year; cash bar. Fee
benefits the NFB Spanish Translation Committee
(Conchita Hernandez, Chairperson).
8:00 - 9:00 pm—FRIENDS OF RECOVERY MEETING
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
All convention delegates involved in or
interested in twelve-step recovery programs are
invited to attend. Gary Ray, Coordinator
8:00 - 11:30 pm—MONTE CARLO NIGHT; Morocco Room,
Tower mezzanine Try your luck at playing popular
card games; bring friends along or make new
ones—either way it’s sure to be great fun; cash
bar. Sponsored by the National Association of Blind Students Division
8:30 - 9:45 pm—SAME BOOK, SAME TIME, SAME PRICE:
GETTING TO KNOW BLIO, HANDS-ON TRAINING AND HELP. James Gashel, Presenter
Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012
8:00 - 8:45 am—DEVOTIONS
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby
8:15
8:45 am—PREREGISTRATION PACKET PICKUP AND
REGISTRATION ($30)—Final opportunity to register:
Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby
GENERAL SESSION
9:00 am INVOCATION
9:05 am THE DEMOCRATISATION OF BRAILLE
Kevin Carey, Chair, Royal National Institute of
Blind People; London, United Kingdom
9:25 am THE CLIENT/CAREER PARADIGM: AN ENTREPRENEURIAL PERSPECTIVE
Anil Lewis, Director of Strategic Communications,
National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
9:50 am STATE PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE FOR THE BLIND
Larry E. Temple, Executive Director, Texas Workforce Commission; Austin,
Texas
10:10 am ACCESSIBLE TELEVISION EQUIPMENT: THE UNITED KINGDOM SCOOPS
THE U.S.
Richard Orme, Head of Accessibility and Head of
Digital Inclusion, Royal National Institute of
Blind People; London, United Kingdom
10:25 am IMPLEMENTING ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE PRINT
DISABLED AT THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM LEVEL
Gerard L. Hanley, Ph.D., Senior Director,
Academic Technology Services, and Executive
Director, MERLOT, California State University,
Office of the Chancellor; Long Beach, California
THURSDAY, JULY 5, Continued
10:45 am AN END TO LEGALIZED DISCRIMINATION: A
DEMAND FOR JUSTICE AND A CALL FOR ACTION
Fredric K. Schroeder, Ph.D.; Research Professor;
San Diego State University; Vienna, Virginia
11:05 am EQUAL ACCESS FOR THE BLIND TO EDUCATION
Seth M. Galanter, Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Policy, Office for Civil Rights, United States
Department of Education; Washington, D.C.
11:25 am THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS: PURSUING
POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT MEET NEEDS
Roberta I. Shaffer, Associate Librarian for
Library Services; The Library of Congress; Washington, D.C.
11:45 am REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS
12:00 pm ADJOURN
12:00 noon - 1:45 pm—AMATEUR RADIO DIVISION BUSINESS MEETING
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine; D. Curtis Willoughby (ka0vba), President
12:00 noon - 1:45 pm—RAFFLES AND DRAWINGS
Emerald Room, Tower lobby
GENERAL SESSION
2:00 pm CALL TO ORDER
2:05 pm BLIND PEOPLE AT WORK
Kevan Worley, CEO, Worley Enterprises, Inc., and
Roosters Men’s Grooming Center; Colorado Springs, Colorado
Mark Jones, Owner, Owensville Communications
WVBG-AM/FM; Vicksburg, Mississippi
THURSDAY, JULY 5, Continued
2:35 pm DISABILITY POLICY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE
Kareem A. Dale, Special Assistant to the
President for Disability Policy, The White House; Washington, D.C.
2:55 pm THE POLICY OF INTEGRATION ENFORCEABLE AT LAW
Eve L. Hill, Senior Counselor to the Assistant
Attorney General for Civil Rights, United States
Department of Justice; Washington, D.C.
3:15 pm MAKING CHEMISTY ACCESSIBLE TO THE BLIND ONE ATOM AT A TIME
Henry Wedler, Ph.D. candidate, University of
California, Davis; Davis, California
3:30 pm INVENTIONS THAT ALTER THOUGHT
Ray Kurzweil, President and Chief Executive
Officer, K-NFB Reading Technology, Inc.; Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts
3:50 pm THE ACCESSIBLE BOOKSTORE, THE ACCESSIBLE
LIBRARY, AND MILLIONS OF BOOKS TO COME
Marshall A. (Arnie) Wight, President and Chief
Operating Officer, Baker & Taylor, Inc.; Charlotte, North Carolina
4:05 pm DR. JACOB BOLOTIN AWARD
James Gashel, Chairperson, Dr. Jacob Bolotin
Award Committee and Secretary, National
Federation of the Blind; Denver, Colorado
4:35 pm REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS
5:00 pm ADJOURN
THURSDAY, JULY 5, Continued
7:00 pm—BANQUET
Chantilly Ballroom, Tower lobby
INVOCATION
MASTER OF CEREMONIES: Fredric K. Schroeder
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
BANQUET ADDRESS: Marc Maurer
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
11:00 pm—SCIENCE FICTION MEETING
All persons interested in science fiction and
fantasy are welcome to join in an open
discussion. Please contact Ed Meskys for room location.
CONVENTION NOTES:
Note 1. A Federation Information Desk is in the
registration area from Sunday morning through
Thursday if you have questions or need
assistance. The Texas affiliate also maintains a
table near the hotel check
in desk in the Atrium
lobby to provide assistance and hospitality during much of the convention.
Note 2. The Hilton Anatole Hotel room rates are:
singles and doubles, $63; triples and quads, $68.
In addition to the room rates, there is a 13
percent occupancy tax. There is no charge for
children under sixteen in the room with parents
as long as no extra bed is required. Proof of
convention registration is necessary, including
the showing of an NFB registration badge if
requested. Otherwise, regular hotel rates must be
paid. This is a non-smoking hotel; smoking is
permitted only at specified areas outside.
Note 3. Guide Dog Relief Areas: Please note that
there is no dog relief area in Anatole
Park. This is a change from previous years.
There is a relief area outside the Atrium lobby
entrance and a second relief area outside of the
Chantilly entrance. The Chantilly entrance is
directly opposite the large elephant statues in
the middle of the Chantilly Ballroom foyer in the
Tower lobby. Note that this is not the same as
the Tower entrance, which is considerably west of the Chantilly entrance.
Note 4. Hotel Food Service:
Common Ground (Atrium I) express cafeteria-line
food service: Lunch and dinner offerings will
include salads, hot and cold sandwiches, fruits,
pastries, desserts, and beverages. Service will
be quick and seating plentiful. The grab-and-go
$10 sack lunch (sandwich, chips, and beverage)
can be picked up here as well. Hours are 6 am-2
pm and 5-10 pm except on Barbecue and Banquet evenings.
Terrace Café (Atrium I) ala carte breakfast
items, continental or full hot breakfast buffet;
$20 (includes tax and gratuity) “blue plate
special” lunch, which changes daily and includes
an entrée, soup or salad, and dessert; breakfast
(6-11 am) and lunch (11 am-2 pm). Not open for dinner.
Counter Offer (Atrium II) items to order at a
quick-service counter: breakfast items; hot and
cold sandwiches, salads, fruits, desserts,
beverages (including wines and beers), and
various specialty ala carte items are available
throughout the day; $10 grab-and-go sack lunch
may also be picked up here. Seating is available.
Hours are 6 am-2 pm and 5-10 pm.
Media Grill & Bar (Atrium II) offers a full menu
and is open for lunch & dinner (11 am-10 pm) and
from 10 pm-2 am with specialty food items and bar service.
Gossip Bar (Tower lobby) coffee and breakfast
pastries in the morning; $10 grab-and-go sack
lunches; bar service and other food offerings.
Hours are 6:30 am to 2 am.
Note 5. All requests for announcements by
President Maurer during General Sessions must be submitted in Braille.
Note 6. Raffle tickets will not be sold in the
registration area, and no raffles or other such
drawings will take place during convention
sessions or at the banquet. The single exception
will be that national divisions may (if they
request it in advance) conduct drawings during
the sessions or at the banquet. Groups or
affiliates wishing to conduct their drawings (or
any person wishing to know the winners) may go at
noon on Thursday to the Emerald Room, Tower lobby.
Note 7. Child-care services for children between
the ages of six weeks and twelve years are
available during convention sessions, most
meetings, and the banquet. Preregistration and
payment by June 15 were required for child-care.
Child-care is organized and supervised by Carla
McQuillan, the executive director of Main Street
Montessori Association. Alison McQuillan serves
as the activities and staff coordinator. Please
note that child-care provides morning and
afternoon snacks, but parents are required to
provide lunch for their child(ren) every day.
Times listed are the opening and closing times
for child-care. A late fee of $10 per
quarter-hour per child will be assessed for late
pickups. Child-care hours are:
Saturday, 6/30 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm
Sunday, 7/1 Closed
Monday, 7/2 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm
Tuesday, 7/3 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm
Wednesday, 7/4 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm
Thursday, 7/5 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm and
Banquet 7/5 6:30 pm to 30 minutes after banquet ends
Note 8. Divisions, Committees, and Groups: The
Federation carries on its business through
affiliated divisions, committees, and groups listed below:
Divisions:
Agriculture and Equestrian: Fred Chambers, President
Assistive Technology Trainers: Michael Barber, President
Deaf-Blind: Burnell Brown, President
Diabetes Action Network for the Blind: Michael Freeman, President
Human Services: Rick Brown, President
National Association of the Blind in Communities of Faith: Tom Anderson,
Pres.
National Association of Blind Automobile Enthusiasts: David Hutchins, Pres.
National Association of Blind Entrepreneurs: James R. Bonerbo, President
National Association of Blind Lawyers: Scott LaBarre, President
National Association of Blind Merchants: Nicky Gacos, President
National Association of Blind Office Professionals: Lisa Hall, President
National Association of Blind Piano Technicians: Don Mitchell, President
National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals: Melody Roane,
Pres.
National Association of Blind Students: Sean Whalen, President
National Association of Blind Veterans: Dwight Sayer, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users: Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association to Promote the Use of Braille: Sandy Halverson,
President
National Federation of the Blind Amateur Radio: D. Curtis Willoughby, Pres.
National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science: Curtis Chong, Pres.
National Federation of the Blind Krafters: Joyce Kane, President
National Federation of the Blind Seniors: Judy Sanders, President
National Organization of Blind Educators: Sheila Koenig, President
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children: Laura Bostick, President
National Organization of Professionals in Blindness Education: Eric
Guillory,
President
Performing Arts: Dennis H.R. Sumlin, President
Public Employees: Ivan Weich, President
Science and Engineering: John Miller, President
Sports and Recreation: Lisamaria Martinez, President
Travel and Tourism: Cheryl Echevarria, President
Writers: Robert Leslie Newman, President.
Committees:
Ambassadors: Angela Wolf, Chairperson
Blind Educator of the Year Award: David Ticchi, Chairperson
Committee on Automobile and Pedestrian Safety (CAPS): Deborah Kent
Stein, Chairperson
Committee to Empower Underserved Populations (CEUP): Ron Brown,
Chairperson
Communications (new name of Newsletter Publications): Robert Leslie
Newman, Chairperson
Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award: Cathy Jackson,
Chairperson
Employment: Dick Davis, Chairperson
Genetic Education: Barbara Pierce, Chairperson
Imagination Fund: Carl Jacobsen, Chairperson
Jacobus tenBroek Award: Ramona Walhof, Chairperson
Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund: Gary Mackenstadt, Chairperson; Joy Harris,
Co-Chairperson
Kenneth Jernigan Fund: Allen Harris, Chairperson
Library Services: David Hyde, Chairperson
Membership: Ron Gardner, Chairperson
Newel Perry Award: Allen Harris, Chairperson
PAC Plan: Scott LaBarre, Chairperson; Carlos Serván, Garrick Scott, and
Doug Trimble, Co-Chairpersons
Promotion, Evaluation, and Advancement of Technology: Gary Wunder,
Chairperson
Public Relations: Christopher Danielsen, Chairperson
Research and Development: Hai Nguyen Ly, Chairperson
Resolutions: Sharon Maneki, Chairperson
Scholarship: Patti Gregory-Chang, Chairperson
Shares Unlimited in NFB (SUN): Sandy Halverson, Chairperson
Spanish Translation: Conchita Hernandez, Chairperson
White Cane and Affiliate Finance: Alpidio Rolón, Chairperson.
Groups:
Blind Academics (new): Adrienne Asch, Chairperson
Blind Musicians: Linda Mentink, Chairperson
Blind Parents: Deborah Kent Stein, Chairperson
Blind Professional Journalists: Elizabeth Campbell and Bryan Bashin,
Co-Chairpersons
Community Service: Darian Smith, Chairperson
Educators of Blind Children: Gail Wagner, Chairperson
Legislative Initiatives Discussion: Don Burns, Chairperson
Living History: Michael Freholm, Chairperson
NFB in Judaism: David Stayer, Chairperson
NFB Lions: Ramona Walhof and Milton Ota, Co-Chairpersons
Orientation and Mobility: Edward C. Bell, Chairperson
Webmasters: Gary Wunder, Chairperson.
NAVIGATING THE HOTEL:
The Hilton Anatole consists of two main
sections—the Atrium and the Tower. The Atrium
section is further divided into Atrium I and
Atrium II. At the lobby and mezzanine levels
Atrium I, Atrium II, and the Tower are connected
so that you can walk from Atrium I at the far
east end of the hotel through Atrium II into the
Tower at the far west end of the hotel as if it were one building.
At levels above the mezzanine, Atrium I and
Atrium II are contiguous with each other but not
with the Tower—that is, to reach the sleeping
rooms, you must use either the Atrium elevators
or the Tower elevators, depending on which
section your room is located in. The Tower
sleeping room elevators do not stop at the
mezzanine level. The Atrium sleeping room
elevators stop at the mezzanine level, and you
can reach the mezzanine level meeting rooms above
the Atrium I lobby, the Atrium II lobby, and the
Tower lobby. However, a flight of six or eight
steps links the Atrium II mezzanine and the Tower
mezzanine. If these steps are a problem, you can
take a separate, single elevator that goes from
the Tower lobby to the Tower mezzanine level.
This elevator is located just west of the
business center in the Tower lobby. At the west
end of the Tower mezzanine is a stairway that
leads to the Tower lobby. When you come down this
stairway, you are facing east, and the Chantilly
Ballroom is slightly ahead and on your right.
Atrium I is the farthest-east section of
the hotel and sits slightly south of Atrium II.
You may think of the entire hotel as a high-top
tennis shoe lying on its side with the sole
running along the north side, the toe pointing
west, and the open top to the south. The right
angle formed where the back of the shoe meets the
sole in the hotel’s architecture is actually cut
on the diagonal so that, when entering the hotel
on that diagonal, you are facing
southwest. Atrium I is much shorter in its
north-south dimension than are Atrium II and the
Tower on the east-west axis. After you step into
the main entrance, a left turn takes you towards
the check-in desk and Atrium I.
If you stand with your back to the check-in
desk, you are facing west. Atrium I is on your
left, and Atrium II is slightly to your right and
straight ahead. The Atrium elevators and stairway
and escalators to the mezzanine-level meeting
rooms and the Khmer Pavilion on the third level
are located just across from the Atrium front
desk and main entrance in the general area where the two Atria join.
The lobby area of Atrium I contains the
Stemmons Ballroom, the indoor pool, the Carpenter
Ballroom, and the Terrace Restaurant. The
Conference Registration area (where
Preregistration will be located on Sunday and
Monday) is located in the northeast corner of
Atrium II at the point where Atrium II and Atrium I join.
The Media Grill & Bar and the Grand
Ballroom are located on the south side of Atrium
II. On the north side of Atrium II are hotel
shops and the Plum Blossom meeting room. Just
south of the shops are the two rectangular
reflecting pools running from east to west along
much of the link of Atrium II. There are seating
areas along both sides of the reflecting pools.
The area between the reflecting pools on the
north side of Atrium II and the Media Grill & Bar
and Grand Ballroom on the south side of Atrium II
forms a wide walkway which extends from east to
west through the entire length of Atrium II. The
far east end of this walkway leads into Atrium
I. The far west end of this walkway leads into
the Tower lobby. Just before entering the Tower
lobby you will find the Counter Offer quick
service food outlet in the northwest corner of
Atrium II. There is a ramp on the south side of
the walkway as it enters the Tower lobby.
The Chantilly Ballroom, where the Board
Meeting and the General Sessions take place, is
located on the south side of the Tower lobby.
Continuing west beyond the Chantilly Ballroom is
the Gossip Bar. A stairway leading to the
mezzanine meeting rooms can be found along the
north side of the Gossip Bar. The entrance to the
Wedgwood Ballroom foyer is west of the Gossip Bar
as are the exit doors to Anatole Park. Just north
of the doors into the Park is the entrance to the
Peacock Terrace Room. The entrance to the West
Wing meeting rooms can be found north of the Peacock Terrace.
In the northeast corner of the Tower lobby
there are a number of meeting rooms, including
the Coral, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, and Topaz
rooms and the Governors and Senators Lecture Halls.
Thank You...
The National Federation of the Blind
acknowledges with gratitude our convention
sponsors listed below. Their messages follow.
Web Accessibility Champion:
Deque Systems, Inc.
Platinum Sponsors:
UPS
Oracle
HumanWare
Gold Sponsors:
Market Development Group, Inc.
Google
Vanda Pharmaceuticals
Silver Sponsors:
Freedom Scientific
FoxKiser
Bronze Sponsors:
IBM
VitalSource Technologies
Adobe Systems
Research In Motion
C AND P – Chris Park
White Cane Sponsors:
Sendero Group
Southwest Airlines
eBay Inc.
Independence Science
ScriptsForJaws.com
HIMS
Bookshare
Learning Ally
Sprint
En-Vision America
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