2021 Convention Agenda – Day 2

Friday, September 3rd, 2021

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Hospitality Suite

7:00 AM – 9:00 AM  hospitality suite

Meeting ID: 881 9875 9933

Breakout Sessions:

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Access Technology Seminar

Access Technology 9 a.m. Meeting ID: 921 3295 7589

Bryan Duarte, Technology Committee Chair

Hey there tech Enthusiast, come join us this year for another jam packed technology seminar from the national Federation of the Blind, of Arizona! This year we will be having some awesome special guest to talk about new technology in their company or organization. This year we will also be providing some new tips and tricks for interacting with personal and professional  technology. As the world continues to move forward through the digital age it is becoming more and more important that we only share information we want and protect ourselves and our families or friends. We will share some information and strategies that will help you to understand what data is being tracked, stored, and how to manage what personal information is available. We look forward to seeing you this year!

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Jobs Seminar – The more we know, the more we grow.

Jobs Seminar 9 a.m. Meeting ID: 848 4414 8992

Reginald Laister – Business Development Manager, SAAVI Services for the Blind.

This year’s Employment Seminar will be jammed-packed with presentations and presenters who are sure to inspire and arm us with the tools we need to handle “Our Unfinished Business”  of getting every blind job seeker the job they want and deserve. We will learn about how we can request a reasonable accommodation and how to get what we need. We will listen to a discussion of an employer’s panel and how it is possible how a dynamic team can be built that could include blind people. Finally, don’t miss an enlightening discussion from blind employees on overcoming roadblocks and barriers to employment outside of blindness related fields. Remember, the more we know, the more we grow. You do not want to miss your chance to grow!

10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon: Seniors Division Seminar

Connie Leblond, Senior Division President

Seniors Division 10 a.m. Meeting ID: 812 4931 0077

Come join the Seniors Division for its annual Business meeting and seminar.  Voting for all elected positions will be conducted. You must be a dues paid member to vote.

Guest speakers will talk on various topics including, accessible pharmacies and prescriptions, Ability 360.

Topics for discussion will be prepared that will focus on philosophy and/or adjustment to blindness.

10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon: Education Seminar

Education 10 am Meeting ID: 812 4931 0077

Colin Wong and Ashleigh Moon – Co-Chairs

This seminar is focused on teaching educators, students, and parents of blind students the resources that are available in the public school system. Hear from dynamic speakers about updates to technology and other resources. Also hear from students who have personally navigated the school system and is pursuing a career in STEM. Follow updates regarding how schools are dealing with Covid and returning in-person.

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Health and Fitness Seminar

Health and Fitness 10:30 a.m. Meeting ID: 841 5911 2491

Tarik Williams and Eve Sanchez

Now more than ever our mental and physical health is critical to our Have you been thinking about your health goals?  Are trying to understand how to make some healthy lifestyle changes?  Then this is the right seminar for you!   In this seminar we will be providing steps to live a more active lifestyle and discuss some different types of food options that will put you in the right direction to live a healthy lifestyle that is sustainable!   Some times there  are misconceptions about what a blind person can do in a gym and with exercise   in general.  In this seminar  we will go over the importance of approaching  a healthy lifestyle mentally and physically! And once again making sure it is sustainable for you!

Noon – 1:00 PM: Lunch 

Lunch at Noon Meeting ID: 955 5463 7326

Speakers:

• Tracy Soforenko, National Representative
• Elizabeth Roush, NABS Representative
• Alissa Trollinger, Deputy Associate Superintendent, Arizona Department of Education

1:00 PM-2:30 PM: Students Seminar

Students Seminar 1 p.m. Meeting ID: 826 9119 4226

Jessica DeGraff, President Arizona Association of Blind Students

The pandemic has done more than affect the physical health of our community, it has also had a negative impact on us mentally and emotionally. It has caused us to lose focus. Join us as we talk about our future and how the student division can contribute to helping the National Federation of the Blind work on “our” unfinished business – achieving equal access to society for the blind.

1:00 PM-2:30 PM: Blindness Professionals Seminar

Blindness Professionals 1 p.m. Meeting ID: 838 5831 7304

Amy Porterfield, Board Member

Come join us for The Blind Professionals seminar where we will  continue to work on “our” unfinished business. We will  craft our new normal by exploring the impacts on our virtual learning for our blind students,  the trends for virtual employment,  maintain our high expectations with students who are blind have brain injury, and of course sharing our great resources with each other.

2:00 PM-4:00 PM: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Seminar

Diversity and Inclusion 2 p.m. Meeting ID: 836 5880 8810

Colin Wong – Chair and Board Member

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion seminar will introduce the importance of these efforts within the affiliate. Experiences from Federationists from across the Nation will be shared. Updates will be given about efforts that will be focused on throughout the rest of the year. Please come to get your questions answered about these initiatives in your state and from the rest of the Federation.

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Legislative Seminar

Legislative Seminar 4 p.m. Meeting ID: 923 7631 2978

Justice James Beene – Arizona Supreme Court
Representative Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton – Arizona Legislative District 10
Sami Hamed – Legislative Director

Come join us as we meet with policy makers and discuss how we the blind can advocate for ourselves, move forward, and help move our unfinished business forward through the political system.

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Hospitality Suite 

Hospitality Suite 5:30 pm Meeting ID: 881 9875 9933

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Resolutions Committee 

Resolutions Committee 6:30 p.m. Meeting ID: 975 2619 3375

8:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Hospitality Night – Trivial Pursuit

Hospitality 8 p.m. Meeting ID: 881 9875 9933

Welcome Federation Family! Please help us kick off our 2021 convention. Finish song lyrics, answer questions about sports, movies, and NFB facts. Don’t miss out on winning prizes and meeting new federationists.

9:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Nominating Committee

Bob Kresmer, Chair

This is the only meeting during the convention that is not open to the public.

View Day 1’s Agenda Here or View Day 3’s Agenda Here or View Day 4’s Agenda here.