by Janet Dickelman
As you read this, convention pre-registration will be up and running. Information regarding affiliate and committee programming and ACB tours will be listed on the registration form. You can register online at www.acb.org and follow the link for the 2016 convention registration or via telephone by calling 1-800-866-3242. If you register by phone, be sure to leave your name, phone number, time zone and best time for someone to reach you. Someone should call you back by the end of the following day.
In this article you’ll find an overview of some extras the convention has to offer! Convention dates are July 1st through 9th! Come join ACB at the Hyatt in Minneapolis.
Calling All Kids!
Kids’ Explorers Club has two amazing leaders, Terri and Rob. Terri is a special-education teacher, and Rob, a stay-at-home dad. They are both very enthusiastic about our upcoming Kids’ Club. If you plan to bring a child between the ages of 6 and 13 to this year’s convention, we have some really great trips planned.
Kids’ Club will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Each day includes breakfast, lunch, crafts, swimming, and a daily field trip.
The kids will visit the Science Museum on Monday, the Mall of America on Tuesday, the Minnesota Zoo on Wednesday, The Works Museum on Thursday, and back to the Mall of America on Friday!
Kids’ Explorers Club will also be open Sunday evening during opening general session and Friday during the ACB banquet.
Breakfast, Anyone?
Monday, July 4: The American Foundation for the Blind breakfast, hosted by AFB’s new president and CEO, Kirk Adams, with updates on AFB’s legislative efforts from AFB’s Director of Public Policy, Mark Richert.
Tuesday, July 5: Guide Dogs for the Blind breakfast. GDB alumni and those considering the guide dog lifestyle are welcome.
Wednesday, July 6: National Industries for the Blind (NIB) annual breakfast.
Technology Sessions
Google comes to Minneapolis! Huge thanks to Google, a corporate sponsor at the double diamond level. Google plans to hold sessions at the convention on Wednesday, July 6th and Thursday, July 7th.
Sprint, an emerald sponsor, will hold two interactive workshops on Wednesday, July 6th from 4:15-5:30 p.m. and 5:45-7 p.m. The session title is “Building the ultimate wireless experience.” We can’t do it without you. Bring your ideas, stories, desires and tips. Space is limited. If you wish to participate, contact Kelly Egan, [email protected] or phone (720) 988-6744.
HumanWare, a ruby sponsor, will hold two sessions. On Monday, July 4th from 5:45-7 p.m., the session is called “Reach out and Touch the Future!” With the new BrailleNote Touch from HumanWare you can create professional documents, research the web, and communicate with popular apps. Use an accessible third-party app with the efficiency of KeySoft and TouchBraille. Tuesday’s session is titled “Victor Stream - A World of Books at Your Fingertips!” Everyone continues to tell us how much they love their Victor Stream! HumanWare presents an evening of simple tips on how to download your favorite reading material and make your listening even more enjoyable.
Sunday, July 3rd will be brimming with technology sessions.
Ai Squared will hold 4 sessions:
- 9 -10:15 a.m.: ZoomText Fusion: You will always be able to use your computer
- 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.: ZoomText, ZoomText Mac, Image Reader, and CamReader
- 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.: ZoomText Fusion: You Will Always Be Able to Use Your Computer
- 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Multiply Your Productivity with ZoomText’s Multiple Monitor Support
HIMS Sunday sessions in Minneapolis
10 a.m. – noon: Your U2 Has Been Doing That for Years!
Everyone knows the basic functions of a notetaker. It takes notes, gets e-mail, or keeps your calendar. But what cool stuff can it do? Want to get the latest content from YouTube, tweet about it, like a friend’s post on Facebook, customize your menus, or have multiple signatures for e-mail accounts? See what other cool things your Braille Sense can do!
2 – 4 p.m. Go Go Go GoVision!
Why do most video magnifiers only work with stuff on paper?! Sometimes paper can be so yesterday! We haven’t forgotten about paper, but we’ve sure gone beyond it. In addition to all the features you’d expect from a transportable magnifier, GoVision lets you look at documents and pictures from your thumb drive, see a smart board, watch videos from your phone, or do distance OCR. Go anywhere with GoVision!
Tuesday, Bookshare will hold “office hours” from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. for Bookshare members. Stop by to say hello, meet other members, enjoy light refreshments, hear about the latest Bookshare updates, and get answers to your Bookshare-related questions.
Self-Help Sessions
1Touch will hold self-defense courses on Tuesday and Wednesday. These are designed specifically for the blind; they address real-life situations with practical applications. Space is limited. Each session costs $12.
On Wednesday, Independence Science will hold a session titled “Demystifying Science.” This will be an interactive tactile science demonstration featuring the new Sci-Voice Talking LabQuest from Independence Science that will decode the mystery of science for the blind and visually impaired. Session cost is $8.
Also on Wednesday, July 6 CaptionMax will show an audio-described documentary titled “Shoulder the Lion.” This film tells of three individuals: a photographer, who is blind, questions the power of images in today’s visually saturated culture; a musician forced to give up his dream of playing music due to his advancing hearing loss, must reinvent his future; and a painter, who lost half her brain, who was also the inspiration for the Academy Award-winning film “Million Dollar Baby,” searches for her place in life, unsure of what she should be to the world. The film attempts to ask what it takes for someone to keep on going in times of uncertainty.
Thursday will be ACB film night. Dr. Joel Snyder and ACB’s ADP committee will show the audio-described movie “Spotlight.” Winner of the 2016 Academy Award for best film, “Spotlight” is the story of the Boston Globe’s tenacious investigative team delving into the allegations of abuse in the Catholic church; a movie ticket, popcorn and soda cost just $8!
As other sessions are confirmed, information will be posted to the convention announce e-mail list.
Don’t Forget the Dogs!
Tim and Maria of Scoop Masters will be maintaining our dog relief areas at the Hyatt. There is no need to pack your dog’s food; just call Tim at 1-800-787-7667 to order food delivered to your hotel room. Tim can obtain most food brands and will make every effort to order specialty foods if needed. Please contact Tim by June 20th to place your order.
Stay Connected
Once again this year, the convention announcement list will be filled with information about the convention. Subscribe to the list today by sending a blank e-mail to [email protected]. If you’ve been on the list in the past, you need not subscribe again.
Don’t have e-mail? No problem! Convention updates will also be featured on ACB Radio and by telephone through Audio Now at (605) 475-8130.
Hotel Details
Room rates at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis are $89 single or double. There is an additional $10 per night charge per person for up to four people in a room. Applicable state and local taxes are currently 13.4%. For reservations by telephone, call Central Reservations at 1-888-421-1442, and be sure to mention you are attending the ACB convention in order to obtain our room rate. To make reservations online, visit www.acb.org and follow the 2016 convention link.
Convention Contacts
2016 exhibit information: Michael Smitherman, (601) 331-7740, [email protected]
2016 advertising and sponsorships: Margarine Beaman, (512) 921-1625, [email protected]
For any other convention-related questions, contact Janet Dickelman, convention chair, at (651) 428-5059, or via e-mail, [email protected].