Teachers’ Features for the 2024 Convention
by Carla Hayes
Spring has sprung and is flying by so fast! Before you know it, the ACB national conference and convention will be here! In fact, if you are a member of ACB, you can begin pre-registering on May 13th, which is exactly a month from today as I write this article. So, now is the time to start making convention plans! To help you out, here is what AABT will be offering at this year’s convention.
Before we even set foot in Jacksonville, AABT will hold its virtual business meeting on Thursday, June 27th from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m. Eastern. Come and help us to make important decisions about our affiliate. This meeting is for members only; so, look for a Zoom link coming to an email box near you!
On Saturday, July 6th from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., the annual AABT breakfast and program will take place. You won’t be in Jacksonville? Never fear! Though present technology won’t allow us to beam the breakfast to you, we will stream our breakfast program beginning between 8:30 and 8:45. Our program presenter will be DD Stein, a living history interpreter and social studies teacher from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in Saint Augustine. The title of her presentation will be, “The Flight to Freedom: Stories About The Southbound Underground Railway that Lead to Saint Augustine.” Discover the Flight to Freedom story of men, women and children who risked their lives to secure freedom for themselves and their families as they traveled the “southbound underground railway” to Saint Augustine in Spanish Florida. Hear the story of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what would become the United States. Colonial Fort Mose is brought to life with hands-on artifacts depicting textiles, foods, tools, and toys that freedom seekers would have utilized in 1738. Later that day at 4:00, we will join ACB Next Generation, RSVA, IVIE and others for an event titled, “P. R. E. P. for Successful Networking.” (See the description below for more details.)
Did you like to play with LEGOs as a child? Then, relive your childhood and come join us on Monday, July 8th from 1:00 to 2:15 p.m. for “Brick by Brick: Learning Through LEGOs!” As you will see, LEGOs aren’t just a toy. They can teach blind people how to be better rock climbers, how to write music, and how to read in braille. Not only that, but blind people can now build LEGO sets on their own using text-based instructions from Bricks For The Blind. By building a set, they’ll learn about parts of the world they can’t touch, like the Great Wall of China, or the Saturn V rocket. Join Matthew Shifrin, founder of Bricks for the Blind, and explore how LEGOs can help you be a better teacher and learn more about the world around you. And there’ll be free LEGO sets! (This program is co-sponsored with ACB Families and Friends-In-Art.). Unfortunately, due to the hands-on nature of this workshop, we will not be streaming this presentation.
Tuesday, July 9th will also be a very busy day for AABT! From 1:00 to 2:15, we will join LUA and BRL for a session with an NLS Talking Book Narrator. Immediately after that session, there will be an update from NLS, which will take place from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. These programs will both be streamed, so you can listen from home or catch them later by podcast. Finally, if you will be in Jacksonville and you are in the mood for a field trip, AABT is recommending the tour to the Florida School for the Blind and Deaf in Saint Augustine, which will also take place the afternoon of Tuesday, July 9th. (See the pre-registration form for more details.)
As you can see, we will be very busy both virtually and in-person at this year’s national convention, but then again, teachers are always busy! I hope you will take the time to join us for some or all of our activities!
ACB Next Generation’s Convention Plans
ACB Next Generation, which focuses on members from students to age 40, and welcomes all others, has several sessions planned for the 2024 ACB convention.
Thursday, June 27
5:00-6:15 p.m.: P.R.E.P. for Successful Networking (Zoom only)
Come join Chris Peterson, Swatha Nandhakumar, and Dianna Leonard as they help us ready ourselves for any networking event. They’ll guide us through an interactive P.R.E.P. session to learn how to plan, research, navigate an event, and pursue leads. Then join us at our in-person event on July 6th to practice what you’ve P.R.E.P.’d, where various affiliate and ACB committee members will be in attendance to network with.
Friday, June 28
5:00-6:15: Match Wits with Next Gen and the Boomers (Zoom only)
AAVL and Next Gen members are facing off. Trivia questions will cross generations as we try to stump each other’s knowledge of the eras. Come join the fun — even if you aren’t a member of either group yet. Smirks to laughter are mandatory! Some will be pretty easy; some will break your brain.
Saturday, June 29 (Zoom only)
2:00-3:15 p.m.: Exploring New Worlds through Sensory Games
Whether you like audio or video games, this program is for you! Come learn how people with blindness and visual impairment create and play these accessible games: Brock The Investigator, The Last of Us, and Knight Manager. Join us for game demonstrations and lively discussion about present and future audio/video games.
5:00-6:15 p.m.: Convention Pep Rally with ACB Next Generation and ACB Students
Let’s get fired up for the 2024 ACB conference and convention. Join ACB Next Generation and ACB Students for our annual Convention Pep Rally, where we’ll party where the sun shines bright. Coach Kenneth makes a repeat appearance along with his special guests, Leslie Spoone and Koni Sims, who will get us up and groovin’. Enjoy meeting new friends, and learn about all our convention events. Bring your favorite snacks and get ready to cheer. 2024 will be a great year!
Saturday, July 6
2:30-3:45 p.m.: Burning the Candle at Both Ends (hybrid)
Do you feel like you’re stretched too thin? Are things falling through the cracks and you don’t know where to turn? Join us as we learn from the experiences of Greg Lindberg, Koni Sims, and John McCann how they manage and balance their personal and professional responsibilities.
4:00-5:15 p.m.: Network Yourself for Success (In-person only)
In conjunction with our June 27th P.R.E.P. for Successful Networking program, we are pleased to host an in person networking event where you can practice what you’ve P.R.E.P.’d. Come mingle with members of the ACB Employment Committee, ACB Government Employees, American Association of Blind Teachers, American Association of Visually Impaired Attorneys, Independent Visually Impaired Entrepreneurs (IVIE), and Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA), among others, and join us for an evening of creating new connections. All are welcome.
Sunday, July 7
2:30-3:45 p.m.: Discover, Connect, Thrive: Building Brighter Tomorrows (In-person only)
Juggling essential tasks such as managing finances, whipping up quick meals, and fostering social connections can feel like an uphill battle. Accessible tools and strategies can make these challenges manageable and seamless. Don't let these roadblocks define your path; learn how to define your own path. Join Hindley Williams, Edward Shaham, and Rachel Pavone, who will offer tools and strategies to help you build and execute a future in which you can thrive. This is your chance to step out of the shadows of uncertainty and into a life where financial independence, health, and community are within your grasp.
Monday, July 8
4:00-5:15 p.m. (hybrid): Discovering Emotional Intelligence: How to Develop It, Hone It, and Practice It
Learn how to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. This session is a discussion about what emotional intelligence is, how we apply it, and how it influences our communication styles.
IVIE’s Agenda for the 2024 Convention
by Carla Hayes
The Independent Visually Impaired Entrepreneurs (IVIE) has an exciting and varied convention program prepared for you this year! Not coming to Jacksonville? Don’t worry. There are plenty of hybrid and online events for you to enjoy. Read on for more details.
We begin our program offerings on Thursday, June 27 with an exciting Zoom-only event at 5 p.m. ACB Next Generation invites us to attend their workshop, “P.R.E.P. for Successful Networking.” (See description above for more details.)
On Friday, June 28th, we will hold our members-only annual IVIE business meeting on Zoom from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m. All IVIE members are encouraged to attend this meeting and help make important decisions for our affiliate.
Saturday, July 6th will be a very busy day for IVIE! We will combine forces with RSVA from 12:00 to 2:15 p.m. for the RSVA/IVIE Awards Luncheon. The program portion of this event will be hybrid.
Whether you are in Jacksonville or elsewhere, join us at 1 p.m. for “How a visually impaired entrepreneur created and launched her new business.” Our presenter will be Tricia Waechter, CEO of Blind Girl Designs. Then at 2:30 p.m., we will have a hybrid session entitled, “Tech It Out!” Here, you will learn and share iPhone and Android Tips For Entrepreneurs. Our final Saturday session will be at 4 p.m.: “Network Yourself for Success.” This session is in-person only.
In conjunction with the June 27th “P.R.E.P. for Successful Networking” program, we are pleased to join ACB Next Generation as they host an in-person networking event where you can practice what you’ve P.R.E.P.’d. (See description above for more information.)
Finally, on Wednesday, July 10th (in-person only), we will hold our IVIE Business Expo from 1:00 to 3:45 p.m. Blind and visually impaired business owners will showcase their products and services and answer your questions. Do you want to have a booth at the expo? Tables will cost $10 for IVIE members and $25 for non-members, with the option of joining IVIE and applying $15 of the expo booth cost to IVIE annual dues. Browsing at the Expo is free. If you would like to purchase a booth for the Expo, pay IVIE dues, or learn more about IVIE, visit our website, www.ivie-acb.org. Or contact IVIE president Ardis Bazyn at (303) 963-5153 or at [emailprotected].
As you can see, IVIE has planned a lot for you to do at the 2024 ACB national conference and convention. We hope that you will make time to participate in some or all of our events.
RSVA® Summer Conference and Convention Announcement
Compiled by Ardis Bazyn, 1st Vice President
RSVA in-person and hybrid sessions will be held July 5th-8th at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Fla. The RSVA pre-registration fee will be $25, which includes 2025 membership and $10 for the raffle; on-site registration will be $30.
On Thursday, June 27, at 5 p.m., we’ll be joining Next Gen in their sponsored “What you need to do to prep for a networking event, how to engage in the event and what to do after the event.”
Saturday, June 29, 5 to 6:15 p.m., RSVA will hold its annual business meeting. All members will receive the Zoom webinar information.
Saturday, July 6
12:15 p.m.: RSVA/IVIE
Luncheon and Awards followed with the luncheon speaker.
1 p.m.: Motivational speaker: “How a newly visually impaired individual started her business”: Tricia Waechter, CEO, Blind Girl Designs, Houston, Tex. Tricia will talk about her vision loss, learning alternative techniques, and creating her own business: Blind Girl Designs. (Hybrid)
2:30 p.m.: “Tech It Out! iPhone and Android tips for entrepreneurs.” Speaker: Adam Gaffney, Distributed Computer Systems Analyst and computer technician, Tallahassee, Fla. (Hybrid)
In this session, tips will be shared about using apps and software on the phone beneficial to business owners.
4 p.m.: We’ll be joining the Networking Event in person in Jacksonville, sponsored by Next Gen. This includes a debrief at the end for participants to discuss the experience.
Sunday, July 7 – in-person events
1 p.m.: “Speed Networking: The Vendor Game.” (Sponsored by RSVA and Next Generation)
In this session, career options will be explored, including Randolph-Sheppard opportunities available. There will be RSVA Table Facilitators.
2:30 p.m.: “All about the Florida BEP Program”
Speakers: Randall Crosby, CEO Crosby’s Café, Inc. St. Augustine, FL; Darryl Brinton, CEO DSB Foods, Inc. Jacksonville, FL; staff Business Enterprise, FLDOE/Division of Blind Services, Tallahassee, FL.
This session will highlight the Business Enterprise Program in Florida. Participants will learn how they train vendors, the types of facilities they have, and some relevant statistics such as gross sales, number of facilities, number of vendors, etc. They will also learn how blind people can become vendors in the state.
Monday, July 8
(Hybrid) American Council of the Blind Advocacy Break-Out Sessions
10 a.m.: Session 2 - “Motivating State Agencies to Improve Their Business Enterprise Programs.”
This panel will focus on how to ensure that state agencies administering the Randolph-Sheppard vending facility program work to ensure that blind vendors will be awarded military dining facility sites and keep their programs moving forward. The panel will discuss how state agency staff can be more entrepreneurial in their efforts to get new vending facility locations and help blind vendors to be more entrepreneurial, as well. The panel will also discuss what steps can be taken for elected committees of blind vendors and state agencies to work together for the best interests of the program and the vendors within it.
Facilitator: Scott Eggen, RSVA President, Maplewood, MN
Speakers: Karen Jones, Karen’s Kafe and Vending, South Carolina State Committee Chair, Columbia, SC; Rachel Hollen, Business Enterprise Program Director, New Castle, DE; Corey Marcum, Director, Kentucky Business Enterprise, Frankfort, KY; staff Business Enterprise, FLDOE/Division of Blind Services, Tallahassee, FL.
12:15 p.m.: Jacksonville in-person vending facility visit. Vendors and friends will visit a local vending facility and have lunch at another nearby Jacksonville RS facility. To get the meet-up information and to give the facilities the count of how many are coming, please RSVP to [emailprotected] or call (818) 209-8684.
7:30 p.m., First act: Enjoy some laughs with RSVA Comedian. Pre-registration price: $15; convention price: $20.
9 p.m.: Second act: Show Your Talent with RSVA Karaoke with Maximum Entertainment! Pre-registration price: $15; convention price: $20.
We look forward to seeing many of you at this year’s conference.
Veterans of ACB
Veterans of ACB will hold a meeting in Jacksonville on Monday, July 8 at 1 p.m. This will be a hybrid session.
