Monday, July 8, 2024

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Any agenda changes made after Braille and print production can be accessed on the NFB24 app or at https://nfb.org/convention. Changes will be marked with an asterisk (*).

8:00 - 8:45 a.m. Devotions

Salon 14

8:15 - 8:45 a.m. Registration (30 dollar) and Packet Pickup

Registration Desk 1

8:15 - 8:45 a.m. Banquet Exchange

Grand Ballroom C Prefunction Foyer

General Session V (Monday)

Grand Ballroom
Zoom meeting ID: 977 2977 7580
1CapApp Event: https://ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Call to Order and Invocation

Raising Expectations at Social Security: The Influence of the Organized Blind in Improving and Modernizing Essential Programs 
Roderick Hairston, Deputy Associate Commissioner for the Office of Electronic Services and Technology, Social Security Administration; Washington, District of Columbia

Shaping Twenty-First Century Rehabilitation Systems: Leadership, Partnership, and High Expectations
Moderator: Anil Lewis, Executive Director for Blindness Initiatives, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
Panel: Cassondra Williams-Stokes, President, National Council of State Agencies for the Blind; Little Rock, Arkansas
Stephen Wooderson, Chief Executive Officer, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation; Washington, District of Columbia

Leading Courageously in Art: Poetry, Sensibility, and Aesthetics of Sharing Our Unseen Stories
Set Hernandez, Filmmaker and Community Organizer, Director/Producer of the Film unseen; San Fernando Valley, California

All the Barriers We Cannot See: A Behind-the-Scenes View on Authentic Representation of the Blind in Film
Joe Strechay, Accessibility Consultant for Film and Television, Producer and Consultant for the Apple TV+ Series See; Fayetteville, West Virginia

Centering on Disability Talent and Employment: Making Space by Controlling Our Own Pathways to Success
Keely Cat-Wells, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Making Space; Los Angeles, California

Dreaming Big: The Influence of Blind-Centered Experience and Direction on Artificial Intelligence 
Bryan Bashin, Vice-Chair, Be My Eyes; Berkeley, California

Fostering Inclusive AI: Bridging the Gap between Lived Experiences and Artificial Intelligence 
Suman Kanuganti, Chief Executive Officer, Personal.ai; San Diego, California

Reports and Resolutions

Adjourn

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Raffles and Drawings

Salon 10

12:00 - 1:45 p.m. Banquet Exchange

Grand Ballroom C Prefunction Foyer
Final opportunity to exchange banquet tickets prior to banquet.

12:15 - 1:15 p.m. ABLE United 101: Everything You Need to Know

Salon 12
During this session, individuals will learn all about ABLE United, Florida’s qualified ABLE program. The session will include an overview of Florida’s disability savings program, who it is for, how it works, and its benefits.

John Finch, Director, ABLE United

12:15 - 1:45 p.m. IRS Accessible Services and Simple Notice Effort

Salon 11
Come join IRS executives to hear about their accessible services as well as efforts to simplify notices for taxpayers. You’ll have the opportunity to experience new redesigned notices and provide feedback.

Maria Cheeks, Director Distribution, and Carrie Holland, Chief Diversity Officer, Internal Revenue Service

12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Amateur “"Ham”" Radio Group Meeting

Salon 15
Talking with people around the world, responding to emergencies, and tinkering with electronics are just some of the benefits of becoming a licensed ham radio operator. Join us in a discussion about the hobby and plans for a permanent ham radio station at the Jernigan Institute.

Corbb O'Connor, Chair

General Session VI (Monday)

Grand Ballroom
Zoom meeting ID: 977 2977 7580
1CapApp Event: https://ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb

2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Call to Order

The Seventeenth Annual Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards
Everette Bacon, Chairperson, Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Committee, and Secretary, National Federation of the Blind; Salt Lake City, Utah

Leveraging Collective Wisdom: Updates on Building a Blind-Centered Platform Integrating Human and Artificial Intelligences
Troy Otillio, Chief Executive Officer, Aira Tech Corp; Carlsbad, California

From Blind-Centered to Inclusion Leader: Improving Health Management through Equal Access
Andy Burstein, Chief Executive Officer, Accessible Pharmacy Services; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Telling Our Stories: A Conversation about Blindness, Justice, and Shattering Misconceptions from the Federal Bench
David Tatel, Retired Federal Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and Senior Counsel, Hogan Lovells; Washington, District of Columbia
Deepa Goraya, First Vice President, National Association of Blind Lawyers; Washington, District of Columbia

Closing the Door on Discrimination: Championing the Blind in Society through Civil Rights Protections at the Department of Justice
Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice; Washington, District of Columbia

Reports and Resolutions

Adjourn

Banquet (Monday)

Grand Ballroom
Zoom meeting ID: 977 2977 7580
1CapApp Event: https://ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb

7:00 p.m. Banquet

Invocation
Master of Ceremonies: Pam Allen, Chairperson of the Board, National Federation of the Blind, and President, National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana; Ruston, Louisiana

Introductions and Presentations
Banquet Address: Mark A. Riccobono, President, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland

Scholarship Awards