BITS at the ACB Convention
BITS has several exciting events planned during the upcoming ACB convention. We have a total of 6 presentations scheduled during the virtual portion of the convention, including a three-part series on artificial intelligence, at 11 a.m. each day. Then at 2 p.m. each afternoon, we have technology sessions presented by iBug Today, Computers For The Blind, and more.
For those who will be in Jacksonville, on Wednesday afternoon, July 10 at 4 p.m., join BITS family and friends for a reception and mixer. Come see what all the excitement is about. We will have refreshments and snacks. There will be a raffle drawing for a Zoom H4E Audio Recording Bundle. This is a $400 value. (Must be present to win.) Registration is required, and you can do so during conference registration. Your ticket gets you a free drink from the cash bar and a raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased on site.
Follow the Dots!
Braille Revival League will offer a number of sessions at this year’s ACB convention.
Thursday, June 27, 12:30-1:45 p.m. (Zoom only): What is the Braille Challenge? How does it work? How can we start one locally?
Friday, June 28, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (Zoom only): Choosing a Braille Device Trainer
This session explores how you can find a trainer in the area of interest. It offers a practical outline of steps you can take to see just how effective your trainer is likely to be.
Tuesday, July 9, 7 a.m.: BRL Breakfast (hybrid)
Join BRL for breakfast and a speaker.
Fun with Friends-in-Art
FIA is excited to renew connections both virtually and during the Jacksonville convention.
We are stepping out in grand style, partnering with the Audio Description Project on June 27 with Audible Description and Dance taking place from 3:30-4:45 p.m.
On June 28, rest your tired virtual tootsies, exercise those ears and train your muse with MuseScore from 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. FIA program chair Peter Altschul and Jason Castonguay, performer, composer, and tech geek, will demonstrate how MuseScore empowers individuals who are blind or have low vision to independently create music scores.
Ah, though we know opening with the fun topics is gratifying, we must move on to more pressing subjects. You will not want to miss the writers’ workshop session on book banning featuring a discussion panel taking place on June 29 from 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. Panelists will share stories focusing on the detrimental effect upon blind and low-vision children and adults, as well as people with disabilities and other minority groups. Annie Chiappetta, FIA president, is facilitating. Panelists are Donna Halper, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Emerson College; Leah Gardner, BPI president; Cheryl Cumings, MCAC Chair; and Regina Brink, Assistant Director of Governmental Affairs, California Council of the Blind.
Now for act two, flexing the writing muscle during the in-person convention in Jacksonville. We are pleased to once again sponsor Carla Hayes, AABT Chair and IVIE, during the Prose and Poetry reading session from 9:00 – 10:15 p.m. It is an evergreen session — you won’t want to miss it. Share some of your original work or just come listen. FAMILY FRIENDLY, PLEASE.
The final act is anticipated to wrap up in a percussive crescendo on July 9th from 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. and again from 8 – 9:15 p.m. with two sessions of our Drum Circle. FIA vice president Nancy Pendegraph and FIA board members will guide participants in celebrating the percussive spirit.
Though the curtain has fallen upon the annual Showcase, there is a whisper of an impromptu gathering taking place on Wednesday evening, July 9th, starting at 9:30 p.m. There is a high probability spontaneous piano playing and singing might break out in the foyer near the grand ballroom piano — stay tuned. Send questions and comments regarding the FIA program and activities to [email protected].
IVIE Convention Plans
The Independent Visually Impaired Entrepreneurs is partnering with several special-interest affiliates and a few committees this year to present an amazing program.
Thursday, June 27, 5 p.m.: P.R.E.P. for Successful Networking (Zoom only)
IVIE partners with ACB Next Generation to help you prepare for networking events. (See description in the June 2024 Forum.)
Friday, June 28th, 5:00-6:15 p.m.: IVIE Business Meeting (Zoom only)
This meeting is for IVIE members only.
Saturday, July 6th
12:15 p.m.: RSVA/IVIE Awards Luncheon
1:00 p.m.: How a visually impaired entrepreneur created and launched her new business (hybrid). Speaker: Tricia Waechter, CEO, Blind Girl Designs
2:30 p.m.: Tech It Out! iPhone and Android Tips for Entrepreneurs (hybrid)
4:00 p.m.: Network Yourself for Success (in-person only). In conjunction with our June 27th P.R.E.P. for Successful Networking program, we are pleased to host an in-person networking event where you can practice what you’ve P.R.E.P.’d. Come mingle with members of the ACB Employment Committee, ACB Government Employees, American Association of Blind Teachers, American Association of Visually Impaired Attorneys, Independent Visually Impaired Entrepreneurs (IVIE), and Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA), among others, and join us for an evening of creating new connections. All are welcome. Co-sponsored by ACB Next Generation.
Wednesday, July 10th, 1:00-3:45 p.m.: IVIE Business Expo (in-person only)
Blind and visually impaired business owners will showcase their products and services and answer your questions.
Lots to Read About with Library Users of America
Thursday, June 27
2:00-3:15 p.m.: What Can Be Accomplished When We Work Together (Zoom only)
Talking book libraries can do much more than send out books and magazines. Come and hear how Floridians can access locally produced books and periodicals, videos, and more. You will learn how to collaborate with your local talking book library to enhance services. Come and hear how a “Friends of the Library” group in Florida has worked with their talking book library to support existing programming and to help finance fun and exciting new projects.
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm: Why You Should Get a Public Library Card
Some talking book library users are also proud card-carrying public library users. Come and learn how you might take advantage of your local public library to access services that could reduce your reliance on pay-to-play services to access books, music, videos and more. This session will include a short demonstration of the Libby online service offered by many public libraries around the country.
Friday, June 28
2:00-3:45 p.m.: You Get What You Pay For (Zoom only)
If you find yourself unwilling to wait for the next book in a series or needing access to a niche title, you will find this session on where to go if you are willing to pay for the privilege to be a game changer. Whether you pay by the title, by the month, or through an annual membership fee, there are companies and organizations that can provide you with access beyond the free services you are already using.
3:30– 4:45 p.m.: Library Users of America Business Meeting
LUA members will elect board members, consider resolutions, and hear reports from LUA members who serve on library-related committees. We invite you to come and be a part of our business meeting.
Tuesday, July 9 (hybrid)
1:00 – 2:15 p.m.: Q&A With Your Talking Book Narrator
As in years past, we will once again get to listen to and ask questions of a wonderful talking book narrator, Mare Trevathan, who records at both Books to Life and Talking Book Publishers, Inc. She is a perennial favorite and is likely to read a bit from a couple of her long list of NLS titles. Come early — this session is frequently standing room only. Co-sponsored by LUA, BRL, and AABT.
2:30– 3:45 p.m.: Q&A With the NLS Director
Come and speak with the director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Jason Broughton. He will update us on changes at NLS and answer our questions on what we can expect in the years to come. Co-sponsored by LUA, BRL, and AABT.
Veterans of ACB Annual Membership Meeting
Please join Veterans of ACB at our annual membership meeting. All are invited even if you are not yet a member. Come check us out! You don’t have to be a military veteran to join.
When: July 8, 2024
Time: 1 p.m. Eastern
Where: City Terrace 9 in the hotel
You can also check out our table in the exhibit hall! We look forward to seeing everyone there!
If you have any questions, contact Cassie Trosper, president, via email, [email protected], or by phone, (541) 290-8103.