by Janet Dickelman
It is not too late! Convention registration will remain open until 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, June 17th. Register online at https://members.acb.org/, or call (651) 428-5059 for assistance.
The 2025 American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention features many sessions from our special-interest affiliates and ACB committees. However, in this article we’ll take a look at what our business partners and others are doing during the convention. Full descriptions as well as applicable pricing and information on how to RSVP to sessions with limited space will be posted on the convention registration form and in the conference program.
The following sessions are all in-person only, but will be available as podcasts after the convention.
Breakfasts and Receptions
Monday, July 7
7:00 - 8:15 a.m.: GDB Breakfast
GDB grads connect with friends and staff; those considering the guide dog lifestyle are welcome. If you’d like to join GDB for breakfast, please email Jane at jflower@guidedogs.com.
Tuesday, July 8
7:00 – 8:15 a.m.: AFB Breakfast
Join the American Foundation for the Blind at its annual breakfast, where guests will learn what’s on the horizon for AFB and have an opportunity to meet with President & CEO Eric Bridges.
Wednesday, July 9
7:00 – 8:15 a.m.: NIB Breakfast
Join National Industries for the Blind and learn what has been going on with NIB since last year’s convention.
Technology Sessions
Monday, July 7
4:00 – 5:15 p.m.: Partnerships: Making Visual Interpreting Work for You (in-person only)
Discover how to leverage Aira’s free visual interpreting service, offered by leading businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn practical steps to use Aira and meet some of our key national and local partners like Walmart, Chase, Starbucks, Target, Dallas Love Field, Amazon, the Texas Workforce Commission, and more. Explore how these organizations are actively promoting access as a human right with Jenine Stanley, Director, Customer Success & Engagement, and the Aira Learning & Development Team. Plus, get hands-on with the latest features of our mobile and web apps.
5:30– 6:45 p.m.: What’s New at HumanWare, with a Special Announcement (in-person only)
Join the HumanWare team as they discuss and demonstrate some exciting updates across the product line, including the exclusive opportunity to test drive multi-line braille support with screen readers on the Monarch Dynamic Tactile Display. During the session, we will demonstrate Prodigi magnification software that runs on a Windows machine, as well as show our hand-held and desktop video magnifiers. We have a range of new features and enhancements on the Brailliant devices, including: reference tools like Wikipedia and Wiktionary, text-to-speech available on the Mantis Q40, and we will preview the upcoming KeySoft update for the BrailleNote which will feature a new math mode and a media player. We have the Odyssey Desktop Reader now with AI enhancements, the StellarTrek with traffic light detection, the VictorReader Stream supporting audio-narrated books from Bookshare, and more. Last but not least, we have a special announcement regarding the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, so don’t miss it!
Tuesday, July 8
2:30 – 3:45 p.m.: Making Amazon Shopping Easier with New Accessibility and AI Features (in-person only)
Explore the latest accessibility features that make navigating and shopping on Amazon faster and more intuitive for everyone. This session demonstrates how new AI-powered tools and improved navigation features help customers find products and information more efficiently while creating a more inclusive shopping experience.
Presenter: Kiran Kaja, Principal Product Manager, Amazon Worldwide Stores Accessibility
4:00 – 5:15 p.m.: What’s New with Amazon Devices? (in-person only)
Amazon obsesses about customer delight, and that includes customers with disabilities. In this session, Amazon accessibility experts will discuss the latest accessibility features for Fire TV, Echo and the new Alexa, and more. We will also discuss the latest and review the suite of award-winning accessibility features that have been delighting Amazon’s customers with disabilities for years.
Presenter: Peter Korn, Director of Accessibility, Amazon Devices and Services
4:00 – 5:15 p.m.: ConnectCenter and the Neptune Out of This World Resources and Products from APH (in-person only)
Join us to explore the APH ConnectCenter, your go-to resource hub designed to empower families, job seekers, adults who are blind or low vision, and professionals. The ConnectCenter offers a wealth of information, including blogs, articles, career success stories, and resources for professionals in the field of blindness or low vision. Whether you're navigating the complexities of job searching, seeking support for family members, or enhancing your professional skills, come and find out how the APH ConnectCenter can empower and assist you in achieving your goals.
Presenters:
- Katie Frederick, Digital Content Manager, APH ConnectCenter, VisionAware
- Lee Huffman, Low Vision Product Manager, Product Development
5:45 – 6:45 p.m.: What’s New at NLS?
Join the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled to learn about new Library initiatives, including the soon-to-be-released online Patron Enrollment capability, which will allow potential patrons to apply for NLS service via the web — a first for NLS! During the session, you will be able to test the new enrollment form and provide feedback to NLS staff before the official launch later this year.
Financial Information
Thursday, June 26, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.: Expert Advice on Retirement Planning and Investing for the Future (Zoom only)
Are you worried that you might live longer than your money? How do we plan for an uncertain future? The Royal Bank of Canada investment manager and financial planner has the answers to these questions and many more. Please join the ACB Resource Development team and our ACB investment advisor for this informative session on how to plan for your retirement and make the right choices for your Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
Presenter: Mike Dickson - RBC Wealth Management Financial Advisor
Saturday, July 6, 4:00 – 5:15 p.m.: Introduction to Investing
Join us for an engaging and accessible “Introduction to Investing” workshop designed especially for beginners. During this interactive session, Chris Peterson, AFC®, Cody Bair, CPA®, and Kane Brolin, CFP®, will introduce Penny Forward’s brand-new online course, Introduction to Investing. You’ll get a clear overview of investing basics, learn how investing can help you build long-term financial security, and explore how blind and low vision people can confidently navigate the investing world. There will also be plenty of time for questions, so bring your curiosity — we’re here to help you take the first steps toward becoming an informed investor.
Presenters:
- Chris Peterson, AFC®, Richfield, MN
- Cody Bair, CPA®, Denver, CO
- Kane Brolin, CFP®, Mishawaka, IN
Hotel Details
Room rates at the Hyatt are $99 per night (single or double occupancy), $124 (triple occupancy) and $149 (quadruple occupancy) plus tax, which is currently 17.2%. To make reservations online, go to https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/DFWRD/G-AMCB.
If you prefer to make reservations by phone, call (214) 651-1234, and use group code G-AMCB.
The Hyatt is located at 300 Reunion Blvd. The cut-off date to make reservations is Monday, June 9. Don’t delay — make your reservations today!
Staying in Touch
The convention list will be chock-full of information. To subscribe to the list, send a blank email to acbconvention+subscribe@acblists.org. If you received updates for the 2024 convention, you do not need to re-subscribe to the list.
Convention Questions
For any convention-related questions, please contact Janet Dickelman, convention chair, (651) 428-5059 or via e-mail, janet.dickelman@gmail.com.