AGENDA
National Federation of the Blind of
Colorado
66th Annual State Convention
October 29 – October 31, 2020
Anywhere & Everywhere!
LIVING THE LIFE
WE WANT!
Scott C. LaBarre, President
2233 W. Shepperd Avenue
Littleton, CO 80120
303-778-1130
NFB PLEDGE
I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the
National Federation of the Blind to achieve
equality,
opportunity, and security for the blind; to support
the
policies and programs of the Federation and to abide
by its constitution.
NFB ONE MINUTE MESSAGE
The National Federation of the Blind
knows 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
their dreams.
You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what
holds you back.
TRIBUTE TO OUR SPONSORS
We extend our sincerest gratitude to our Live the Life You Want
Sponsor, Colorado Center for the Blind.
Since 1988, the CCB has been changing what it means to be blind one life at a time. The Center has provided world class blindness training to students from all over the world. Contact Julie Deden, Executive Director, jdeden@cocenter.org, 303-778-1130. Also visit www.cocenter.org for more information.
WE ALSO THANK OUR COMCAST 6 DOT DASH TITLE SPONSOR AS WELL AS OUR CONVENTION AND 6 DOT DASH PLATINUM, GOLD AND SILVER SPONSORS:
Comcast, Title Sponsor
Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Platinum Sponsor
1st Bank, Gold Sponsor
Blackstone Consulting, Gold Sponsor
LaBarre Law Offices, P.C., Gold Sponsor
Philadelphia Insurance, Gold Sponsor
Spectrum, Gold Sponsor
Ability Counseling, LLC, Silver Sponsor
Audio Information Network of Colorado, Silver Sponsor
CREEC – Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center,
Silver Sponsor
HumanWare, Silver Sponsor
GENERAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION
OUR NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
Each year, our National President, Mark Riccobono, appoints a national representative to represent the Office of the President at each state convention. This year, we are delighted to host John G. Paré Jr. as our National Representative. Here is his story:
John G. Paré, Jr. is the executive director for the Advocacy and Policy department at the National Federation of the Blind.
In this position, he oversees the continuing growth
of NFB-NEWSLINE®,
the largest electronic newspaper service for blind people, and the NFB's national governmental
affairs office. He has testified before the House of
Representatives Committee on Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee
regarding library services for blind Americans. He has also appeared on CNN,
Fox, BBC, and various radio programs to discuss issues affecting blind
Americans. He has testified before the United Nations World Forum for Vehicle
Harmonization regarding the dangers posed by silent vehicles. He is also a
member of the Society of Automotive Engineers' Committee on Vehicle Sound for
Pedestrians and has advised automotive manufacturers on the danger posed by
silent hybrid vehicles, as well as the benefits of fully autonomous vehicles
for blind people.
REGISTRATION
Convention registration was conducted online and is now closed. Those who registered will be eligible to win door prizes during convention. Registered members who were current on their dues and registered by October 13 will also be eligible to cast votes when the opportunity is presented. However, if you did not register, you are still welcome and strongly encouraged to participate in all convention events as listed in the agenda that follows.
CONVENTION ZOOM PLATFORM
Unless noted otherwise specifically in the agenda, most activities
will be occurring in the NFBCO Main Zoom Ballroom. Three large blocks of
time have been scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the
convention. Every block has the same link, password, meeting ID, and
telephone number except where indicated otherwise in the agenda. The Zoom
information that we will be generally using follows:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/3895150172?pwd=dkhBNHI1QXBEdTFYR2lMYjhyNi9KQT09
Meeting ID: 389 515 0172
Passcode: 1111
One tap mobile
+17207072699,,3895150172#
Dial: 1-720-707-2699
When prompted for a meeting ID, enter: 389 515 0172 followed by pound.
No pass code required
AUCTION
Although we are not all in the same room together for this convention, The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado auction will be happening live throughout the convention. Your auctioneer Maryann will be describing packages live and encouraging your bids.
To bid you will need to be able to raise your virtual hand. If you are using the Zoom application, you will need to locate the “raise hand” button on the webinar screen. If you are joining using a Windows computer, you will use alt-y. If you are on a Mac use option-y. If you are calling in to our convention, please use star nine to raise your hand. Our Zoom hosts will lower all the hands between bids.
As the bidding progresses, we will invite you to unmute yourself for some spirited live participation. If you are using the application, you will find the mute/unmute button on the bottom left corner of your screen. In Windows use alt-a. In Mac please use Cmd-Shift-a. If you are dialing in press star six. When you are finished with the vocal bids, please use the same button to mute yourself again.
If you have registered to our convention and are the highest bidder, you will be contacted by Gary or Maryann to collect your payment and get your shipping details after the bidding finishes. If you are not registered for our convention, we will join you briefly in a Zoom breakout room to collect these details.
All the auction packages will be shipped by the package donors.
Thank you in advance for your support. Happy bidding!
DOOR PRIZES
Monique Melton and Jennifer Spears serve as our Door Prize Chairwomen. Door Prizes will be drawn in general Convention session.
EXHIBIT HALL
We will be offering a virtual Exhibit Hall. All Exhibit Hall activities will occur between 11:00 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. on Friday. Please consult Friday’s portion of this agenda for specifics.
DOG RELIEF AREA
Well, we won’t have one this year. It is BYODRA, Bring Your Own Dog Relief Area!
THURSDAY MORNING OCTOBER 29, 2020
Please note that there will be three tracks of Zoom offerings throughout Thursday morning and afternoon: NFBCO Live Track, COPOBC Track and CCB Empowerment Track. Each track is set-forth separately.
NFBCO LIVE
The following breakout sessions are being offered live on the main NFBCO Zoom Ballroom.
https://zoom.us/j/3895150172?pwd=dkhBNHI1QXBEdTFYR2lMYjhyNi9KQT09
Meeting ID: 389 515 0172
9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
SENIOR DIVISION ANNUAL MEETING
Diane McGeorge, President, NFBCO Senior Division, Littleton, CO
In this year when COVID-19 is changing how we live, we are accessing
services in new and different ways. We will discuss methods to remain in
control of our daily lives. We will share strategies for accomplishing our
goals in different ways in the areas of medical treatment, organizing shopping,
and financial management.
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
THE BLIND HISTORY LADY
Peggy Chong, Aurora, CO
We will be talking about some of the early board members of the United
Workers for the Blind of Colorado. Having tracked down a few of them,
we’ll find out a bit of their history. We know of one UWB board member
who had very poor vision; today we may say he was legally blind. One of
his former positions was Governor. Can you guess who he was?
Our blind children, as well as all of our members and guests, should know our
blind Colorado ancestors. We will share other finds in the old files and
discuss the purpose of preserving them and the methods we have
selected.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON OCTOBER 29, 2020
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Monique Melton, Board Member, NFBCO, Vice President, Mile High Chapter, Littleton, CO
We will give NFBCO members a chance to share their stories and talk
about how their backgrounds have affected their blindness moving through life.
We hope to find ways to showcase different walks of life to help other members
feel welcome and get pumped up about helping us in the federation because we
fight for everyone.
1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
BLIND PARENTS DIVISION SEMINAR
The Parenting Journey, from Bringing Your Child Home to Watching Them LeaveNate Trela, President, NFBCO Blind Parents Division, Littleton, CO
A series of short talks by blind parents about different stages of the
parenting journey, ranging from 5 to 15 minutes per person. There will be
discussions of the hospital experience (importance of being prepared and
advocating for yourself), the adoption experience (best practices for making
agencies comfortable and confident in your abilities), toddlerhood (helping
your curious child explore the world), preschool (working with teachers for the
first time), elementary school (managing homework, among other challenges),
middle school (new issues with schooling as well as surviving the transition
from kid to teenager) and high school (your child's bustling extracurricular
schedule, their social life and challenges of blind parents getting sighted
kids behind the wheel), as well as a focused talk on issues around online
learning platforms that are now ubiquitous in the ongoing pandemic.
3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
COLORADO ASSOCIATION OF GUIDE DOG USERS:
Colorado Association of Guide Dog Users Cares!
Kevan Worley, President, COAGDU, Colorado Springs, CO
COAGDU presents wellness and advocacy for human and dog. A special
seminar for guide service dog handlers, trainers, and dog lovers who want to
make the most of their canine experience. Raul Gallegos, President, National
Association of Guide Dog Users; Scott C. LaBarre, LaBarre Law Offices, P.C.;
Melissa Allman, Advocacy and Government Relations Specialist, The Seeing Eye;
Courtney Kirman, Owner, Tender Hands Animal Training.
Join us for the NFBCO Comcast 6 Dot Dash! www.6dotdashco.com<http://www.6dotdashco.com/>
Join my team, The Doggers! Or build your own team. Thank you
Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Philadelphia Insurance, Blackstone Consulting Inc., and
other dear friends and supporters. #comerunwithus
The following COPOBC meeting will use the following Zoom information:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81751111728?pwd=RkJzMW0yY2lMeVRQVFF4cUUyYm90UT09
Meeting ID: 817 5111 1728
Passcode: 953147
One tap mobile
+17207072699,,81751111728# US
12:00 p.m.
COLORADO PARENTS OF BLIND CHILDREN:
Connecting and
Supporting One Another Through Our Parenting Journeys
Amira Lucas, Thornton, CO
We will be holding roundtable discussions on topics ranging from education, social/emotional needs to recreation and orientation and mobility for all ages. There will be an opportunity to participate in a tactile art activity and create your own storybook at the end. We hope you are able to join us for this chance to learn from different speakers and support one another as we move through this parenting journey together.
THURSDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 29, 2020
Colorado Center For The Blind Empowerment Track
These sessions were all recorded during the summer of 2020 as part of
the CCB Youth Programs, and we are rebroadcasting them now because even though
they were originally targeted at our youth, much of the substance is relevant
to all our members.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84907531553?pwd=dWFHdFJiOStRb3hDbFIwanI2VDdjZz09
Meeting ID: 849 0753 1553
Passcode: 694027
One tap mobile
+17207072699,,84907531553# US
Dial: 1-720-707-2699
When prompted for a meeting ID, enter: 849 0753 1553 followed by
pound.
No pass code required
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
WHAT’S YOUR BLUEPRINT TO SUCCESS?
Looking at Blindness as an Opportunity Not a Hindrance
You will not want to miss this opportunity to hear from Chris Downey, President, Architecture for the Blind, about his transition from sighted architect to blind architect, and why he wishes he had been blind earlier in life.
11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WHO BETTER THAN ME? How to be My Own Best Advocate
Hear from our very own NFBCO President Scott C. LaBarre on why advocacy is important, and gain tips to get started down this path.
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
NATIONWIDE NETWORKING: Connect with Students from Across the Country and Help Make a Difference
NABS Panel with National Association of Blind Students
President Trisha Kulkarni, and 3 other outstanding board members will talk to
us about why getting involved with NABS is important and how it can help you be
successful in school.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 29TH, 2020
3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
LEVELING UP: Tips and Techniques for Navigating College
Join us to hear from three higher-ed students in varying
stages of their post-secondary education journey. Charis Glatthar, Chemistry
Major, Metropolitan State University of Denver; Kevin Darcy, PhD Student/Lead
Researcher for the Digital Accessibility Office, University of Colorado
Boulder; and Garrett Mooney, Law Student, University of Baltimore.
THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 29, 2020
5:30 p.m. OPENING CEREMONIES
Main NFBCO Zoom Ballroom
https://zoom.us/j/3895150172?pwd=dkhBNHI1QXBEdTFYR2lMYjhyNi9KQT09
Meeting ID: 389 515 0172
Scott LaBarre, Maureen Nietfeld, and Jessica Beecham, Masters of Ceremonies
Kick off convention with an engaging and dynamic opening ceremony!!!
This is going to be packed with entertainment. Hear from the president of our
host chapter, the At-Large Mountains and Plains Chapter. We will be welcomed by
several national board members and our national representative John Paré.
Listen to our very own virtual choir and enjoy some great music from local
talent. The Bulldogs, the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind band, will be
joining us, and there will be so much more!! Learn some fun facts about
Colorado and take a trip through history as we celebrate major advancements for
blind people in Colorado. This is something no one will want to miss!
7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
HOSPITALITY
(Zoom info TBD)
Stop by our hospitality event to have the kids carve a pumpkin, play a
game, socialize, or participate in some
improv. This will be a fun evening with something for
everyone!!
SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN FUN
Ann Cunningham and Rashika Kartik will be carving and
decorating pumpkins with the whole family while learning about artistic
techniques, the history of pumpkin carving, and pumpkin science.
TWO MINUTE MYSTERIES
Hosted by Brett Boyer, NFB of Denver
What a great night for some mysteries. Come listen to some short
stories and try to figure out how our old inspector solved the crime. The
question for you is not whodunit, but howdunit!
NAME THAT TUNE
Hosted by the Mountain and Plains Chapter
Do you love music of all kinds? Are you one of the first to guess a
song? Have fun competing with your friends to Name that Tune
MIGS HOUSE IMPROV NIGHT
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7202842318?pwd=c2c4NWpIQTZmOEpweEYyVHpCR0pjUT09
Meeting ID: 720 284 2318
Passcode: 632266
One tap mobile
+17207072699,,7202842318#,,,,,,0#,,632266# US
Dial by your location
720-707-2699
Meeting ID: 720 284 2318
Passcode: 632266
Join us for the best virtual fun we can create together!
Maryann and Paul Migliorelli, Boulder, CO
Join us for an evening of fun improv games designed to stimulate your
creative juices, take you beyond your comfort zone, and grow you to places only
your colleagues can imagine. Come ready to laugh, play, and have more fun
than a pack of puppies.
FRIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 30, 2020
Main NFBCO Zoom Ballroom
https://zoom.us/j/3895150172?pwd=dkhBNHI1QXBEdTFYR2lMYjhyNi9KQT09
Meeting ID: 389 515 0172
9:00 a.m.
RESOLUTIONS
To start a revolution for the blind, it takes a resolution. Come help us set our policy for the coming year and beyond!
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS HOUR OF POWER
This year, each Sponsor or Exhibitor who wishes to do so will have approximately 4.5 minutes to tell the whole convention about themselves and why we should visit them in their breakout room. Let’s give a warm welcome to the following Sponsors and Exhibitors:
Ability Counseling, LLC, Silver Sponsor
Arise Beyond Barriers, Exhibitor
A T Guys, Exhibitor
Audio Information Network of Colorado, Gold Sponsor
Blackstone Consulting, Gold Sponsor
Colorado Center for the Blind, Title Sponsor
Comcast, Title Sponsor
CREEC – Civil Rights Education and Enforcement
Center, Silver Sponsor
DRCOG, Exhibitor
1st Bank, Gold Sponsor
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Exhibitor
Guide Dogs for the Blind, Exhibitor
HumanWare, Silver Sponsor
LaBarre Law Offices, P.C., Gold Sponsor
NanoPac / Magnisight of the Rockies, Exhibitor
Philadelphia Insurance, Gold Sponsor
The Seeing Eye, Inc., Exhibitor
Spectrum, Gold Sponsor
Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Platinum Sponsor
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 30, 2020
12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
VIRTUAL EXHIBIT HALL
Please put on your Zoom shoes and visit our Sponsors and Exhibitors. Each Sponsor/Exhibitor will have its own Zoom Room.
The Zoom coordinates TBD.
LIVING THE LIFE WE WANT SESSION I
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
WELCOME AND ZOOM LOGISTICS
Scott LaBarre, President, NFBCO, Centennial, CO
https://zoom.us/j/3895150172?pwd=dkhBNHI1QXBEdTFYR2lMYjhyNi9KQT09
Meeting ID: 389 515 0172
2:10 p.m.
OUR PARTNERS AT THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT AND
BLINDNESS LOW VISION SERVICES: Facing Challenges and Maximizing Potential
Joe Barela, Executive Director, CDLE, Denver, CO; Krista Hedlund, Manager, CDLE/BLVS, Denver, CO
2:50 p.m.
EMPOWERING ALL COLORADANS INCLUDING THE BLIND
The Honorable Lieutenant Governor of the State of Colorado, Diane Primavera, Denver, CO
3:20 p.m.
FROM PARENTAL RIGHTS TO VOTING RIGHTS: Senator Danielson Has Got Our
Back!
The Honorable Senator Jessie Danielson, Wheat Ridge, CO
3:50 p.m.
REPORTS, RESOLUTIONS, AND AUCTION
4:00 p.m.
EXERCISING OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO VOTE
The Honorable Secretary of State Jena Griswold, Denver, CO
Curtis Chong, Voting Rights Coordinator, NFBCO, Aurora, CO
4:30 p.m.
MEET THE 2020 NFBCO SCHOLARSHIP CLASS AND LEARN HOW THEY LIVE THE
LIVES THEY WANT
Jessica Beecham, First Vice President, NFBCO, Chair, NFBCO Scholarship Committee, Colorado Springs, CO
Kristina Beam
Grand Junction, CO
Master’s First Year Clinical and Mental Health Counseling
Adams State University
Kevin Darcy
Longmont, CO
PhD Anthropology
University of Colorado Boulder
Charis Glatthar
Lakewood, CO
Chemistry
Metropolitan State University Denver
Traci Jones
Longmont, CO
PhD Organizational Leadership, Business Psychology
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
5:00 p.m.
ADJOURN
FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 30, 2020
Zoom logistics
https://zoom.us/j/3895150172?pwd=dkhBNHI1QXBEdTFYR2lMYjhyNi9KQT09
Meeting ID: 389 515 0172
7:00 p.m.
COSTUME PARTY FOR THE KIDDOS
Round up the kids to show off their best costumes!!
This event will be audio described by nationally renowned audio descriptionist Bonnie Barlow. This just the beginning of another fun filled evening no one will want to miss!
8:00 p.m.
WILD WEST TALENT SHOW
The Wild West Chapter presents a night filled with fun and prizes. Please join us for our very first virtual NFBCO Wild West Talent Showdown.
There will be talent of various kinds. We'll feature singers, poets,
comedians and our very own enthusiastic MCs with even more comedy and
surprises of their own.
We will also be giving away door prizes to those who donate to the chapter as well as incredible prizes to those who participate in the show.
SATURDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 31, 2020
LIVING THE LIFE WE WANT SESSION II
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
10:00 a.m.
A ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOOD MORNING!
Scott LaBarre, President, NFBCO, Centennial, CO
10:05 a.m.
TRANSFORMING OUR DREAMS INTO REALITY THROUGHOUT AMERICA AND THE WORLD:
A National Report
John G. Paré, Executive Director of Policy and Advocacy, Baltimore, MD
10:50 a.m.
KEEPING OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY OPEN AND THRIVING DURING THE PANDEMIC; A
Report from the Colorado Talking Book Library
Debbi MacLeod, Director, Colorado Talking Book Library, Denver, CO
11:10
a.m.
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES DURING TROUBLED
TIMES: A Report from our Colorado Center for the Blind
Julie Deden, Executive Director, CCB, Centennial, CO
11:50 a.m.
EMBRACING CHALLENGES WITH LOVE, HOPE AND DETERMINATION: A Presidential
Report
Scott C. LaBarre, President, NFBCO, Centennial, CO
12:30 p.m.
ADJOURN
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 31, 2020
LIVING THE LIFE WE WANT SESSION III
1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
MY BLINDNESS MYSELF
We will hear from three Members of the NFBCO who will tell their stories about blindness and how the NFB helps them live the lives they want.
2:15 p.m.
THE ADA AND CCDC ARE THIRTY!
Julie Reiskin, Executive Director, Colorado Cross-Disability
Coalition, Denver CO
2:35 p.m.
EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND FACILITATING INCLUSION
Darian Smith, Chair, NFBCO Diversity and Inclusion
Committee, Littleton, CO; Monique Melton, Board
Member, NFBCO, Denver, CO
2:45 p.m.
LEARN ABOUT OUR INDEPENDENCE MARKET AND
HOW IT CAN IMPROVE YOUR LIFE
2:50 p.m.
BUILDING THE FEDERATION THROUGH PROJECT
LITERACY
Kevan Worley, Manager, Project Literacy, Colorado Springs,
CO
3:00 p.m.
REACHING BLIND STUDENTS IN NEW WAYS
Shane Wegner, Board Member, National Association of
Blind Students, Minneapolis, MN
3:10 p.m.
ALL ABOUT OUR BUSINESS
We will discuss and adopt our resolutions, conduct elections,
consider our Financial Report, take up our Honor Roll Call of
Chapters and Divisions, and augment our finances through
our auction.
4:30 p.m.
ADJOURN
SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 31, 2020
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
ANNUAL BANQUET
Master of Ceremonies, Kevan Worley, Manager, Project Literacy, NFBCO,
Colorado Springs, CO
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
John G. Paré, Jr., Executive Director of Advocacy and Policy, National
Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, MD
MUSICAL AND OTHER PERFORMANCES FROM TALENTED MEMBERS
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND REMARKS
Scott C. LaBarre, President, NFBCO, Centennial, CO
NFBCO 2020 SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATIONS
Jessica Beecham, Chairperson, Committee on Scholarships, Colorado Springs, CO
PAC IT UP AND BUILD THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND!
AUCTION, AUCTION, AUCTION
Maryann Migliorelli, Board Member, NFBCO and Annual Auction Chair, Boulder, CO
8:30 p.m. Zoom After Parties
Various NFBCO members will be offering up their Zoom rooms for a
little socializing post Banquet. Once again, put on your Zoom shoes and
do a little Zoom hopping. We will publish the list of said rooms prior to
the Convention.
