Welcome to the 2003 convention of the American Council of the Blind and to our wonderful host city, Pittsburgh, PA. For many years, Pittsburgh struggled through a declining economy, an aging population, and the many other problems that plague America's northeastern industrial cities. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh is clearly a city in major recovery, and a very exciting place for us to be in 2003.

As this city has already begun to experience, let this be a week of rejuvenation and re-invigoration for us as well. It's been a tough year in Congress, and we are facing some financial challenges in ACB. But, we are together despite some difficult moments, and it is partly in this togetherness that we will focus on solutions and chart our course of travel for the next year.

Thank you for all coming to Pittsburgh. We're about to enjoy one more magnificent convention. Let us take full advantage of this opportunity to be together for work, comradeship, and fun as well.

ACB American Council of the Blind

AAVL Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss

ABLA American Blind Lawyers Association

ACBGE ACB Government Employees

ACBL ACB Lions

ACB-L ACB Listserv

ACBRA ACB Radio Amateurs

ACBHSP ACB Human Service Professionals

ADAAmericans with Disabilities Act

AFBAmerican Foundation for the Blind

AIBAlaska Independent Blind

APHAmerican Printing House for the Blind

BFLAG Blind Friends of Lesbians and Gays

BRLBraille Revival League

CCLVI Council of Citizens with Low Vision International

CFVI Council of Families with Visual Impairments

FIAFriends-in-Art of ACB

GDUI Guide Dog Users, Inc.

IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IVIE Independent Visually Impaired Enterprisers

LUA Library Users of America

NABS National Alliance of Blind Students

NABT National Association of Blind Teachers

NAPVI National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments

NIBNational Industries for the Blind

PCBPennsylvania Council of the Blind

RSVA Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America

SASI Sight and Sound Impaired Committee

VIDPI Visually Impaired Data Processors International

VIVA Visually Impaired Veterans of America

WCC Women's Concerns Committee

FROM GREYHOUND STATION TO WESTIN Exit station onto 11th St. Turn left and walk to Liberty Ave. Turn right and cross 11th. Continue straight to down curb (Liberty). Turn right and follow Liberty to end of building on right. Make right (but don't go up steps) at end of building line. Walk straight to hotel entrance.

FROM AMTRAK STATION TO WESTIN Exit station to driveway down curb. Turn left and follow building line on left (sidewalk has three upward slopes). At the end of the sidewalk, turn right to Liberty Ave. ramp. Pedestrian-activated button about five feet left of ramp. Cross Liberty. Turn left and cross 11th. Continue straight to down curb (Liberty). Turn right and follow Liberty to end of building line on right. Make right (don't go up steps) and walk straight to hotel entrance.

FROM AIRPORT

Neither hotel has courtesy vans to and from airport. Airlines Transportation 412-321-4990 is available at $16 (one-way) or $30 (round trip) per person. Yellow Cab 412-665-8100.

In case of emergency, either dial 0 on a hotel phone or 911 on any other phone. You should stay calm and speak distinctly, giving your name and exact location and a description of the emergency situation.

LOCAL HOSPITAL:
Allegheny General Hospital
320 E. North Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-359-3131

ROOM TO ROOM

To call floors 5 through 9, touch 7 + room number

To call floors 10 through 26, dial room number

MESSAGES

Please touch the "Message" button on your phone, which is the right-hand button on the second row above the numbers, or "0" for Operator.

In an effort to improve their telephone technology and their phone line access, the Westin implemented the following billing system.

LOCAL CALLS

Touch 9 + 412 + local number. Hotel surcharge of 99 cents per call for calls up to 60 minutes. Ten-cent charge for each additional minute after the first 60 minutes (per call).

CREDIT CARD CALLS

Touch 9 + 0 + area code + number. Then, dial your credit card number. There is a 99-cent access charge for calls up to 60 minutes, and a 10-cent charge for each additional minute after the first 60 minutes (per call).

800/888/877 TOLL FREE CALLS 950/1010 AND OTHER COMMON CARRIERS

Touch 9 + 1 + 800 + number. There is a 99-cent access charge for calls up to 60 minutes, and a 10-cent charge for each additional minute after the first 60 minutes (per call).

OPERATOR ASSISTED

Collect and third-party billed, touch 9 + 0 + area code + number. There is a 99-cent access charge for calls up to 60 minutes, and a 10-cent charge for each additional minute after the first 60 minutes (per call).

LONG DISTANCE, DIRECT DIAL AND DOMESTIC

Touch 9 + 1 + area code + number. Billed at standard MCI operator assisted day rates plus hotel surcharges of $2.25 access + $1.25 per minute for intrastate or $2.25 access + $1.75 per minute for interstate.

INFORMATION

Local information: touch 9 + 411. $2.50 per call.

Long distance: touch 9 + 1 + area code + 555-1212. $2.50 per call.

INTERNATIONAL OVERSEAS

Touch 9 + 011 + country code + city code + number. Billed at standard MCI operator assisted day rates + hotel international overseas surcharges of $4.50 access + 130% of MCI charges.

The Westin has selected MCI Worldcom 0+ Long Distance Service. Operator-assisted calls from this phone to locations outside the calling area are handled by MCI. To reach your local exchange carrier operator at any time, reach an outside line, then dial 0.

To obtain free MCI rate information at any time, reach an outside line, then dial 1-800-873-6242. For MCI customer service, reach an outside line, then dial 1-800-873-6242.

You have the right to reach other long-distance carriers from this telephone. You can do so by dialing the access code provided by the carrier of your choice.

Direct any complaints to: FCC, Enforcement Division, Common Carrier Bureau, Mailstop 1600A2, Washington, DC 20554.

VOICE MAIL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE HILTON

The red light on your telephone will flash slowly whenever there is a new message. To receive messages, simply press the message button. Once a message has been reviewed, hang up; or, to continue, use one of the following commands:

Repeat a message: press 2 Go to the next message: press 6 Go to the previous message: press 4 Pause during a message: press * Continue (after pausing): press 2 Skip back (during a message): press 1 Skip forward (during a message): press 3 Delete message: press 7 Record personal greeting/change password: press 8

DIALING INFORMATION & RATES

ROOM-TO-ROOM: no charge

911: no charge

LOCAL (412 area, 9 + 412 + number): $1 plus 10 cents per minute after 60 minutes

Toll charges apply outside of downtown area. 800/888/877: no charge under 60 minutes; 10 cents per minute after 60 minutes

LONG DISTANCE: AT&T Operator Assisted Rate (minus 50 percent of AT&T surcharge)

INTERNATIONAL: AT&T Operator Assisted Rate

LOCAL DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE: $1.50

LONG DISTANCE DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE: $2.50 * Local, long distance or international calls will be billed to your account only if the called party answers.

Calls Billed to Calling Cards, Credit Cards, Collect, Third Party, Etc.

AT&T 0 + Calling Card, Collect, Third Party: no charge under 60 minutes; 10 cents per minute after 60 minutes AT&T Operator: no charge under 60 minutes; 10 cents per minute after 60 minutes

Other Common Carriers (950): no charge under 60 minutes; 10 cents per minute after 60 minutes

Other Common Carriers (10xxx 0 +): no charge under 60 minutes; 10 cents per minute after 60 minutes * Applicable taxes will be added. Rates are subject to change.

Local, long distance or international calls will be billed to your account only if the called party answers. You may obtain free rate information at any time by dialing 8 + 00 and asking the AT&T Operator for the rates of an Operator Assisted Call. Hilton subscribes to the AT&T Long Distance and Operator Services.

Verizon is our local carrier. You have the right to reach other long distance carriers from this telephone and you may do so by dialing the access code provided by that carrier.

Direct Complaints to: Federal Communications Commission, FCC Enforcement Division, CCB Room 6202, Washington, DC 20554.

Complaints for Verizon may be directed to: 9 + 1 + 800 + 660- 6385

Complaints for AT&T may be directed to: 800-225-5288

FAX HANDLING & PRICING POLICY

Sending from the Business Center, Lobby Level, Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to noon, extension 5353: $3 for the first page, $2 for each additional page. Receiving from the Front Desk, Lobby Level, 24 hours: First 5 pages free, 50 cents for each additional page.

You will enter the lobby through a large multi-person automatic revolving door. There are manual doors on either side of this large revolving door. About ten yards to both the left and right is a stairwell to the second floor. Immediately past the left stairwell is a hallway. On the left of the hallway is the gift shop, then escalators. On the right of the hallway is a public phone, then two elevators to the second, third and fourth floors only. At the end of the hallway are doors entering an outer concourse of businesses. Immediately to the right of the gift shop hallway is the bell captain's stand and just further to the right is a dead-end hall with three elevators on the left and two on the right. These are the main passenger elevators. To the right of the elevators is another bell captain stand. Further right is the registration desk (about thirty yards from the revolving door). Just to the right of the registration desk is a hallway with restrooms. To the right of the restroom is an entrance to the Original Fish Market Restaurant. Continuing to the right is the stairwell and the main entrance (revolving door).

The concourse runs left a short distance to Penn Ave. and right to Liberty Ave. From Penn Ave., the businesses are as follows: Pop machines on right, MAC machine on left, shoe shine on left, doorway into gift shop hallway is on right, coffee a la carte is on right past the hallway door, then the Fishmarket Restaurant on right with the Brown Bag Deli on the left. Exit door to Liberty Ave. straight ahead.

Main entrance is a large multi-person automatic revolving door with a manual door to the left. Once inside, immediately to the left are steps to the second floor. Just to the right of the steps is a hallway to five elevators. Straight ahead from the revolving door is a hallway going to a gift shop on the left and restaurant and lounge just beyond on the left and finally to the back entrance. To the right of this hallway is the bell captain's stand and to the right of the bell captain is the registration desk (about twenty yards from the revolving door). If you go past the restaurant and lounge to the back door, you can exit, turn right to Liberty Ave. and then left towards the Convention Center.

Hopefully the walkway over Penn Ave. will be open by July. If so, it can be accessed from the second floor of the hotel to the right of the escalators. Once in the Convention Center (second floor), locate elevators and go to the third floor where the Ballroom, Exhibit Hall B and rooms 301 to 330 are located. If the walkway is not open yet, exit hotel to Penn Ave. either by the revolving door in the front or the concourse doorway. Make left to 10th St. Cross 10th then make a right and cross Penn Ave. Sidewalk will veer left, then right. Continue straight, walking under an overhang. Continue straight to doorways. Escalators immediately in front of you. Go to second floor, turn right and locate elevator to third floor. Take to third floor and turn left to conference area.

Exit hotel onto Liberty Ave. (Commonwealth Place). Turn left and continue to curb at Stanwix St. Locate ramp to cross Stanwix. Light pole to the immediate left of ramp. Cross Stanwix (traffic light). Continue straight and cross Cecil Place (almost like an alley, but traffic light). Go straight to Sixth St., cross it and continue to Seventh (both streets have traffic lights). Cross Seventh and continue to cross an alley way, then on to Eighth St. (Stop sign on Eight only). Cross Eighth and then straight and cross Garrison Place (alleyway). Then on to 10th (traffic light). Turn left and walk to Convention Center entrance. Inside building, escalators are straight ahead. Take to second floor, turn right and locate elevators to third floor where conference is located. Can take elevator on first floor (to left of escalators) and go to third floor, then left to conference area.

Please note that as we go to press, the City of Pittsburgh is in the process of installing accessible pedestrian signals at up to seven intersections on Penn Avenue between the two hotels. We are hopeful that they will be installed by the time you read this announcement. Special thanks and congratulations are due to the Golden Triangle Chapter of the Pennsylvania Council for their advocacy efforts in getting this accomplished. This is a test site for the city, so you may want to give the chapter any feedback you may have with regard to the crossings.

Shuttle service, provided by the Hilton, will be available during the convention. Shuttles will circulate on a continuous basis from 6:30-7:30 a.m. until midnight. Be sure to check the convention newspaper and Convention Ear for updates on shuttle schedules and other related information.

If you need the services of a veterinarian during normal business hours, call VCA Fox Chapel Animal Hospital at 412-781-6446. For emergency veterinary services at night, during weekends or on July 4, please call Veterinary Emergency Clinic at 412-492-9855.

Auditory motion sensors with customized recordings will be located near relief areas and trash cans to help you find and identify these sites.

The guide dog relief area will be located just outside the main door. After you go through the door, turn right, and you'll find the relief areas on the right hand side. Areas will be set up with wood chips on the right and parking spaces on the left for doggies who prefer concrete.

Exit the main hotel door. Bear right (about 1:00) and proceed straight to a cordoned-off concrete area, beyond which is a grass area.

There are two relief areas at the Convention Center. One is on the street level, just before the main entrance, on the right. The other is located on the patio area of the third floor near the exits by room 320.

We have changed the name, but the service is still the same. What was the Press Room in years past is now the Communications Center and is located in the Fayette Room of the Westin Hotel. This is still the place to go to sign up for "home delivery" of the "Keystone Courier," place ads in our paper or Convention Ear, make copies, convert disks to braille, or volunteer to help produce the "Keystone Courier."

The Communications Center, located in the Westin Hotel's Fayette Room, will be open Friday through Wednesday, and be taken down Thursday; it will open daily at 8 a.m. and close to the public at 5 p.m.

This year's convention newspaper will be called "The Keystone Courier." The Courier will run from Saturday through Thursday. Ads and other items intended for publication must be in the Communications Center's hands by 3 p.m. each day. By a directive from the board of publications, ads will be allowed to run for only three days, in order to give important convention announcements more space. Ads can only be 100 words long. The board of publications editorial policy manual prohibits us from producing or distributing campaign materials.

During the evenings, we will need people to help collate and staple the braille papers. Thanks to Enabling Technologies, we will have three braille printers this year, and we will need one person per printer. Got an hour to spare between 5 and 11 p.m.? Drop by and see if the Communications Center needs help. Thanks to National Braille Press for their generous donation of 15 boxes of braille paper.

If you have signed up for home delivery of the Keystone Courier, PLEASE make sure you drop by the Communications Center to give us your hotel and room number once you arrive. And make sure you specify braille or large print on your pre-registration form. This will ensure that you don't miss an issue. And please hold onto your Saturday issue; it will include all the suite numbers, phone numbers, and room changes.

The Convention Ear will be updated twice daily. Deadlines are 10:30 a.m. (or after the morning break during general sessions) and 5 p.m. If we do not receive your announcement until after 5 p.m., the item will not appear in the Ear until the next morning.

Please remember that the Communications Center is a serious working room. While we understand that convention is a great time to see old friends and new, loud conversations make it difficult to record the Convention Ear announcements and even more difficult to hear the speech synthesizers on the computers which enable us to get the newspaper out to you, the readers. Help us help you get the information you need.

Photocopying will again be allowed this year. Copies will cost 10 cents per page. Please pay the registration office. And if your committee or affiliate needs something brailled, we will be able to do that as well. Make certain you label your disk(s) before bringing them down to the Communications Center, and tell us how many of each format (braille and large print) you will need, by what time. If you bring your item(s) down in the morning, that will help us fit them in during the quiet time between other jobs.

Affiliates, if you know who your delegate, alternate, and Nominating Committee representative will be, please let the Communications Center (and the ACB secretary) know as soon as possible. This will give us a head start on the official delegate list used during the convention by the Nominating Committee and others.

Once again this year, a three-tier fee structure will be in effect for convention newspaper ads. Organizations and individuals wishing to place ads in the "Keystone Courier," this year's convention daily newspaper and on our dial-in "Convention Ear" service will contribute to the cost of production via the following fee structure.

For-profit businesses will be charged $100 for a newspaper ad for three days or $35 per day.

Non-profit organizations and ACB affiliates will be charged $10 per day for a 100-word ad which will run for three days in the Keystone Courier.

Individuals will be charged $5 per day for a 100-word newspaper ad which will run for three days.

These fees will entitle the advertiser to announce his/her product in both the daily paper (available in print and braille) and on the dial-in announcement service.

Don't forget, you can sign up for daily "home delivery" of the Courier. Home delivery of the Keystone Courier will be provided by members of the National Alliance of Blind Students for a cost of only $5 if you pre-register, or $10 if you choose to subscribe to the service after you get to Pittsburgh.

The Registration Office is located in Butler West & East, on the second level of the Westin Hotel. The registration office will be open as follows:

Thursday, July 3. (Pre-registration pick-up only)5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Friday, July 4. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 5. 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday July 6. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Monday, July 7. 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday, July 8, 9, & 10. 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Friday, July 11. 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

In order to receive a program and to purchase any event tickets, you must register, and pay the administrative fee. No administrative fee will be charged for name badge and voter certification.

Registration packets include a convention identification badge, program, tickets, and other materials. Wear your ID badge at all times, as it will admit you to the exhibit area, hospitality room, and many other events. In addition, it will permit certified attendees to vote. A daily visitor's badge is available at the Exhibit Hall entrance at no charge.

If you are pre-registered for the convention, your packet will be waiting at the Registration Office. You may not pick up any packets other than your own. If you have any questions, comments or concerns with regard to your registration packet, or to purchase additional tickets, go to the Registration Office, Butler Room, on the second floor of the Westin.

ACB will make NO refunds for the convention administrative fee, sweepstakes donation, or any unwanted tickets. Refunds will be issued ONLY for affiliate registration fees, meals, events, and tours provided that:

1. An individual has pre-registered; and

2. The individual requests the refund in writing to Jim Olsen, AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND, 120 South 6th Street, Suite 1005, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1839, or calls (612) 332-3242, on or before June 21, 2003; and

3. The individual does not attend any part of the convention. In case of illness during the convention, which requires you to return home or to be hospitalized, refunds will be issued only for the meals, events, and tours which take place after your absence begins. (If your guarantee meal count has already been given to the hotel, no refund for that meal function will be given.)

ACB will not replace tickets that are lost during the convention. All ticket packets are checked before they are distributed at the convention, and tickets that are lost or misplaced must be purchased again.

If you have purchased a ticket that you would like to resell, leave it at the convention Registration Office along with your name and room number. Tickets are resold on a first-come, first- served basis, and only if the event tour in question is currently closed or no unsold tickets remain. If you are trying to purchase a ticket for an event or tour that is sold out, you should check daily in person at the Registration Office. If a tour or event was sold out before your pre-registration form was processed, a refund will be issued. ACB is not responsible for notifying you if you have tried to buy a ticket through pre-registration for an event or tour that is already sold out. Your name will be put on a waiting list in the event of cancellations.

The Youth Activities Center or YAC is making some changes and adding new things. All children ages 6-13 are welcome to come and participate; teens 14-17 are invited to assist as counselors.

The YAC will be located in the Convention Center, Room 307, close to general session, staffed by volunteers. The YAC will be open for registered participants from 8:15 am to 12:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Friday from 8:15 until 15 minutes after the end of the general session. If you have not already registered, you may do so on Sunday, July 6, from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m..

Games, craft area, reading corner, fun lively activities, and a few surprises are in the works for attendees each morning. A Fun Night has been planned in conjunction with the banquet on Friday.

Reservations for affiliate Caucus Rooms should be made at the Information Services Desk in the Convention Center. Caucus Rooms are available on a first-come basis Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 12:00 noon to 1:15 p.m..

The Pennsylvania Council Host Committee has developed lists of local restaurants and stores for your convenience. They are available in braille and large print at the Information Services Desk in Room 306 at the Convention Center.

Clever Devices has made arrangements with the Pittsburgh Transit Authority to run a bus between the hotels and a local mall for three days. Please see their advertisement elsewhere in this program and check the "Keystone Courier" for departure times.

Back by popular demand! Would you like to make some new friends or greet old ones while enjoying a delicious dinner? Join the Membership Committee as we dine in nearby restaurants on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Sign up at the Information Services Desk for the restaurant of your choice by 12:00 noon. All charges are the responsibility of the individual diner. This was a very popular activity last year, and we have been asked to continue the practice. We are delighted to oblige.

Thanks to a generous contribution from Cingular Wireless, ACB Radio will once again stream the general sessions and selected convention events over the Internet. Check www.acbradio.org for all the details.

Bank of America is a proud sponsor of the 2003 ACB Convention and is supplying a "live" accessible ATM in the Exhibit Hall during regular exhibit hours. They have staff available to explain how to use the machine, and you can use your ATM card to access accounts in most any bank, so long as it is a member of one of the many participating networks. Check out their advertisement elsewhere in this program.

The following pages highlight many activities and events during convention week. The locations of these activities are followed by a room number (e.g. 301, 313) or name (e.g. Allegheny, Cambria). All numbers are located in the Convention Center. Exhibit Hall D and the Ballroom are also in the Convention Center. Suites, parlors, and the following rooms are located at the Westin Hotel:

Butler (ACB Registration Office)

Cambria

Westmoreland

Washington

Lawrence

Armstrong

Somerset

Fayette (Communications Center)

Allegheny 1, 2, & 3

Crawford

Be sure to check the Saturday edition of the "Keystone Courier" for suite numbers and any room reassignments, as they are subject to change.

Please note: Friday, July 4, tours will leave from front of the Westin. All other tours will leave from main entrance of the Convention Center. All return times are approximate.

5:00 p.m. Registration Office Open for Pre-registration Pick- up Only, until 7:00 p.m. - Butler

7:00 p.m. ACB Tour Representatives and Volunteers Meeting - Cambria West

7:15 a.m. Johnstown Tour - Bus will leave from front of Westin. (2 meals, 7:30 p.m. return)

11:00 a.m. Registration Office Open until 8:00 p.m. - Butler

1:00 p.m. Convention Information Services Open until 8:00 p.m.- 306

2:45 p.m. Pirates vs Astros Baseball Game - Bus will leave from front of Westin. (6:45 p.m. return)

7:00 p.m. ACB Convention Committee Meeting. - Cambria

9:00 p.m. ACB Hospitality - Westmoreland Central

8:00 a.m. Convention Information Services Open until 7:00 p.m.- 306

8:00 a.m. Registration Office Open until 7:00 p.m. - Butler

8:00 a.m. ACB Pre-convention Board of Directors Breakfast - 304 & 305

8:30 a.m. ACB Board of Directors Meeting - 304 & 305

8:45 a.m. Pittsburgh City Tour (12:00 p.m. return)

10:00 a.m. ACB Information Access Committee - 301

1:00 p.m. Exhibits Open until 5:00 p.m. - Exhibit Hall D

1:00 p.m. Wheeling Island Casino Tour (7:00 p.m. return)

1:00 p.m. FIA You "Sew-and-Sew" - 313

1:00 p.m. RSVA Committee Meetings - 302

1:30 p.m. Women's Concerns Comm. The Art of Dining - 310

2:00 p.m. ACB Transportation Task Force "Transportation Advocacy, Making it Work in Your Community" - 311

3:00 p.m. CCLVI Pre-Convention Board Meeting - 303

3:00 p.m. FIA Beginning Knitting - 313

3:00 p.m. RSVA Pre-Convention Board Meeting - 302

4:30 p.m. VIDPI Pre-convention Board Meeting - 314

5:00 p.m. First Timers' Seminar - 310

5:30 p.m. ABLA Board of Directors Meeting - ABLA Suite

6:00 p.m. CCLVI Nominating Committee Meeting - 303

6:30 p.m. Scholarship Winners Dinner (By invitation) - 301

7:00 p.m. Catholic Mass - 315

7:00 p.m. FIA Board Meeting - FIA Suite

7:00 p.m. NELDS Folk Festival - Somerset

8:00 p.m. ACB Resolutions Committee - Armstrong

8:00 p.m. Pennsylvania Council of the Blind Welcome Dance - 302

8:00 p.m. ABLA members and friends meet at ABLA Suite for dinner outside the hotel

8:00 p.m. NABS Welcome Party - ACB Executive Director's Suite

9:00 p.m. RSVA Mixer - Suite 1823

9:00 p.m. ACBL Milly's Place/Pin Swap - ACB President's Suite

8:00 a.m. Convention Information Services Open until 7:00 p.m. - 306

8:00 a.m. Registration Office Open until 6:00 p.m. - Butler

8:00 a.m. LUA Board Meeting - 313

8:00 a.m. NABS/Scholarship Breakfast (by invitation) - 301

8:00 a.m. NABT Breakfast and Program - 303

8:45 a.m. Pittsburgh City Tour (12:00 p.m. return)

9:00 a.m. Exhibits Open until 6:00 p.m. - Exhibit Hall D

9:00 a.m. Jewish Service - 408

9:00 a.m. ACB Employment Task Force Seminar - 302

9:00 a.m. BFLAG Board Meeting - 319

9:00 a.m. CCLVI Program Session - 310

9:00 a.m. RSVA Program Session - 318

9:30 a.m. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 410

9:30 a.m. NABT Board Meeting - 303

9:30 a.m. VIDPI Program Session - 317

10:00 a.m. ACB Constitution & Bylaws Committee - Lawrence

10:00 a.m. Interdenominational Service - 412

10:00 a.m. ACBL Board Meeting - 308

12:00 p.m. ACB Board of Publications Meeting - 308

12:00 p.m. GDUI Convention Area Orientation - 320

12:00 p.m. Youth Activities Center Registration until 2:00 p.m. - 307

12:15 p.m. Pirates vs Astros Ball Game (5:00 p.m. return)

12:45 p.m. The Nationality Rooms Tour (4:30 p.m. return)

1:00 p.m. ACB Credentials Committee - 313

1:15 p.m. RSVA Program Session - 318

1:30 p.m. ABLA Program Session - 311

1:30 p.m. CCLVI Support Group for People Living With Low Vision - 310

1:30 p.m. FIA You "Sew-and-Sew" - 314

1:30 p.m. VIDPI Technology Vendor Showcase - 317

1:30 p.m. Women's Concerns Comm. - Negotiating skills in the workplace and in life - 307

2:00 p.m. BFLAG Meet & Greet Social - PCB Suite

2:00 p.m. GDUI Affiliate Roundup Meeting - 320 & 321

2:00 p.m. NABS First Business Meeting - 309

3:00 p.m. ACBGE Mixer - ACB Executive Director's Suite

3:00 p.m. Seeing Eye Reception - Seeing Eye Suite

3:30 p.m. Newsreelers Get-together - 302

4:00 p.m. First Timers' Seminar - 310

4:00 p.m. BRL Board Meeting - 313

4:00 p.m. CCLVI Mixer - ACB President's Suite

4:00 p.m. FIA Mixer/Showcase sign-up - FIA Suite

4:00 p.m. GDUI Board Meeting - 320

5:00 p.m. GDUI Convention Area Orientation - 320

5:30 p.m. ABLA Hospitality - ABLA Suite

6:00 p.m. FIA Chorus Rehearsal - To Be Announced

7:00 p.m. 2003 ACB NATIONAL CONVENTION OPENING SESSION - Ballroom

10:00 p.m. ACB Resolutions Committee - Armstrong

10:00 p.m. CCLVI Dance - Westmorelands

10:00 p.m. RSVA Mixer - Suite 1823

7:00 a.m. GDUI Breakfast Club - Meet in Westin Lobby

7:00 a.m. NIB Breakfast - 302 & 303

7:00 a.m. IVIE Breakfast, Business Mtg., & Elections - 305

8:00 a.m. Convention Information Services Open until 5:00 p.m. - 306

8:00 a.m. Registration Office Open until 5:00 p.m. - Butler

8:00 a.m. ACB General Session - Ballroom

8:15 a.m. Youth Activities Center - 307

11:00 a.m. Exhibits Open until 6:00 p.m. - Exhibit Hall D

12:15 p.m. Vocal Group Hall of Fame Tour (snack, 6:30 return)

12:15 p.m. AAVL Luncheon & Program - 301

12:30 p.m. RSVA Luncheon

12:30 p.m. Sports Fanatics Luncheon - 302 & 303

12:45 p.m. Senator John Heinz Museum Tour (4:30 p.m. return)

1:00 p.m. GDUI Opening Ceremonies & Program Session - 320

1:30 p.m. ACB Multicultural Committee Program - 309

1:30 p.m. ABLA Program Session - 311

1:30 p.m. ACBHSP, CCLVI, CFVI, & NAPVI Joint Program Session - 310

1:30 p.m. FIA MIDI Workshop - FIA Suite

1:30 p.m. IVIE Program Session - 315

1:30 p.m. LUA Program Session - 316

1:30 p.m. NABS/NABT Dating Tips - 317

3:30 p.m. FIA Audition/rehearsal for Showcase - Allegheny 3

3:30 p.m. NABS Program Session - 309

4:00 p.m. IVIE Business Expo - Washington

4:00 p.m. Recreation Zone - 413

4:30 p.m. ACBNY Happy Hours - PCB Suite

4:45 p.m. LUA Wine & Cheese Reception - ACB Executive Director's Suite

5:00 p.m. ACB Constitution & Bylaws Committee - Lawrence

5:00 p.m. NABS Professionals, Students, & Mentoring - 309

5:30 p.m. ACB Nominating Committee - Cambria

6:00 p.m. ACB Speakers' Reception - Parlor To Be Announced

6:30 p.m. BrailleNote Users Group Meeting - Somerset

6:30 p.m. RSVA Preview & Auction - Allegheny 1

7:00 p.m. Gospel Sing - Allegheny 3

7:00 p.m. GDUI Choosing A Guide Dog School - Allegheny 2

7:30 p.m. Alaska Independent Blind Hospitality - ACB President's Suite

7:30 p.m. DVS Movie Night - Westmorelands

8:00 p.m. ACB Resolutions Committee - Armstrong

9:00 p.m. BFLAG Social - Crawford East

9:00 p.m. FIA Prose & Poetry Reading - Crawford West

9:00 p.m. GDUI Reception: Special Guest, Stephanie Dohmen - Cambria

9:00 p.m. Multicultural Mixer - PCB Suite

9:00 p.m. RSVA Karaoke Night - Allegheny 1

9:00 p.m. VIDPI Mixer - ACB Executive Director's Suite

10:00 p.m. FIA Final Chorus Rehearsal - Allegheny 3

7:00 a.m. AFB Breakfast - 302 & 303

7:00 a.m. Guide Dogs for the Blind Graduate Breakfast - 301

7:00 a.m. GDUI Breakfast Club - Meet in Westin Lobby

7:00 a.m. Women's Concerns Committee Rolls & Role Models Breakfast - 304

8:00 a.m. Convention Information Services Open until 5:00 p.m. - 306

8:00 a.m. Registration Office Open until 2:00 p.m. - Butler

8:00 a.m. ACB General Session - Ballroom

8:15 a.m. Youth Activities Center - 307

11:00 a.m. Exhibits Open until 6:00 p.m. - Exhibit Hall D

12:00 p.m. Western PA Blind Services Tour (light lunch included, 5:00 p.m. return)

12:30 p.m. "Just Ducky" Tour (4:00 p.m. return)

12:30 p.m. ABLA Luncheon - 301

12:30 p.m. FIA Pizza Lunch & Business Mtg. - FIA Suite

12:30 p.m. VIVA Luncheon (See VIVA Program) - 304

1:00 p.m. BFLAG Celebrating Diversity - 319

1:00 p.m. GDUI Business Meeting - 320

1:30 p.m. AAVL & AFB Self Advocacy for Seniors - 316

1:30 p.m. BRL Program Session - 315

1:30 p.m. CCLVI Program Session - 310

1:30 p.m. NABS Second Business Meeting - 308

1:30 p.m. NABT/NAPVI Business Mtg. & Program - 317

1:30 p.m. VIDPI Computer Trainers' Forum - 311

2:00 p.m. ABLA Program Session - 301

2:30 p.m. FIA "I Feel Your Pain-ting" - 313

3:30 p.m. ABLA Post-convention Board Meeting - 301

3:30 p.m. NABS Strategic Planning Meeting - 308

3:30 p.m. GW Micro Mini Training - 311

4:00 p.m. FIA "I Feel Your Pain-ting" - 313

4:00 p.m. Recreation Zone - 413

4:30 p.m. CCLVI Post-convention Board Meeting - 310

5:00 p.m. ACB Constitution & Bylaws Committee - Lawrence

5:00 p.m. Guiding Eyes f/t Blind Reception - Cambria

5:00 p.m. Kurzweil Users Group Meeting - Crawford

5:00 p.m. Ski for Light Reception - ACB Executive Director's Suite

6:00 p.m. ACB International Guests - To Be Announced

6:00 p.m. ACB Speakers' Reception - ACB President's Suite

6:30 p.m. ACB Scholarship Winners' Reception - Washington

7:00 p.m. RSVA Casino Night - Westmorelands

8:00 p.m. ACB Resolutions Committee - Armstrong

8:00 p.m. FIA Showcase of the Performing Arts - Allegheny 1&2

8:00 p.m. GDUI Simon Says - Somerset

9:00 p.m. ACB Hospitality

7:00 a.m. California Council Breakfast (members only) - 301

7:00 a.m. GDUI Breakfast Club - Meet in Westin Lobby

7:00 a.m. RSVA Post-convention Board meeting - Suite 1823

7:00 a.m. Seeing Eye Graduate Breakfast - 302 & 303

8:00 a.m. Convention Information Services Open until 5:00 p.m. - 306

8:00 a.m. Registration Office Open until 2:00 p.m. - Butler

8:00 a.m. ACB General Session - Ballroom

8:15 a.m. Youth Activities Center - 307

9:00 a.m. Exhibits Open until 1:00 p.m. - Exhibit Hall D

12:00 p.m. ACBL Downtown Visitation - Meet in Westin Lobby

12:30 p.m. Steel Heritage Tour (5:00 p.m. return)

12:30 p.m. GDUI "Under the Table" Luncheon - 302 & 303

1:00 p.m. Carnegie Science Center Tour (4:30 p.m. return)

1:30 p.m. ACB SASI Committee Program - 313

1:30 p.m. AAVL Business Meeting - 316

1:30 p.m. ACBRA Program & Business Meeting - 314

1:30 p.m. BRL/LUA Joint Program Session - 311

1:30 p.m. CCLVI Project Insight Volunteer Training - 310

1:30 p.m. FIA Printing Professional Music Scores - FIA Suite

1:30 p.m. NABS Program Session - 317

1:30 p.m. VIDPI Microsoft Forum - 318

1:45 p.m. GDUI Program Session - 320

2:30 p.m. Women's Concerns Comm. Self Presentation - 309

3:00 p.m. ACB Presidents' Meeting - 315

3:00 p.m. ACB SASI Focus Group - 313

3:00 p.m. CCLVI Support Group Meeting - 310

3:00 p.m. FIA Writers' Workshop - 319

3:30 p.m. Freedom Scientific's OPENBook Focus Group - 318

4:00 p.m. Environmental Access Committee Meeting - 308

4:00 p.m. Recreation Zone - Westin Pool

4:30 p.m. AAVL Musical Mixer - PCB Suite

5:00 p.m. ACB Constitution & Bylaws Committee - Lawrence

5:00 p.m. FIA Round & Harmony Sing - FIA Suite

6:00 p.m. ACB Speakers' Reception - ACB President's Suite

6:00 p.m. BFLAG Evening Out - Meet in Westin Lobby

7:00 p.m. "People of Vision" Book Signing Gala - Allegheny2

8:00 p.m. ACB Resolutions Committee - Armstrong

8:00 p.m. GDUI Workshop - Somerset West

8:30 p.m. CCLVI Game Night - Westmorelands

7:00 a.m. ACB of New York Breakfast (members only) - 301

7:00 a.m. GDUI Breakfast Club - Meet in Westin Lobby

7:00 a.m. PCB Breakfast (members only) - 302

7:00 a.m. Washington Council Breakfast (members only) - 305

7:30 a.m. FIA Board Meeting - FIA Suite

8:00 a.m. Convention Information Services Open until 5:00 p.m. - 306

8:00 a.m. Registration Office Open until 2:00 p.m. - Butler

8:00 a.m. ACB General Session - Ballroom

8:15 a.m. Youth Activities Center - 307

10:30 a.m. ACB Break Out Groups

A. First Impressions, Lasting Memories - 317

B. Foundations for Financial Independence - 316

C. Sleep Study Update - Dr. Stephen Lockley, Boston, MA - Ballroom

D. An Affiliate's "How-To" Tool Kit - 315

12:00 p.m. LUA Board Meeting - 308

12:30 p.m. Trip to Fort Ligonier (snack, 6:30 p.m. return)

12:30 p.m. ACBGE Luncheon, Program & Business Mtg. - 305

12:30 p.m. ACBL Luncheon - 301

12:30 p.m. ACBHSP Working Lunch - 304

12:30 p.m. VIDPI Luncheon & Program - 302

1:00 p.m. Phipps Conservatory Tour (4:00 p.m. return)

1:00 p.m. BFLAG Program Session & Business Mtg. - 319

1:00 p.m. GDUI River Route

1:30 p.m. ACB SASI Committee Program - 317

1:30 p.m. FIA Copyright Law Made Simple 309

1:30 p.m. FEAST Room TBA

2:00 p.m. ACB Membership Committee

2:00 p.m. ACB Women's Concerns Health Forum - 311

2:00 p.m. Roses "A to Z," Without Too Much Pain - 310

3:00 p.m. AIB "Are You Congenitally Blind?" - 315

4:00 p.m. Recreation Zone - Westin Pool

4:30 p.m. FEAST Social - ACB Executive Director's Suite

5:00 p.m. "Mac" Hatter's Party - Somerset

5:00 p.m. BFLAG Post-convention Board Meeting - 313

6:00 p.m. ACB Resolutions Committee - Armstrong

6:00 p.m. ACB Speakers' Reception - ACB President's Suite

7:00 p.m. ACB Board of Publications sponsors a Candidates' Forum - Westmorelands

7:00 p.m. Women's Concerns Comm.: The Art of Dining - Cambria West

9:00 p.m. NABS Comedy Club - Somerset

7:00 a.m. ACB of Ohio Breakfast - 301

7:30 a.m. BRL Board Meeting - 308

8:00 a.m. Convention Information Services Open until 5:00 p.m. - 306

8:00 a.m. Registration Office Open until 10:00 a.m. - Butler

8:00 a.m. ACB General Session - Ballroom

8:15 a.m. Youth Activities Center - 307

5:00 p.m. ACB Life Members' Reception (By invitation only) - ACB President's Suite

6:00 p.m. Pre-banquet Cocktail Reception - Pre-function Area

7:00 p.m. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND ANNUAL BANQUET and Program - Ballroom A

10:00 p.m. CCLVI "Farewell to Pittsburgh" Dance - Westmorelands

7:30 a.m. Convention Information Services Open until 12:00 p.m. - 306

8:00 a.m. ACB General Session (If necessary) - Ballroom

9:00 a.m. ACB Tour Representatives' Meeting - Armstrong

10:30 a.m. Diabetes Seminar - Butler East

10:30 a.m. ACB Legislative Seminar - Somerset West

1:30 p.m. ACB Board of Directors Meeting - Westmoreland Central & East

7:00 p.m. "My Fair Lady" - Meet in Westin Lobby (11:00 p.m. return)

7:00 p.m. OPENING CEREMONIES

Entertainment: William McDonald, Oil City, PA

7:30 p.m. Call to Order: ACB President Christopher Gray, San Francisco, CA

Invocation: Rev. Anne Thompson, Little David Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA

Presentation of the Colors and Pledge of Allegiance

"The Star Spangled Banner": Pat Shreck, Vancouver, WA

ACB Song

International Welcome

7:40 p.m. Welcome to Pittsburgh: Jay Doudna, President, Pennsylvania Council of the Blind

7:45 p.m. Welcome from Christine Boone, Director, Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, Harrisburg, PA

7:50 p.m. ACB President's Report: Christopher Gray

8:15 p.m. "Building Careers and Creating Business Leaders" by Jim Gibbons, President and CEO, National Industries for the Blind, Alexandria, VA

8:35 p.m. 2003 Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador and Distinguished Service Awards Presentations: Teddie-Joy Remhild

2003 Vernon Henley and Ned E. Freeman Awards Presentation: Charles Hodge

8:50 p.m. Life Membership presentations: Christopher Gray and James Olsen, Minneapolis, MN

9:10 p.m. Roll Call of Affiliates: Donna Seliger, ACB Secretary, Des Moines, IA

10:10 p.m. First Credentials Report: Judi Cannon, Quincy, MA

10:15 p.m. Recess

8:00 a.m. Entertainment: Gilbert Busch, Boston, MA

8:30 a.m. Call to Order

Invocation: Fr. Walt Rydzon, St. Paul's Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA

ACB Business, including final Credentials report

8:45 a.m. Executive Director's Report: Charles Crawford, Silver Spring, MD

9:05 a.m. Report from Officer of the Day, Steve Speicher, First Vice President

9:15 a.m. Transportation "ACB on Air Land and Sea" Transportation Survey - The Results Are In: Alice Ritchhart, Co-chair ACB Transportation Task Force, Brunswick, GA

9:45 a.m. Talking Signs Technology and Automated Stop Announcements. Jeff Moyer, Cleveland, OH, and Mike Godino, Baldwin, NY

10:00 a.m. Project Action Transportation Grants and Activities: Donna Smith, Arlington, VA

10:15 a.m. Transportation Equity Act Re-authorization: MelanieBrunson, Vienna, VA

10:30 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. Talking Book Narrator: Gordon Gould, NYC, NY

11:15 a.m. International Speaker: Enrique Perez, President, International Blind Sports Association, Madrid, Spain

11:50 a.m. Recreation Zone 2003: Oral Miller, Washington, DC

11:55 a.m. Announcements

12:00 p.m. Recess

8:00 a.m. Entertainment: Keith Stebler, Pittsburgh, PA

8:30 a.m. Call to Order

Invocation: Rabbi Steve Spindell, Beth Shalom Temple, Pittsburgh, PA

ACB Business

9:05 a.m. Officer of the Day Report, M. J. Schmitt, Second Vice President

9:15 a.m. "Modern Challenges Educating Blind Children" Panel: Jay Doudna, Moderator; Dr. Janet Simon, Director, Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind; Dr. Bernadette Kappen, Director, Overbrook School for the Blind, Susan LaVenture, National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments

10:00 a.m. IDEA Re-authorization: Mark Richert, Executive Director, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind, Silver Spring, MD

10:15 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m. ACB Scholarship Presentations: Patty Slaby, River Falls, WI

11:30 a.m. Transitioning from Education to Employment: Robert Carter, Ph.D., College Station, TX

11:50 a.m. Announcements

12:00 p.m. Recess

8:00 a.m. Entertainment: Lou Schreiber, Pittsburgh, PA

8:30 a.m. Call to Order

Invocation: Rev. Robert Mates, Lutheran Center, Pittsburgh, PA

ACB Business

9:05 a.m. Officer of the Day Report, Ardis Bazyn, Treasurer

9:15 a.m. "Accessibility and the Digital Decade:" Madelyn Bryant McIntire, Director, Accessible Technology Group, Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA

10:00 a.m. "You've Got Mail": Tom Wlodkowski, America Online, Chantilly, VA

10:15 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m. "NLS Update and Report on WebMagazine Project" - Frank Kurt Cylke, Director, and J. H. Bryant, Head, Production Control Section, NLS

10:55 a.m. DVS Local Advocacy, Mary Watkins, WGBH, Boston, MA

11:15 a.m. ACB Store, Glowing Canes and More: Chris Gray

11:30 a.m. Answer That Phone - Cell Phone Access: Paul Schroeder, Vice President, Governmental Relations, American Foundation for the Blind, Washington, DC

11:50 a.m. Announcements

12:00 p.m. Recess

7:00 p.m. "People of Vision" ACB History Gala - Allegheny 2

8:00 a.m. Entertainment: Ed Friedenberger, Pittsburgh, PA

8:30 a.m. Call to Order

Invocation: Linda Braithwaite, Salt Lake City, UT

ACB Business

9:05 a.m. Officer of the Day Report, Donna Seliger, Secretary

9:10 a.m. "An Entrepreneur's View of Blindness Technology: A Reflection of What Is, and a View of What Should Be" - Barry Scheur, President, Talking Solutions Corp., Boston, MA

9:35 a.m. "Birmingham or Bust" - ACB Convention Coordinator's Report: Cynthia Towers, Seattle, WA

10:00 a.m. Announcements

10:10 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m. Breakouts

A. First Impressions, Lasting Memories: Cynthia Towers, Seattle WA, and Gayle Krause, Miami, FL - Room 317

B. Foundations for Financial Independence: Carla Ruschival, Facilitator - Room 316

C. Sleep Study Update - Dr. Stephen Lockley, Boston, MA - Ballroom

D. An Affiliate's "How-To" Tool Kit, Paul Edwards, Miami, FL- Room 315

12:00 p.m. Recess

8:00 a.m. Entertainment: Carla Hayes, McMurray, PA

8:30 a.m. Call to Order

Invocation: To Be Announced

ACB Business

10:15 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m. ACB Elections

12:00 p.m. Recess for Lunch

1:30 p.m. ACB Business, Including Elections, if necessary (We will adjourn at or before 4:00 p.m.. If we have not finished all our ACB business, we will re-convene at 8:00 am Saturday, July 12.)

6:00 p.m. ACB Pre-banquet Cocktail Hour

7:00 p.m. Annual Banquet of the American Council of the Blind

Presentation of the 2003 George Card and Robert S. Bray Awards: Teddie-Joy Remhild

8:00 a.m. ACB Business (If not concluded on Friday) - Ballroom

10:30 a.m. ACB Diabetes Seminar

10:30 a.m. ACB Legislative Seminar

1:30 p.m. ACB Post-convention Board of Directors Meeting

7:00 p.m. "My Fair Lady" Tour: Leave from Westin Lobby (return 11:00 p.m.)

12:15 p.m. Luncheon & Humorous Entertainment by Bill Lewis & Co. Plus: Life Members Presentation - Room 301

1:30 p.m. How to Produce a TV Show on Cable Public Access to provide Information About Visual Impairment and Your Affiliate - Room 301

1:30 p.m. Self-Advocacy for Seniors with visual impairments: A Curriculum Prepared by American Foundation for the Blind - Room 316

1:30 p.m. AAVL Business Meeting - Room 316

4:30 p.m. AAVL Musical Mixer - PCB Suite

5:30 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting - ABLA Suite

8:00 p.m. ABLA members and friends meet at ABLA suite for dinner outside the hotel.

1:30 p.m. Program Session - Room 311

Welcome, Introductions, and selection of primary and alternate delegates to the ACB convention and delegate to the ACB Nominating Committee. Steve Speicher, Esq., Lincoln, NE

1:45 p.m. The Constitutional Year in Review: How the United States Supreme Court Addressed Issues of Constitutional Law During the Past Year: Dr. Otis Stephens, Esq., Professor, and Resident Scholar of Constitutional Law, University of Tennessee College of Law and former ACB President, Knoxville, TN

2:45 p.m. Protection and Advocacy Services: Charting a Path Toward Effective Results in an Age of Changing Federalism: Rebecca Floyd, Esq., Executive Director, Protection and Advocacy System of Mississippi and president, Mississippi Council of the Blind.

3:35 p.m. Break

3:45 p.m. Employment Opportunities with the United States Department of Justice: Pshon Barrett, Esq., Assistant United States District Attorney and ABLA board member, Jackson, MS

3:55 p.m. Putting Your Legal Training and Experience to Work on the Advocacy Front: Can Blind People Really Vote Privately and Independently in Florida? James K. Kracht, Assistant County Attorney, Miami-Dade County, blind voter and former ABLA president, Miami, FL.

4:30 p.m. Probate, Guardianship and Adoption Practice: A Procedural and Substantive Methodology: Michael J. Corman Esq., ABLA member and Counsel to the Camden County Surrogate, Camden, NJ.

5:30 p.m. Hospitality - ABLA Suite

1:30 p.m. Program Session - 311

Welcome and Introductions

1:40 p.m. Timely Topics in Legal Ethics and Ethical Considerations: Prof. Mark D. Yochum, Esq.

2:45 p.m. Municipal Bond Practice: Issues and Challenges for the Practitioner. Ron Stout, Senior Counsel, Thorpe, Reed and Armstrong, Pittsburgh, PA.

3:40 p.m. Break

3:50 p.m. Technology Today: Jim Denham, National Program Associate, American Foundation for the Blind Technology Program, Chicago, IL, and Contributing Editor to AccessWorld. To be followed by members comments and discussion of solutions identified and problems pending.

12:30 p.m. ABLA Luncheon - Room 301

Tort Reform In Our Times; When is Enough Enough? John Gismondi, Esq., prominent plaintiffs' attorney and former president of the Allegheny County Bar Association.

2:00 p.m. ABLA's Present and Future: Where Do We Go From Here? Group Discussion

2:45 p.m. ABLA Business Meeting

3:30 p.m. Post-Convention Board Meeting

3:00 p.m. ACBGE Mixer - ACB Executive Director's Suite

12:30 p.m. ACBGE Luncheon & Business Meeting - Room 305

Employment and Upward Mobility within the public sector. Kitty Kobert (invited), Office of Personnel Management, Washington, DC

9:00 p.m. "Milly's Place & Pin Swap" Hospitality and Get Acquainted - ACB President's Suite

10:00 a.m. ACBL Board Meeting - Room 308

12:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Downtown Visitation - Meet in Westin Lobby.

12:30 p.m. ACBL Member/Guest Lunch - Room 301

1:30 p.m. ACB Radio Amateurs Program and Business Session - Room 304

9:00 a.m. BFLAG Board Meeting - Room 319

2:00 p.m. BFLAG Meet and Greet Social - PCB Suite

9:00 p.m. BFLAG Social - Crawford East

1:00 p.m. Celebrating Diversity - Room 319

6:00 p.m. BFLAG Evening Out - Meet in Westin Lobby

1:00 p.m. BFLAG Program - Room 319

2:15 p.m. BFLAG Business Meeting

5:00 p.m. BFLAG Board Meeting

4:00 p.m. Board Meeting - Room 313

1:30 p.m. Program Session - Room 315

Welcome and Business Meeting

2:10 p.m. BRL Chapter Reports

2:30 p.m. Doctor Simon, Pittsburgh School for Blind Children

3:00 p.m. Break

3:15 p.m. Braille Bee "Fun with Braille" led by Winifred Downing; Braille Bee (Contest; there will be prizes)

3:45 p.m. National Braille Press discusses their Early Childhood Intervention Program

4:15 p.m. The Pros and Cons of Braille: Panel Discussion

Library Users of America and Braille Revival League Joint Convention Program - Room 311

1:30 p.m. Welcoming remarks, LUA and BRL Presidents

1:45 p.m. Panel Discussion: "Getting Involved with Your Library," Sharon Strzlkowski, Barry Levine, and Winifred Downing

2:15 p.m. Dan Simpson, Access Technology Consultant for the Free Library of Philadelphia, PA

2:45 p.m. "NLS, a Historical Perspective," Kim Charlson, Director, Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library, Watertown, MA

3:15 p.m. Break

3:30 p.m. "Speech Assisted Learning: A New Way of Learning Braille," Freedom Scientific

4:00 p.m. "RFB&D and its Digital Book Project," Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic

7:30 a.m. Board Meeting - Room 308

3:00 p.m. CCLVI Pre-Convention Board Meeting - Room 303

6:00 p.m. CCLVI Nominating Committee Meeting - Room 303

"A Well-Balanced Day" - Room 310

9:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions, Patricia Beattie, President

9:10 a.m. Helping the Patient with Central Vision Loss: Diabetes, Macular Degeneration, etc. Paul B. Freeman, OD, FAAO, Diplomate Low Vision, Chief, Low Vision Services, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA.

10:15 a.m. An Overview of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and the American Optometric Association (AOA) Low Vision Sections; Kathleen F. Freeman, OD, FAAO, Diplomate Low Vision, Immediate Past Chair of both sections.

10:30 a.m. Break

10:40 a.m. Nominating Committee Report, Ken Stewart, Chair

10:45 a.m. Credentials Committee Report, Coletta Davis, Chair

10:50 a.m. Scholarship Committee Report, Janis Stanger, Chair and Carl Foley, Foley Scholarship

10:55 a.m. Resolution Committee Report, Mike Godino, Chair

11:00 a.m. The Value of Sports and Recreation for People with Visual Impairment and how to get involved; Panel: Moderator: Ken Stewart; Panelists: Oral O. Miller, President, United States Association for Blind Athletes (USABA), Past President, American Blind Bowling Association and Past Vice-President, Ski for Light, Washington, DC; Susan Lichtenfels, Founder, SportsVision, Pittsburgh, PA; Enrique Perez, President, International Blind Sports Association (invited), Madrid, Spain; Marty Mathews, President, Western Pennsylvania BOLD Program, Pittsburgh, PA.

11:50 a.m. Reading of Proposed Constitutional Amendments, Michael Byington, Chair, Constitution Committee

1:30 p.m. CCLVI Support Group for People Living with Low Vision: Facilitator, Herb Guggenheim, PhD, Washington, DC - Room 310

4:00 p.m. CCLVI Mixer - ACB President's Suite

10:00 p.m. Back by Popular Demand! Music the Way You Like it: Gordon Kent takes requests for listening and dancing - Westmorelands

Co-sponsored Session with ACB Human Service Professionals, Council of Families with Visual Impairments, and National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairment Room 310

1:30 p.m. Genetic Eye Conditions and Visual Impairment; Michael B. Gorin, MD, PhD, Professor, Opthalmology University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Kristal Platt, MS, genetic counselor, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE. Latest information about genetics and eye conditions and how they may relate to other health issues, implications for consumers and parents and how counseling can assist.

1:30 p.m. Program Session - Room 310 Low Vision Services Around the World; Panel: Moderator: Jane Kardas; Panelists: International guests from Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and others. Discover how services for people with low vision differ around our planet.

2:30 p.m. Annual Business Meeting

4:30 p.m. Post-Convention Board Meeting

"Giving and Getting Support" - Room 310

1:30 p.m. Project Insight Volunteer Training, Joyce Kleiber, LCSW, Coordinator, Wayne, PA. Training session for current and prospective mentors in CCLVI's award- winning telephone support network.

3:00 p.m. CCLVI Support Group for people living with low vision; Facilitator, Charles Gourgey, PhD, New York City, NY.

8:30 p.m. CCLVI Game Night - Westmorelands Team Trivia, "Name that Tune!" Dating Game, Marriage Game and More!

10:00 p.m. Farewell to Pittsburgh Dance with the music of Gordon Kent, one man orchestra - Westmorelands

1:00 p.m. You Too Can be An Old Sew-and-Sew - Room 313 Festive Fabrics Patchwork For Every Occasion. Learn the basics of quilting. Materials will be supplied. Presenter: Elsie Monthei, Des Moines, IA

3:00 p.m. Beginning Knitting - Room 313 The Knack of Knit and Purl. From Slip-Knot to casting off. Materials provided. Presenters: Janiece Petersen, Washington, DC; Marian Hasselrud, Minneapolis, MN * Advanced one-on-one knitting and crocheting instruction will be available by appointment; check the Convention Ear and the "Keystone Courier" for details.

7:00 p.m. FIA Board Meeting. All welcome to attend - FIA Suite

1:30 p.m. You Too Can be An Old Sew-and-Sew - Room 314 Festive Fabrics Patchwork For Every Occasion. Learn the basics of quilting. Materials will be supplied. (Repeat of Saturday session) Presenter: Elsie Monthei, Des Moines, IA

4:00 p.m. FIA Mixer/Showcase Sign-up - FIA Suite Come to the FIA Suite to meet old friends and make new ones while registering for showcase audition slot.

6:00 p.m. Chorus Rehearsal - To Be Announced

1:30 p.m. MIDI Workshop - FIA Suite Learn about the latest advances in accessible music technology

3:30 p.m. Audition/Rehearsal for Showcase - Allegheny 3 At scheduled times, performers rehearse their chosen material for length, polish, and appropriateness

9:00 p.m. Prose & Poetry Reading - Crawford West Writers are invited to read their original works to a receptive audience. Presenter: Teddie-Joy Remhild, Burbank, CA.

10:00 p.m. Final Chorus Rehearsal - Allegheny 3

12:30 p.m. FIA Luncheon and Business Meeting - FIA Suite Bring your vote and your appetite! After sharing pizza with others interested in the arts, attend our annual business meeting, including election of board members.

2:30 p.m. I Feel your Pain-ting - Room 313 Renowned artist will demonstrate his technique that makes paintings accessible to people who are blind. Presenter: Street Thoma, Philadelphia, PA (session repeated at 4:00 p.m. also in Room 313)

8:00 p.m. Friends In Art Showcase of the Performing Arts Celebrate good times and great times! - Allegheny 1&2

1:30 p.m. Printing Professional Music Scores Using the "Sibelius Speaking" Software Package. Presenter David Pintos, Los Angeles, CA - FIA Suite

3:00 p.m. Writers Workshop - Room 319 Using Journaling to "Prime the Pump." Bring your preferred writing tools. Presenter: Daniel Simpson, Philadelphia, PA

5:00 p.m. Round and Harmony Sing - FIA Suite Come and sing those beautiful rounds and harmony songs we all know and love and learn some new ones! Presenter: Lynn Hedl, Birmingham, AL

7:30 a.m. FIA Board Meeting. All welcome to attend - FIA Suite

1:30 p.m. Copyright Law Made Simple - Room 309 Open to composers, writers, educators, and anyone else interested in the laws governing the ownership, licensing, and use of creations and the works of others. Presenter: Barbara S. Friedman, New York, NY.

12:00 p.m. First Convention Orientation Session - Room 320 An opportunity to explore the convention center, hotels and surrounding areas in the company of guide dog instructor, and other handlers (session will repeat at 5:00 p.m.).

2:00 p.m. GDUI Affiliate Roundup Meeting - Room 320 GDUI affiliate representatives share the year's achievements and challenges strategize and set goals for the future.

4:00 p.m. GDUI Board Meeting - Room 320

5:00 p.m. Second Convention Orientation Session - Room 320

7:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday: Breakfast Club Bark for your breakfast! Instead of singing for your supper, gather in the lobby of the Westin Hotel with your canines or canes, and work your way to a nearby restaurant where after a delicious meal out, you'll walk off all those calories returning to the hotel. Meet in the Westin Lobby.

1:00 p.m. GDUI Convention Opening Ceremonies - Room 320

1:30 p.m. The Seeing Eye presents: Traveling with a dog guide in conjunction with mobility devices such as the GPS system and the Mini-Guide.

3:00 p.m. Flying Handlers! Kathleen Blank from the Department of Transportation brings us up to date on airline procedure for animals traveling in passenger cabins, relief area and escort issues and more.

4:00 p.m. Canine Cuisine - A discussion of feeding and nutrition options for our guides, covering everything from the feeding of traditional kibble to raw chicken bones and combination canine diets in between.

7:00 p.m. Choosing A Guide Dog School - Allegheny 2 A discussion designed to assist schools in providing valuable information handlers need in order to make informed choices.

9:00 p.m. GDUI Reception - Cambria Special Guest: Stephanie Dohmen

1:00 p.m. GDUI Business Meeting - Room 320 Candidates' Forum and GDUI Caucus

8:00 p.m. Simon Says! - Somerset Back by popular demand, come try this fun twist on doing obedience exercise with your guide.

12:30 p.m. GDUI Luncheon - Room 302 The Workin' players proudly present: "Under The Table." Come and experience the GDUI luncheon from the dogs' perspective: A canine conversation that takes place where else but "Under the Table" at the GDUI luncheon.

1:45 p.m. Tall Tails - Room 320 Vote for your favorite one as told by outrageous guide dog instructor. You'll laugh until you cry!

3:00 p.m. Guide Dog Ethics - Here's your chance to participate in a GDUI town hall style discussion of handlers' rights and responsibilities, public perceptions, the prevalence of more pets and other so-called assistance animals in public places and all those gray areas.

8:00 p.m. What Goes in Must Come out - Somerset West The digestive elimination of dog working in the field of guiding. This workshop takes a look at exactly what's in that baggie. We will cover just what affects your dog's eliminations and some common causes and cures for diarrhea, loose stool and other conditions. We'll also discuss clean-up tips, what products work and how. Come learn, share and end your convention on a high note, from low places. Yes, we fully intend to include a heavy dose of humor in this workshop.

1:00 p.m. River Route - After several days of sitting in meetings, come join handlers and others for a relaxing stroll along Pittsburgh's beautiful river walk which will begin in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel.

7:00 a.m. IVIE Breakfast, Business Meeting & Election - Room 305 Come and enjoy a good meal, elect officers, and help make important decisions about IVIE's future!

1:30 p.m. IVIE Seminar - Room 315 The SBA and You. Donald Nemchick, Manager, Business Information Center, Pittsburgh, PA, will speak about SBA services and website, access to capital, score and much more.

4:00 p.m. Business Card Exchange, Break and Expo Setup - Washington

5:00 p.m. IVIE Business Expo - Washington (Business owners will showcase their products and services and answer questions about their businesses.)

8:00 a.m. Board of Directors Meeting - 313

1:30 p.m. Program Session - 316

Welcoming Remarks

1:45 p.m. A Talking Book Narrator Comments: Gordon Gould, New York City, NY

2:15 p.m. "Update from NLS," Judith Dixon, NLS Consumer Relations Officer

2:30 p.m. "What Does Recorded Books, Inc. Offer the Public?" Barry Brown

3:00 p.m. Break

3:15 p.m. "The Art of Reviewing Books," Bob Hoover, Book Reviewer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

3:45 p.m. LUA Business Meeting

4:45 p.m. LUA Wine and Cheese - ACB Executive Director's Suite

Library Users of America and Braille Revival League Joint Convention Program - Room 311

1:30 p.m. Welcoming remarks, LUA and BRL Presidents

1:45 p.m. Panel Discussion: "Getting Involved with Your Library," Sharon Strzlkowski, Barry Levine, and Winifred Downing

2:15 p.m. Dan Simpson, Access Technology Consultant for the Free Library of Philadelphia, PA

2:45 p.m. "NLS, a Historical Perspective," Kim Charlson, Director, Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library, Watertown, MA

3:15 p.m. Break

3:30 p.m. "Speech Assisted Learning: A New Way of Learning Braille," Freedom Scientific

4:00 p.m. "RFB&D and its Digital Book Project," Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic

12:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting - Room 308

8:00 p.m. NABS Welcome Mixer - ACB Executive Director's Suite Come meet, network, and hang out with students, professionals, and others. Pizza, snacks, and soda will be provided.

8:00 a.m. NABS/Scholarship Breakfast (by invitation only) - Room 301

9:00 a.m. Employment Issues - Room 302 This is a joint session with the ACB Employment Task Force targeting issues such as interviewing techniques, disclosure of disability, and work opportunities.

2:00 p.m. NABS First Business Meeting - Room 309 Come learn about NABS, how to get involved, and the projects that are in progress.

1:30 p.m. Dating and Blind, Not Blindly Dating - Room 317 Come enjoy a presentation by Lynne Cooper. This is a joint session with NABT.

3:30 p.m. Program Session - Room 309 Dating as a Student - Come take part in a discussion about dating and relationships. There will be a panel of students to share their experiences and answer questions.

5:00 p.m. Professionals, Students, and Mentoring - Room 309 Over dinner, discuss networking and mentoring between professionals and students.

1:30 p.m. NABS Second Business Meeting - Room 308 Come discuss the future of NABS and elect officers.

3:30 p.m. NABS Strategic Planning Meeting - Room 308 Have ideas and suggestions for projects that NABS can do in the upcoming year? Want to get involved in committees? Come help the board plan out the 2003-2004 year.

1:30 p.m. Know Your Rights - Room 317 Come participate in a panel discussion about advocating for services when dealing with Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and Disabled Students Services offices.

9:00 p.m. NABS Comedy Night - Somerset

8:00 a.m. NABT Breakfast and Program - Room 303 "Blindness: Not a Tragedy But A Transforming Experience." Presenter: Sally Alexander, Author of "Mommie Can't See Me," and other books.

9:30 a.m. NABT Board Meeting (open to everyone) - Room 303

NABT/NABS Joint Program - Room 317

1:30 p.m. "Out-Of-Sight Tips for dating Blind Not Necessarily Blind Dating." Presenter: Lynn Cooper, Image Awareness Consultant and Motivational Speaker featured on ACB Reports, will give dating advice for blind and visually impaired people.

1:30 p.m. NABT Business Meeting - Room 317

2:30 p.m. "Educational Options for Blind and Visually Impaired Children." Dr. Janet Simon, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, Pittsburgh, PA, and other panelist (TBA) will discuss this timely issue.

1:00 p.m. RSVA Committee Meetings - Room 302

3:00 p.m. RSVA Pre-Convention Board Meeting - Room 302

9:00 p.m. RSVA Mixer - RSVA Suite 1823

9:00 a.m. Program Session - Room 318

Opening remarks (RSVA President Richard Bird)

9:15 a.m. Welcome to Pittsburgh (Kay Riley Royce)

9:45 a.m. Protecting our priority (Steve Simpson)

10:15 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m. Panel Discussion on Sovereign Immunity and Current Legal Issues

11:15 a.m. Reading of Constitution and Bylaw changes, and Resolutions

11:45 a.m. Lunch (on your own)

1:15 p.m. Consumer Involvement in the BEP (Pam Shaw) - Room 318

1:45 p.m. Panel Discussion Committee Development

2:45 p.m. Break

3:00 p.m. RSA Training Conference

3:30 p.m. Announcements and wrap-up

4:00 p.m. Nominating Committee Meeting

10:00 p.m. RSVA mixer - RSVA suite 1823

12:30 p.m. RSVA Business Luncheon (971 Liberty Ave.)

6:00 p.m. RSVA Auction Preview - Allegheny 1

7:00 p.m. RSVA Auction - Allegheny 1

9:00 p.m. RSVA Karaoke Night (Cash Prizes) - Allegheny 1

7:00 p.m. RSVA Casino Night - Westmorelands

7:00 a.m. RSVA Post-Convention Board Meeting - Suite 1823

4:30 p.m. VIDPI Pre-convention Board Meeting - Room 314

9:30 a.m. VIDPI Program Session - Room 317

1:30 p.m. VIDPI Technology Vendor Showcase - Room 317

9:00 p.m. VIDPI Mixer - ACB President's Suite

1:30 p.m. VIDPI Computer Trainers' Forum - Room 311

1:30 p.m. VIDPI Microsoft Forum - Room 318

12:30 p.m. VIDPI Luncheon and Business Meeting - Room 302

12:30 p.m. VIVA Luncheon - Room 304 Patrick Sheehan, Office of Veteran's Affairs, Washington, DC (Please note: Tickets for this event must be purchased at the ACB Registration Office. The cost is $17.)

All tours will leave from the main entrance of the Convention Center EXCEPT the Friday, July 4 tours, which will leave from in front of the Westin. Return times are approximate.

7:15 a.m. Trip to Johnstown

2:45 p.m. Independence Day Baseball Game: Pirates vs Astros

8:45 a.m. Pittsburgh City Tour

1:00 p.m. Wheeling Island Casino Tour

8:45 a.m. Pittsburgh City Tour

12:15 p.m. Major League Baseball Game, Pirates vs Astros

12:45 p.m. Tour of Nationality Rooms

12:15 p.m. Vocal Group Hall of Fame Tour

12:45 p.m. Senator John Heinz History Museum Tour

12:00 p.m. Western PA Blind Services Tour (light lunch included, 5:00 p.m. return)

12:30 p.m. "Just Ducky" Amphibious and Brewery Tour (4 p.m. return)

12:30 p.m. Steel Heritage Tour

1:00 p.m. Carnegie Science Center Tour

12:30 p.m. Fort Ligonier Tour

1:00 p.m. Phipps Conservatory Tour

7:00 p.m. Presentation of "My Fair Lady"

9:00 p.m. ACB Hospitality - Westmoreland Central

10:00 a.m. ACB Information Access Committee - 301

1:30 p.m. Women's Concerns Comm. The Art of Dining - 310

2:00 p.m. ACB Transportation Task Force - "Transportation Advocacy: Making it Work in Your Community" - A workshop addressing transportation issues including funding, national trends, rights and responsibilities, and how we can start to make a difference in achieving this crucial piece of independence. - 311

5:00 p.m. First-Timers' Seminar - 310

6:30 p.m. Scholarship Winners Dinner (By invitation only) - 301

7:00 p.m. Catholic Mass - 310

7:00 p.m. NELDS Folk Festival - Somerset

8:00 p.m. Pennsylvania Council of the Blind Welcome Dance - 302

8:00 a.m. NABS/Scholarship Breakfast (by invitation only) - 301

9:00 a.m. Jewish Service - 408

9:00 a.m. ACB Employment Task Force Seminar - 302

9:30 a.m. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 410

10:00 a.m. Interdenominational Service - 412

12:00 p.m. ACB Board of Publications Meeting - 308

1:30 p.m. Women's Concerns Comm. - Negotiating skills in the workplace and in life - 307

3:00 p.m. Seeing Eye Open Reception - Seeing Eye Suite, Westin

3:30 p.m. Newsreelers Get-together - 302

4:00 p.m. First-Timers' Seminar - 310

7:00 a.m. NIB Breakfast - 302 & 303

12:30 p.m. Sports Fanatics Luncheon - 302 & 303

1:30 p.m. ACB Multicultural Committee Program - 309

4:00 p.m. Recreation Zone

4:30 p.m. ACBNY Happy Hours - PCB Suite

6:30 p.m. BrailleNote Users Group Meeting - Somerset

7:00 p.m. Gospel Sing - Allegheny 3

7:30 p.m. Alaska Independent Blind Hospitality - ACB President's Suite

7:30 p.m. DVS Movie Night - Westmorelands

9:00 p.m. Multicultural Mixer - PCB Suite

7:00 a.m. AFB Breakfast - 302 & 303

7:00 a.m. Guide Dogs for the Blind Graduate Breakfast - 301

7:00 a.m. Women's Concerns Committee Rolls & Role Models Breakfast - 304

3:30 p.m. GW Micro Mini Training - 311

4:00 p.m. Recreation Zone - 413

5:00 p.m. Guiding Eyes f/t Blind Reception - Cambria

5:00 p.m. Kurzweil Users Group Meeting - Crawford

5:00 p.m. Ski for Light Reception - ACB Executive Director's Suite

6:00 p.m. ACB International Guests Forum - To Be Announced

6:00 p.m. ACB Speakers' Reception - ACB President's Suite

6:30 p.m. ACB Scholarship Winners' Reception - Washington

9:00 p.m. ACB Hospitality

7:00 a.m. California Council Breakfast (members only) - 301

7:00 a.m. RSVA Post-convention Board meeting - Suite 1823

7:00 a.m. Seeing Eye Graduate Breakfast - 302 & 303

1:30 p.m. ACB SASI Committee Program - 313 B.J. LeJeune, Project Director, Persons Aging with Hearing and Vision Loss, Miss. State University

2:30 p.m. Women's Concerns Comm. Self Presentation - 309

3:00 p.m. ACB Presidents' Meeting - 315

3:00 p.m. ACB SASI Focus Group - 313

3:30 p.m. Freedom Scientific's OPENBook Focus Group - 318

4:00 p.m. Environmental Access Committee Meeting - 308

4:00 p.m. Recreation Zone

7:00 p.m. "People of Vision" Book Signing Gala - Allegheny 2

7:00 a.m. ACB of New York Breakfast (members only) - 301

7:00 a.m. PCB Breakfast (members only) - 302

7:00 a.m. Washington Council Breakfast (members only) - 305

1:30 p.m. ACB SASI Committee Program - 317 John Mascia, Helen Keller National Center in Sands Point, NY, and Paige Berry. They will discuss assistive devices, phones, hearing aids, etc. A question-and-answer session will follow.

1:30 p.m. Fan Enthusiasts Association of Star Trek (FEAST) Room to be Announced

2:00 p.m. ACB Membership Committee

2:00 p.m. ACB Women's Concerns Health Forum - 311

2:00 p.m. Roses "A to Z," Without Too Much Pain - 310

3:00 p.m. AIB "Are You Congenitally Blind?" - 315

4:00 p.m. Recreation Zone

4:00 p.m. FEAST Social Cost: $7 - ACB Executive Director's Suite

5:00 p.m. "Mac" Hatter's Party - Somerset

7:00 p.m. ACB Board of Publications sponsors a Candidates' Forum - Westmorelands

7:00 p.m. Women's Concerns Comm.: The Art of Dining - Cambria West

5:00 p.m. ACB Life Members' Reception - ACB President's Suite

6:00 p.m. Pre-banquet Cocktail Reception - Prefunction Area

7:00 p.m. ACB ANNUAL BANQUET and Program - Ballroom A

10:30 a.m. Diabetes Seminar - Butler East

10:30 a.m. ACB Legislative Seminar - Somerset West

7:00 p.m. Catholic Mass - 315

9:00 a.m. Jewish Service - 408

9:30 a.m. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 410

10:00 a.m. Interdenominational Service - 412

Although international dignitaries often speak on the national convention program, many interesting international guests who attend our convention are not featured in the pages of this program because they may have made plans to attend at the last minute, or because they choose to attend as ordinary participants. You can meet many international guests at the international forums, scheduled early on Tuesday evening. These "forums" offer a venue for recognizing guests from other parts of the world, giving them an opportunity to make a few remarks about their organizations or anything else they care to discuss, and generally welcoming them warmly to the ACB national convention.

If you are one of our foreign guests, please contact Mr. Oral Miller, so that he may welcome you to ACB. He is staying at the Westin.

Exhibit Hall D on the first floor of the Convention Center is where you can browse through a vast array of booths and boutiques filled with everything from jewelry to information resources to the latest in appliances and technologies designed especially for people who are blind and visually impaired. Don't miss it!

Saturday, July 5. Set-up 8:00 am - 12:00 noon

Saturday, July 5. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 6. 9:00 am - 6:00 p.m.

Monday, July 7. 11:00 am - 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 8. 11:00 am - 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 9. 9:00 am - 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 9. Break down 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Note: Since we go to press with the program more than a month before the convention, the following list of booths and boutiques is but a partial listing of what you may find in the Exhibit Hall.

1-3 Bank of America

4-8 Freedom Scientific

9-10 ACB Radio

11 Pierce College

12 National Braille Press

13 Duxbury Systems, Inc.

14 Descriptive Video Services

15 CrissCross Technologies

16-17 Independent Living Aids, Inc.

18 Narrative Television Network

19 Bookshare.org

20 Aurora Ministries

21 Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc. (IRTI)

22-23 Enabling Technologies Company, Inc.

24 National Industries for the Blind

25-26 American Printing House for the Blind

27 GW Micro

28 University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehab Science

29 En-Vision America, Inc.

30 Ai Squared

31 Alva Access Group

32 Repro-tronics, Inc.

33 Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic

34 Sighted Electronics, Inc.

35-36 Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc.

37 National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped

38 Virtouch Ltd.

39 VisuAide, Inc.

40 Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc.

41 Athena Computer Technology, Inc.

42 Exceptional Teaching Aids, Inc.

43 American Foundation for the Blind

44-45 Pulse Data Humanware

46 Beyond Sight, Inc.

47 Wagner Products, Inc.

48 Freedom Vision

49-50 Council of United States Dog Guide Schools

51 U.S. Department of Agriculture

52 IBM

53 Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind

54

55 Oklahoma League for the Blind

56 VisuPlus Technoligies

57 Polara Engineering, Inc.

58 Novax Industries

59 Talking Solutions

60 All InPlay (formerly known as Zform) LLC

61 The Dry Dock

62 Ethel Bender

63 Horizons for the Blind, Inc.

64 Seedlings Braille Books for Children

65 Millennium Compliance Corporation

66 Internetspeech, Inc.

67-68 Quietwater Designs

69 Bender Consulting Services, Inc.

70 International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS)

71 Christianson Design

72 Star Continuous Cards

73 At First Sight

74 National Statler Center for Careers in Hospitality Service

75-76 Friends-In-Art

77 Dancing Dots

78 Golden Triangle Council of the Blind

79 Southwestern Consumer Provider Council on Blindness

80 California Canes

81 Pennsylvania Council of the Blind

82 Ablesee Overlays

83 The Hadley School for the Blind

84 RRTC On Blindness And Low Vision

85 ACB Store

86 NAPVI/CFVI

87 Talking Signs

Thank you for your generous support of the "Keystone Courier" and Convention Ear. With out you these valuable services would not be possible.

Ablesee Overlays

All InPlay (formerly known as ZForm) LLC

Clever Devices

International Association of Audio Information Services

Kurzweil Educational Systems

Novax Industries

Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America

All InPlay (formerly known as ZForm) LLC

Enabling Technologies

Eugene and Jolene Barton, PA

Golden Triangle Chapter of PCB

Kurzweil Educational Systems

National Braille Press

Pulse Data Humanware

Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America

President: Christopher Gray, San Francisco, CA

First Vice President: Steve Speicher, Lincoln, NE

Second Vice President: MJ Schmitt, Forest Park, IL

Secretary: Donna Seliger, Des Moines, IA

Treasurer: Ardis Bazyn, Burbank, CA

Immediate Past President: Paul Edwards, Miami, FL

Jerry Annunzio, Kansas City, MO

Alan Beatty, Ft. Collins, CO

Dr. Ed Bradley, Houston, TX

Brian Charlson, Watertown, MA

Dawn Christensen, Holland, OH

Billie Jean Keith, Arlington, VA

Oral O. Miller, Washington, DC

Mitch Pomerantz, Los Angeles, CA

Carla Ruschival, Louisville, KY

Patrick Sheehan, Silver Spring, MD

Charles Hodge, Arlington, VA (Ex-Officio)

Chair: Charles Hodge, Arlington, VA

Adrian DeBlaey, Milwaukee, WI

Winifred Downing, San Francisco, CA

Mike Duke, Jackson, MS

Ken Stewart, Warwick, NY

Earlene Hughes, (ACB.org Webmaster) Lafayette, IN

Jonathan Mosen, (ACB Radio) Wanganui, New Zealand

Ralph Sanders, (P.R. Committee Chair) Baltimore, MD

Paul Edwards, Chair, Miami, FL

Dawn Christensen, Holland, OH

Michael Garrett, Houston, TX

Oral O. Miller, Washington, DC

MJ Schmitt, Forest Park, IL

LeRoy Saunders, Oklahoma City, OK

Charles Crawford, Executive Director

Patricia Moreira, Executive Assistant

Melanie Brunson, Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs

Krista Merritt, Policy Analyst

Barbara Vodapivc, Advocacy/Government Assistant

Terry Pacheco, Membership & Affiliate Services Coordinator

Penny Reeder, Editor, The Braille Forum

Sharon Lovering, Editorial Assistant

Michael Keoghan, Executive Director

James R. Olsen, Chief Financial Officer

Quan K. Cu, Supervisor Computer Operation

Darren Mahlkuch, Data Entry Clerk

Le Chi T. Tran, Accountant/Supervisor

Elaine R. Vining, Secretary

George A. Westin, Accountant/Tech Specialist

Cynthia Towers, Coordinator

Margarine Beaman, Accessibility and Volunteers

Jay Doudna

Patti Cox, Youth and Family Programs

Margie Donovan, Guide Dog Issues

Berl Colley, Tours

Pam Shaw, Information/Convention Desk

Jim Olsen, Convention Finances and Registration Office

Terry Pacheco, National Office Liaison

Penny Reeder, Communications Center

Carla Ruschival, Contracts

Michael Smitherman, Exhibits

Donna Seliger, Officer Rep.

Christopher Gray, Chair

Charles Crawford

Jay Doudna

Terry Pacheco

Carla Ruschival

Steve Speicher

Pat Shreck

MJ Schmitt

Cynthia Towers

Gene Barton, Chairman (Information Desk; Door Prizes; Maps)

Marie Keane, Co-chair (Information Desk; GDUI; Tours; Door Prize Collection)

Bill Newland (Religious Services; Assistant to Penny Reeder)

Bonnie Newland (Restaurant List; Children's Activities)

Joyce Driben (Volunteer Coordinator)

Mike Gravitt (Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, Local Ads, Registration Packets)

Mike Zaken (Equipment; Entertainment; Welcome to Pittsburgh Party Organizer)

Jay Doudna (Overseer of Host Committee)

Christopher Gray, Chair

Sue Ammeter

Charles Crawford

Charles Hodge

Otis Stephens

Melanie Brunson

Teddie-Joy Remhild, Chair

Dawn Flewwellin

Billie Jean Keith

Lynne Koral

Elizabeth Lennon

Edwin F. Newell

Ardis Bazyn

Terry Pacheco

Kim Charlson

Christopher Gray

Ray Campbell

Frank Cuta

Earlene Hughes

Don Thomson

Scott Stanger

Steve Speicher

Terry Pacheco

Carla Ruschival

Margie Donovan

Cynthia Towers

Judi Cannon, Chair

Sanford Alexander

Marcia Dresser

John Fleming

Gary Legates

Scott Stanger

Donna Seliger

Steve Speicher

Terry Pacheco

Mitch Pomerantz, Chair

Peter Altschul

Paulette Bartelt

Denise Colley

Darian Hartman

Larry Johnson

Samantha Schmucker

Donna Smith

Naomi Soule

M.J. Schmitt

Penny Reeder

Pat Beattie

Berl Colley

Karen Gourgey

Debbie Grubb

Gayle Krause

Eugene Lozano

Barbara Rhodes

Patrick Sheehan

Ardis Bazyn

Melanie Brunson

Christopher Gray, Chair

Paul Edwards

Steve Speicher

Oral O. Miller

Mitch Pomerantz

Otis Stephens, Chair

Kim Charlson

Christopher Gray

Charles Hodge

MJ Schmitt

Penny Reeder

Roger Petersen, Chair

Debbie Cook

Sue Martin

John Mattioli

Marti McCuller

Milton M. Ota

Susan Palmer

Janiece A. Petersen

David Poehlman

Tim Schneebeck

Patrick M. Sheehan

Donna Smith

MJ Schmitt

Melanie Brunson

Cathy Skivers, Chair

Ed Bradley

Carol Ewing

Lucille Fierce

Stephanie Hall

Milly Lillibridge

Carl McCoy

MJ Schmitt

Terry Pacheco

Sue Ammeter, Chair

Ardis Bazyn

Alan Beatty

Camille Caffarelli

Peggy Chavis

Daniel Martinez

Al Pietrolungo

Terri Lynne Pomeroy

April Shinholster

Jonathan Simeone

MJ Schmitt

Terry Pacheco

Donna Smith

John Buckley

Mike Gravitt

Steve Speicher

Peggy Chavis, Chair

Hattie Bond

Jesus Garcia

Michael Garrett

Myles Tamashiro

Robert Williams

Ardis Bazyn

Terry Pacheco

Barry Levine

Paul Edwards

Pat Shreck

Catherine Skivers, Chair

Steve Speicher

Ralph Sanders, Chair

Mike Duke

Charles Hodge

Billie Jean Keith

Peggy Martinez

Marvelena Quesada

Earlene Hughes

Jonathan Mosen

Penny Reeder

Donna Seliger

Jeff Thom, Chair

Sanford Alexander

Ron Brooks

Michael Byington

Darian Hartman

Charles Hodge

Judy Jackson

Jim Kracht

Mark Richert

Sandra Sermons

Jonathan Simeone

Jill Tobin

Donna Seliger

Melanie Brunson

Jerry Annunzio, Chair

Brian Charlson

John Oliveira

Ralph Sanders

Sandy Sanderson

Christopher Gray

Charles Crawford

Patty Slaby, Chair

Gayle Krause

Denise Colley

Ruth Druding

Catherine Schmitt Whitaker

Gillie Presley

Valorie Stanard

Rochelle Hart

Michael Gravitt

Tom Torvie

Michael Garrett

Patsy Jones

Don Koors

Steve Speicher

Terry Pacheco

Patty Sarchi, Chair

Karyn Campbell

Sally Harris

Lynn Jansen

Nellie Pohlmeyer

Donna Seliger

Terry Pacheco

Ron Brooks, Co-chair

Alice Richhart, Co-chair

Earlene Hughes

Gayle Krause

Donna Smith

Christopher Gray

Charles Crawford

Bernice Kandarian

Phyllis Burson

Lori Scharff

April Shinholster

Jill Tobin

Marvelena Quesada

Ardis Bazyn

Terry Pacheco

Brian Charlson

Paul Edwards

Jill Tobin