For Immediate Release
Contact: Cindy Burgett, (360) 698-0827
PRESS RELEASE
August 25, 2003
The Washington Council of the Blind (WCB), a consumer organization promoting "Equality, Independence & Opportunity," is pleased to announce the location for the 2003 WCB state convention. It will be held November 6, 7 & 8 at the Doubletree Hotel Spokane City Center, 322 N. Spokane Falls Ct., in Spokane.
The United Blind of Spokane (UBS), a local affiliate of WCB, will be hosting this year’s event, arranging for volunteers, door prizes, favors to put into the registration bags, snacks for the hospitality room, braille labeling of vending machines in the hotel, and so much more. If you are interested in helping in any of these areas, please contact Dorothy Carroll, UBS President, at (509) 484-5950.
This convention is open to WCB members and non-members alike. Convention planners are anticipating a record high number of attendees at this year’s event, which may top 200, and will include around 30 dog guides.
Thursday night, November 6, is the pre-convention board meeting, and like all events taking place this weekend, is open to everyone. Formal opening of the convention begins on Friday morning, November 7, and concludes Saturday night, November 8, at the banquet. Throughout the day on Friday and during the morning on Saturday, there will be a variety of presentations: presenters talking about exercise, Toastmasters, an employment panel, a diabetes seminar facilitated by Jim Olsen, our National Rep. From ACB, individual presentations by the directors of the three state agencies serving the blind, and many more surprises. A highlight will be the personal story of how one individual, who lost his sight as a young adult, has continued to be successful with martial arts (a story you won’t want to miss), During Friday’s luncheon, Eric Sanvold, Talking Book Narrator from Denver, Colorado, will entertain us. All day Friday, from 10:00AM to 6:00PM, attendees will have the opportunity to peruse the exhibit hall, manned by venders from all over the country exhibiting their products and services for the blind and visually impaired. Saturday afternoon is the annual business meeting, where elections of new officers and board members will take place, including election of the new WCB President. This is also where the membership passes resolutions, the annual budget, and makes other important decisions to guide the organization for the next year. At the Saturday night banquet, attendees will be captivated by Keynote Address Speaker Paul Edwards, Past President of the American Council of the Blind, and will witness the presentations of more than $20,000 in WCB scholarships awarded to deserving blind students throughout Washington.
In conjunction with this convention will be the first ever State Mobility Conference for Youth. 15 blind teenagers selected from throughout Washington will be introduced to new "way finding" techniques and mobility aides for the blind.
For more information about the convention and to register online, go to
or call, 1-800-255-1147 to request a convention packet.