Dear Conventioneers:
I want to welcome everyone to the 47th Annual Convention of the American Council of the Blind here in Louisville, Kentucky. This year's convention is taking place at the Galt House, a hotel I have visited on at least two previous occasions. It is one of my all-time favorite places for a convention due to the space and comfort of the facility, and especially the beautifully appointed rooms and suites.
The theme of the 2008 convention is "ACB In The Winner's Circle." This is a fitting theme for this year's convention because we are in the city which hosts the legendary Kentucky Derby and because ACB can proudly claim some hard-won victories and achievements in recent months. You will hear much more about our successes during what should be our busiest and most information-packed convention ever.
Every ACB convention relies on dozens of volunteers who work to make this event possible. I want to personally thank the members of the Convention committee, Convention Program Committee, and the Host Committee for their efforts. I know my fellow ACB Board Members also wish to express their appreciation to everyone who assisted in putting together this convention. Likewise, let me acknowledge the work of our outstanding Washington, DC and Minneapolis staffs. You are all fantastic!
Finally, a very special welcome to those of you attending the ACB convention for the first time. This will be my first convention as the President of the American Council of the Blind and I want to make this an especially memorable and fun experience for you. We want you back in 2009! From Donna and me, have a great convention.
ACB - American Council of the Blind
ACBES - American Council of the Blind Enterprises and Services
AAVL - Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss
AAVIA - American Association of Visually Impaired Attorneys
ACBDA - ACB Diabetics in Action
ACBGE - ACB Government Employees
ACBHSP - ACB Human Service Professionals
ACBL - ACB Lions
ACBRA - ACB Radio Amateurs
AFB - American Foundation for the Blind
APH - American Printing House for the Blind
BFLAG - Blind Friends of Lesbians and Gays
BITS - Blind Information Technology Specialists
BOP - Board of Publications
BRL - Braille Revival League
CCLVI - Council of Citizens with Low Vision International
CFVI - Council of Families with Visual Impairments
DKM First-timer - Durward K. McDaniel First-timer
FIA - Friends-in-Art of ACB
GDUI - Guide Dog Users, Inc.
IVIE - Independent Visually Impaired Enterprisers
LUA - Library Users of America
MMS - Monthly Monetary Support Program
NABS - National Alliance of Blind Students
NABT - National Association of Blind Teachers
NELDS - National Education & Legal Defense Service
NIB - National Industries for the Blind
NLS - National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
RSVA - Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America
SASI - Sight and Sound Impaired Committee
VIVA - Visually Impaired Veterans of America
WCC - Women's Concerns Committee
YAC - Youth Activity Center
For medical emergencies, dial 0 on a hotel phone or 911 on any other phone. Stay calm and speak distinctly. Give your name, exact location and a description of the emergency.
Kosair Children's Hospital: 231 E. Chestnut St.; 502-629-6000 University of Louisville Hospital: 530 S. Jackson St.; 502-562-3000
Kroger (grocery; pharmacy inside store): 924 S. 2nd; 502-589-1025
CVS Pharmacy: 432 S. 4th, 211 (second floor, 4th Street Live); 502-589-1846
EMAIL LIST: The ACB convention email list keeps you up-to-date on all the news. Whether you are at convention or not, you can receive the newspaper and all the other information. To subscribe, go to the ACB website at www.acb.org, or send a blank message to acbconvention-subscribe@acb.org.
CONVENTION EAR: Convention updates are just a phone call away. Available from your hotel room phone or cell phone 24 hours a day from Friday, July 4 through Saturday, July 12. Listen to the newspaper, proposed Constitution and Bylaws amendments, restaurant lists and other hand-outs from the Information Desk.
FILE DOWNLOAD SERVICE: Would you like your newspaper, exhibit list, amendments and other hand-outs in electronic format for your laptop or notetaker? Stop by the ACB Thompson West Information Desk each morning before noon; a volunteer will download all the latest files onto your thumb drive, SD card or Compactflash card.
Guide dog relief areas are located at both hotel towers. ACB volunteers and hotel staff will be happy to assist you to locate the areas.
The GDUI Convention Area Orientation (Sun., July 6 at noon and 5:00 pm) will help you learn the best routes in and around the hotel. Meet in the Laffoon Room.
For veterinary care, contact:
Gailor Animal Hospital: 7422 Old Third Street Rd.; 502-367-6400; open 9:00 to 6:00 Monday through Friday, 9:00 to noon on Saturday; staff vet always on call; minimum $25.00 taxi fare from Galt House.
The Galt House is actually two hotels joined on the third floor by a pedway. The pedway contains a deli, bar, relaxing seating, and a grand piano just waiting for you to play. All guests check in at the Suite Tower lobby.
Public meeting rooms are located in both towers of the hotel and in an office building that adjoins the Suite Tower. Here is a quick guide to the meeting rooms:
Rivue Tower, 2nd floor: Daisy and Sunflower on the right of the hall as you exit to the guide dog relief area.
Rivue Tower, 3rd Floor: One hall of rooms with Dogwood, Holly and Willow on the left, and Poplar, Maple and Walnut on the right; the Archibald/Cochran Ballroom are also on this floor.
Suite Tower, 1st Floor: Wilkinson, Sampson and Laffoon; stairs up across from these rooms to ACB registration, Convention Cafe etc.
Suite Tower, 2nd Floor: From the elevator, meeting rooms are Collins, Brown, Carroll/Ford, Nunn, Breathitt, and Combs/Chandler. Stairs down between Collins and Brown. Registration, information and volunteer desks after Combs/Chandler; turn left to the Grand Ballroom (general session), exhibits and the Cafe.
Office tower: Near office tower elevators - Bradley, Fields, Morrow, Stanley, Willson, Taylor, McCreary, Beckham, Jones; closer to exhibit hall escalators - French, Segell, Stopher and Coe.
Convention registration is located on the second floor of the Suite Tower. Registration hours are:
Thursday, July 3 (pre-reg. pick-up only): 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday - Sunday, July 4 – 6: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Monday, July 7: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuesday - Thursday, July 8 - 10: 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Friday, July 11: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
When you register, you receive your convention ID badge, program, and goody bag filled with information and surprises. You can purchase tickets, and you are eligible for some great door prizes. Wear your badge at all times; it admits you to the exhibit area, lets you vote (if you are an ACB member), and helps hotel personnel and volunteers to provide better service.
If you are pre-registered, your packet will be waiting at the Registration Desk. You may not pick up a packet for someone else. If you have any questions or concerns about your registration or need to purchase additional tickets, go to the Registration Desk.
A one-day pass is available at registration for $5.00; $10.00 with program. This pass is color-coded by day, and is good for only the day on which it is purchased. With this pass you may attend exhibits and other programs and purchase tickets for that day only. If you wish to attend additional days at the convention, you must pay the full administrative fee.
No administrative fee will be charged for a voter certification badge.
REFUNDS - ACB will make NO refunds for convention administrative and registration fees, sponsorship donations, or tickets that you just don't want. Refunds are not made for events that you miss for any reason other than extreme illness (see below), or for events that you simply do not enjoy.
Refunds will be issued ONLY for meals, events, and tours provided that:
1. An individual has pre-registered; AND requests the refund in writing to the American Council of the Blind, 120 South 6th Street, Suite 1005, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1839, or calls (612) 332-3242, ON OR BEFORE June 27, 2008; AND
2. 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 the guarantee has already been given for a meal function or a tour, no refund for that function will be given.)
LOST TICKETS - 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.
SELLING UNWANTED TICKETS - If you would like to sell a ticket, you may leave it at the Registration Desk along with your name and room number. Tickets are resold on a first-come, first-serve basis, and ONLY if the event or tour is currently closed or no unsold tickets remain. In general, meal functions and social events at the hotel DO NOT sell out; you may wish to explore other methods of selling these tickets.
EVENTS SOLD OUT: If you are trying to purchase a ticket for an event or tour that is sold out, check daily in person at the Registration Desk for tickets returned for resale. If a tour or event was sold out before your pre-registration form was processed, a refund will be included with your pre-registration packet. ACB is not responsible for notifying you if you have paid for 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, or in case additional tickets become available.
The Communication Center is in the Willow Room in the Rivue Tower, and is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Fri., July 4 through Wed., July 9. This is where you can place ads in the paper, make braille or print copies, or volunteer to help produce the paper.
CONVENTION NEWSPAPER - This year's newspaper is the "Louisville Post Dispatch". It is published each day, Sat. through Thu., in braille and large print; pick up a copy at the ACB Thompson West Information Desk. The paper is also available on the acbconvention email list, on the Convention Ear, and via download at the Information Desk before noon each day.
The National Alliance of Blind Students (NABS) will deliver the newspaper to your hotel room door. For $6.00 (pre-registration) or $10.00 (registration), your paper will be waiting for you each morning when you wake up. After you sign up for delivery of the paper at registration, drop by the Information Desk to give us your room number and specify your preference of braille or large print.
Hang onto the Saturday issue of the paper; it will include important suite numbers, phone numbers, and last-minute program changes.
ADS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS - Ads and other items for publication must be in the Communication Center by 2:00 pm each day. The BOP allows ads to run for only three days in order to give important convention announcements more space. Ads must not exceed 100 words. BOP editorial policy prohibits the production or distribution of campaign materials by the Communication Center.
Cost of advertising in the newspaper is: individual convention attendees - $5/day; ACB affiliates - $10/day; exhibitors - $35/day, or $100/3 days; all others - $45/day, or $125/3 days.
BRAILLING AND PHOTOCOPYING - Photocopying and brailling are available at the Communication Center for 10 cents/page. If your committee or affiliate needs something in braille or large print, bring files early in the day so we can fit your job in between other tasks. We will print a test to let you know the number of pages per copy. Be sure to label your computer card or disk, and tell us how many of each format you need and by what time. Please make payment at Registration.
The Saturday, Monday and Wednesday editions of the newspaper are sponsored by MaxiAids; Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday are sponsored by Guide Dogs for the Blind. Thanks again to Enabling Technologies for donating the use of the braille printers, and to Star Continuous Cards for their generous donation of braille paper.
Please remember that the Communication Center is a working room. While the convention is a great place to see old friends and new, loud conversations make it difficult to hear the speech synthesizers on the computers. Help us help you get the information you need.
Stop by the ACB Convention Cafe near registration on the second floor of the Suite Tower to grab a quick cup of coffee, pastry, sandwich, salad or snack as you rush from one meeting to another or as you head out on a tour. Meet at the Cafe to visit with friends or just rest a while between activities.
Cafe hours are 8:00 am to 7:00 pm Friday, July 4 through Thursday, July 10; 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Friday, July 11; and 8:00 am to noon on Saturday, July 12.
Watch the newspaper for Cafe menus and specials; check your registration bag for Cafe discount coupons sponsored by MaxiAids and Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.
Show your support for ACB in one or more of these ways:
CONVENTION SPONSORSHIPS: Stop by registration and become an ACB Convention Sponsor. Bronze ($25), silver ($50), gold ($100), and platinum ($500) sponsors receive special ribbons to wear on their convention badges, are entered into special prize drawings, and are recognized both in general session and in the newspaper.
ACB AUCTION: Get ready to bid and buy! Vacations, a BrailleNote from HumanWare, homemade fudge and much much more! Auction preview, Wed. at 6:00 pm, with the auction to follow at 7:00 in the Archibald Ballroom.
It's not too late to donate items to the auction. Contact Brenda Dillon for more information.
ACB RAFFLE: Win $5,000 in cold hard cash! Limited tickets available; $50 each. Buy one for yourself or your affiliate, or find up to four friends and split the cost five ways. Contact David Trott, Resource Development Committee Chair, for more details.
MMS PROGRAM: Help support ACB all year round; it's easy and quick. Find out more about the Monthly Monetary Support Program; ask questions and complete paperwork at registration, or contact Dr. Ron Milliman, MMS Committee Chair, for more information.
Make reservations for affiliate caucus rooms at the ACB Thompson West Information Desk. Caucus rooms are available on a first-come first-serve basis on Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 1:15 pm and after 4:30 pm.
The following caucuses are scheduled at this time. Refer to the newspaper for announcements of additional caucuses, and be sure to listen for announcements each morning in general session.
7:00 am ACB of New York Breakfast (purchase ticket at registration) - Brown
3:30 pm GDUI Caucus - Sampson
5:00 pm California Caucus - Wilkinson
5:00 pm Midwest Caucus - Sampson
7:00 am Pennsylvania Council of the Blind Breakfast (members only) - Morrow
7:00 am Washington Council of the Blind Breakfast (members only) - Stanley
12:30 pm Florida Caucus - Beckham
5:00 pm Missouri Council of the Blind Caucus - Breathitt
5:00 pm Mid-south Caucus - Combs/Chandler
7:00 pm Jewish Sabbath Havdalah Service - Collins Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport, Louisville, KY
7:00 pm Roman Catholic Mass - Sampson Father Albert L. Wilson, Archdiocese of Louisville
9:00 am LDS Sacrament Meeting - Collins
10:00 am Interdenominational Church Service - Sampson Harold Adams, Ordained Southern Baptist Minister
7:00 pm Gospel Sing - Sampson
1. Each debatable issue before the convention shall be limited to approximately twenty (20) minutes with a three minute time limit per speaker, alternating between affirmative and opposing speakers, unless a majority of the members agree to extend debate for an additional period of time.
A. Motions to close debate will not be recognized by the chair during the first debate period. After the first debate period, properly moved motions such as I call for the question" or "I move the previous question" will be handled by the chair and voted on by the assembly.
B. The chair may close debate when no one seeks the floor.
C. Each member is respectfully urged to speak directly to the issue before the assembly and avoid unnecessary and time consuming dialogue.
D. No member will be recognized a second time to debate until all who wish to debate have been recognized.
E. The parliamentarian will act as timekeeper.
2. Recognition to speak will be given to those members who properly address the chair using the microphones and giving their names and affiliation. Motions that may interrupt a speaker may be called from your seat, responded to by the chair, and explained by the mover at a microphone if requested by the chair. Examples: Point of Order, Point of Information, Parliamentary Inquiry, Question of Privilege, Call for Orders of the Day, etc.
3. Registration badges are required to be worn at all convention meetings and only those members with the appropriate colored dot may vote during business meetings.
4. Changes to the published convention program may be proposed to the membership as deemed necessary by the presiding officer or his/her appointee. The presiding officer will explain the reason for such change and inform the assembly of their right to question the recommended modification. After this explanation, if twenty-five (25) or more members object to the proposed change by coming to the microphone and stating their name as placed in objection, the change requires debate and a majority vote to modify the convention program.
5. Nominating and seconding speeches shall be limited to five minutes per candidate with the speaking time allocated according to the candidate's wishes. A person nominated for an office more than once shall be limited to one minute.
6. When no candidate for office receives a majority vote, the election shall be among the top two candidates. Affiliate votes will be reported in whole or half numbers.
7. Any person meeting the requirements of a "voting member" as defined in ACB's Constitution, ARTICLE III-A-1, and complying with all other applicable membership requirements, becomes an ACB member and is entitled to register, receive a registration badge with the appropriate colored voting dot, and vote at ACB's annual convention provided:
A. Their name is on the March 15th membership information or has been added to that membership information, or
B. Their voting membership status is verified by a member of the Board of Directors or an officer of an affiliate organization, or
C. They establish voting membership status during the annual convention.
6:30 pm Pre-convention Entertainment: Barbara Henning and Adelle LeJeune; Louisville, KY
7:00 pm Call to Order: Mitch Pomerantz, President, American Council of the Blind, Pasadena, CA
Invocation: Father William Medley, Pastor, St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church, Louisville, KY
Presentation of Colors
Pledge of Allegiance: Oral Miller, Member, ACB Board of Directors and Kentucky native son, Washington, DC
"The Star-Spangled Banner" and "My Old Kentucky Home": Bradley Mann, Louisville, KY
Welcome to Louisville: Mayor Jerry Abramson (invited)
Welcome: Darrell Buford, Chair, Kentucky Local Host Committee
7:15 pm Monica's Story: Monica Hardin, Miss Kentucky 2001, and daughter of a graduate of the Kentucky School for the Blind, Louisville, KY
7:45 pm ACB President's Report: Mitch Pomerantz
8:15 pm ACB First-Timers, Carol Ann Ewing-Ragsdale, Chair, Durward K. Mc'Daniel Committee, Reno, NV
8:25 pm Life Membership Presentations: Mitch Pomerantz and Anna Olsen, Richfield, MN
8:45 pm Adoption of Convention Standing Rules
9:05 pm First Credentials Committee Report: Jerry Annunzio, Chair, Credentials Committee, Kansas City, MO
9:20 pm Roll Call of Affiliates: Marlaina Lieberg, ACB Secretary, Burien, WA
8:00 am Entertainment: TBA
8:30 am Pledge of Allegiance: Visually Impaired Veterans of America; John Fleming, VIVA Vice President, Portland, OR
Invocation: Dale Phillips, Minister/Professional Counselor, Westport Road Church of Christ, Louisville, KY
Welcome: Adam Ruschival, President, Kentucky Council of the Blind, Louisville, KY
8:35 am ACB Business
Final Credentials Report: Jerry Annunzio
American Center on Blindness and Visual Impairment Report: Christopher Gray, Chair, American Center Board of Directors, San Francisco, CA
Constitution and Bylaws: Otis Stephens, Chair, Knoxville, TN
Resolutions: Judy Jackson, Chair, Lubbock, TX
Presiding Officer: Kim Charlson, ACB First Vice President, Watertown, MA
9:00 am Presentation of Affiliate Growth and James R. Olsen Distinguished Service Awards: Nola McKinney, Chair, Awards Committee, Bonnerdale, AR
Presentation of Ned E. Freeman and Hollis Liggett Awards: Paul Edwards, Chair, Board of Publications, Miami, FL
9:30 am Louisville - Ali, Bats, Chicken and More: Steve Wiser, author, architect, 3-time President of the Louisville Historical League, Louisville, KY
9:50 am Our Organizational Colleagues to the North: John Rae, First Vice President, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, Toronto, Canada
10:15 am Break
10:30 am An American Living and Working in India: Jean Parker, Independent Radio Journalist, Pune, India
11:00 am Update on Structured Negotiations: Lainey Feingold, Attorney At Law, Berkelley, CA
11:30 am An IRS Employment Initiative and Useful Tax Rebate Information: Richard Keeling, Senior Tax Analyst, IRS Office of Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication, Atlanta, GA; and Lee Giurlanda, Chief Accessibility Coordinator, IRS, Richmond, VA
11:45 am ACB Recreation Zone, Oral Miller, Washington, DC
11:55 am Announcements
8:00 am Entertainment: Kathy and Tom Arnold, Louisville, KY
8:30 AM Pledge of Allegiance: Youth Activity Center; Patti Cox, YAC Coordinator, Louisville, KY
Invocation: Andrew Thomas, Ordained Minister, Consolidated Baptist Church, Lexington, KY; and member, Bluegrass Council of the Blind
8:35 AM ACB Business
Nominating Committee Report: MJ Schmitt, Chair, Nominating Committee, Rochester, NY
Constitution and Bylaws; Resolutions
Presiding Officer: Brenda Dillon, ACB Second Vice President, Hermitage, TN
9:00 am One Giant Step Toward Accessible Currency - ACB's Victory in Appellate Court: Jeffrey A. Lovitky, Attorney At Law, Washington, DC
9:15 am 2008 American Council of the Blind Scholarship Presentations: Patty Slaby, Chair, ACB Scholarship Committee, Prior Lake, MN
10:30 am Break
10:45 am What's New at Bookshare.org: John Glass, Customer Support Manager, Bookshare.org, Saratoga, CA
11:05 am The Availability of Accessible Recreation Equipment: Darren Burton, National Program Associate, Technology, American Foundation for the Blind, Huntington, WV
11:35 am Hon. Ben Chandler, US House of Representatives, 6th District, Lexington, KY
11:55 am Announcements
8:00 am Entertainment: Sandra Williams, Louisville, KY
8:30 am Pledge of Allegiance: Paul Edwards, Chair, Board of Publications, Miami, FL
Invocation: Donnie Parrett, Minister, House of Prayer Church, Annville, KY
Welcome: Morry LaTour, President, Bluegrass Council of the Blind, Lexington, KY
8:35 am ACB Business
Constitution and Bylaws; Resolutions
Presiding Officer: Marlaina Lieberg, ACB Secretary, Burien, WA
9:00 am The New NAPVI/AFB Family Website: Susan Laventure, Executive Director, National Association of Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, Watertown, MA
9:15 am Observations on the Status of the Americans with Disabilities Act: Chris Kucyznski, Assistant Legal Counsel, ADA Policy Division, US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Washington DC
9:45 am Building the Dream - Collection Development at Your National Library: Frank Kurt Cylke, Director, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; and Dr. Edmund O'Reilly, Collection Development Section Head, Materials Development division, Library of congress, Washington, DC
10:30 am Break
10:45 am An Encore Performance: Mitzi Friedlander, Talking Book Narrator, American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, KY
11:15 am The Digital TV Converter Box Program: Kathie Klass, Ombudsman, Television Converter Coupon Program, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, US Department of Commerce, Washington, DC
11:35 am Accessibilityisaright.org - What's It All About: Mike Calvo, CEO, Serotek Corporation, Orlando, FL
11:55 am Announcements
8:00 AM Entertainment: Bradley Mann, Louisville, KY
8:30 am Pledge of Allegiance: Mary Montgomery, DKM First-timer, AK
Invocation: Adrian Twinney, Minister, Salvation Army; member, Louisville Downtown Lions Club
8:35 am ACB Business
Voting Taskforce Report, Jeff Thom, Chair, Voting Taskforce, Sacramento, CA
Constitution and Bylaws; Resolutions
Presiding Officer: Mike Godino, ACB Treasurer, Malverne, NY
9:15 am Distance Learning/Online Training: Panel - Brian Charlson, Vice President, Computer Training Services, The Carroll Center, Watertown, MA; Charles E. Young, President, Hadley School for the Blind, Winnetka, IL; Dr. William Penrod, Director, University of Louisville Teacher Preparation Program for Visual Impairments and Orientation and Mobility, Louisville, KY
10:00 am Stem Cell Research and How It Is Used to Cure Eye Diseases: Dr. Douglas C. Dean, Professor of Ocular Molecular Oncology, Robert and Gretchen Rounsavall Foundation, Louisville, KY
10:30 am Break
10:45 am Executive Director's Report: Melanie Brunson, ACB Executive Director, Washington, DC
11:15 am Treasurer's Report: Mike Godino
11:30 am National Convention Report: Carla Ruschival, Chair, National Convention Committee, Louisville, KY
11:55 am Announcements
8:00 am Entertainment: Deanna Scoggins, Louisville, KY
8:30 am Pledge of Allegiance: Eric Frey, Member, Kentucky Host Committee, Louisville, KY
Invocation: Howard Cook, Walnut Street Baptist Church; Lions District 43-N Governor, Louisville, KY
Presiding Officer: Mitch Pomerantz, ACB President, Pasadena, CA
8:35 am ACB Enterprises and Services Report: Michael Garrett, Chair, ACBES Board of Directors, Missouri City, TX
9:00 am Elections
10:15 am Break
10:30 am Elections; Resolutions
12:00 pm Lunch
1:15 pm ACB Business
2:45 pm Break
3:00 pm ACB Business
5:00 pm Adjourn
6:30 pm: Pre-banquet Entertainment
7:00 pm AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND ANNUAL BANQUET - $29, $32
Master of Ceremonies: Michael Byington, Topeka, KS
Invocation: Deanna Scoggins, Louisville, KY
ALH and the History of the Blind: Dr. Tuck Tinsley III, President, American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, KY
Presentation of Robert Bray, Durward K. McDaniel and George Card Awards: Nola McKinney, Chair, ACB Awards Committee, Bonnerdale, AR
Many ACB boards and committees meet during convention week. Check the information below and the Calendar of Events for meeting dates and times.
7:30 pm ACB Convention Committee
9:00 am ACB Board of Directors Pre-convention Board Meeting - Wilkinson
2:00 pm Constitution and Bylaws Committee - Walnut
9:00 pm Resolutions Committee - Walnut
10:00 am Board of Publications - Holly
1:00 pm Credentials Committee - Walnut
11:00 pm (after general session) Resolutions Committee - Walnut
5:00 pm Constitution and Bylaws Committee - Walnut
5:30 pm ACB Nominating Committee - Nunn
8:00 pm Resolutions Committee - Walnut
5:00 pm Constitution and Bylaws Committee - Walnut
8:00 pm Resolutions Committee - Walnut
5:00 pm Constitution and Bylaws Committee - Walnut
8:00 pm Resolutions Committee - Walnut
6:00 pm Resolutions Committee - Walnut
9:15 pm Resolutions Committee - Walnut
10:00 am Board of Directors Post-convention Meeting - Breathitt
3:30 pm BOP Editor's Workshop How ACB Radio can publicize the work of your affiliate
5:00 pm - DKM Julep Jamboree - $10, $12 Meet the DKM First-timers, raise money to bring new folks to the 2009 convention in Orlando, and leave with a souvenir Derby mint julep glass.
1:30 pm Make Your Dream Job a Reality An interactive program designed to help individuals determine which career would be best for them and what strategies they may use to find and succeed in their dream job; Leah Irish, M.A., Kent, OH; MJ Schmitt, Rochester, NY; co-sponsored with NABS
2:30 pm Break
2:45 pm Working From Home Learn about the growing opportunities in telecommuting as our panelists discuss the joys and challenges of working from home. Peter Altschul, Organization Development Specialist, Columbia, MO, facilitator; Tom Johnston, CEO, SearchPath International, Cleveland, OH; Jim Mullaney, President, Edoc Marketing, Cincinnati, OH; Mike Mandel, Professional Musician, New York, NY; Ardis Bazyn, President, Bazyn Communications, Burbank, CA; David Wilkinson, Western Region Blindness Products Specialist, HumanWare, Little Rock, AR; and Myrna Votta, Technical Support Specialist, HumanWare, Brooklyn, NY; co-sponsored by NABS and IVIE
2:00 pm Environmental Access Seminar Go outside for a quiet car demonstration; return for a discussion of issues related to audible pedestrian signals, increased use of quiet cars etc.
4:30 pm Quiet Car Demo Be prepared to walk outside to hear the car idling, backing up, and moving through traffic.
4:30 pm Quiet Car Demo A repeat of Monday's demo.
2:00 pm Information Access 411 - $5, $5 Analog to digital TV, accessible MP3 players and cell phones - your questions answered about the technology you use every day
6:00 pm Voices Around the World Reception - $10, $12
ACB welcomes its international guests. If you are visiting from outside the US, contact Oral Miller at the hotel for more information.
5:00 pm Keys to the Convention Seminar Unlock your week of information and fun; includes convention overview, tips, and Q&A
2:00 pm Keys to the Convention Seminar - Breathitt See Saturday's "Keys"
2:00 pm ACB Membership Seminar Growing & Strengthening ACB Today for Tomorrow - how fundraising can be used as a membership tool and what makes special interest affiliates successful for membership recruitment. News about the affiliate growth award, ACB's new brochure, and Spanish documents now available.
12:30 pm Multicultural Leadership Luncheon Diversity & Leadership: - Accepting the Challenge and Creating Opportunities: Ira Grupper, pioneer in employment discrimination under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Louisville, KY. Followed by a panel of individuals who will share how they have achieved success in spite of their disabilities.
9:00 pm Multicultural Mid-Week Jam - - $15, $15
1:30 pm Rehab the ACB Way - $5, $5 Understand the origins of the current rehab system and learn how to get what you need from the rehab process. Find out how affiliates can be effective on state rehabilitation councils and advisory groups.
1:30 pm Deaf-blind Communicator: Something new in Communications A brief history of the project and description of the DBC; your questions answered. Hands-on opportunities after the presentation. Jim Halliday, Vice President for Advocacy, Humanware, Concord, CA
9:00 PM Get Social with SASI
6:30 pm ACB Scholarship Dinner (invitation only) Sponsored by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America
12:30 am NABS Hosted Scholarship Winners' Luncheon - $26, $30 An official function of the National Alliance of Blind Students (NABS); all scholarship winners invited. Sponsored by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America
9:15 am Presentation of ACB 2008 Scholarships Celebrate the accomplishments of this year's scholarship recipients in the morning general session; truly an impressive part of the ACB convention.
6:30 pm ACB Scholarship Winners Reception - Executive Director's Suite Each affiliate is invited to send two representatives to meet the scholarship winners.
1:30 PM ACB Transportation Seminar Topics include basic transportation terminology, an overview of how transportation projects are funded, how and where to get involved in the planning process, and tips for being effective transportation advocates. Each affiliate should send a representative so we can form a network of advocates.
1:00 pm Health Fair Open to everyone. Check your blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol; ask general health-related questions. Hosts are Bernice Kandarian and Lori Scharf.
3:00 pm Skin Care the Mary Kay Way – Dr. Horlander, a partner with Total Woman of Louisville Learn how to care for your skin so that it will be smooth to the touch, clean and healthy. Session emphasizes skin care, but your make-up questions can be answered also. Palma Milliman, Mary Kay Consultant, Bowling Green, KY; hosted by Darian Slayton-Fleming
2:00 pm What Is a Gynecological Exam? Do you tense up at even the thought of a GYN exam? Here's an opportunity to touch and hold the instruments used in a standard GYN exam. Your questions will be welcome as well.
2:00 pm Tea and Talk Share your thoughts and experiences about being a woman who is blind. Followed by a small tea, by request. Facilitators: Marlaina Lieberg, Lori Scharff and Donna Pomerantz.
2:00 pm Spirit, Sanctuary and Spa Relax, rejuvenate and refresh. Tips and techniques to achieve balance and serenity in your busy life. Presenter: Janine Bertram Kemp; Host: Susan Mazrui
5:00 pm Intro to Indoor Rowing Great activity for fun or competition; assisted by coaches and team from the University of Louisville
5:00 pm Water Aerobics - Pool Led by Gerry Koors, certified water aerobics instructor, Indianapolis, IN
5:30 pm Ski for Light Intro and Update - Collins You'll beat the summer heat just thinking about cross-country skiing. It's a great winter sport or pastime for people with visual impairments, and you can even enjoy it on a golf course. Touch ski equipment and hear about new and updated opportunities to go skiing.
5:00 pm Intro to Indoor Rowing - Holly Great activity for fun or competition; assisted by coaches and team from the University of Louisville
5:30 pm Ski for Light Intro and Update - Collins You'll beat the summer heat just thinking about cross-country skiing. It's a great winter sport or pastime for people with visual impairments, and you can even enjoy it on a golf course. Touch ski equipment and hear about new and updated opportunities to go skiing.
5:00 pm water aerobics - Pool Led by Gerry Koors, certified water aerobics instructor, Indianapolis, IN
6:00 pm ACB Exhibitors' Reception (by invitation)
10:00 am ACB Legislative Seminar Get the latest information on how you can help shape tomorrow today.
6:00 pm Speakers' Reception Each affiliate is invited to send two members per reception. A wonderful opportunity for ACB members to meet and talk personally with the convention presenters of the day.
5:00 pm Agency Directors' Reception (by invitation) - President's Suite
6:00 pm Speakers' Reception - Stanley See Monday's description
6:00 pm Speakers' Reception See Monday's description
4:00 pm Affiliate Presidents' Meeting - Nunn Sponsored by Vehicle Donation Processing Center
7:00 pm BOP Candidates' Forum - Grand Ballroom Candidates answer questions on a wide variety of topics.
5:30 pm Life Members' Reception
12:30 pm AAVL Luncheon - $25, $27 Great entertainment and fun with storyteller John Dashney
1:30 pm How to Supplement Your Income from Home - Jones Blind and visually impaired craftspeople share their tips for selling quality handmade products; co-sponsored by AAVL and CCLVI
4:00 pm AAVL Musical Wine and Cheese Mixer - President's Suite - $10, $10 A musical good time provided by George Coorey of Cincinnati, OH
1:30 pm Bits and Pieces: Ed (Doc) Bradley, Houston, TX
3:00 pm AAVL Business Meeting
5:30 pm AAVIA Board Meeting
6:45 pm Dinner for members and guests - meet in Suite Tower Lobby
12:30 pm Opening Remarks: Ellen Telker, President & Gary C. Norman, Esq., Program Chair
12:40 pm The US Supreme Court 2008 Term Wrap-up: Dr. Otis H. Stephens, Alumni Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science and Resident Scholar of Constitutional Law, University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, TN
1:55 pm A Colloquia on Environmental Law: Dr. Edward A. Fitzgerald, Professor of Political Science, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
2:55 pm Break
3:05 pm Accommodating the LSAT: Stephanie L. Enyart, Los Angeles, CA
4:00 pm Practicing in the Justice Center - A Dialogue with a Blind Prosecutor: David Holton II, ESQ., Judge, District Court, Louisville, KY
12:30 pm AAVIA reception for featured speakers and guests
1:15 pm Welcoming Remarks from the Kentucky State Bar Association: Barbara D. Bonar, Esq., President, Covington, KY
1:30 pm Access to Post-secondary Education: Laura Rothstein, Professor of Law and Distinguished University Scholar, Louisville, KY
2:30 pm Recruiting for the DOJ: Pshon Barrett, Department of Justice, Jackson, MS
2:45 pm Using PowerPoint as a Blind Attorney Overview of using PowerPoint with WindowEyes; Raul Gallegos, GW Micro, Fort Wayne, IN
3:30 pm Break
3:45 pm Domestic and International Access Rights to the Internet: Cynthia D. Waddell, JD, Executive Director, International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet, Raleigh, NC The current state of law and policy as it relates to web access, including her work with the NFB on suits against places of public accommodation
12:30 pm AAVIA Annual Luncheon - $27, $29 Structured negotiation is an advocacy and alternative dispute resolution method that emphasizes collaboration and solution. Useful for negotiating agreements related to talking ATM's, accessible websites, tactile point-of-sale machines, accessible pedestrian signals etc. Lainey Feingold Esq. and Linda Dardarian Esq.
2:10 pm Accommodating the Visually Impaired Legal Professional: Chris Kucyznski, Assistant Legal Counsel, ADA Policy Division, US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Washington DC
3:00 pm Annual Business Meeting
2:00 pm ACBDA Diabetes Seminar - $5, $8
2:00 pm The Prodigy Voice: Jeremy Rose, Diagnostic Devices
2:30 pm The Importance of Good Diet and Nutrition to the Diabetic: Patricia Carney, Registered and Licensed Dietician, Certified Diabetes Educator, Louisville, KY
3:00 pm The Latest Technology for Diabetics: Melissa Kleber, Registered and Licensed Dietician, Louisville, KY
3:30 pm Update on Another New Product: Christopher Gray, President, Bay Area Digital, San Francisco, CA
3:45 pm Questions and discussion
3:00 pm ACBDA Business Meeting
9:00 PM ACBDA Diabetics Mixer - $10, $12
3:00 pm - ACBGE Wine and Cheese Mixer - $10 - $12
12:30 pm - ACBGE Luncheon - $20, $20
1:30 pm Winning the Health Care Battle For all Americans, health care is essential. But what happens when a government employee needs life-saving treatment and OPM says no? Julie Carroll fought through all the bureaucratic layers of the government to confront the denial. How she did so is her story. Julie Carroll, Senior Attorney Advisor, National Council on Disability
2:15 pm The Complexities of Social Security Jim Shaw, retired Claims Representative from the Social Security Administration, knows just about everything there is to know about this important program which affects most of us. Question-and-answer time.
3:00 pm - Business Meeting
5:00 pm ACBHSP Pizza and Networking - $6, $8
12:30 pm ACBHSP Lunch and Program - $25, $25
2:00 pm Vision Loss Throughout the Life Phases The impact of vision loss on people at various phases of life; how vision loss affects a young child vs. a teen vs. a working adult vs. a senior citizen. Talk about your experiences in an open and supportive environment; trained mental health professionals available. Deanna Austin, member, ACBHSP
9:00 pm Milly's Place Pin Swap - $8, $8
11:00 am ACBL Board Meeting
12:15 pm Local Club Visit - $20, $22 ACB Lions lunch with the Louisville Downtown Club, hear a presentation by Past District Governor Linda Smith of Fern Creek, and tour the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation; return to Galt House by 2:45 pm
12:30 pm ACBL Luncheon and Business Meeting - $25, $27 Speaker Tom Matney, Past International Director from Harrodsburg, KY, shares his experiences
ACB Radio Amateurs uses 147.480 simplex during convention week. Check this frequency for a net at 9:00 pm each evening.
1:30 pm Program and Business Session A demonstration of Echolink and IRLT operating modes.
4:30 pm BFLAG Board Dinner (off-site)
9:00 pm President's Reception Fundraiser - BFLAG Suite
2:00 pm BFLAG Welcome Party - $20, $20
10:00 pm Evening Get-Together
7:30 am Morning Get-together
1:00 pm PFLAG Advocacy Seminar
3:00 pm Diversity in GLBT Culture Seminar
7:30 pm Annual BFLAG Meeting BFLAG members only; Pizza party to follow
10:00 pm Evening Get-Together
7:30 am Morning Get-together
1:00 pm Body Language Seminar
3:00 pm Relationship Seminar
7:00 pm BFLAG Banquet (off-site) - $30, $30
10:00 pm Evening Get-Together
7:30 am Morning Get-together
4:30 pm BFLAG Board Meeting (off-site)
9:30 pm Movie Night - TBA
10:00 pm Evening Get-Together
7:30 am Morning Get-together
12:00 pm Six Flags Amusement Park Tour - $55, $55
10:00 pm Support Group Meeting
7:30 am Morning Get-together
5:00 pm BFLAG Farewell Party (off-site) - $30, $30
10:00 pm Evening Get-Together
7:30 am Morning Get-Together
5:00 pm BITS Pre-convention Board Meeting
10:00 am Opening Remarks: Richard Villa, President, Austin, TX
10:10 am Introductions
10:30 am Clash of the OCR systems Advantages and disadvantages of mainstream versus specialized scanning software. Dusty Voorhees, Senior Product Manager, Freedom Scientific, St. Petersburg FL; Stephen Baum, Vice-president of Engineering, Kurzweil Educational Systems, Bedford, MA; Linda Braithwaite, Adaptive Technology Consultant, Salt Lake City, UT
1:00 pm BITS Technology Vendor Showcase What's new in adaptive hardware and software
1:30 pm Beyond Form: Surfing Today's Web: Michael Squillace, Research Scientist, IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center, Austin, TX; Brad Hodges, Technology Program Associate, American Foundation for the Blind, Huntington, WV
3:00 pm Remote Access Successes and Challenges: Ricky Enger, Remote Access Technology Specialist, Serotek
8:00 pm Hospitality Bytes with BITS - Executive Director's Suite - $12, $14
12:30 pm BITS luncheon - $28, $30 Speaker: Larry Skutchan, Technology Project Leader, APH Department of Educational Research, Louisville, KY
2:00 pm BITS Business Meeting
1:30 PM The Digital Book Revolution: Neil Bernstein, Research and Development Officer, NLS, Washington, DC; Nicki Coby, student; Michael Malver, student; John Glass, Customer Support Manager, Bookshare.org, Saratoga, CA
3:00 pm Converting Analog Recordings to Digital Formats Co-sponsored with FIA
3:30 pm BRL Board Meeting
1:30 pm Welcome and introductions
1:45 pm The Evolution of Braille: Kim Charlson, Director, Talking Book Library, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA; Fred Gissoni, APH Technology Support Specialist, Louisville, KY; Judith Dixon, NLS Consumer Relations Officer & Chair of the Braille Authority of North America, Washington, DC
2:45 pm Break
3:00 pm The History of APH: Michael Hudson, Curator, APH Callahan Museum, Louisville, KY
4:00 pm Demonstration of BraillePlus: TBA
4:30 pm Braille Bunco - Nunn - $10, $10 Lots of fun with lots of dots. Toss the dice and win. Door prizes, too!
1:30 pm Welcome and Introductions
1:45 pm BRL Business Meeting
3:00 pm Break
3:15 pm Games: Judy Jackson
4:00 pm Braille in Iran: Ali Azgar Asidi
3:00 pm Pre-convention Board Meeting
6:00 pm CCLVI Nominating Committee Meeting
9:00 am Welcome and Introductions: Bernice Kandarian, CCLVI President, Mountain View, CA
9:05 am Scholarship Committee Report and Introduction of the Fred Scheigert Scholarship Recipients: Dr. Catherine Schmitt Whitaker, Chair, Diamond Bar, CA
9:15 am The Scoop from AFB The RXLabelEnable Project, SeniorSite, CareerConnect, and what's new on the AFB tech front; Dr. Priscilla Rogers, Consultant, AFB National Center on Aging and Vision Loss
10:10 am Nominating Committee Report
10:15 am Break
10:30 am Reaching Out to Eye Doctors - How We did It in Our Community: Carolyn Burley, President, Stark County Chapter, ACB of Ohio, Canton, OH
11:10 am Constitution and Bylaws Committee Report: Michael Byington, Chair, Topeka, KS
11:15 am Resolutions Committee Report: Michael Byington, Chair, Topeka, KS
11:20 am What's In the Exhibit Hall for People with Low Vision: Lisa Wayland Altschul, Columbia, MO and Janis Stanger, Salt Lake City, UT
1:30 pm CCLVI Goes to the Exhibit Hall
4:00 pm CCLVI Mixer - President's Suite - $10, $10
10:00 pm Dance - Wilkinson - $10, $10 Rock 'n Roll with Dewayne Hodges. Back by popular demand, Dewayne will take you back to the 50's and 60's with rock 'n roll music.
1:30 pm Navigating the Social Scene as an Individual with Vision Loss. Whether you are in college, engaging in your first or new career, and/or if you are taking it to the web, you will enjoy this discussion on the intricacies of social networking as a blind or visually impaired adult. Co-sponsored by CCLVI and NABS
1:30 pm Lighting and Low Vision: A Perspective: Elaine Kitchel, Low Vision Project Leader, APH, Louisville, KY
2:30 pm Break
2:45 pm CCLVI Business Meeting
4:00 pm Post-convention Board Meeting
1:30 pm How to Supplement Your Income from Home - Jones Blind and visually impaired craftspeople share their tips for selling quality handmade products; co-sponsored by AAVL and CCLVI
3:00 pm Project Insight Training: Joyce Kleiber, Wayne, PA
8:00 pm Game Night - Wilkinson - $10, $10
9:30 pm Farewell Dance - $10, $10 Dance the night away with a wonderful variety of rock 'n roll and country music, brought to you by Dewayne Hodges, a new favorite of the ACB crowd.
1:30 pm YAC/CFVI Pool Party Water fun, prizes, snacks and T-shirts for kids 3 to 17; parents sign forms and check kids in to YAC and Kidz Club
8:30 pm CFVI Coffee, Family Visiting & Info A perfect informal time for parents to share convention experiences and tips, and to make plans to stay in touch throughout the year
The FIA Art Parlor will be available this year. Everyone is invited to stop by the Dogwood Room and enjoy creations from blind and visually-impaired artists. Set-up is Sunday afternoon; the Parlor is open to the public between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm Mon. through Wed., with tear-down late Wednesday afternoon.
If you are a blind artist, and you would like more information on how to participate in this or future FIA art parlors, contact Elsie Monthei here at the convention.
7:00 pm FIA Board Meeting
4:00 PM: FIA Mixer/Showcase Sign-up - $8, $10 Meet old friends and make new ones; register for a showcase audition slot.
5:30 pm Chorus Rehearsal
1:00 pm FIA Art Parlor open - Dogwood
1:30 pm MIDI Workshop - FIA Suite - $5, $6 Newest features in Sonar and Cake Talking; Gordon Kent, Washington, DC
3:30 pm Showcase Audition/Rehearsal - FIA Suite At scheduled times, performers rehearse their chosen material for length, polish, and appropriateness.
9:00 pm Prose/Poetry Reading - Collins - $4, $5 Writers are invited to read their original works to a receptive audience. Presenter: Teddy Remheld, Burbank, CA
10:00 pm Final Chorus Rehearsal - FIA Suite
12:30 pm FIA Luncheon and Business Meeting - Morrow - $23, $25 Speaker: Schalee Lodge, blind painter and sculptor
1:00 pm FIA Art Parlor open - Dogwood
3:00 pm Meet the Artists - Dogwood - $5, $6 Get acquainted with those who are exhibiting their art; learn about marketing your own artwork
8:00 pm Showcase of the Performing Arts- Grand Ballroom - $10, $10 Celebrate good times and great timing!
1:30 pm How to Transfer Cassette and Other Analog Materials to Digital Format - Stopher Also information on how to create DAISY books. Collaborative workshop with BITS
1:00 pm FIA Art Parlor open - Dogwood
2:30 pm Writers' Workshop: Writing - Refresh, Restart, Resolve - Morrow - $6, $7 Philosophies and exercises from several writers. Time for discussion and sharing your on-the-spot creativity.
5:30 pm Round and Harmony Sing - FIA Suite Presenter: Lynn Hedl, Birmingham, AL
7:30 am FIA Board Meeting
The GDUI Suite will be open from Saturday afternoon, July 5 until Thursday, July 10 in the Laffoon Room. Dog-related products will be on sale, and guide dogs and their handlers can relax in the suite; a vet tech will assist with nail trimming, ear cleaning, minor skin ailments, etc. Schedule dog massages, too.
12:00 pm Hotel and area orientation - Laffoon Your favorite guide dog instructors teach you how to teach your dogs the best convention routes; guaranteed to get you where you need to be on time and in one piece.
2:30 pm Affiliate Roundup - Sampson Affiliate representatives should plan to attend this meeting. Kay Malmquist, Janesville, WI
4:00 pm Board Meeting - Sampson
5:00 pm Hotel and area orientation - Laffoon
7:00 am GDUI Breakfast Club - Suite Tower lobby Visit a nearby restaurant for a delicious fast break from the hotel, and be back just in time for general session. Breakfast Club is an official GDUI option Monday through Thursday; canine teams and cane travelers welcome
1:30 pm GDUI Opening Ceremonies - Sampson Aloha, GDUI: Sheila Styron, President, Kansas City, MO
2:30 pm Around the World with Guide Dogs Tone Mathisen, Lillehammer, Norway, and other international reports, and a special tribute to Michael Osborn
3:30 pm What You Need to Know About the Guide Dog Schools Where to go, who to talk to and when to tune in to learn more. Becky Barnes, Mount Kisco, NY
8:00 pm GDUI River Walk - $5, $7 An evening waterfront stroll with many new attractions since our last Louisville convention in 2000
7:00 am GDUI Breakfast Club - Suite Tower Lobby
1:30 pm How Much Is Too Much? - Sampson Panel will discuss assessment, requirements and training for low vision clients. Representatives from Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Guide Dog Foundation and the Seeing Eye
2:30 pm GDUI business meeting
3:30 pm ACB caucus
7:00 pm GDUI Auction Pre-Bid/Preview - Wilkinson Check out the items and let the bidding begin!
8:00 pm GDUI Auction - Wilkinson This hybrid event is half silent, half live. Find out which great items your early bird bids will fetch this time around in less time than last year. Auctioneer: Brian Charleson, Watertown MA
7:00 am GDUI Breakfast Club - Suite Tower Lobby
12:30 pm GDUI Luncheon - Carroll/Ford - $26 $28 Keynote speaker, Attorney Michael A. Lilly from Honolulu, HI, updates how the landmark settlement, along with sustained effort in breaking down barriers, paved the way for other service animal teams and ultimately the general public
2:30 pm Simon Sez Rally - Sampson Human signs will instruct guide dog teams to perform familiar obedience commands sequentially at indoor stations; a lighthearted competition you and your guide could win. Trish Simon, Borden, IN
6:15 pm Louisville Luau! - $35 $40 Join GDUI's Hawaii party aboard the Spirit of Jefferson where Hawaiian outfits will blend with island appetizers, a brief entertainment and cash bar.
7:00 am GDUI Breakfast Club - Suite Tower Lobby
1:30 pm Leader Dogs Leading the Way - Sampson Update on innovative school programs; Leader Dogs for the Blind, Rochester, MI
2:00 pm How Many Guide Dog Puppies Does It Take to Steal Your Heart? Learn about early puppyhood in future guide dogs. Sue Reznak, Puppy Program Regional Manager, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Richmond, VA
8:00 pm Maintaining Good Health in Our Guides - $5, $7 The often-overlooked basics of canine health maintenance, from tooth care and the importance of daily grooming to vaccination protocols and first aid. Dr. Rusty Gailor, DVM, Gailor Animal Hospital, Louisville, KY
7:00 am IVIE Breakfast and Business Meeting - $20, $22
4:00 pm IVIE Business expo Blind and visually impaired business owners showcase their products and services and answer questions about their businesses.
12:30 pm IVIE Entrepreneurs' Cyberschool Lunch - $22, $23 Internet marketing techniques and access technology products to help start and grow your business; Dr. Ronald E. Milliman, Professor of Marketing, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY; Robert Miller, CEO, Easy Talk Computers, Tallahassee, FL
2:30 pm Break
2:45 pm Working from Home - Combs/Chandler - $5, $5 Part 2 of the ACB Employment Seminar; co-sponsored by IVIE and NABS. Facilitator: Peter Altschul, Organization Development Specialist, Columbia, MO; Tom Johnston, CEO, SearchPath International, Cleveland, OH; Jim Mullaney, President, Edoc Marketing, Cincinnati, OH; Mike Mandel, professional musician, New York, NY; Ardis Bazyn, President, Bazyn CommunicationsBurbank, CA; David Wilkinson, Western Region Blindness Products Specialist, HumanWare, Little Rock, AR; Myrna Votta, Technical Support Specialist, HumanWare, Brooklyn, NY