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2020 NFBTX State Convention Agenda

November 3, 2020

Click here to download the 2020 NFB of Texas State Convention agenda.

The file below contains a list of this year's exhibitors. The file contains information about how to login to visit their virtual booths. Our hours are from 10 AM to 5 PM on Friday, November 6 and from 3-5 PM on Saturday, November 7. Vendors will also participate in the exhibitor showcase on Saturday afternoon. Please, check for the appropriate links on the agenda. 

2020 Exhibits

AGENDA

 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2020

 

10:00-11:00 AM – Zoom: How to Make the Best Impression & Why That's Important

Liz Wisecarver, NFB-NEWSLINE TEXAS Coordinator

Raul Gallegos, Owner, RGA Tech Solutions

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11:00 AM-Noon – A Conversation with TWC

Ed Serna, Executive Director, Texas Workforce Commission

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Mr. Serna will participate in an interview-style conversation with President Norma Crosby. Other senior-level staff may also participate in the interview.

 

1:00-4:00 PM – Silver Bells Senior Training

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If you dial in using a telephone, you may be asked for a passcode. Use 2020 if that happens.

 

Join NFB-NEWSLINE TEXAS staff and volunteers for a seminar designed to help blind seniors in their effort to become more independent. While the event is intended primarily for seniors, everyone is welcome.

         

2:00-4:00 PM – Randolph-Sheppard: A Primer

Nicky Gacos, President, National Association of Blind Merchants

Ed Birmingham, National Association of Blind Merchants

Michael Colburn, National Association of Blind Merchants

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A seminar for current and future participants in the Business Enterprises of Texas program. This seminar is being hosted by the National Federation of the Blind of Texas and the Texas Association of Blind Merchants and presented by the National Association of Blind Merchants.

 

4:00-5:00 PM – TXAGDU Business Meeting

Elizabeth Campbell, President, Texas Association of Guide Dog Users

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You don’t have to be a TXAGDU member to attend this meeting. Everyone with an interest in getting involved is welcome.

 

6:00-7:00 PM - Board of Directors Meeting

This meeting is open to everyone. Please, join us.

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7:00-8:00 PM – Resolutions Committee

Glenn Crosby, Chairperson

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People who call in on a landline may be asked for a passcode. If so, use 2020.

 

7:00-11:00 PM – Texas Association of Blind Students

Salvador Villa, President

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          7:00-9:00 PM – Business Meeting

          9:00-11:00 PM – Online Game Night!

 

7:30-9:00 PM – Texas Parents of Blind Children

Michelle Murrey, President

Join 608 149 4047

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People who call in on a phone may be asked for a passcode. If so, use 2020.

 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2020

 

GENERAL SESSION

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 9:00 AM – Call To Order

 9:05 AM -   Invocation

 9:10 AM – Welcome

Janette Garza, President

National Federation of the Blind of Texas Coastal Bend Chapter

 

9:20 AM -   2020 Scholarship Program

Lara Sowell, Chairperson

National Federation of the Blind of Texas Scholarship Committee      

 

9:30 AM – Continuing the Struggle for Independence: Our National Report

Terri Rupp, President, National Federation of the Blind of Nevada and Board Member, National Federation of the Blind

 

10:00 AM – Methods for The Blind to Electronically Read and Write Mathematics from Primary School Through College

Neil Soiffer, Ph.D., Owner

Talking Cat Software

 

10:20 AM – Skills Training: The First Step Toward Independence

A panel discussion led by Gabe Cazares, Director, Houston Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

 

Salvador Villa, President, Texas Association of Blind Students

Terri Rupp, Board Member, National Federation of the Blind

Yolanda Harris, Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Texas Lone Star Chapter

 

10:45 AM - The Trainers:  Structured Discovery Makes the Difference

A panel led by Liz Wisecarver, Coordinator for NFB-NEWSLINE TEXAS, and NOMC.

 

Yadiel Sotomayor, Cane Travel Instructor, BLIND, INC.

Brett Boyer, Access Technology Instructor, Colorado Center for the Blind

David Nietfeld, Woodshop and Home Maintenance Instructor, Colorado Center for the Blind

 

11:05 AM – Making the Choice for Independence

Blind Americans have the right to choose where they receive training in the use of nonvisual skills. Two of the most highly regarded centers in the country are here to tell you the benefits of choosing them.

 

Rachel Kuntz, Resource Development Coordinator, BLIND, INC.

Julie Deden, Executive Director, Colorado Center for the Blind

 

11:30 -- Working During a Pandemic

A panel led by Kimberly Aguillard, Ph.D., 2nd Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Texas

 

Tamer Zaid, Customer Service Representative, Apple

Emeline Lakrout, Unilever Future Leaders Program, Assistant Brand Manager

 

NOON - ADJOURN

 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

 

GENERAL SESSION

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1:30 PM -   TWC: Helping Blind Texans In Their Quest for Independence

Ed Serna, Executive Director, Texas Workforce Commission

 

1:45 PM -   TSBVI: Turning Blind Children Into Independent Adults

Emily Coleman, Superintendent, Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired

 

2:00 PM -   How Learning To Be Blind Took Me From Doubt To The Doors of Harvard Law

Syed Rizvi, Student, Harvard Law

 

2:25 PM      Presidential Report

Norma Crosby, President, National Federation of the Blind of Texas

 

2:55 PM      Adjourn

 

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

The following sessions are open to everyone, and we encourage you to participate in more than one session if you wish. Each session will focus on some aspect of becoming more independent. After the breakout sessions, take a break before joining us for this evening’s banquet. If it is safe where you are, feel free to join friends for a drink, a good meal, and the highlight of our convention. We are so glad you are with us. If you have questions following these sessions, we will be happy to help. You can always call our office at 281-968-7733. Or, send a note to our president at ncrosby@nfbtx.org. Our office is open from 9 AM to 5 PM, weekdays

 

3:00-4:00 PM - 2021 Legislative Agenda for Blind Texans: A Seminar

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Gabe Cazares and Liz Wisecarver co-chair our affiliate’s Legislative Committee, and they will talk to you about our plans for the upcoming legislative session. They’ll be able to give you information about the legislation we hope to pass during this session, and they’ll begin to gather information about who we can contact in regard to your chapter’s engagement on these issues. Each chapter should send representatives to this meeting, but attendance is not limited to just a chapter representative. Anyone who is interested in legislative issues is welcome to attend.

 

3:00-5:00 PM - Diversity Means Including the DeafBlind

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This session will focus on how to include deafblind members and potential members in local chapter meetings and other Federation activities. Join Trae Shaw, DeafBlind & Low Vision Supervisor for the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, and Marsha Drenth, Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind’s DeafBlind Division for a powerful discussion about including this under-represented population in all that we do.

 

3:00-5:00 PM - Reaching for Independence: Learning How to Be Blind

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Yolanda Shaw became blind when she was a teenager. She didn’t allow that to stop her from enjoying life. She took on the challenge of learning how to function as an independent blind person, and in the process, she became a highly regarded professional in the field of work with the blind. Today, she serves as a family engagement specialist at the Texas School for the Blind & Visually impaired, but she also has ten years of experience in the field of rehabilitation. She understands what you are going through if you are newly blind or if you just need to refresh your blindness skills. She knows how the rehabilitation system works, and she is here to share her insights with you. Come and learn how to start on the road to independence or to continue on that road. Ask questions. Youlanda and the colleagues she has enlisted to help will offer the guidance you need to become successful.

 

3:00-5:00 PM - Can I Pin All My Hopes On Technology?

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Those using a landline to call will need to use the passcode 2020 if asked.

 

This session will focus on low-tech ways of achieving independence. While our session leader, Raul Gallegos, is a high-tech guy he and the team he has assembled for this breakout understand that there are times when technology is not the best way to complete a task They also know that there are times when technology doesn’t work. So, having alternatives or a backup plan can be crucial to success. Join Raul and his team as they offer you information about those alternatives.

 

 

3:00-5:00 PM – A Seminar For Spanish Speakers

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Those using a landline to call will need to use the passcode 2020 if asked.

 

This seminar for our members who prefer to speak Spanish is intended to discuss topics that will lead to greater independence for the LatinX community. Join Jose Marquez, First Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas and the entire diversity and inclusion team as they encourage greater participation among our fastest growing population.

 

3:00-5:00 PM – Exhibitor Showcase

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People who call in on a landline may be asked for a passcode. If so, use 2020.

 

Join Vispero, OrCam, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Way Around, and the Texas Talking Book Program as they bring you up-to-date information about their latest products and services. During this two-hour session, you will have an opportunity to ask questions and gather information you might need to share with your employer or rehabilitation professional. Everyone is welcome.

 

4:00-4:30 PM – Q&A About Electronic Math with Dr. Soiffer

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If you use a mobile phone or landline and are asked for a passcode, use 2020.

 

Dr. Soiffer was a presenter during our morning session, and he has agreed to take a few minutes to answer questions that students, their families, teachers, or professionals may have about his presentation. Please, join him for a discussion of this important accessibility topic.

 

6:15-8:00 PM - BANQUET

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Jose Marquez, First Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The keynote address will be delivered by our national representative, Terri Rupp. Terri serves as president of the National Federation of the Blind of Nevada and is also a member of our national board. She is a mom, an athlete, and an all-around great person. You won’t want to miss her address, and of course, you will want to stick around for the scholarship awards and other surprises.

 

 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2020

 

GENERAL SESSION

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 9:00 AM – Call to Order

 9:05 AM – Invocation

 9:10 AM – Elections

 9:30-9:45 AM - Growing Into Independence: How a Mentor Can Help

Emily Gibbs, Director of Youth & Education Services (YES), National Federation of the Blind of Texas

 

9:50-10:00 AM – Protecting Blind Parents and Voters: The 2021 Legislative Agenda

Gabe Cazares, Co-Chair, National Federation of the Blind of Texas Legislative Committee

 

10:00-10:15 AM – NFB-NEWSLINE® TEXAS: An Update

Liz Wisecarver, Coordinator, NFB-NEWSLINE TEXAS

 

10:15-10:25 AM – Secretary’s Report

Louis Maher

 

10:25-10:35 AM – Treasurer’s Report

Lara Sowell, Treasurer

 

10:35-10:50 AM - Resolutions

Glenn Crosby, Chairperson, National Federation of the Blind of Texas Resolutions Committee

 

10:55-11:15 AM – Chapter Reports

 

11:15-11:30 AM – Convention Wrap Up

 

11:30 AM - Adjourn

 


 

LIST OF EXHIBITORS

 

          The following exhibitors are participating in the 2020 convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas. We thank all of them for joining us.

         

OrCam

          Company Contact:  Lena Lee

          Lena.lee@orcam.com

          https://www.orcam.com

 

Texas State Library – Talking Book Program

Agency Contact:  Jaclyn Owusu

jowusu@tsl.texas.gov

https://www.tsl.texas.gov/tbp/index.html

 

Vanda Pharmaceuticals

Company Contact:  Shauna Jatho

Shauna.jatho@vandapharma.com

https://vandapharma.com

 

Vispero

Company Contact:  Pauline Damery

pdamery@vispero.com

https://vispero.com

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