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Affiliate and Committee News

ACB Students Pre-Convention Call


ACB Students invites you to our June 2017 pre-convention all affiliate call! Join us on the line as we welcome the 2017 ACB scholarship winners, chat about convention details, and discuss the exciting programming and events that ACB Students will be hosting in Reno, Nev.!
 
Sneak peeks include:
·        A new spin on the Students’ Welcome Party with “Office Hours”
·        Accessible beauty tips with “Mirrorless Makeup”
·        Choose your own study abroad adventure with “Passport to New Worlds”
 
But you’ll have to join us to learn about the rest of our lively 2017 lineup. We look forward to having you all there!!!
 
When: Sunday, June 4th, 9 p.m. Eastern
Call #: (641) 715-3580
Access Code: 371487
 

International Relations Committee Lets You Explore New Frontiers


The International Relations Committee’s theme for the 2017 convention is “Passport toward New Frontiers.” The committee wants new technological and other ideas from ACB members.
 
On Monday, July 3, at 12:15 p.m., Voices from Around the World will feature the CEO from the Library for the Blind in Israel via Skype. He will tell us all about his library and the services it provides to blind people in Israel, then take questions afterward.
 
On Tuesday, July 4th, at 2 p.m., the committee will co-sponsor a program with ACB Students.
 
Please come join us – and bring all your great ideas!
 

AAVIA Convention Plans


The American Association of Visually Impaired Attorneys (AAVIA) has a fascinating program planned this year! In addition to having speakers from HumanWare, a law professor who will discuss this year’s Supreme Court decisions, a deputy counsel from the Texas Workforce Department, a sighted attorney who raised two blind children, and two attorneys from Disability Rights Advocates, the group will also have two exciting events.
 
On Monday at 4:30 p.m., AAVIA members, along with members of GDUI and ACB Students, will present a mock trial where a guide dog user is suing a ride-sharing service for refusing service to a guide dog user.  The audience will be asked to decide whether the guide dog user’s rights were violated under the ADA.
 
On Tuesday, the speaker at the AAVIA luncheon will be Lainey Feingold, Esq., who will describe how she developed and used structured negotiations to protect the rights of the visually impaired community.
 
 

GDUI Convention Features Variety


GDUI is offering a wide variety of programs to spark your interest at this year’s convention.
 
The GDUI Suite opens Sunday, July 2 at noon, and will close at 5 p.m. On Monday and Tuesday, it will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon.
 
Sunday’s programming includes a session on helping your dog adjust to the stresses of convention life, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. Immediately following is hotel orientation, just for guide dog users. The affiliate roundup is at 3 p.m.; the board meeting will follow at 4.
 
If your dog is stressed out and in need of a massage, contact Carla Campbell. She will be giving dog massages Sunday afternoon, every morning during suite hours, and other times/days by appointment only.
 
And you won’t want to miss the live auction Sunday night at 8! Bid on a multitude of goodies including tech gadgets, digital books, jewelry, and even a tasty treat from Penny’s kitchen.
 
Breakfast, anybody? On Monday, July 3 at 6:45 a.m., we’ll have our breakfast club at Rosie’s Café (within the Nugget). At 7:30 a.m., we’ll hold another hotel orientation session. Got a burning question about your dog’s behavior quirks or convention stress? Come to the suite at noon to ask a seasoned guide dog trainer. In the afternoon, we’ll have our business meeting, featuring guide dog school updates, a session with Lukas Franck, one with Christine Benninger of Guide Dogs for the Blind, and a mock trial. Monday evening we’ll host GDUI’s Game Night, including 7 Card Paw.
 
On Tuesday, July 4th, we’ll hold the breakfast club at Rosie’s Café at 6:45 a.m. Open “paw-fice” hours will be in the suite from noon to 1 p.m. We’ll hold our afternoon sessions at 1:15 (featuring Wendy David), 2:45 (puppy tales: raising a guide dog), and 4:15 (Dell Rodman of Guiding Eyes for the Blind). At 7 p.m. there will be a session on canine massage techniques.
 
Wednesday features breakfast club at Rosie’s at 6:45 a.m. Our luncheon will begin at 12:15 p.m., after the ACB general session. The guest speaker is Beth Williams, a physical therapy specialist. Following the luncheon is our business meeting and caucus. At 7 p.m. we will have a session featuring Julia Marks, a staff attorney who works on disability rights advocacy; she will discuss the recently implement Uber and Lyft settlements regarding guide dog access.