January 17, 2007

Hello one and all!

The National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) invites you to this year’s annual conference to be held on May 15-16, 2007 at the historic St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio, Texas!

This year’s conference will focus on:

o  The early and appropriate identification of young children with deaf-blindness

o  Identifying and providing services to under-represented and underserved families of children with deaf-blindness

o  Successful strategies for post-school transition

The conference will provide practical information through General and Concurrent Sessions targeting state deaf-blind project directors and project staff, technical assistance providers, families, policy makers and others in the field of deaf-blindness.

The one and a half day conference will include:

Individual General Sessions, focusing on early identification, family and transition issues, followed by

Concurrent Sessions addressing and supporting the General Session topics

An evening Social to honor Charles Freeman, who recently retired as the Federal Deaf-blind Project Officer for OSEP.

The Conference will be held at the St. Anthony Hotel, just a short stroll away from world-famous attractions like San Antonio’s Riverwalk and the Alamo. It is within walking distance of many restaurants, lounges, boutiques and galleries. The conference room rate is $129.00 per night, plus tax (16.75%). The airport shuttle to and from the hotel is approximately $12.00 one way, $22.00 round trip.

The Conference registration fee of $100.00 includes presentation materials and handouts, continental breakfasts and lunches on both days and light snacks at the evening social. The registration fee must be paid by all participants, be made out to the “St. Anthony Hotel”, and accompany the registration form. The attached registration form is due no later than March 30, 2007 to ensure participation.

All lodging reservations must be made through “Connections” at 1-800-262-9974 no later than March 30, 2007. Please refer to the “NCDB Topical Conference” to get the guaranteed conference rate.

NCDB will share in the costs of attendance for one person from each State/Multi-State Deaf-Blind Project as identified by the state’s project director. This support will include hotel costs for 2 nights and airfare. Sponsored participants will be responsible for registration, all additional meals and lodging, ground transportation, airport parking, and all incidental costs at the conference.

All airline reservations for sponsored participants must be made through Nancy Ganson in the NCDB Office and will be paid directly by NCDB. NCDB is required to book the least expensive fare available with a maximum of $750.00. Sponsored participants must complete the attached Travel Preference Form and fax it to Nancy at (503) 838-8150 no later than March 30, 2007. Nancy will then contact you to finalize airline travel.

For further information, please contact:

John Killoran

(503) 838-8757

Specific questions related to registration or lodging may be sent to:

Bernie Samples

(503) 838-8393

Specific questions related to airline reservations may be sent to:

Nancy Ganson

(503) 838-8808

NCDB Topical Conference Registration

May 15-16, 2007

St. Anthony Hotel

San Antonio, Texas

To Be Completed BY All Participants

Participant Information

Name:

Project/Agency:

Street:

City/State/Zip:

Phone: TTY:

Fax: E-Mail:

Please read this section carefully. Completion will indicate agreement and understanding of the following:

1. I will be attending at my own or my project’s expense: ____ YES ____NO
·  I understand that I will pay all direct and incidental costs for attending this meeting, including the $100 registration fee.
Or
2. I am NCDB sponsored participant from the above named project: ____ YES ____ NO
As the NCDB sponsored participant I understand that:
·  I am required to pay the $100.00 registration fee
·  All airline reservations must be made through Nancy Ganson and will be paid directly by NCDB. NCDB is required to book the least expensive fare available with a maximum of $750.00. Sponsored participants must complete the attached Travel Preference Form and fax it to Nancy at (503) 838-8150 no later than March 30, 2007. Nancy will then contact you to finalize airline travel.
·  NCDB will provide a continental breakfast and lunch on both May 15 and 16. You will be responsible for registration, all additional meals, ground transportation, airport parking, and all incidental costs at the conference.
·  I understand that NCDB will pay hotel costs for 2 nights lodging and that I will be responsible for any additional nights ($129.00 single/double + 16.75% tax FOR A TOTAL OF $150.61). All lodging reservations must be made through “Connections” at 1-800-262-9974 no later than March 30, 2007. Please refer to the “NCDB Topical Conference” to get the guaranteed conference rate.

Special Needs: (Please Check All That Apply)

Braille: ____ or Large Print: ____

Assistive Listening Devices: ____

If needed, please specify your preference: ____ FM ____ Loop

Interpreting Services: ____

If needed, please specify your communication preference: ASL ___ Signed Exact English ___ Finger spelling only ____ Oral/Aural ____ Tactile ____ Other

Spanish Translation Service Required: ___ Yes

Please mail the registration form, invoice and check by March 30, 2007 directly to:

Bernie Samples

NCDB

Teaching Research Institute

345 North Monmouth Avenue

Western Oregon University

Monmouth, OR 97361


INVOICE

To Be Submitted By All Participants

TO: NCDB Topical Conference Registrants

FROM: Bernie Samples, NCDB Conference Coordinator

DATE: January 15, 2007

FOR: Registration fee for the NCDB Topical Conference being held at the St. Anthony Hotel,

San Antonio, Texas, May 15-16, 2007

REGISTRATION FEE : $ 100.00 for each participant

Name of Participant(s): ______

Total amount of check: ______

Make check payable to: The St. Anthony Hotel, 300 East Travis, San Antonio, TX 78205; phone: 210-354-9246 (Federal ID#: 522067296). Please do not make check payable to NCDB. The check must be received by the NCDB office by March 30th.

PLEASE DO NOT MAIL THE CHECK DIRECTLY TO THE HOTEL

IT MUST BE MAILED DIRECTLY TO BERNIE SAMPLES AT NCDB

Please mail the registration form, invoice and check by March 30, 2007 directly to:

Bernie Samples

NCDB

Teaching Research Institute

345 North Monmouth Avenue

Western Oregon University

Monmouth, OR 97361