Saturday, July 6, 2024

Return to Start of Agenda | Visit the Convention Home Page | Contribute to Give $25 Drive

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 an asterisk (*).

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

Salon 14

8:15 - 8:45 a.m. Registration (30 dollars), Packet Pickup, and Banquet Ticket Sales (80 dollars)

Registration Desk 1

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

Grand Ballroom C Prefunction Foyer

Opening General Session (Saturday)

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

Presentation of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance
National Association of Blind Veterans, a Division of the National Federation of the Blind

In the Federation We Trust: Welcoming the Family Back to Florida
National Federation of the Blind of Florida Board of Directors

Celebration of Freedom: Veterans Recognized
Vernon Humphrey, President, National Association of Blind Veterans, a Division of the National Federation of the Blind; Mauk, Georgia

Roll Call of States and Appointment of Nominating Committee

Reports and Resolutions

Adjourn

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

Grand Ballroom C Prefunction Foyer

12:00 - 1:45 p.m. Exhibit Hall and Independence Market

WA1, Convention Center

12:15 - 1:15 p.m. All Aboard to Talk with Amtrak about Accessibility

Salon 14
Amtrak wants to hear from all blind travelers to help improve the system. Amtrak would appreciate knowing what is working, what needs fixing, and any suggestions on how to advance the system for the future.

Dr. David Handera, Vice President, Stations, Facilities, Properties, and Accessibility, Amtrak

12:15 - 1:15 p.m. What’s New in Google Accessibility

Salon 9
This session will provide a high-level overview of the latest accessibility features and initiatives from Google. This will include updates on products and services such as Android, Chrome, and Chromebook.

12:15 - 1:45 p.m. Louisiana Center for the Blind Open House

Signature 2
Join us to learn about our transformative programs. Meet our dynamic staff and students. Find out more about innovative graduate programs in the field of blindness at Louisiana Tech University. Connect with alumni who are living the lives they want. Dream without limits!

Pam Allen, Executive Director

12:15 - 1:45 p.m. Oracle’s Commitment to Inclusivity

Salon 11
We will discuss strategies from our customer’s perspective, information about employee accessibility HR accommodations, and future endeavors in our inclusive design process.

Kent Boucher, Senior Director, Oracle Accessibility Program Office

12:15 - 1:45 p.m. Uber Town Hall

Salon 10
Uber representatives will hold a town-hall-style breakout session where Uber may hear from Federationists about ways to update the service. Accessibility updates will be provided at the beginning of the session.

Briana Gilmore, Head of Public Policy, Accessibility & Marginalized Communities, Uber

12:45 - 1:45 p.m. Join the Voyage for Inclusive Digital Maps

Salon 12
Inclusive digital maps from Audiom by XR Navigation are now at your fingertips! From university campuses to congressional districts, learn how to explore and get dynamic maps for any adventure on your phone or computer. Come join the map revolution now!

Brandon Biggs, CEO, XR Navigation

12:45 - 1:45 p.m. Leader Dogs for the Blind Meet and Greet

Salon 15
Leader Dogs for the Blind is more than guide dogs. Come meet our team including our new CEO, Melissa Weisse, to learn about the free programs offered including free Orientation and Mobility, Teen O&M, Teen Summer Camp, and Guide Dog!

Melissa Weisse, Chief Executive Officer

1:15 - 1:45 p.m. Registration (30 dollars), Packet Pickup, and Final Banquet Ticket Sales (80 dollars)

Registration Desk 1

General Session II (Saturday)

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

Presidential Report 
Mark Riccobono, President, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland

Leading Courageously with Higher Expectations: Braille, Teacher Preparation, and the Continued Influence of the Organized Blind Movement 
Casey Robertson, Faculty, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness, and Educational Advocate; Ruston, Louisiana

Dreaming Big Together: The Monarch and the Butterfly Effect of Partnership
Craig Meador, President, American Printing House; Louisville, Kentucky
Bruce Miles, General Manager, Professional Solutions, and Head of HumanWare, EssilorLuxottica Canada; Montréal, Québec, Canada
Katie Carlock, Parent of Blind Child; Porterdale, Georgia
Kennedy Carlock, Blind Student; Porterdale, Georgia 
Gina Fugate, Teacher of Blind Students, Maryland School for the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland

Living a Life Dedicated to Justice: Raising Expectations at the Calgary Police Service
Robert Fenton KC, Director of Legal Services, Calgary Police Service, and Chair, Board of Directors, Canadian National Institute for the Blind; Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Inclusion by Example: Adventures of a Blind Woman Navigating the Oceans of STEM Professionals 
Amy Bower, Physical Oceanography Senior Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Woods Hole, Massachusetts

Reports and Resolutions

Adjourn

5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall

WA1, Convention Center
Final opportunity to visit the Exhibit Hall.

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Research and Academic Professionals Meeting

Salon 9
The NFB Blindness Initiatives Research Advisory Council invites interested individuals to discuss current research, publication in the Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research (JBIR), and ideas for increasing the research and academic presence of the NFB.

6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Legal Office Hours

Salon 16
Meet with a disability rights attorney to discuss blindness discrimination concerns. Reservations are required. To reserve your spot, email [email protected]  or call 410-659-9314, extension 2440, by June 21.

6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Adaptive Fitness Activity

Executive Ballroom I
Accessible fitness exercise to keep the body healthy throughout convention—yoga/body weight strength/adaptive exercise.

7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Communications Committee

Salon 10
Join 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. Everyone is welcome!

Liz Wisecarver, Chair

7:00 - 9:45 p.m. NOPBC Concurrent Workshops

Salons 14 and 15

7:00 - 8:15 p.m. NOPBC Concurrent Workshops Session IV
What Does a Good IEP Look Like and How Do I Get There? (Salon 14)
Little Ones, Play, and Learning (Salon 15)

8:30 - 9:45 p.m. NOPBC Concurrent Workshops Session V
IEP Soft Skills (Salon 14)
Transitioning into Adult Life (Salon 15)

Sponsored by the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children Division (NOPBC).

7:00 - 10:00 p.m. NOPBC Youth Track

Salon 17
For youth 11-18. Refer to the Youth Track agenda for activity details.