WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
Convention 2024
WCB, RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME!
Hosted by
Multiple WCB chapters and special interest affiliates
PROGRAM
October 24, 25, and 26, 2024
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport
SeaTac, Washington
3:00 to 6:00 PM
Registration/Information desk GRAND FOYER
Open for pre-registered conventioneers only.
Exhibit Hall GRAND 3
Here’s your first opportunity to find out about products and services intended for people who are blind or have low vision without choosing between the convention sessions and exhibits! See the detailed listing of exhibitors near the end of this program.
Pre-registered conventioneers only.
4:00 to 6:00 PM
WCB Welcome Lounge GRAND 1
Gather with old and new friends and plan your weekend’s activities. Pre-registered conventioneers only.
7:00 PM GRAND 2
Pre-convention WCB Board meeting
(Constitution & Bylaws Committee will meet immediately after this meeting.)
9:30 to 11:00 PM GRAND 1
Hospitality for pre-registered conventioneers only.
Mingle with friends over snacks and beverages. Cash bar provided by the DoubleTree with set $8 drink pricing. Complimentary soft drinks and snacks provided.
7:00 AM and throughout the day GRAND FOYER
Registration/Info & Volunteer desks are open
(pick up packets, buy $10 raffle tickets, check in)
2:00 to 3:00 PM GRAND FOYER
Advocacy & Government Affairs
“Under the Stairs”
Join us for informal conversation to find out about committee activities, voting registration, and more!
3:00 to 7:00 PM CASCADE ROOMS
Youth Track
WCB partners with DSB to provide programming for young people who are blind and low vision and their families.
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed noon to 1:30 for lunch)
EXHIBIT HALL GRAND 3
Here’s your opportunity to find out about products and services intended for people who are blind or have low vision. See the detailed exhibitor listing near the end of this program.
Free for registered attendees; the public can buy $20 one-day Exhibit Hall passes at the registration desk.
A.T. Guys, Boundless Assistive Technology, Center for Assistive Technology Training (CATT-NW), CVS Health, Dan’s Woodworking, Disability Rights Washington, Inclusive Imagination LLC, Leading Edge Vision, OneCourt, Pacific West Music of the Blind, South King Council of the Blind, Speak To Me Catalog, Tobi's Turquoise & Co, UW Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences (CREATE), ViewPlus Technologies Inc, Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, and Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL)
BREAKFAST SERVICE BEGINS AT 7:30 AM
General Attendees Breakfast GRAND 1
First Timers Breakfast CASCADE 9 and 10
For first-time WCB convention attendees. Hosted by the WCB Awards Committee.
Chapter Presidents Breakfast CASCADE 3
By invitation only from Andy Arvidson, for chapter and special interest affiliate presidents.
Breakout sessions held in other locations as noted
will not be streamed, but may be recorded
and/or available on Zoom.
Awards Luncheon will be in GRAND 1.
WCB General Sessions GRAND 2
Presiding Officer: Andy Arvidson, WCB President
8:45 AM Opening Ceremonies
Presentation of the Colors
Welcome: WCB, Right Place, Right Time
9:05 AM President’s Report
Andy Arvidson, President, Washington Council of the Blind
9:25 AM Report of the Nominating Committee
Julie Brannon, Committee Chair
9:35 AM Report of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee
Frank Cuta, Committee Chair
9:50 AM New Voting Rules
Constitutional changes approved last fall will take effect for this year’s elections.
10:00 AM WCB, Right Place, Right Time!
Presenter: Monica Mirth, business owner
Monica Mirth is the heart and soul behind Simply Hot Yoga (SHY) in Tacoma, WA, a sanctuary she lovingly opened in June 2012. After spending two years as an IT Internal Auditor at Ernst & Young and eight years in a similar role at Starbucks, Monica decided to leave corporate America to pursue her passion for health and wellness. Sparked by a life-changing hot yoga class that brought her unexpected calm and peace, Monica was inspired to create a space where others could experience the same transformative benefits. With a background in weightlifting and cardio, she found a deeper connection through yoga, falling in love with how it nurtured both her body and mind.
At SHY, Monica's mission is to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive community where everyone feels welcomed and supported. Her studio is a reflection of her passion for helping others prioritize their well-being, offering a diverse array of classes led by talented, caring instructors. As a multi-racial Black woman in wellness, Monica is dedicated to bringing the joy of yoga to diverse communities, emphasizing the importance of self-care in all its forms.
10:35 to 10:45 AM Break
Presiding Officer: Beth Greenberg, WCB Board Director
10:45 AM Scholarship Recipient Acknowledgment
Presenter: Kim Moberg, Scholarship Committee Chair
11:00 AM Audio Description Project (ADP)
Learn about the ADP and its various initiatives, including the new website and summaries of the ADP committees and award programs, most notably the Benefits of Audio Description In Education (BADIE) essay contest for students. This year’s grand prize winner is from Washington. The Awards Gala will air in November.
Presenter: Tabitha Kenlon, PhD
Audio Description Project Coordinator
American Council of the Blind
WCB Awards Luncheon at noon in GRAND 1
It’s time for special awards to be presented. Meet some of this year’s first-time attendees. There will be a special door prize drawing you won’t want to miss!
Hosted by Cathy Wilson, Convention Committee co-chair
WCB GENERAL SESSIONS RESUME IN GRAND 2
Presiding Officer: Heidi Coggins, WCB Board Director
1:15 PM Why AI?
Artificial Intelligence is all the rage. What is it? Why might we want to use it? How easy or difficult is it to use? All this and much more will be shared.
Presenter: Jeff Bishop, Tucson, AZ
President, Blind Information Technology Specialists
2:10 PM Games with Lady A
Join Lucy and Alexa as together they show us how we too can have interactive play with our own Lady A. All it takes is some skills and an Amazon smart speaker – let the fun begin!
Presenter: Lucy Edmonds, Lansing, MI
2:30 PM Meta Smart Glasses
Hear more clearly with Smart Glasses. Accessing the world around us just got a little easier. Learn how the affordable Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses with mainstream technology and style bring vision to our ears!
Presenter: Cindy Hollis, Flat Rock, MI
2:55 to 3:10 PM transition to break out sessions
3:10 to 4:00 PM
Three Concurrent Breakout Sessions
GRAND 2
Transitioning to Senior Living and Assistive Care
For some of us, a retirement facility is the best choice, for others it may be the only choice. We will discuss what is available at what price and advise you on what to look for and what to avoid as you run this gauntlet as a blind senior.
Panelists:
Frank Cuta, retired Engineer, Benton City, WA
Nathan Brannon, retired Accessibility Compliance professional, Puyallup, WA
CASCADE 11
This session is available in person and via Zoom and may be recorded.
Guide Dog Users: The Changing Landscape
COVID brought many changes for dog guide schools, and our post-COVID environment has changed how we use our guide dogs. Are schools adapting their services to meet these changes? Are we, the consumers, adapting to these changes?
Facilitator: Deb Cook Lewis
Presenter: Theresa Stern, VP of Interdisciplinary Client Services and Engagement (On Call)
Guide Dogs for the Blind, San Rafael, CA
CASCADE 3 & 4
This session is available in person only, but may be recorded.
WCB Next Gen
The soon-to-be WCB Next Gen special interest affiliate has opportunities for you! Join us to converse and brainstorm. A notable visually impaired professional will share his experience in industry and provide an opportunity for Q&A.
Facilitator: Tim Breitenfeldt
Presenter: Chris Green, owner, Draton Consulting LLC
4:10 to 5:00 PM
Four Concurrent Breakout Sessions
GRAND 2
Get Up and Get Moving! Yoga
This session is available in person and Zoom only.
Leslie teaches chair yoga, resistance, cardio and circuit. She encourages a healthy lifestyle for our blind and low vision community.
Facilitator: Danette Dixon
Presenter: Leslie Spoone, Orlando, FL
Co-chair, ACB Get Up and Get Moving Committee
GRAND 1
This session is available in person only and may be recorded.
Bricks for the Blind*
*attendance limited to advance registrations only
Bricks for the Blind (BFTB) is a non-profit organization that brings the joy of building LEGO® sets to blind people. By following BFTB’s free text-based building instructions, people with visual impairments can build LEGO sets and enjoy hours of relaxation, independence, and empowerment. BFTB has only one goal: to bring the joy of building LEGO sets to as many visually impaired people as possible.
Facilitator: Beth Greenberg
Presenter: Natalie Charbonneau
CASCADE 11
This session is available in person and via Zoom and may be recorded.
GDUWS: The Changing Landscape Continues
Facilitator: Deb Cook Lewis
CASCADE 1 and 2
This session is available in person only to those who pre-paid during advance registration.
Taking Time to Take Care of You
Go on a fragrant journey with Hayley as she helps you to relax and unwind. This session will focus on you, giving helpful tips and products to aid in your self-care moments. From head to toe, take in the aromatherapy properties of essential oils, learn an easy massage technique, and leave with a goody bag of products to use throughout the convention and upon arriving home.
Presenter: Hayley Agers, Marysville, WA
5:00 PM End of Breakout Sessions
7:30 PM GRAND 1
Showcase of Talent
Emcee Alan Bentson will host. Please respect our artists and their performances during this concert-style event.
9:00 to 11:00 PM GRAND 1
Hospitality and Karaoke
Relax
and enjoy! Cash bar (set $8 drink pricing). Complimentary soft drinks and
snacks provided. Registered conventioneers only.
BREAKFAST SERVICE BEGINS AT 7:30 AM
General Attendees Breakfast GRAND 3
“WCB is in Your Future” Breakfast
CASCADE 9 and 10
By invitation only, this breakfast is for youth, parents, and guest speakers.
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM CASCADE ROOMS
Youth Track
WCB partners with DSB to provide programming for young people who are blind and low vision and their families.
WCB General Sessions GRAND 2
Presiding Officer: Tim Breitenfeldt, WCB Board Director
8:45 AM Announcements
8:50 AM We Are ACB
Scott Thornhill, Executive Director
American Council of the Blind
9:20 AM Create Your Own World with Courage
Are you a creative person? Have you ever wondered how to take the next step with your artistic endeavors? The answer is simple: just do it. It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone, but it's a path worth travelling. Join us to hear about the unique journeys of our panelists.
Panelists: Heather Meares, owner, Rendezvous Bus
Dan Lovell, owner, Dan’s Woodworking
9:50 to 10:00 AM Break
Presiding Officer: Linda Wilder, WCB Board Director
10:00 AM The Journey to the Job: Three people who are blind share their journey to employment
Learn their stories, their challenges, and their successes. Prepare to be inspired!
Facilitator: Cindy Hollis
Panelists:
Tyson Ernst, accessible technology instructor
Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) Orientation and Training Center (OTC), Seattle, WA
Anisa Proda, ADA Coordinator
Washington State Commission for Parks and Recreation, Seattle, WA
Tristan Snyder, voice actor and audio producer
Minneapolis, MN
10:50 to 11:00 AM Break
11:00 AM State of the State
Let’s learn what’s happening with our three state agencies serving the blind.
Panelists:
Michael MacKillop, Executive Director
Department of Services for the Blind (DSB)
Scott McCallum, Superintendent
Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB)
Danielle Miller, Director and Regional Librarian
Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL)
LUNCHEON SERVICE BEGINS AT NOON
General Attendees GRAND 3
WCB Life Members CASCADE 9 and 10
Guide Dog Users of Washington State
CASCADE 11
12:30 to 1:30 PM
Youth Track CASCADE 3 and 4, 5 and 6
1:30 PM Annual Business Meeting GRAND 2
The annual business meeting of Washington Council of the Blind will include agenda items such as:
In Memoriam
Elections of Officers (2nd Vice President and Secretary) and Board Directors (3 two-year term positions)
Proposed 2025 Operating Budget
Proposed Amendments to the WCB Constitution and Bylaws
Resolutions
Old business
New business
Virtual attendees have received Zoom links; WCB members eligible to vote are asked to enter the Zoom webinar in advance of the call to order to facilitate the determination of a quorum.
5:00 PM Business Meeting is Adjourned
7:00 PM Banquet GRAND 3
Mistress of Ceremonies
Danette Dixon
Presentation of WCB Scholarships
Kim Moberg, Chair
Presentation of WCB Awards
Jessamyn Landby, Chair
Recognition of BADIE award winners in Washington State
Heidi Coggins
Recognition of WCB Life Members
Andy Arvidson, WCB President
Banquet address
Scott Thornhill, ACB Executive Director
9:00 to 11:00 PM GRAND 1
Hospitality and Live Music
Wrap up the weekend with live music from Steve Stefanowicz. Cash bar provided by the DoubleTree with set $8 drink pricing. Complimentary soft drinks and snacks provided. Registered conventioneers only.
3:00 to 6:00 PM GRAND FOYER
Registration/Information desk open for advance registration conventioneers only.
Exhibit Hall GRAND 3
4:00 to 6:00 PM
WCB Welcome Lounge GRAND 1
7:00 PM GRAND 2
Pre-convention WCB Board meeting
(Constitution & Bylaws Committee meeting immediately follows)
9:30 to 11:00 PM GRAND 1
Hospitality and Karaoke
BREAKFAST SERVICE BEGINS AT 7:30 AM
General Attendees GRAND 1
First Timers CASCADE 9 and 10
Chapter Presidents CASCADE 3
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed noon to 1:30 p.m.)
EXHIBIT HALL GRAND 3
3:00 to 7:00 PM YOUTH TRACK
CASCADE 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10, 13
WCB General Sessions GRAND 2
8:45 AM Opening Ceremonies
9:05 AM President’s Report
9:25 AM Report of the Nominating Committee
9:35 AM Report of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee
9:50 AM New Voting Rules
10:00 AM WCB, Right Place, Right Time!
10:35 AM Break
10:45 AM Scholarship Recipient Acknowledgment
11:00 AM Audio Description Project
NOON WCB Awards Luncheon GRAND 1
WCB GENERAL SESSIONS RESUME GRAND 2
1:15 PM Why AI?
2:10 PM Games with Lady A
2:30 PM Meta Smart Glasses
2:55 PM Break
3:10 to 4:00 PM
Three Concurrent Breakout Sessions
GRAND 2
Transitioning to Senior Living and Assistive Care
This session is available in person, virtually via Zoom, and will be streamed.
CASCADE 11
Guide Dog Users: The Changing Landscape
This session is available in person, virtually via Zoom, and may be recorded.
CASCADE 3 and 4
WCB Next Gen
This session is available in person only.
4:10 to 5:00 PM
Four Concurrent Breakout Sessions
GRAND 2
Get Up and Get Moving! Yoga
This session is available in person and virtually via Zoom only and will not be recorded or streamed.
GRAND 1
Bricks for the Blind
This session is limited to those who registered in advance and available in person only.
CASCADE 11
GDUWS: The Changing Landscape Continues
This session is available in person, virtually via Zoom, and may be recorded.
CASCADE 1 and 2
Taking Time to Take Care of You
This session is limited to those who pre-paid and registered in advance and available in person only.
5:00 PM End of Breakout Sessions
7:30 PM GRAND 1
Showcase
of Talent, followed by Hospitality
BREAKFAST SERVICE BEGINS AT 7:30 AM
General Attendees GRAND 3
“WCB is in Your Future” CASCADE 9 and 10
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM YOUTH TRACK
CASCADE 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6, 7 & 8, 13
WCB General Sessions GRAND 2
8:45 AM Announcements
8:50 AM We Are ACB
9:20 AM Create Your Own World with Courage panel
9:50 AM Break
10:00 AM The Journey to the Job: Three people who are blind share their journey to employment
10:50 AM Break
11:00 AM State of the State
LUNCHEON SERVICE BEGINS AT NOON
General Attendees GRAND 3
Guide Dog Users of Washington State
CASCADE 11
WCB Life Members CASCADE 9 and 10
12:30 to 1:30 PM
Youth Track CASCADE 3 and 4, 5 and 6
1:30 to 5:00 PM GRAND 2
Annual Business Meeting
7:00 PM Banquet GRAND 3
9:00 to 11:00 PM GRAND 1
Hospitality and Live Music