Wednesday

*Please note that times listed are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Please convert published times to your appropriate time zone.

11:00 - 11:30 AM—IT HAPPENED IN FLORIDA

  • Zoom meeting ID: 925 3639 0158
  • A discussion of how Florida became the first state to offer Freedom Scientific software to everyone statewide and how Florida residents can get it.
  • Douglas Gerry, National Software Sales Manager, Vispero

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM—DEMOCRACY LIVE: ACCESSIBLE AT HOME VOTING

  • Zoom meeting ID: 962 7646 0544
  • Accessible vote-by-mail is the fastest growing method of voting in the United States. Come learn about how it works and see how you can ensure equal access to voting safely and securely from home.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM—WE’RE BLIND, BUT NOT COLOR-BLIND

  • Zoom meeting ID: 978 6566 3417
  • Do you want to be an ally for racial justice within the Federation and beyond? Do you feel proclaiming color-blindness isn’t enough? Using perspectives from sociology, this session will help participants understand how racism operates beyond the level of individual prejudices.
  • Angela Frederick, PhD, Facilitator

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM—SELF-ADVOCACY AND LEGAL STRATEGIES

  • Zoom meeting ID: 986 0126 3883
  • Join moderators Pam Allen and Dick Davis as we discuss self-advocacy and litigation with members of the government affairs and legal staff. Hear success stories, best practices, and lessons learned.
  • 11:30 AM -12:25 PM—Session 1: Using Progressive Advocacy and Legal Strategies to Resolve Barriers
  • 12:35 -1:30 PM—Session 2: Self-Advocacy and Litigation in Employment Matters

12:00 - 1:30 PM—BANKING DURING THE PANDEMIC AND DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY

  • Zoom meeting ID: 956 8163 4503
  • Join JPMorgan Chase for an interactive conversation on digital banking during the pandemic. Discuss your banking experiences during the pandemic and provide feedback around online accessibility.

12:00 - 1:45 PM—NOPBC BREAKOUTS

  • 12:00 - 12:45 PM—NOPBC Concurrent Workshops, Session III
    • It’s All About That Braille: Embracing the Slate and Stylus; Zoom meeting ID: 471 527 4444
    • I Like to Move It: The True Advantages of the Long White Cane; Zoom meeting ID: 932 2882 3552
    • Tech Talk: Harnessing the Power of the Google Suite of Products; Zoom meeting ID: 944 6455 5114
    • Oh Yes, I Made Mistakes—And Lived to Tell the Tale; Zoom meeting ID: 920 4037 6023
    • Let’s Socialize: Learning the “Soft Skills” of Socialization; Zoom meeting ID: 969 6970 9974
  • 1:00 - 1:45 PM—NOPBC Concurrent Workshops, Session IV
    • It’s All About That Braille: Making Braille Fun; Zoom meeting ID: 471 527 4444
    • Tech Talk: Choosing a Braille Embosser; Zoom meeting ID: 974 1485 5737
    • Singing for My Supper: Blind Adults and Their First Jobs; Zoom meeting ID: 927 6820 7345
    • Let’s Socialize: Accessible, Virtual Ways to Retain Friendships; Zoom meeting ID: 924 7563 4629

12:00 - 2:00 PM—NOPBC YOUTH TRACK SESSIONS

(Visit http://nopbc.org/2020-virtual-youth-track for more information.)

  • Impromptu Fashion Show

12:30 - 1:30 PM—MEET BLIND, INCORPORATED

  • Zoom meeting ID: 922 8807 9674
  • Build Your Future at BLIND, Inc. with urban cane travel, practical and exotic cooking, fastest Braille learning, tech galore, internships and jobs, physical fitness and self-defense, dogsledding, and white water rafting. Become part of our extended family!
  • Jennifer Kennedy, Executive Director

12:30 - 1:30 PM—THE OS TRAP FOR BLIND STUDENTS

  • Zoom meeting ID: 962 7528 0051
  • Discuss the negative results blind students often experience using a Braille notetaker as their sole accessibility device during their K-12 matriculation, versus the continuity of platform in Windows 10 achieved when the ElBraille is used in this same role.
  • Ron Miller, Blindness Technology Product Specialist, Vispero, Presenter

1:00 - 1:45 PM—WHAT’S NEW IN GOOGLE ACCESSIBILITY

  • Zoom meeting ID: 979 3156 5395
  • Come find out about our new accessibility products and features!

2:00 - 4:30 PM—NFB BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (OPEN TO ALL)

5:00 PM—RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE

5:00 – 6:00 PM—ACCESSIBLE VOTE-BY-MAIL: ORIGINS AND DEMO

  • Zoom meeting ID: 941 6552 2819
  • Hear about the origins of accessible vote-by-mail, the process of ballot distribution, and screen reader support and security. See a demo of accessible ballot features.
  • John Schmitt, Five Cedars Group, Presenter

5:00 - 6:30 PM—NOPBC YOUTH TRACK SESSIONS

(Visit http://nopbc.org/2020-virtual-youth-track for more information.)

  • Harry Potter Escape Room

5:00 - 7:00 PM—RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

  • Zoom meeting ID: 953 4781 8684
  • Technology is omnipresent in our lives. While it is invaluable in education and employment, the blind are still excluded from many products. Hear about new advances and discuss how to influence developers to include accessibility in their offerings.
  • Brian Buhrow, Chair

5:00 - 7:00 PM—UPWARD MOBILITY SEMINAR

  • Zoom meeting ID: 920 9327 2341
  • Back again, this ever-popular seminar will help you move forward in your career, life, and relationships. A blueprint to live the life you want! Sponsored by the NFB Employment Committee.

6:00 - 6:45 PM—THE ULTIMATE ONLINE BRAILLE BOOK FAIR

  • Zoom meeting ID: 942 7242 9211
  • Sponsored by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. Learn about ShareBraille, how you can get and contribute free Braille books, and how you can advance Braille literacy everywhere by reusing those hard-copy Braille books.
  • Melissa Riccobono, Braille Outreach Specialist, American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, Presenter

6:00 - 7:00 PM—MICROSOFT SOUNDSCAPE

  • Zoom meeting ID: 972 3225 8271
  • Microsoft Soundscape explores the use of innovative audio-based technology via 3D audio cues to enable people to build a richer awareness of their surroundings, thus becoming more confident and empowered to get around. We’ll examine how Soundscape has helped our users enjoy new experiences and develop new skills.
  • Chantelle Smith, Orientation & Mobility Specialist & Access Consultant, National Council for the Blind Ireland; Michael Evans, Orientation & Mobility Specialist, Guide Dogs Victoria (Australia); Amos Miller, Microsoft; and Jarnail Chudge, Microsoft, Presenters

6:00 - 8:00 PM—NFB-NEWSLINE® FROM TELEPHONE TO AMAZON ECHO

  • Zoom meeting ID: 922 9717 7555
  • Learn about the National Federation of the Blind’s free audible information service. Information on how to access this resource using a touch-tone telephone, iPhone app, Victor Reader, and Amazon Echo will be discussed. Share your ideas for new content with NFB-NEWSLINE staff.

6:00 - 9:00 PM—NFB LEGAL OFFICE HOURS: ACCESS BARRIERS

  • Meet with a disability rights attorney to discuss access discrimination concerns, including voting, Uber and Lyft services for service animal users, GoDaddy, telehealth, COVID-19 information, and more. Schedule your appointment by emailing [email protected].

7:00 - 8:00 PM—NOPBC YOUTH TRACK SESSIONS

(Visit http://nopbc.org/2020-virtual-youth-track for more information.)

  • Resolutions Explained

7:00 - 8:30 PM—BLIND FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

  • Zoom meeting ID: 937 0040 7778
  • Come learn about issues facing federal employees and applicants. Share your experiences with and your solutions to federal workplace challenges.
  • Ronza Othman, Chair

7:00 - 9:00 PM—NFB LGBT MEETING

  • Zoom meeting ID: 989 2703 1096
  • Building the NFB and giving back with pride! Proposed topics include education of the blind LGBT community, overview and availability of LGBT books, and community resources. Contact Tai Tomasi at 515-710-4402 for more information.
  • Tai Tomasi, Chair

7:00 - 9:00 PM—COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE: OPEN TO ALL

  • Zoom meeting ID: 915 9249 5406
  • Join together with chapter, affiliate, and division leaders to learn best practices in communications. We’ll explore the tools available to us through our national office and exchange ideas. Learn to effectively use communication to build the Federation.
  • Liz Wisecarver, Chair

8:00 - 9:30 PM—COMMITTEE ON AUTOMOBILE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

  • Zoom meeting ID: 965 8545 8018
  • A look at our progress and plan for meeting our goals chiefly around Resolution 2019-13: Regarding the Proliferation of Dockless Electric Scooters.
  • Maurice Peret, Chair

8:00 - 10:00 PM—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND STUDENTS (NABS) ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

  • Zoom meeting ID: 944 6907 5910
  • We invite students and avid learners to join us for our annual national student division business meeting! Let’s celebrate our many organizational accomplishments, express gratitude for our leadership that has made them possible, and shape the future of blind students.
  • Kathryn Webster, President