by Janet Dickelman
It is hard to believe as you read this, we’ll be gearing up for registration for the 2022 ACB conference and convention. In-person/hybrid dates are July 1st through 8th, with Zoom-only sessions June 23 through 25 and Zoom-only discussion and voting on resolutions and bylaws July 11th through 13th. Don’t miss the virtual-only ACB summer auction on June 18th and the official call to order via Zoom on June 22nd with the reading of the convention standing rules and the first credentials report.
Registration will open for ACB members on May 12th at 7 a.m. Central time. The cost of registration will be $35. On May 19th, registration will open for non-ACB members. The cost will be $50. A non-member has the option of joining ACB as a member at large for $10, thus saving $5.
Registration will close on Monday, June 20th at 10:59 p.m. Central time. You may also register during the convention; prices will increase by $10. If you are attending the convention in person, you can pick up your registration materials starting Thursday evening, June 30th.
This year on the registration form you will select from two options: in person or virtual attendance. If you are attending virtually and wish to receive the convention program in either braille or large print, it will be sent to your home address. If you will be joining us in Omaha, you will receive the program when you pick up your registration materials. All registrants will receive Zoom links for the June 23rd through June 25th sessions, the in-person hybrid sessions, as well as for our July 11th through July 13th dates.
On the registration form you can become an individual sponsor, purchase a Braille Forum raffle ticket and purchase your 2022 T-shirt or pin or other special merchandise from the Mini Mall.
You can register online at acbconvention.org, or by calling (651) 428-5059. Our telephone cadre will call you back within two days. When leaving a message, please provide your name, phone number and time zone.
To register, you will be asked for your username and password. If you do not have this information, please call the above phone number prior to the opening of registration and we’ll look it up for you.
Special-Interest Affiliates
ACB’s special-interest affiliates have scheduled a wide variety of activities for this year’s convention. Please keep in mind that other sessions will be added to this list. All times listed are Central time. Note: many sessions are co-sponsored. To save space in this article, only the submitting affiliate is listed. Full information will be shown in the convention program and on the registration form.
Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss (AAVL)
On Sunday, July 3rd, AAVL will host a luncheon and program.
American Association of Blind Teachers (AABT)
Have breakfast with the teachers on Saturday, July 2nd and enjoy their program, “The Fascinating History of the Statue of Liberty.” On Wednesday, July 6th, their program is titled “It Takes a Village: Working Together to Prepare Students in Transition.”
American Association of Visually Impaired Attorneys (AAVIA)
Will hold sessions on Friday, July 1st, Monday, July 4th and Tuesday the 5th. Their lunch will be on the 4th.
ACB Diabetics in Action (ACBDA)
ACBDA will host programs on Tuesday, July 5th featuring an endocrinologist, and training on the use of diabetic equipment. Sessions on Wednesday, July 6th, will include Accessible Pharmacy, and peer-mentor relations. They will host an in-person-only meet and greet on Saturday afternoon, July 2nd.
ACB Families
ACBF presents Campfire Stories on Saturday, June 25th. Also join them for Accessible Toys and Games on Sunday, July 3rd. Their breakfast will be on Monday the 4th, and feature an oral history presentation by Mike Hudson. In-person-only Bingo will be held that evening.
ACB Lions
Tuesday is ACBL day! Join them for lunch and their reverse club visit, “Lessons in Leadership” and Milly’s Place.
ACB Next Generation
On Saturday, July 2nd, learn about self-advocacy and meet the board of Next Gen during their “Meet the Framily” social event. On Monday, join Next Gen for independent living, “Meal Prep on a Budget.” On Tuesday, Next Gen joins with the Get Up and Get Moving Campaign to focus on a self-care program, “Take Charge of Your Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health.”
ACB Radio Amateurs (ACBRA)
Program session on Wednesday, July 6th.
ACB Students (ACBS)
Join our students for the scholarship winners’ luncheon on Saturday, July 2nd. They will also host hybrid sessions on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. A panel of blind influencers and change makers; a discussion on assistive technology, disability in education, and disability in healthcare; and social justice training. You can also join ACBS for an in-person meet and greet Friday evening, July 1st.
Blind Information Technology Specialists (BITS)
Three great sessions on Saturday, July 2nd: Navigating Your World; on the Go: Laptops and Tablets; and an update from Amazon.
Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI)
BPI has sessions Saturday, July 2nd through Wednesday, July 6th. They have hybrid and in-person-only sessions featuring gay history, dating, a 3D audio excursion, “A Day in the Life of an Audio Engineer/Describer,” mind-body, wine tasting, mixers and a movie!
Braille Revival League (BRL)
Start out your July 4th with the BRL breakfast with ACB’s international guest Marc Workman. On Wednesday, July 6th, BRL has three sessions: Understanding Where Our Writing System Braille Has Been; new uses for braille in periodicals; and in-person-only Games with Ralph.
Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI)
On Friday, July 1st, join CCLVI and BITS for their vendor showcase. On Monday, July 4th, don’t miss “Smart Home” with ACB Next Generation. CCLVI will also host two in-person-only events: a mixer to meet their Fred Scheigert scholarship winners, and a Tuesday evening dance!
Friends-in-Art of ACB (FIA)
On Thursday, June 23rd, learn about artificial intelligence in art, and the always popular Prose and Poetry. Have a musical day on Friday, June 24th with You Gotta Have Harp and FIA’s Showcase of the Performing Arts. On June 25th, join FIA for a panel of “Non-Traditional Visually Impaired Artists: Dancers and Painters and Carvers, Oh My,” and the FIA Writers Workshop.
Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI)
On Saturday, July 2nd, in conjunction with Sunday Edition, join GDUI for Furry Tails! Also on Saturday learn about cryo preservation. Don’t miss the guide dog school updates on Monday the 4th, a segment on smart dog collars on Tuesday, and the GDUI awards ceremony on Wednesday the 6th.
Independent Visually Impaired Entrepreneurs (IVIE)
Monday, July 4th is IVIE day! First their luncheon and program: “Selling/Pitching Yourself,” and the in-person-only IVIE Business Expo.
Library Users of America (LUA)
LUA is hosting two days of sessions. On Sunday, July 3rd we’ll get “Up Close and Personal with NLS Director Jason Broughton,” and “Not Your Mother’s Public Library.” Tuesday, July 5th, you’ll get to meet the visiting narrator, and 1 Book 1 ACB - focusing on “Their Plant Eyes: A Personal and Cultural History of Blindness” by M. Leona Godin.
Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA)
RSVA will hold programming on Saturday, July 2nd, a luncheon and program on Sunday, July 3rd, and that evening in-person-only comic and karaoke night.
Visually Impaired Veterans of America (VIVA)
Celebrate July 4th with VIVA for a meeting and informational opportunity.
Keep Up to Date with the Convention List
The conference and convention announce list will be chock-full of information. To subscribe to the list, send a blank e-mail to [email protected]. If you received updates for the 2021 convention, you do not need to subscribe to the list.
Reservation Details
To make reservations online, go to https://book.passkey.com/event/50221160/owner/22518/home. When asked to select guest type on the main screen, select attendee. For those who wish to call in and make their reservation, call 1-800-HILTONS (that’s 1-800-445-8667) and reference the name of the group block, American Council of the Blind. The group code, if needed for those calling in, is ACB.
Room rates at the Hilton are $96 (single or double occupancy), with an additional $10 per person for up to four people per room. Room tax is currently 18.16%. One night’s stay will be charged to your credit card when you book your reservation.
Convention Contacts
2022 Exhibit Information: Michael Smitherman, (601) 331-7740, [email protected]
2022 Advertising and Sponsorships: Anthony Stephens, (202) 559-2045, [email protected]
For any other convention-related questions, please contact Janet Dickelman, convention chair, at (651) 428-5059, or by e-mail, [email protected].