Thank you for attending the 2024 Dare to Be Remarkable conference. This digital agenda includes a welcome letter, the conference schedule, and a survey.
Table of Contents
- Welcome Letter
- Conference Schedule
- Monday, November 11, 2024
- Tuesday, November 12, 2024
- Wednesday, November 13, 2024
- Survey
Welcome Letter from Mark Riccobono, President, National Federation of the Blind
On behalf of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), I am thrilled to welcome you to this year’s Dare to Be Remarkable conference. Our theme is “Evolving Principles, Practices, and Philosophy,” which is intended both to ground us in the lived experience of blind people and to acknowledge that our community continues to grow and evolve as our position in society changes. Your active participation in this important conference reflects our shared commitment to advancing opportunities and advocating for the full inclusion of blind people in all aspects of society.
The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know 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 our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people. Yet, we know that society continues to undervalue the contributions that blind people can make, and this all too often influences the quality of training provided to the blind. By coming together at this conference where we unapologetically believe in blind people and seek to dream big, we can work together to develop innovative practices that raise expectations in society and within the programs we each operate.
At the National Federation of the Blind, we believe that blind people must be at the center of every conversation, program, and initiative designed to improve the lives of blind individuals. We know that when blind people are empowered to lead, innovate, and make decisions about their own future, we create a world that is not only more inclusive but also more dynamic and forward-thinking. It is through the lived experiences of blind people that true progress is made.
We are eager to collaborate with all of you as partners in this work. Our goal through this conference is to nurture a community of excellence for all blind people. The Federation stands ready to share our resources, expertise, and energy to ensure that blind people remain at the forefront as you seek to enhance your professional skill set. We hope that you bring that same commitment to openness and enthusiasm for the future we can build together.
Thank you for your dedication to this essential cause. We look forward to the remarkable ideas and collaborations that will emerge from this event.
Sincerely,
Mark Riccobono
Conference Schedule
Dare to Be Remarkable will begin Monday, November 11, at 8:00 a.m. and will conclude Wednesday, November 13, at 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
Refreshments during scheduled breaks, lunches, and a welcome reception will be provided for conference participants.
(*) Denotes sessions that are presented twice.
Monday, November 11, 2024
7:30-8:30 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast
Location: Members Hall
8:00-8:30 AM Welcome and Housekeeping
Location: Members Hall
8:30-9:00 AM Keynote I: Dare to Be Remarkable: Colleagues or Competitors.
Location: Members Hall
Presented by: Mark Riccobono, President, National Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland.
9:00-10:00 AM Plenary Session I: Bridging the Gap to Achieve Higher Standards
Location: Members Hall
Presented by: Adelmo Vigil, President, National Blindness Professional Certification Board, Las Cruces, New Mexico;
Anil Lewis, MPA, Executive Director of Blindness Initiatives, National Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland; and
Kristen J. Sims, NOMC, Structured Discovery Training Coordinator, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana.
10:00-10:30 AM Morning Break
10:30 AM-12:00 PM Topical Work Groups: Getting to Know Each Other
Program Administrators.
Location: To be announced
Orientation and Mobility Instructors.
Location: To be announced
Braille/Communications Instructors.
Location: To be announced
Home Management/ADL Instructors.
Location: To be announced
Access Technology Instructors/Rehab Tech.
Location: To be announced
Vocational Rehab and Teachers.
Location: To be announced
12:00-1:30 PM Lunch Presentation: Dare to Network!
Location: Members Hall
Lead Presenter: Eileen Rivera Ley, MBA, Founder, Blind Savvy USA, Towson, Maryland.
Is it what we know, or who we know that matters most? Eileen Rivera Ley, creator of the Blind Savvy Strengths workshops, will share insights and ideas for helping blind folks network. Also, Eileen will share practical networking nuggets for making the most of your DARE Experience
1:30-3:00 PM Concurrent Sessions I
Backsliding after Graduation from Structured Discovery Training.
Location: Utah Auditorium
Lead Presenter: Justin M. H. Salisbury, MEd, NOMC, NCRTB, Graduate Student, College of Education & Human Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
After graduating from a Structured Discovery adjustment-to-blindness training program, students can lose some of the skills, independence, or emotional adjustment that they achieved during training. Most if not all of us know blind people who graduated from training and then slid backward after training, perhaps losing their travel skills, Braille skills, confidence, or pride. How much a training center graduate participates in the organized blind movement may be related to how much they backslide. Backsliding can affect any training center graduate because the low expectations in society reach us all.
Baptized in Blindness: Beyond the Blindfold. (*)
Location: Betsy Zaborowski Conference Room
Lead Presenter: Jane Lansaw, NOMC, Orientation and Mobility IV. Northeast Oklahoma, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.
It is always important to keep in mind the reasons Structured Discovery (SD) practitioners do what they do. When those unfamiliar with our concepts come to SD conferences they need to know the “why” behind everything from the long cane to the blindfold to staff immersion. This presentation offers some added information and addresses not only the core subject areas, but the fundamental policies of rehabilitation of the blind. The “why” gets down to the very principles of instructors and even administrators. This presenter will discuss staff immersion into blindness as one of the rehabilitation methods that affect instructors, administrators, and eventually, clients, the success of the latter contingent on the agency wide culture and philosophy of blindness.
Braille as a Spatial Representation Technology in Language and Literacy Instruction: Teaching English as a Second Language to Blind Students in Structured Discovery Settings.
Location: Computer Lab
Lead Presenter: Joanna Solowska, MAESL, TESOL, NCRTB, NCUEB, Saavi Services for the Blind, Phoenix, Arizona.
Learning English and literacy skills go hand in hand. Blind learners of English as a Second Language greatly benefit from having access to the written form of language through Braille at a Structured Discovery learning center while at the same time challenging their views of what it means to be blind. This seminar will: 1) discuss learning backgrounds, expectations, and experiences of blind English Language Learners, 2) share teaching experience, 3) evoke discussion on teaching English and Braille to blind individuals.
Enhancing Education and Rehabilitation through the Lived Experience of the Blind.
Location: Members Hall
Lead Presenters: Karen Anderson, Education Programs Coordinator, National Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland; and
Nikki Jackson, Employment Program Coordinator, National Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland.
The National Federation of the Blind innovates and executes projects and programs to assist blind and low-vision students and adults acquire the alternative skills of blindness, self-confidence, the positive self-concept, and problem solving skills that will lead to their academic and career success. The presenters will highlight several of the NFB education/employment programs that are offered to transition-age students. Built on the lived experience and expertise of successful blind adults, the strategies employed through these programs will enhance the skill set of any blindness education/rehabilitation professional.
3:00-3:30 PM Networking Break
3:30-5:00 PM Concurrent Sessions II
Strategies for Successful Literacy. (*)
Location: Computer Lab
Lead Presenter: Casey Robertson, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness, Ruston, Louisiana.
Looking at literacy for blind and low-vision students and clients, what does literacy really mean? For blind and low-vision students, literacy goes beyond just reading and writing print. It encompasses the ability to access, understand, and communicate information in a way that is meaningful and effective. How can we take what have been proven research-based strategies and implement them for blind and low-vision students? What methods are you using and how can we improve those based on research?
Managing Mental Stressors during Training, a Mindful Experience.
Location: Members Hall
Lead Presenter: Katie Gomez, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Saavi Services for the Blind, Tucson, Arizona.
Katie Gomez, a counselor at Saavi Services for the Blind, works with students who face mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other conditions that can hinder their progress in training. These students must learn to identify and manage triggers, racing thoughts, and unhealthy thought patterns that negatively affect their ability to make progress. In this session, Katie will introduce two key strategies—mindfulness and thought stopping techniques that can be used by teachers to empower students. These techniques help students gain control over their thought processes, reducing the impact of stress and emotional overwhelm during training.
Money, That’s What I Want: Navigating Government Contracts and Vendor Approval.
Location: Utah Auditorium
Lead Presenter: Jennifer M. Kennedy, MA, NOMC, Rehabilitation Systems Contractor, Cleveland, Ohio.
Have you ever wanted to venture out as an independent service provider but were unclear where to start? Are you a current contract manager who is looking for strategies to maximize your income despite the increasing restrictions the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and state government legislatures are placing on your billable hours? Were you recently approached to provide your expertise in a professional environment and found yourself unsure what to charge? During this workshop we will dive into common contract jargon, discuss billing structures, explore funding sources outside of RSA, and examine the merits of holding contracts versus becoming a state vendor.
Practical Tips on Creating Inclusive Training Spaces for Blind LGBTQ Students.
Location: Betsy Zaborowski Conference Room
Lead Presenter: Carley Mullin, NOMC, NCRTB, Cane Travel and Access Technology Instructor, CM Training Services LLC, Baltimore, Maryland.
This presentation will cover practical advice on how instructors, administrators, and managers in training centers can promote their center as a welcoming place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) prospective students. Participants will learn the legal and ethical requirements that underpin this work, how to foster inclusion through making structural changes, such as with housing, and how to foster it in day-to-day activities like the way we speak about gender norms in a seminar on professional dress, or how we organize groups on a mall trip to buy clothes for a conference. Finally, there will be time for participants to ask questions.
5:30-7:30 PM Welcome Reception
Location: Members Hall
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
7:30-8:30 AM Continental Breakfast
Location: Members Hall
8:00-8:30 AM Welcome and Housekeeping
Location: Members Hall
8:30-9:00 AM Keynote II: Serving as the Catalyst for Evolving Principles, Practices, and Philosophy.
Location: Members Hall
Presented by: Danté Allen, Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Washington, DC.
9:00-10:00 AM Plenary Session II: We Got This! Personal Testimonies of Success a Consumer Panel.
Location: Members Hall
Moderated by: Nikki Jackson, Employment Program Coordinator, National Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland.
10:00-10:30 AM Morning Break
10:30 AM-12:00 PM Concurrent Sessions III
The Role of Auditory Perspective in the Development of Effective Orientation Skills. (*)
Location: Utah Auditorium
Lead Presenter: Jeffrey Altman, MA, NOMCT, CVRCB, The Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, The Nebraska Center for the Blind, Lincoln, Nebraska.
This presentation will provide discussion of a theoretical model of human perception, and how this construct facilitates the organization of the space surrounding the perceiver. Building upon this model, the various aspects of perspective will be explored, along with their role in judging distance, alignment, and overall orientation. Next, a discussion will focus on how Structured Discovery principles are applied in Orientation and Mobility instruction and how travel students incorporate these concepts into real-life situations.
SDCT Professional Preparation Pathways. (*)
Location: Betsy Zaborowski Conference Room
Lead Presenter: Kristen J. Sims, NOMC, Structured Discovery Training Coordinator, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana.
Structured Discovery Cane Travel (SDCT) has been found to be an effective teaching methodology in increasing the probability of student employment and increased rates of self-efficacy and is endorsed by the United States’s leading blindness consumer group. SDCT’s instructor preparation is specifically designed using nonvisual instructional methods making it universally designed for use by blind or sighted instructors. This presentation will highlight the available pathways toward individual National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) certifications in Structured Discovery for Rehabilitation Teaching and Orientation and Mobility Certification. Current research, enrollment requirements, and the philosophical underpinnings of Structured Discovery Cane Travel will be discussed within the context of professional preparation on all available pathways. This presentation would be of interest to those seeking certification, SDCT sites who are seeking employee certification, and rehabilitation counselors who are advising clients interested in these programs.
Strategies for Successful Literacy. (*)
Location: Computer Lab
Lead Presenter: Casey Robertson, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness, Ruston, Louisiana.
Looking at literacy for blind and low-vision students and clients, what does literacy really mean? For blind and low-vision students, literacy goes beyond just reading and writing print. It encompasses the ability to access, understand, and communicate information in a way that is meaningful and effective. How can we take what have been proven research-based strategies and implement them for blind and low-vision students? What methods are you using and how can we improve those based on research?
Success through Internships: Creating Pathways to Employment.
Location: Members Hall
Lead Presenter: Anil Lewis, MPA, Executive Director of Blindness Initiatives, National Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland.
This workshop will explore strategies to create job opportunities for individuals who are blind through internships, in collaboration with government agencies and private businesses. With a focus on both state jobs and the private sector, this session will showcase successful models that have led to a 50 percent employment rate for interns within six months of completing their internships. Key elements include securing grants, working with agency leaders, and establishing arrangements for paid internships. Participants will learn how to approach potential employers, obtain funding, and create internship opportunities where they previously did not exist.
12:00-1:30 PM Lunch Presentation: You Don’t Have to be Brilliant to be Resilient!
Location: Members Hall
Lead Presenter: David J. De Notaris, Owner/Operator, Sky’s the Limit Communications LLC, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Job seekers and the professionals who help face a roller coaster of emotions: the lows of rejection, the twists of interviews that felt promising but led nowhere, and the upside-down moments—like being called back for a second interview, only to find out that another candidate was chosen. Yet, the journey also brings highs: "I got the internship!" "I landed the job!" and the unforgettable "I got the promotion!" These ups and downs can be physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting. You Don’t Have to Be Brilliant to Be Resilient equips professionals and job seekers with the tools to reset, recharge, and continue their journey with renewed confidence and courage.
1:30-3:00 PM Concurrent Sessions IV
The Cognitive Curveball: Applying Cutter’s Teachings to Neurologically Impaired Adults.
Location: Computer Lab
Lead Presenter: Jane Lansaw, NOMC, Orientation and Mobility IV. Northeast Oklahoma, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.
This presenter will discuss the training of adults with neurological impairments using the precepts of Joseph Cutter’s bottom up approach to teaching blindness skills. In addition to the Cutter text, Independent Movement and Travel in Blind Children, she will draw from her twenty-four years experience teaching in the field and in training centers, working with a large number of students and clients with a wide range of neurological levels from neuro-typical to those with Alzheimer’s. She will call upon three different anecdotes from her career to illustrate more specifically her three points of: Context, Stage Appropriate Knowledge, and Reinforcement. While Structured Discovery as taught by Cutter may be relevant to many core areas, this instructor will concentrate on cane travel as her instructional area.
Maintaining a Continuous Growth Mindset for Holding Staff High Expectations.
Location: Utah Auditorium
Lead Presenter: Amy Porterfield, President, Saavi Services for the Blind, Tucson, Arizona.
In this presentation, we will explore strategies that training centers can adopt to promote a continuous growth mindset among staff. By focusing on preventing complacency and encouraging continuous improvement in teaching methodologies, curriculum development, ethical practices, and engagement, we will highlight the successful approaches used at Saavi Services for the Blind. These strategies include weekly staff philosophy seminars, semi-annual instructional retreats, ongoing professional development, and fostering an environment of innovation and flexibility. Through discussions and shared experiences from other like-minded training centers, participants will develop a set of actionable activities to implement in their own environments.
The Role of Physical Fitness Training in the Structured Discovery Environment.
Location: Betsy Zaborowski Conference Room
Lead Presenter: Jordan Murillo, Assistant Student Services Manager, Saavi Services for the Blind, Phoenix, Arizona.
Weight training and cardiorespiratory exercises exemplify the process of pushing the body to its limits, ultimately fostering growth and increased vitality. At Saavi Services for the Blind, we believe that the principles underlying physical training can be applied to the approach students take toward their programs. Just as exercise requires dedication and resilience, so does the journey toward autonomy. By committing to a process that challenges both physical and mental strength, students can develop a sustainable approach to their goals, leading to a greater sense of control over their future. This session will explore how the principles of health and wellness can be transferred to the development of autonomy in both health and blindness skills, empowering students to take charge of their personal and academic growth.
To Think or Not to Think, How to Avoid the Question.
Location: Members Hall
Lead Presenter: Jennifer M. Kennedy, MA, NOMC, Rehabilitation Systems Contractor, Cleveland, Ohio.
Building an individual’s belief in their own abilities is paramount to successful Structured Discovery instruction. Choosing the right language in the moment can make or break a student’s belief in what they can accomplish right then, or what they cannot the remainder of the week.
3:00-3:30 PM Networking Break
3:30-5:00 PM Concurrent Sessions V
Cultural Riches: Valuing the Strengths of Blind English Learners and Strategies for Supporting Them.
Location: Utah Auditorium
Lead Presenter: Conchita Hernandez Legorreta, Teacher of Blind Students, The Maryland School for the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland.
We are seeing a huge increase of multilingual blind students (or English Learners) in public schools. Teachers of Blind Students (TBS) do not have the tools to work with this diverse population. This presentation will cover important information on the population as well as how to work with them, including research on the multilingual population and strategies TBS’s and rehabilitation professionals can use in working with this population.
Baptized in Blindness: Beyond the Blindfold. (*)
Location: Computer Lab
Lead Presenter: Jane Lansaw, NOMC, Orientation and Mobility IV. Northeast Oklahoma, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.
It is always important to keep in mind the reasons Structured Discovery (SD) practitioners do what they do. When those unfamiliar with our concepts come to SD conferences they need to know the “why” behind everything from the long cane to the blindfold to staff immersion. This presentation offers some added information and addresses not only the core subject areas but the fundamental policies of rehabilitation of the blind. The “why” gets down to the very principles of instructors and even administrators. This presenter will discuss staff immersion into blindness as one of the rehabilitation methods that affect instructors, administrators, and eventually, clients, the success of the latter contingent on the agency wide culture and philosophy of blindness.
SDCT Professional Preparation Pathways. (*)
Location: Betsy Zaborowski Conference Room
Lead Presenter: Kristen J. Sims, NOMC, Structured Discovery Training Coordinator, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana.
Structured Discovery Cane Travel (SDCT) has been found to be an effective teaching methodology in increasing the probability of student employment and increased rates of self-efficacy and is endorsed by the United States’s leading blindness consumer group. SDCT’s instructor preparation is specifically designed using nonvisual instructional methods making it universally designed for use by blind or sighted instructors.
This presentation will highlight the available pathways toward individual National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) certifications in Structured Discovery for Rehabilitation Teaching and Orientation and Mobility Certification.
Current research, enrollment requirements, and the philosophical underpinnings of Structured Discovery Cane Travel will be discussed within the context of professional preparation on all available pathways. This presentation would be of interest to those seeking certification, SDCT sites who are seeking employee certification, and rehabilitation counselors who are advising clients interested in these programs.
The Role of Auditory Perspective in the Development of Effective Orientation Skills. (*)
Location: Members Hall
Lead Presenter: Jeffrey Altman, MA, NOMCT, CVRCB, The Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, The Nebraska Center for the Blind, Lincoln, Nebraska.
This presentation will provide discussion of a theoretical model of human perception, and how this construct facilitates the organization of the space surrounding the perceiver. Building upon this model, the various aspects of perspective will be explored, along with their role in judging distance, alignment, and overall orientation. Next, a discussion will focus on how Structured Discovery principles are applied in Orientation and Mobility instruction and how travel students incorporate these concepts into real-life situations.
5:00 PM Dinner on Your Own
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
7:30-8:30 AM Continental Breakfast
Location: Members Hall
8:00-8:30 AM Welcome and Housekeeping
Location: Members Hall
8:30-9:00 AM Keynote III: Innovate to Elevate.
Location: Members Hall
Presented by: Carlos R. Serván, MPA-JD, Executive Director, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Lincoln, Nebraska.
9:00-10:00 AM Plenary Session III: Achieving Expertise through the Lived Experience of the Blind.
Location: Members Hall
Presented by: Karen Anderson, Education Programs Coordinator, National Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland;
Nikki Jackson, Employment Program Coordinator, National Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland; and
Anil Lewis, MPA, Executive Director of Blindness Initiatives, National Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland.
10:00-10:30 AM Morning Break
10:30 AM-12:00 PM Topical Work Groups: Remaining Remarkable and Relevant Networking and Planning for the Future.
Program Administrators
Location: To be announced
Orientation and Mobility Instructors
Location: To be announced
Braille/Communications Instructors
Location: To be announced
Home Management/ADL Instructors
Location: To be announced
Access Technology Instructors/Rehab Tech
Location: To be announced
Vocational Rehab and Teachers
Location: To be announced
12:00-1:30 PM Lunch
Location: Members Hall
1:30-3:00 PM Debrief/Summaries/Reports from Work Groups
Location: Members Hall
3:00-5:00 PM Networking Break
Please let us know if you are interested in visiting our Independence Market or taking a tour of the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind (IBTC) or the NFB Jernigan Institute.
5:00 PM Conference Adjourned
Thank you for joining us for Dare to Be Remarkable 2024.
Survey
Please take a moment to share your impressions of the conference via the Dare to Be Remarkable feedback survey.