American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Convention 2020 NOPBC CONFERENCE
Virtual Reality: Accessible Learning, Activities, and Networking Opportunities for Blind Children and Their Families
by Carlton Anne Cook Walker
From the Editor: On July 14 the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) kicked off the 2020 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind with a day-long conference for parents and teachers of blind children. In this article NOPBC President Carlton Walker sums up the highlights of the 2020 conference and other activities and sessions during convention.
Wow! 2020 has been an incredible year, hasn't it? As we closed our 2019 National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention on the evening of July 12, 2019, I doubt that any of us could have imagined what 2020 had in store. There is a Chinese saying, actually, a curse: "May you live in interesting times." As our cities, states, nation, and the world transformed through the spring and into the summer, there were times when I certainly felt that we were cursed. In these "interesting" times, I really needed to be with my Federation family. Sadly, an in-person gathering of more than three thousand people simply was not going to occur in July of 2020.
Luckily, we in the NFB and its proud parents' division, the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, know how to take lemons and make a feast: lemonade, lemon squares, lemon chicken, lemon poppyseed bread, and more. We know that alternative tools and techniques are not bad; they are simply different. Following the direction of, and with tremendous support from, the NFB and our national office, the board of the NOPBC set to work to ensure that the 2020 NOPBC Conference would sustain and nourish current members while welcoming new families, educators, and allies of blind children into our fold.
We couldn't meet in person, but we could meet using the Zoom platform. Zoom room hosting support from staff members at the NFB national office allowed our presenters and board member hosts to get beyond logistics and focus on content and participant questions. Two hundred seventy-five adults registered for our conference, and many more joined our open-access sessions. Over a period of five days, families, educators, and allies of blind children enjoyed sixteen hours of general sessions and open houses and an additional nineteen hours of concurrent breakout sessions. What's more, most of our sessions were recorded, so those who could not attend live will have the opportunity to access those sessions on our website: www.NOPBC.org.
Seminar Day
Our 2020 NOPBC Conference kicked off with the much-anticipated Kid Talk with NFB President Mark Riccobono. As always, President Riccobono solicited questions from the kids and provided sage advice. When he opened the floor for questions, our blind children put him to the test, but President Riccobono rose to the challenge.
Next, we had a surprise in store. We presented two "As the Twig Is Bent" Awards, one to President Riccobono and one to his wife, Melissa Riccobono. Melissa Riccobono is an NOPBC board member and served as 2020 conference/convention chair. Following the awards presentations we heard from Gabe Cazares, director of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities for the City of Houston, Texas.
Breaking with tradition, we paused our General Session and had the first of our four concurrent session breakouts. Throughout the conference, we had five workshop threads: "It's All about That Braille," "I Like to Move It," "Tech Talk," "Let's Socialize," and a miscellaneous thread. In the first set of breakouts, Jackie Anderson presented "It's All about That Braille: Cracking the Code." "I Like to Move It: Encouraging All Types of Movement for Young Blind Children," was presented by Mary Jo Hartle. Treva Olivero presented "Tech Talk: Typing, an Essential Skill," and Raul Gallegos presented "Let's Socialize: Audio-Described Content for Your Blind Child." Maurice Peret presented, "Fourteen: It's a Magical Age," a session that focused on the transition from school to college or work.
When General Session resumed, NOPBC President Carlton Anne Cook Walker shared the 2020 NOPBC Presidential Report: "The Best Reality Show Ever—Real Families of the NOPBC." Next, students Trisha Kulkarni, Precious Perez, and Qualik Ford shared their experiences, reflections, and wisdom on our Student Panel: "Building and Using Your Blindness Network." Melissa Riccobono rounded out the session with her presentation, "Convention 411: How to Optimize Your Virtual Convention Experience."
The next set of breakout sessions featured the following topics and presenters: "It's All About That Braille: The Power of the Perkins Brailler" with Sarah Erb; "I Like to Move It: Practical and Fun Ways to Include Cane Travel Skills in Everyday Life—Even if You're Stuck at Home" with Kristen Simms; "Tech Talk: All About Screen Readers" with Chancey Fleet; "Let's Socialize: The Importance of and Techniques for Teaching Your Child Common Physical Movements Such as Gestures and Dances" with Melissa Riccobono; and "Counting Sheep: Ways to Help Your Child Get a Good Night's Sleep" with Dr. David Ingram of Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.
We took a full ten-minute break after four great hours of learning. Then we kicked off NOPBC Family Game Time. We discussed born-accessible games, how to adapt games for accessibility, and much more. Topics included card games, board games, and electronic games for families and for individuals of all ages. We even learned how to make a Mancala board out of an empty egg carton!
We were six hours into our first day, but we were not ready to quit! Our NOPBC Family Open House welcomed one and all for questions, conversations, and fellowship. With the invaluable assistance of our NFB Zoom host, we welcomed people into breakout rooms based on topics of mutual interest.
We continued our breakout concurrent sessions on Wednesday. Wednesday opened with the following sessions and presenters: "It's All About That Braille: Embracing the Slate and Stylus" with Jennifer Wenzel; "I Like to Move It: The True Advantages of the Long White Cane" with Ben Shuler; "Tech Talk: Harnessing the Power of the Google Suite of Products" with Nate Kile; "Oh Yes, I Made Mistakes—And Lived to Tell the Tale" with Karen Anderson; and "Let's Socialize: Helping Your Child Learn the 'Soft Skills' of Socialization" with Carol Castellano. Our last breakout sessions were: "It's All About That Braille: Ways to Make Braille Fun for Early Learners and Reluctant Readers" with Krystal Guillory; "Tech Talk: Choosing a Braille Embosser" with Matt Hackert and Karl Belanger; "Let's Socialize: Accessible, Virtual Ways to Retain Friendships from a Distance" with Michelle Murrey and Georgie Sydnor; and "Singing For My Supper: Blind Adults Share Stories about Their First Jobs" moderated by Corbb O'Connor, with panelists Steve Decker and Beth McGarr.
NOPBC Annual Meeting
Our Annual Meeting kicked off with an Exhibitor Fair. Somehow, in one hour, we managed to hear and learn from a number of exhibitors: Envision—Youth Programs; HumanWare—Products; APH—Products and Federal Quota Funds; Pearson—Higher Education, Mentoring Program, and Assessments; Aira; Vispero (formerly Freedom Scientific); Bookshare/Benetech; Technology Study—Natalie L. Shaheen, Ed.D.; NABS (National Association of Blind Students)—Mausam Mehta; and Learning Ally—College Success Program.
When the exhibitors finished their presentations, we were full of knowledge—and ready for more! Our Annual Meeting certainly fulfilled the promise of its title, "Information and Inspiration." First, we heard from Anil Lewis, the executive director of NFB Blindness Initiatives. Then Carol Castellano guided us on the path that brought us here and the road ahead with her presentation: "NOPBC: Past, Present, and Future: Who We Were, Who We Are, and Who We Will Become." Next we had the opportunity to hear from, and ask questions of, representatives from Pearson Learning, a publisher of educational materials and provider of assessment services. We look forward to continuing this dialogue to fulfill the mandate of federal law that blind individuals of all ages have effective, efficient access to materials, including educational instruction and assessment software.
Our next panel, "Kid Power: Living the Life They Want!" illustrated the true power of blind children when they have access to the tools and information they need for success. Salome Cummins, a rising fourth grade student from Missouri, spoke about her transition to virtual education this year. She found it hard to start the gifted program virtually, but everything turned out well because of JAWS and her refreshable Braille display. Ian Oliver, a rising seventh-grade student from Alabama, shared his great experiences in the NFB BELL Academy In-Home Edition, and he gave pointers on ways to make the program even better. Clara Scelsi, a rising fifth-grade student from Alabama, illustrated great problem-solving skills as she described her love of jujitsu and how she continued her lessons in the virtual environment. Next, Jeanette Jones and Linda Coccovizzo, president of the Missouri Parents of Blind Children shared the work of NFB and the Parents' Division in their presentation, "PARENT POWER: Making It Happen." Rounding out the hour, Graciela Olivo, the 2020 NFB Distinguished Educator of Blind Students, illustrated her journey transforming from a regular education teacher "forced" to include a blind student in her class to a passionate educator of and advocate for blind students in her keynote address, "Virtual Reality vs. Reality."
Division Business
The final hour of our Annual Meeting turned to division business. After hearing and approving our financial report from NOPBC Treasurer Sandra Oliver, the Nominating Committee presented its slate of nominees for all five executive board positions (president, first vice-president, second vice-president, secretary, and treasurer) and all ten board positions. The membership approved the Nominating Committee's report and proceeded to elect the slate recommended. Our officers are: Carlton Anne Cook Walker, president; Penny Duffy, first vice-president; Kimberly Banks, second vice-president; Carol Castellano, secretary; Sandra Oliver, treasurer; and board members Jackie Anderson, Sarah Erb, Jean Fultz, Pamela Gebert, Carla Keirns, Tabby Mitchell, Michelle Murrey, Corbb O'Connor, Melissa Riccobono, and Casey West Robertson.
Our Annual Meeting ended with an NOPBC brainstorming session. We heard that parents want resources to help them advocate, especially for IEPs at the beginning of the year, and they want advice on how to advocate for needed tools such as Braille embossers. Members shared ideas for sessions next year, and we welcomed all to join committees to help provide resources enabling families to stay connected throughout the year.
IEP Sessions
We usually hold "IEP Night," a popular series of sessions on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) on the evening of the first day of General Session. This year's convention schedule shook things up a bit, so we stepped away from time-honored tradition. With apologies to our friends in Hawaii and Alaska, we held our IEP sessions on Friday and Saturday mornings. The first session, "IEP 101," featured Casey West Robertson and Carlton Anne Cook Walker discussing an overview of the IEP and blindness-specific IEP issues. On Saturday we presented "More about the IEP," with Casey and Carlton discussing best practices for accommodations, assessments, and service time. Penny Duffy and Melissa Riccobono followed, sharing negotiation strategies.
Youth Track Activities
There was nothing virtual about the terrific Youth Track activities offered this year. The Youth Track sessions on Tuesday included "It's Your Convention Experience," "Tech Is Not Just for Homework," and "Working Out Isn't Just at the Gym." Experts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) capped off the day with a session on exploring the universe accessibly.
Wednesday brought the "Impromptu Fashion Show," the eagerly awaited and highly rated "Harry Potter Escape Room," and a session called "Resolutions Explained: What Does a Resolution Mean and How Does the National Federation of the Blind Use Resolutions to Make Us Stronger?"
On Thursday our youth discussed "What Kinds of Jobs Can Blind People Do?" and met blind mentors working in all kinds of jobs. They also enjoyed a "Calling All Gamers!" session. Youth Track wrapped up with "Let's Get Social: Distancing and Beyond," a philosophy session about using alternative blindness skills to navigate the new normal.
Cane Walk
Yes, with the support of the NFB, some incredible cane travel instructors, and great technology resources, we continued to offer the Cane Walk. The Cane Walk is a program that offers free NFB long white canes, expert structured discovery instruction, and invaluable mentoring, all geared toward providing blind children the tools and skills they need to travel confidently and independently at an age-appropriate level. Through distance technology, talented cane instructors taught children and their families the role of the long white cane in securing lifelong independence and opportunities for our children.
Reflections
In hindsight, maybe that saying "May you live in interesting times" is not such a curse after all. We grow and develop when we are presented with new and formidable challenges. This year we met and gathered virtually, but our experience was real.
While we still long to meet in person again, we have gained skills and knowledge from our virtual conference. No matter what the next year brings, we are better prepared and energized to do what is needed to ensure that our blind children can live the lives they want. Blindness will not hold them back.