AGENDA
National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
63rd Annual State Convention
October 26 – October 29, 2017
Fort Collins Hilton
425 West Prospect Road
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Colorado State Ballroom Salons II & III
LIVING THE LIFE WE WANT!
Scott C. LaBarre, President
2233 W. Shepperd Avenue
Littleton, CO 80120
303-778-1130
NFB PLEDGE
I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the
National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality,
opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the
policies and programs of the Federation and to abide
by its constitution.
NFB MESSAGE
The National Federation of the Blind knows that
blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or
your future. Every day we raise the expectations of
blind people, because low expectations create
obstacles between blind people and their dreams.
You can live the life you want; blindness is not what
holds you back.
TRIBUTE TO OUR SPONSORS
We extend our sincerest gratitude to our Title Sponsor;
Colorado Center for the Blind.
Since 1988, the CCB has been changing what it means to be blind one life at a time. The Center has provided world class blindness training to students from all over the world. Contact Julie Deden, Executive Director, , 303-778-1130. Also visit www.cocenter.org for more information.
WE ALSO THANK OUR TITANIUM, GOLD AND SILVER SPONSORS:
Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Titanium Sponsor
Audio Information Network of Colorado, Gold Sponsor
Charter Communications, Gold Sponsor
LaBarre Law Offices, P.C., Gold Sponsor
WE Fit Wellness, Gold Sponsor
Colorado Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center, Silver Sponsor
GENERAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION
REGISTRATION:
Colorado State Ballroom Foyer Salons II & III
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Registration Fee: $25.00
Friday Luncheon: $30.00
Saturday Lunch: $30.00
Saturday Banquet: $45.00
CHILDCARE INFORMATION:
Please contact childcare coordinator, Rebekah Felix,
719-306-5151 to make arrangements.
Childcare will be held in Hospitality Suite #232.
Friday: Childcare will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parents must provide meals for their children.
Saturday: Childcare will be open from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Parents must provide lunch for their children.
Childcare will re-open at 6:30 p.m. and close at 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: Childcare will be open from 8:45 a.m. to Noon.
DOG RELIEF AREA INFORMATION:
From the last automatic door on the West side entrance to the hotel go 23 feet (straight ahead) and on the left/South and the right/North are two mulch areas for dog relief. On the left on the rock pillar are “poopy pouches” on a dispenser attached about 5 feet up on the West side. On the left and right are also two outdoor trash receptacles. The one with a 3 foot hole is for recyclables and the one with the 8 inch hole is for trash/waste. The mulch to the right extends to the wall on the outside pool deck and on the left the mulch extends out to the 10 foot round gazebo.
DOOR PRIZES:
Julie Deden serves as our Door Prize Chairwoman. Door Prizes will be drawn in general Convention session and you must be present to win. Please bring your prizes to Julie prior to the beginning of general sessions.
RECYCLING LANYARDS AND NAME BADGE HOLDERS
If you do not care to keep your Convention lanyard and name badge holder, do please drop them off on the registration table at the ballroom entry as Convention winds down. We will be able to use them for future Conventions.
EXHIBITS:
Exhibits will be open in the Hilton Atrium throughout the entire Convention at the discretion of the individual exhibitor and primarily when there aren't competing Convention activities. The times listed below are definitely scheduled and it is likely that exhibits will also be open during breakout sessions, especially on Friday.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Please stop to visit the following exhibitors and sponsors:
AIRA Tech, Exhibitor
AKB Visions for NanoPac, Inc., Exhibitor
Ambron Products, Exhibitor
Audio Information Network of Colorado, Gold Sponsor
BAUM USA, Exhibitor
Blind Tech Training, Exhibitor
Charter Communications, Gold Sponsor
Colorado Business Enterprise Program, Exhibitor
Colorado Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center, Silver Sponsor
Guide Dogs for the Blind, Exhibitor
Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Exhibitor
HumanWare, Exhibitor
LaBarre Law Offices, P.C., Gold Sponsor
MagniSight, Inc., Exhibitor
No Barriers: Leading the Way, Exhibitor
University of Maine, Exhibitor
US Association of Blind Athletes, Exhibitor
Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Titanium Sponsor
WE Fit Wellness, Gold Sponsor
Special thanks to Learning Ally for their support of this year’s convention.
Note: This year we will again be conducting a door prize drawing for all those who can prove that they have visited at least twelve exhibitors. You will be given a sheet to which exhibitors will affix a sticker. When your sheet has twelve stickers return it to Lorinda Riddle and it will be placed in a drawing for a nice prize.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 26, 2017
1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
FIND YOUR TALENT: PATHWAYS TO OPPORTUNITY: An Employment Seminar
Salons I V
This seminar is for blind and visually impaired job seekers as well as employers and placement specialists. You will learn more about how to obtain a job as well as trends in the marketplace. Whether you are looking for your first job or have employment history and want to explore other kinds of job opportunities, then this seminar is for you.
Meet Julia Zanon, Manager of Blind and Low Vision Services, Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Kevan Worley, successful business owner of Worley Enterprises and WE Fit Wellness, our facilitators.
There will be informative presentations by Renise Walker, Work Force Development Council; Jeff Sidders, Business Outreach Specialist, Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Michael Hess, Blind Institute of Technology.
There will also be breakout sessions facilitated by Monique Melton, Employment Specialist, Colorado Center for the Blind; Jeff Sidders, Business Outreach Specialist, DVR; Julie Deden, Executive Director, Colorado Center for the Blind, and Laverne Dell, Supervisor I of Blind and Low Vision Services, Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Following the seminar, we can relax and enjoy a networking reception where we will all have an opportunity to meet and learn about each other.
THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 26, 2017
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
EMPLOYMENT SEMINAR RECEPTION
Salon II
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar while networking with your Federation colleagues and those participating in the employment seminar.
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
NFBCO MOVIE NIGHT
Salons I & V
We will screen the new hour long documentary,
“Do You Dream in Color?”
You are invited to share the story of four blind teenagers as they struggle to navigate the low expectations they confront in school and society. Connor wants to be a sponsored skateboarder. Sarah wants to travel the world. Nick dreams of being a rock star. Carina wants to be the first member of her family to graduate high school.
For their work on this project, filmmakers Sarah Ivy and Abigail Fuller received a $15,000 Jacob Bolotin award at the 2017 National Federation of the Blind Convention for outstanding contributions toward achieving the full integration of the blind into society on the basis of equality.We will hold an informative discussion after the movie has concluded.Popcorn and a cash bar will be available at this picture show.
FRIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 27, 2017
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION
Colorado State Ballroom Foyer Salons II & III
Pick up your pre-registration packets and register for door prize drawings. If you didn’t register in advance, Convention Registration is $25.00, Friday Luncheon $30.00, Saturday Luncheon $30.00, and Banquet $45.00.
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
EXHIBITORS AND SPONSORS SHOWCASE
Hilton Atrium
Peruse this year’s selection of Convention Sponsors and Exhibitors and find out what is new in technology, products, and services. In particular, we want to salute our Title Sponsor, Colorado Center for the Blind.
8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
Salon I
Brent Batron and Dan Burke, Co-chairmen
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
NFB OF COLORADO KID CORRAL
Hospitality Suite #232
Bekah Felix, Corral Leader
This is our NFB of Colorado Childcare and it’s not just babysitting. Bekah has planned a number of activities to keep the kiddos busy. Although there is no charge for Corral, we ask that you register your children for the Convention. Donations to NFBCO are welcome to help defray the expenses. Kids in childcare will be eligible to receive door prizes through their parents if their names are called. Also, parents are responsible for providing the children with meals, except for the banquet when pizza will be provided to the kiddos. Snacks will be available throughout.
LIVING THE LIFE WE WANT SESSION I
Colorado State Ballroom Salons II & III
11:00 a.m.
WELCOME, LOGISTICS, AND OPENING CEREMONIES
Scott LaBarre, President, NFB Colorado, Centennial, Colorado; Cerridwyn Nordstrom, President, Fort Collins Chapter, NFB Colorado, Fort Collins, Colorado; Cathy Jackson, Member, NFB Board of Directors, President, NFB Kentucky, Louisville, Kentucky; Alexander LaBarreand Emily LaBarre, Centennial, Colorado; Michelle (Showe) Trela, Treasurer, NFB Denver, Centennial, Colorado
11:15 a.m.
SERVING THE BLIND AND LOW VISION IN NORTHERN COLORADO
Denny Moyer, CEO/President, Ensight Skills Center Inc. for Visual Rehabilitation and Curtis Strong Center for the Visually Impaired, Fort Collins, Colorado
11:30 a.m.
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS AND ACHIEVING TRUE SUCCESS AT THE BLINDNESS AND LOW VISION UNIT
Steve Anton, Director, Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Denver, Colorado; Julia Zanon, Manager, Blindness and Low Vision Unit, Denver, Colorado
12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
LUNCHEON: Commenced, Served, and Consumed
Jessica Beecham, Mistress of Ceremonies, Secretary, NFB Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado
12:30 p.m.
PRESENTING THE 2017 NFBCO SCHOLARSHIP CLASS
Jessica Beecham, Chair, NFBCO Scholarship Committee, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Pipi Adams
Englewood, Colorado
Nutrition Therapy Institute, Denver
Personal Chef with an emphasis on Holistic Nutrition
Dora Lopez
Greeley, Colorado.
University of Northern Colorado, Greeley
Rehabilitation Counseling
Tabea Meyer
Littleton, Colorado
University of Denver
Masters in Social Work
Ashley Neybert
Greeley, Colorado
University of Northern Colorado, Greeley
Masters of Chemistry
Maureen Nietfeld
Littleton, Colorado
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Human Nutrition and Dietetics
12:40 p.m.
WHAT’S UP AT THE COLORADO TALKING BOOK LIBRARY
Debbi MacLeod, Director, Colorado Talking Book Library, Denver, Colorado
12:55p.m.
AIN’T IT GREAT?
A Report from Audio Information of Colorado
David Dawson, Executive Director, AINC, Boulder, Colorado
1:10 p.m.
COLORADO ASSOCIATION FOR EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION OF THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED: What’s the Latest
Brent Batron, President, CAER, Centennial, Colorado
1:20 p.m.
HOW WE ARE CHANGING ACADEMIC LEARNING FOR THE BLIND AND LIVING THE LIVES WE WANT
Darick R. Williamson NOMC, NCRTB Instructor Louisiana Tech University/Louisiana Center for the Blind
1:30 p.m. ADJOURN
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 27, 2017
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
TACTILE GRAPHICS SEMINAR
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Session 1
Salon I
Julie Deden, Ann Cunningham and others
This seminar is about tactile literacy, the idea that through the sense of touch blind children and adults can experience art, maps, graphs and other objects that can open up the world around them. In this hands-on seminar we will explore ways to develop tactile literacy and integrate it into the classroom and the world beyond.
TACTILE GRAPHICS SEMINAR
3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Session 2
Salon I
ACCESSING SCIENCE'S FULL INTEGRATION FOR BLIND STUDENTS
Ashley Neybert, Graduate student in Chemistry University of Northern Colorado and Daniel Burke, College Preparation Instructor, Colorado Center for the Blind
Participants will learn about technology and alternative techniques that blind scientists use in a number of scientific fields. We will have hands on demonstrations.
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
2017 NFBCO TECHNOLOGY SEMINAR
Salon V
Chip Johnson, Technology Instructor, CCB
Join us for the technology seminar and learn about what’s new in iOS 11. We’ll also discuss apps you can use to read printed material and identify products with your smart phone. Finally, we’ll give participants an opportunity to ask technology-related questions and discuss new apps and the latest assistive technology.
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
SENIOR DIVISION ANNUAL MEETING:
Live the Life You Want As a Senior
Rams Room
Diane McGeorge, President
NFBCO Senior Division
We have a lot planned for our Friday meeting. We will be discussing Senior living options in the Fort Collins area as well as throughout the state, where you can obtain mobility training from a certified instructor in the use of a white cane and the use of a guide dog. We will also discuss the importance of good brain health and understanding how the brain works as we age.
The old saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is absolutely not true.Our speakers are dynamic well informed professionals. Bring your ideas to share with seniors throughout our state. We want to see you there.
Elections will be held. Dues are $5.
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
BLIND PARENTS DIVISION
Aggie Room, 2nd Floor
Nate Trela, President, Englewood, Colorado
Nate Trela, Englewood, Colorado; Cathy Jackson, Louisville, Kentucky; Dan Burke, Littleton, Colorado; Nathan Hecker, Grand Junction, Colorado
Come in to talk about the rights of blind parents, how the NFB is protecting them, being an active grandparent, raising school-aged kids and the adjustment to parenting after becoming blind. Join today and vote in our election.
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
DROP-INART ROOM
Research Room, 2nd Floor
Free for All! Come and get creative. Play with clay or have fun making a tactile drawing, cut, paste and color! Be sure to check out the American Action Fund's wonderful new Tactile Art Kit.
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
GUIDE DOG LOUNGE
Vet Medicine Room, 2nd Floor
Considering a guide dog? Want to go for a test drive? Drop by the Guide Dog Lounge! Bring your questions
and mingle with experienced users as well as staff from various training programs. Nail trimming also available for $1 donation to COAGDU.
3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
COLORADO PARENTS OF BLIND CHILDREN
Aggie Room, 2nd Floor
NETWORKING INCREASES YOUR CHILD’S NET WORTH
Parents will have the chance to share ideas and