Diabetics in Action Seeking New Members
What is DIA? We are a group of active, alive and well ACB members with lots of energy. We are looking for more members because we know you are out there; diabetes has a high incidence among the populations of the world.
Although we are relatively small and young as far as an affiliate goes, we keep busy with trying to encourage the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and various insulin pump companies to wake up and make their equipment and web sites accessible. Another thing we do is to hold an annual raffle with the winner receiving $100, 2nd prize winner $75, and 3rd prize winner receiving $50. This year we are having a very well-known speaker at our annual conference on Sunday, July 8 at 1:30 p.m.: Ann Williams, R.N., Ph.D and certified diabetes educator. She will be talking about what the future holds for us as diabetics.
We will also host a hospitality night on Thursday, July 12 at 9 p.m. Our favorite BEP vendor, Nancy Clayton, will be providing the goodies and drinks for that event.
We hope you all will come to our events, as well as to our business meeting on Wednesday, July 11 at 2 p.m. Our treasurer should be there and you can pay your dues -- only $10. Paying dues will allow you to join our listserv, receive our quarterly newsletter, and be able to vote at our functions. If you wish to join sooner than that, you can send your dues to Alice Ritchhart, 139 Altama Connection #188, Brunswick, GA 31525.
If you have any questions, contact Pat Wolf at (626) 279-2954 or e-mail her, [email protected].
Calling All Radio Amateurs!
The American Council of Blind Radio Amateurs will hold its annual meeting on Thursday afternoon at the 2012 ACB conference and convention in Louisville. Whether you're a long-time ham, or just getting interested in the hobby, here's your chance to get together with fellow radio enthusiasts, have a good time, and maybe even learn something new.
At the end of the meeting, we'll announce the winner of an exciting door prize. Tickets will be on sale throughout the week, so don't miss your chance to get in on the fun.
In addition to our meeting, we will hold nightly nets at 9:00 on 147.48 MHz, and talk to each other on that same frequency throughout the week. So bring your radio and join us at the 2012 ACB conference and convention. 73, and see you in Louisville!
Teachers' Features for the 2012 Convention
Whether you would like to explore how to deal with change, learn about innovative educational products, meet authors of two exciting new books, or simply sing a song, there is something for you in this year's National Association of Blind Teachers convention schedule! Read on for more details.
We begin on Sunday, July 8 at 8 a.m. with our annual breakfast, program and business meeting. The theme of the day will be "Change." First, Micheal Hudson, director of the Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind, will speak on the topic, "The Challenge of Technological Change: Three Lessons in Leadership from the Archives of the American Printing House for the Blind." Change will also be on the agenda for at least part of our business meeting, which follows Mr. Hudson's presentation, as we vote on a possible name change for our affiliate. We also need to elect new board members and a new student representative. We hope that as many members as possible will come to the business meeting and help us to make these and other important decisions.
On Monday afternoon, July 9th, we will do what some teachers periodically do with their students: take a field trip. Several of us are traveling to the American Printing House for the Blind for a special educational products tour. There, we will examine and hear about new and established APH products which can be used by teachers and students for a variety of subjects and levels of education. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions and give our feedback to the American Printing House for the Blind about educational products that they offer and ideas for products which we would like to see in the future. We had a similar tour in 2008 and it was a great experience! I'm sure that this year's tour will be equally exciting!
Tuesday, July 10th is Book Day for NABT. During our program, which takes place from 1:15 to 4 p.m., we will meet two authors. Our first presenter will be Bill Henderson, a retired teacher, principal and author of the book "The Blind Advantage." The title of his presentation is, "How Being Blind Made Me a Better Principal, And Other Stories." He was principal of the Patrick O'Hearn Elementary School for 20 years. It was the first inclusion school in Boston; 35 percent of the students have some type of disability. When he retired in 2009, they renamed the school the William W. Henderson Inclusion Elementary School in his honor. Following a short break, we will hear from Peter Altschul, who has written a book entitled "Breaking Barriers: Working and Loving While Blind." The title of his presentation is, "My Life as an Adult Educator." Peter Altschul is an organization development specialist from Columbia, Mo. He assists groups and organizations to become better at motivating people, resolving conflicts, managing diversity, and planning for the future. I am confident that we will be inspired by both of these authors and their presentations.
Wednesday, July 11 also promises to be a busy day. First, we will participate in a joint program session with Library Users of America (LUA) and the Braille Revival League (BRL) from 1:15 to 4:00 p.m. During this session, we will meet a talking book narrator and spend more time with Bill Henderson. Our convention program ends on a light note from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. when we join forces with Friends-In-Art (FIA) for a session entitled, "Singing A Round." Come and learn to sing songs you can share with your children and students.
This year's NABT convention program is teeming with information, education, and inspiration for all. Be sure to save time in your convention schedule to come and join us!