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CCB Spring 2008 Convention
Program

"Striving for a Better Tomorrow"



HOSTED BY
CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
JEFF THOM, PRESIDENT
1510 J Street, Suite 125
Sacramento, CA 95814
800-221-6359
916-441-2100


HOST AFFILIATE
Capitol Chapter, Sacramento



LOCATION
THE SACRAMENTO ARDEN WEST HILTON HOTEL
2200 HARVARD STREET
SACRAMENTO, CA 95815
916-922-4700
800-344-4321



Table of Contents


For your convenience a textual description of the hotel floor plan and emergency evacuation procedures are included at the back of this program.

Donations of prizes to be given throughout the convention should be brought to the CCB registration table in the hotel’s main lobby.

If your chapter plans to make a contribution to our scholarship or general fund during the convention You are urged to have a representative from your chapter present it at the banquet.

If you would like to pay your member-at-large dues for 2008 or pay your life membership dues, you may do so at the CCB registration table.

You may also sign up for the ACB Monthly Monetary Support fund, from which, through automatic deductions, you can give CCB up to 50% of your monthly donation. If you are already an MMS contributor, you may also modify your existing MS donation.

If you require an assistive listening device for the general sessions or other special accommodations, please contact the CCB registration table.


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Hotel Information

For your convenience a textual description of the hotel floor plan and emergency evacuation procedures are included at the end of this program.

Hotel check in time is 3:00 PM. Check out time is 12 Noon. Later check out time is subject to hotel availability. Please inquire at the front desk.

Hotel Guest Room Amenities:

Hotel Phone Services

For your convenience here is a hotel telephone directory and instructions for reaching various departments within the Arden West Hilton.

The telephone on guest room nights stands does not have pre-programmed buttons, please use Hotel Operator: Dial "0" The Hotel Operator can help CCB convention attendees with most anything in the hotel to contact a specific department. Requests for items such as extra towels, toiletries, etc. can be handled through the Hotel Operator instead of contacting the Housekeeping Department.

To check Voicemail in your guestroom: Dial "61" to retrieve your voicemail messages. Also, the telephone located on the desk, there are two rows of 5 buttons each located horizontally below the standard keypad. On the row that is directly under the keypad, the Voicemail Retrieval button is the farthest button on the right. Once this button is pressed, the computer voice will alert you to any voicemail messages you might have. If you do have a message, the computer voice will guide you through the process of what numbers to press to retrieve your messages.

To dial another guest room in the hotel: For guest rooms on floors 2 through 9, press 7 and the room number, for guest rooms on floors 10, 11 or 12, just dial the four digit room number.

For your convenience here are the phone numbers for the CCB Registration table, 1708 and the CCB Volunteer table, 1981.

Hotel Transportation:

The Hilton Sacramento Arden West provides complimentary van transportation to the Arden Fair Mall on top of every hour that the Mall is open.

Other Hotel Services:

The hotel has an outdoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and fitness facility as well as a self service business center and same day dry cleaning service. Please check with the front desk, front office manager, or call the hotel operator for hours of operation and details about these and other hotel services.



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Calendar of Events

Printable Version of Calendar (Below this calendar of events will be a complete convention agenda.)

THURSDAY, April 10, 2008 Calendar.

  • 9:00 AM CCB Capitol Day. Meet in the hotel lobby.
  • 1:00 PM Technology & Rehabilitation. SONOMA.
  • 3:00 PM Welcome to Sacramento party! PENTHOUSE.
  • 4:00 PM CCCLV Meeting. SONOMA.
  • 6:00 PM BRLC Board meeting. NAPA.
  • 7:00 PM CCB Board Meeting. EAGLE-BERRYESSA.
Following CCB Board meeting, Hospitality. PENTHOUSE.

FRIDAY, April 11, 2008 Calendar.

  • 9:00 AM Exhibits. ATRIUM.
  • 7:30 AM CCB Amateur Radio breakfast. Harvard Grill.
  • 8:00 AM Credentials Committee. SONOMA.
  • 8:00 AM Resolutions Committee. CABERNET.
  • 9:00 AM BRLC Business meeting. NAPA.
  • 9:00 AM BSC meeting. MERLOT.
  • 9:00 AM CCCLV and CAT. EAGLE-BERRYESSA.
  • 10:45 AM CLUA Business meeting. NAPA.
  • 12:00 NOON CLUA Luncheon. TAHOE.
  • 12:00 NOON AMC Luncheon. CHARDONNAY.
  • 1:30 PM First General Session. EAGLE-BERRYESSA.
  • 4:00 PM Constitution and By-Laws. NATOMAS.
  • 4:15 PM First Timer's Seminar. CHARDONNAY.
  • 4:15 PM Access and Transportation. ZINFANDEL.
  • 4:15 PM Publications Committee. MERLOT.
  • 5:30 PM Presidents’ Dinner. TAHOE.
  • 7:00 PM Second General Session. EAGLE-BERRYESSA.
Following general session: Resolutions Committee. CABERNET. Nominating Committee. SONOMA. Hospitality. PENTHOUSE.

SATURDAY, April 12, 2008 Calendar.

  • 7:00 AM Membership-PR Seminar Breakfast. NAPA.
  • 7:30 AM Education Committee Breakfast. SONOMA.
  • 8:30 AM Labyrinth Workshop. NATOMAS.
  • 8:30 AM GDUC Business meeting. BERRYESSA.
  • 9:00 AM Exhibits. ATRIUM.
  • 9:00 AM Seniors with Vision Loss Committee. ZINFANDEL.
  • 10:00 AM Joint Action Committee meeting. PENTHOUSE.
  • 10:30 AM CCCLV & Seniors with Vision Loss. ZINFANDEL.
  • 10:30 AM CSB Alumni. MERLOT.
  • 11:30 AM OCB Alumni. NAPA.
  • 11:30 AM RSVC business meeting. SONOMA.
  • 12 NOON RSVC Luncheon. SONOMA.
  • 12 NOON GDUC Luncheon. BERRYESSA.
  • 12 NOON OBC Luncheon. ZINFANDEL.
  • 1:00 PM Joint Action Committee meeting. NAPA.
  • 1:30 PM CCB General Session. EAGLE-BERRYESSA
  • 4:30 PM Fund Raising Committee. SONOMA.
  • 4:30 PM Governmental Affairs Committee. CHARDONNAY.
  • 6:00 PM No Host "Attitude Adjustment Hour". ATRIUM.
  • 7:00 PM CCB Banquet. EAGLE-BERRYESSA.

SUNDAY, April 13, 2008 Calendar.

  • 8:15 AM Devotional Services. EAGLE-BERRYESSA.
  • 9:00 AM CCB General Session. EAGLE -BERRYESSA.


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CCB Convention Schedule

Printable Version of Schedule

THURSDAY, April 10, 2008

Pre-registration packets can be picked up at the CCB registration table in the Lobby from 12 Noon to 5:00 PM.
  • 9:00 AM CCB Capitol Day, led by Governmental Affairs Director Dan Kysor, meet with your state legislators or their staffs to discuss CCB legislation and other legislation vital to persons who are blind or visually impaired.
  • 1:00 PM Joint meeting of the Technology Committee and Rehabilitation Services Committee. SONOMA ROOM.
    Learn about becoming an advocate during times when the state budget is cutting back on services. Louis Herrera, Chair, Technology Committee. Committee members: Roger Petersen, Vice Chair Kenneth Frasse, Dan Kysor, Barbara Rhodes, Sylvia Munoz, Andy Baracco, Mike Keithley, Lillian Scaife.
    Patricia Leetz, Chair, Rehabilitation Services Committee. Committee members: Pat LaFrance-Wolf, Richard Rueda, Connie Schoeman, Ed Crespin, Don Queen, Anita Arakawa, Ken Metz, Elmer Chapson, Brian Hall, Nelly Emerson, Terry Almy, Alice Hackney, Lucy Greco, Charles Nabarrete, Roxanne Stallings.
  • 3:00 PM Welcome to Sacramento party! PENTHOUSE. Hosted by the Capitol Chapter.
  • 4:00 PM CCCLV Program and Business Meeting. SONOMA ROOM.
    Bernice Kandarian, President.
    • 4:00-5:00 PM Things that Talk.
    • 5:00 PM Business Meeting.
  • 6:00 PM Braille Revival League of California Board meeting. NAPA ROOM. Marlene O’Neill, President.
  • 7:00 PM California Council of the Blind Board of Directors Meeting. EAGLE-BERRYESSA ROOM. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
The hospitality suite, hosted by Capitol Chapter, will be open from the close of the Board meeting to 1:00 AM. PENTHOUSE.

FRIDAY, April 11, 2008

The CCB Registration Table will be open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. Name badges are available at the Registration Table. Please wear your badge at all times during the Convention (Required for Voting).
  • 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Convention Exhibits. The ATRIUM Obbie Schoeman and Peter Pardini, Co-Chairs.
  • 7:30 AM CQ CQ CQ to all amateur radio operators! You are invited to attend the semi-annual CCB Amateur Radio breakfast to take place in the hotel's coffee shop, the Harvard Grill. Remember, the official CCB call in frequency is 147.480 MHz.
  • 8:00 AM CCB Credentials Committee. SONOMA ROOM. Rob Turner, Chair; Committee members: Stephen Fort, Coletta Davis.
  • 8:00 AM CCB Resolutions Committee. CABERNET ROOM. Gabe Griffith, Chair. Committee members: Lucy Greco, Winifred Downing, Ken Metz, Abbie Vincent, Eugene Lozano, Jr., Dirk Neyhart, Rhonda King, Robert Wendt, Linda Porelle,Donna Pomerantz.
  • 9:00 AM Braille Revival League of California (BRLC) Business meeting. NAPA ROOM. Marlene O’Neill, President.
    • 9:45 AM The Braille Plus, a new notetaker John Glass.
  • 9:00 AM Blind Students of California (BSC) Seminar and business meeting. MERLOT ROOM. Sean Ryan, President.
  • 9:00 AM to 12 Noon California Council of Citizens with Low Vision (CCCLV) and Committee on Access and Transportation (CAT) combined program. EAGLE-BERRYESSA ROOM.
    Bernice Kandarian, President CCCLV, Eugene Lozano, Jr., Chair CAT. The elevator of the future is here now. According to industry information, the Destination Based Elevator reduces passenger waiting time and energy consumption. All the elevator rider need do is enter a floor destination on the numbered keypad. The elevator assigns the rider to a certain car based upon other passenger requests and traffic flow. But are these elevators accessible to persons with disabilities and more particularly to those visually impaired or totally blind? This workshop will answer your access questions drawing on the expertise of two panels-one from the elevator industry perspective and the other made up of disability advocates and researchers. After each panel has spoken and conducted a question and answer period, the elevator companies will have an exhibit of their Destination Based Elevator hardware equipment.

    Destination Based Elevator Workshop
    • 9:00 - 9:05 AM – Opening comments-Eugene Lozano, Jr., Chair, Committee on Access and Transportation and Bernice Kandarian, President, California Council of Citizens with Low Vision.
    • 9:05 AM – Elevator Industry Panel: Speaker to be announced, Mitsubishi, Elevator and Escalator Division, Edward Persico, General Manager, Otis Elevator Company, San Francisco, California, Nicole Saloio, Manager, Destination Products Support, Schindler Elevator Corporation, Morristown, New Jersey and Speaker to be announced, National Elevator Industries, Inc., Salem, New York.
    • 10:00 AM - Disability Advocates/Researchers Panel- Jessie Lorenz, Director, Public Policy and Information, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, San Francisco, California, Joshua A. Miele, Ph.D. Associate Scientist, The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, California and Richard Skaff, Executive Director, Designing Accessible Communities, Mill Valley, California.
    • 11:00 AM – Exhibit of Destination Based Elevator hardware equipment.
  • 10:45 AM California Library Users of America (CLUA) Business meeting NAPA ROOM. Jerry Arakawa, President.
  • 12:00 NOON CLUA Luncheon TAHOE ROOM. Jerry Arakawa, President. Guest speaker to be announced.
  • 12:00 NOON AMC Luncheon CHARDONNAY ROOM. Lillian Scaife, President.
  • 1:30 PM First CCB General Session. EAGLE-BERRYESSA ROOM. Jeff Thom, CCB President presiding.
    • Invocation: Rabbi Reuven Taff, Mosaic Law Congregation Sacramento.
    • Pledge of Allegiance. Beryl Brown, President, Redwood Empire Chapter.
    • 1:40 PM Welcome to Sacramento: Mr. Steve Cohn, Vice Mayor/District 3 Council member, City of Sacramento.
    • 1:45 PM "Working Together-The Department of Social Services and CCB Forge Ahead". John Wagner, Director, California Department of Social Services, Tom Lee, Deputy Director, California Department of Social Services and Lisa Bandacari, Manager of the Office of Services to the Blind, California Department of Social Services.
    • 2:30 PM "NLS BARD: Downloadable and Digital Talking Books from the National Library Service". Mike L. Marlin, Manager, Braille and Talking Book Library, California State Library.
    • 3:00 PM "Providing Fire Safety for All Communities". Ms. Tonya L. Hoover, Assistant State Fire Marshall.
    • 3:30 PM "Using Structured Negotiations to Improve Accessibility of Medical and Health Care Information." Lainey Feingold, Attorney, Law Office of Lainey Feingold, Berkeley, California and Linda M. Dardarian, Attorney, Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen and Dardarian, Oakland, California.
  • 4:00 PM CCB Constitution and By-Laws Committee. NATOMAS ROOM. Gerry Konsler Chair. Committee members: Roger Petersen, Tom Treher, Audrey Hebner, Charles Nabarrete, Al Biegler, Mary Beth Randall, Abbie Vincent.
  • 4:15 PM First Timer's Seminar. CHARDONNAY ROOM. Mr. Jerry Arakawa, Chair of the CCB First Timers Committee. An opportunity for new members or those who have not attended a Convention in a long time to learn about the purpose and function of the CCB Convention. If you are a first time attendee at CCB or someone who has not visited with us for a long time, be sure to attend this meeting. If you would like to have a "buddy", someone to assist you in getting acquainted, please contact the CCB registration table. We want all newcomers to feel welcome and to make their attendance at the CCB Convention worthwhile and memorable. Committee members: Rhonda King, Catherine Skivers, Lupe Medrano, Eric Calhoun.
  • 4:15 PM Committee on Access and Transportation Business meeting. ZINFANDEL ROOM. Eugene Lozano, Jr. Chair. Committee members: Barbara Rhodes, Vice Chair Tom Karnes, David Jackson, Dr. Flora Beck, Glenda Castle, Warren Cushman, Beryl Brown.
  • 4:15 PM Publications Committee Meeting. MERLOT ROOM. Bernice Kandarian, Chair. Committee members: Mike Keithley, Editor, Julie Cantrell, Winifred Downing, Evelyn Drewry, Brian Hall, Louis Preston, Bonnie Rennie, Richard Rueda, Catherine Schmitt Whitaker, Joel Isaac, Susan Schulter.
  • 5:30 PM Presidents’ Dinner. TAHOE ROOM. Mistress of Ceremonies, Beryl Brown, President, Redwood Empire Chapter. This event will be of interest to all chapter and affiliate officers.
  • 7:00 PM Second CCB General Session. EAGLE-BERRYESSA ROOM. Eugene Lozano, Jr. CCB First Vice President presiding.
    • 7:00 PM Credentials report. Rob Turner, Chair
    • 7:20 PM "Update on Retinal Disease and Stem Cell Therapies." David G. Telander, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Vitreo-Retinal Diseases, Ophthalmology & Visual Science, UC Davis Health System.
    • 8:00 PM "ACB Report". Mitch Pomerantz, President, American Council of the Blind.
    • 8:30 PM "President’s report". Jeff Thom.
    • 8:50 PM Domestic Violence Committee. "Is this familiar?" Role playing and discussions on recognizing domestic violence. Committee members: Dr. Martin Jones, Vice Chair, Linda Flores, Herb Clayton, Barbara Kron, Norma Guerrero, Andrea Pitsenbarger, Jacqueline Mahone-Tyson, Karen Mahone-Smith, Susan Schulter, Pam Metz, Jane Kardas.
    • 9:15 PM Annette Carter, TADDAC member, Disability Community Representative. TADDAC is Telecommunications Access for the Deaf and Disabled Administrative Committee. Title: Update on Telecommunications: Landlines, Wireless, and Access to the Program.

The Resolutions Committee (CABERNET ROOM) will meet at the close of the General Session.

The Nominating Committee, Rob Turner, Chair, (SONOMA ROOM) will meet at the close of the General Session. Each chapter’s nominating committee representative is reminded to attend this important meeting.

The hospitality suite hosted by Capitol Chapter, will be open from the close of the general session to 1:00 AM. PENTHOUSE.

SATURDAY, April 12, 2008.

  • 7:00 AM Membership-PR Seminar Breakfast. NAPA ROOM. "How to get more exposure for your chapter." Speaker to be announced, must register for the plated breakfast $18.
  • 7:30 AM Education Committee Breakfast meeting. SONOMA ROOM. Joni Patche, Chair. We will discuss the effects budget cuts could have on education in California. The plated breakfast is limited to the first 20 registered for this meeting, $18. Committee members: Jill O'Connell, Winifred Downing, Keith Johnson, Leslie Thom, Erik Smiley, Ellie Wong, Warren Cushman.
  • 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Workshop "Walk the Labyrinth for Personal Insight" NATOMAS ROOM. Maia Scott, Body Worker, Recreation Therapist and Workshop Facilitator. Come walk a tactile labyrinth and experience a moving meditation tool that can expand your knowledge of yourself and those around you. For years, people have walked labyrinths for personal development, community building, celebration, contemplation, and beyond. The labyrinth's winding path circles its way into the center and back out again. For the first time, people can walk without needing to look down at the path. This tactile labyrinth is edged with rope to follow with your feet as you go. In this workshop, you will learn about the history of the labyrinth and how people use it today followed by a walk with relaxing music and concluding with a time for people to share their experiences if they'd like. In order to get the most out of the workshop, please come on time, wear comfortable clothes, and be prepared to walk barefoot or in socks. (People of all ages are welcome). This workshop is free and limited to 30 individuals who must pre-register by April 4, 2008. If there are more than 30 individuals interested, an additional workshop may be scheduled for that morning.
  • 8:30 AM GDUC Business meeting. BERRYESSA ROOM. Guide Dog Users of California, Ann Kysor, President.
  • 10:00 AM GDUC morning program. Guest speaker, Becky Barnes, Manager of Consumer Outreach and Graduate Support at Guiding Eyes for the Blind will give a presentation on "stress and our guide dogs". Come join us for this very popular and timely discussion.
  • 12 Noon GDUC Luncheon. BERRYESSA ROOM. Ann Kysor, President. We will hear reports from all of the major guide dog schools, and enjoy great camaraderie.
  • 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Convention Exhibits. The ATRIUM Obbie Schoeman and Peter Pardini, Co-Chairs.
  • 9:00 AM Seniors with Vision Loss Committee. ZINFANDEL ROOM. Bonnie Rennie, Chair. "Traversing Troubled Times – A panel discussion on finding scarce resources is anticipated."
    Committee members: Gussie Morgan, Charlotte Criddell, Connie Schoeman, Keith Black, Janet Carmichael, Jane Kardas.
  • 10:00 AM Joint Action Committee meeting. PENTHOUSE.
  • 10:30 AM CCCLV will join the Seniors with Vision Loss Committee for a joint meeting. ZINFANDEL ROOM.
    • 10:30 What a Fleximeter can do for you! Chris Gray.
    • 11:15 Taking your blood pressure. Dawn Wilcox RN will explain and demonstrate proper techniques with talking device.
    • 11:40 ACB National Transportation Committee; Activities and goals. Beryl Brown.
  • 10:30 AM California School for the Blind Alumni meeting MERLOT ROOM. Elmer Chapson, Chair.
  • 11:30 AM Orientation Center for the Blind Alumni (OCBA) NAPA ROOM. David Jackson, President. Business meeting followed at 12 Noon by the OCBA Luncheon. Guest speaker Mike Cole, OCB Administrator.
  • 11:30 PM Randolph Shepard Vendors of California (RSVC) SONOMA ROOM. business meeting followed at 12 Noon by the RSVC Luncheon, David Hanlon, President.
  • 1:00 PM Joint Action Committee meeting. NAPA ROOM.
  • 1:30 PM Third CCB General Session. EAGLE-BERRYESSA ROOM. Chris Gray, CCB Treasurer presiding.
    • Invocation.
    • Pledge of Allegiance. Steve Fort, President, Bay View Chapter CCB.
    • 1:40 PM "Update on the Department of Rehabilitation". Anthony Sauer, Director, Dept. of Rehabilitation.
    • 2:20 PM "Blind and Visually Impaired Student Accessibility to Core Curriculum". Jonn Paris-Salb, Manager, Clearinghouse for Specialized Media & Translations, California Department of Education and Linda Wyatt, Special Education Consultant, Policy and Program Services, Special Education Division, California Department of Education.
    • 3:00 PM "What You Need to Know about the February 17, 2009 Switch to DTV". Bob Fitzhugh, Director Technology/Operations, KXTV NEWS 10, Sacramento.
    • 3:30 PM "Federal and State Legislative Reports." Ardis Bazyn, Chair, California 2008 ACB Legislative Seminar Delegation, California Council of the Blind and Dan Kysor, Director of Governmental Affairs, California Council of the Blind.
  • 4:30 PM Fund Raising Committee. SONOMA ROOM.
    Rhonda King, Chair. Committee members: Peter Pardini, Obbie Schoeman, Sharlene Ornelas, Stephen Fort, Chris Gray, John Ross, A.J. Sobieck, Jacqueline Jackson.
  • 4:30 PM Governmental Affairs Committee. CHARDONNAY ROOM. Catherine Skivers, Chair. Committee members:
    Dan Kysor, Charles Nabarrete, Ardis Bazyn, Andy Baracco, Doug Rose, Peter Pardini, Barbara Rhodes, Dirk Neyhart, Jane Kardas, Stephen Fort, Louis Preston, Louie Herrera, Lupe Medrano, Allen Ramos, Sam Chen.
  • 6:00 PM No Host "Attitude Adjustment Hour". ATRIUM.
  • 7:00 PM CCB Banquet. EAGLE-BERRYESSA ROOM. Master of Ceremonies, Gabe Griffith, CCB Secretary and Resolutions Committee chair.

    Invocation: Pastor Michael L. Kontes, Antelope Hills Seventh-day Adventist church, Antelope, CA.

    Our keynote speaker will be disability rights activist Catherine Blakemore, Protection and Advocacy, Inc.

    CCB awards will be presented and scholarship winners will be recognized. Don't forget the winning tickets for CCB Annual Sweepstakes will be drawn at the Banquet, along with other raffles and prizes. All those in attendance at the banquet will be eligible to win a Victor Stream Reader donated by HumanWare.

If needed, the CCB Resolutions Committee will meet directly after the banquet. CABERNET ROOM.

The hospitality suite, hosted by Capitol Chapter, will be open from the close of the banquet to 1:00 AM. PENTHOUSE.

SUNDAY, April 13, 2008

  • 8:15 AM Devotional Services. EAGLE-BERRYESSA ROOM.
  • 9:00 AM CCB General Session. EAGLE –BERRYESSA ROOM. This final session will include reports from: the Constitution and By-laws Committee, CCB Treasurer's Report, Resolutions Committee, as well as reports from other CCB Committees as time permits. The meeting and the Convention will adjourn at 12:00 NOON.


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Exhibitors


Advertisers

ABISEE, Inc.

Reading Machines for the Low Vision, Blind, and Deaf-Blind.
We invent them... We make them... We sell them.

Our portable 1 lb USB devices scan bound books and documents and instantly convert printed text into multiple accessible formats:

  1. Speech.
  2. Braille display.
  3. Wrapped magnification.
  4. Saved text file.
  5. Page layout spoken as a sighted reader sees it.
  6. Large print.

ABISee Products:

Eye-Pal is a portable instant scanning/reading machine for the blind and deaf-blind that allows output on a Braille display and as speech.

Zoom-Ex is 3 tools for low vision in a single 1 lb device:

  • World’s first instant book-to-speech tool;
  • Fast, 20 page/min scanner (books stay bound) + OCR;
  • Magnifier with no need for an X-Y table (lines wrap);

Zoom-Twix makes low vision students fully functional in class:
Zoom-Twix combines all Zoom-Ex functionality with ability to view and save blackboard images and writing under magnification.

ABISee, Inc. 800-681-5909 www.abisee.com
Our distributor in Northern CA: Synergy Vision, 925-249-0555 www.helpwithvision.com


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Dorit Sandholm, “Weekenders USA”


Dorit Sandholm and Gina Leonard Present:
"Weekenders" The Clothes You Love To Live In

Our wardrobing concept offers you value with easy care/easy wear fashions Planning your Spring/Summer Fashion Wardrobe has never been easier or more fun! Look for us in the Exhibit Hall. We will help you select the colors and styles to look your very best.


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GW Micro

We would like to acknowledge the generosity of GW Micro, Inc., as a Spring CCB Convention Silver Sponsor.

Since 1990, GW Micro has been a trusted pioneer in the adaptive technology industry, and continues to lead with innovative, customer driven solutions.

Window-Eyes is nothing less than the most stable screen reader available on the market today, featuring full support for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista.

GW Micro also offers a line of hardware products to fill our customers’ needs, including Braille Sense and Voice Sense Notetakers, GW Sense Navigation, SyncBraille 20 and 32 Braille Displays, Portable SenseView hand held magnifier, and Small-Talk Ultra portable computer.

To find out more about these and other fine products go to gwmicro.com or call 260-489-3671.


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HumanWare Inc.

We would like to acknowledge the generosity of HumanWare, as a Spring CCB Convention Silver Sponsor.
Solutions Empower People

HumanWare products empower people to compete effectively in a sighted world. We provide innovative solutions and put the power into the hands of our customers.

Experience HumanWare through our many product families including the mPower BrailleNote, Victor, and Trekker product lines.

For more information on any of our products, please call us at 800-722-3393, or see us on the web at www.humanware.com


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Mercy General Hospital

Mercy Specialty Programs

We are a nonprofit dedicated to guiding our patients through a growing, diverse healthcare system. At Mercy Specialty Programs, we are committed to providing compassionate, reliable patient care coordination. We provide emotional support and encouragement and empower you to be your own healthcare advocate. Programs and Services Include:

  • Joint Adventure - Patient education including joint pain classes and joint replacement pre-surgery classes, RN program coordinator, group rehab therapy and follow up from joint replacement surgery to home and after.
  • Cancer Care Program – Complete, coordinated inpatient and outpatient services, classes and screenings.
  • Mercy Eye Services - Patient education, plus physician and resource referrals.
  • Ortho/Spine Services - Pre-surgery class and community referrals before, during and after treatment.
  • Urology & Gynecology Services - Patient education, plus physician and resource referrals.
  • Financial Assistance
  • Local Support Groups
  • Community Resources
  • Physician & Resource Referrals

Call Today!

Mercy Specialty Programs
916-736-8070
Or Stop By 3939 J Street Suite 102, Sacramento

Mercy A member of CHW


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Navi Tech Inc., 942 West L Street, Springfield, OR 97477
Navigational technologies for the disabled – from home to work

NAVI-TECH, INC. is a new Corporation that combines four fantastic wholly-owned subsidiaries, some of which you might have already heard of:

  • California Canes, the Nation’s premiere white cane company, still managed by your friends Jeff & Tami Carmer.
  • Navi-Strips DDGS, with Rob Cook creating a solid company that manufactures and markets NTI’s patent-pending Detectable Directional Guidance Strips or DDGS Markers, for enhanced independent travel by pedestrians who are B/VI.
  • Sensor-Tech, with Billy Hopkins and Rob Cook managing patents & development of high-tech sensory and assistive aids for the B/VI and other people with disabilities.
  • NT Employment Services, managed by well-known Blinded Veteran leader George Estill of Indiana, offering B/VI Veterans and other disabled Citizens the opportunity for employment across the Nation.

Please stop by our Exhibits Table (#??) and check out our products and services. For further information on Navi-Tech, Inc. call or email: (541) 741-4367 robgcook@comcast.net


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VAST VISIONS

"what we perceive, we can achieve."

We educate and train clients to overcome change and attain their aspirations through appropriate vision, empowerment strategies and balanced success training.

We specialize in…stress management public speaking enjoyment balanced success training change management image and wellness strategies ballroom dancing instructions "Coping with vision loss has been my greatest challenge. Now, I challenge others to be blind to mental myopia and to focus on possibilities in all areas of life.”-John Battistoni (President of Vast Visions)

Call for a free consultation so we can evaluate your personal situation.
Phone: 916.408.4753 www.vastvisions.com


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DESCRIPTION OF THE SACRAMENTO ARDEN WEST HILTON HOTEL

REVISED FEBRUARY 8TH, 2008.


GENERAL OVERVIEW OF FACILITIES & SERVICES

The hotel facilities consist of the main hotel building, the swimming pool area, and the health club building. These buildings and spaces are positioned in an in-line pattern with a west to east orientation in the order that they are listed. The hotel building complex is completely encircled by its parking lots and there is no direct or easy access to the public street by pedestrians.

MAIN HOTEL BUILDING

The building is a rectangular structure consisting of a single story (general circulation area) with a 12-story tower on the south side of the structure. The generally rectangle shaped first floor has its short sides in an easterly-westerly orientation and its long sides in a northerly-southerly orientation. All of the hotel rooms, restrooms, exits, and spaces have raised print and Braille signs.

Primary Front Entrance

The primary front entrance is on the west side of the building. It opens onto a raised sidewalk with one curb ramp that is aligned with the doors. For guests to enter or exit the hotel's front entry, they must walk through a vestibule with 2 non-automatic single doors and an automatic double door between them at each end of the vestibule.

First Floor Description

The first floor can be subdivided into three rectangles lying side-by-side with their long ends running in a west to east direction. From outside, facing the west side or front of the building, going left to right, the first rectangle consists of meeting rooms and the restaurant, which open into the middle rectangle. The middle rectangle can be subdivided horizontally into two squares. The first square being the lobby and bar in the front of the hotel and the second square is the Atrium/Solarium, which is in the rear of the building. The third and right-most rectangle consists of meeting rooms, hotel offices, hallways, and elevators that go to the 12-story tower.

IN DEPTH DESCRIPTION OF FIRST FLOOR

When you enter the western or front entrance of the hotel you are in the lobby with its marbled floor looking toward the rear of the building. From where you are standing you are given two routes for accessing most of the hotel. The path of travel through the lobby is shaped like the print letter "U" with the front door at the bottom of the "U." The two upper ends lead to the entryways to the Atrium/Solarium at the rear of the building. A few feet in front of you in the inner portion of the "U" you will find a carpeted seating area with chairs, tables, and a fireplace, which faces the front door. Behind the fireplace is the Cameo Bar. It is on a raised platform that can be accessed by stairs or a wheelchair ramp (north side of bar). From the west entrance, if you go immediately to the left; toward the north wall of the lobby you will encounter a coffee bar, Café Expresso. After circling right around the coffee bar, Café Expresso and reaching the north wall you are given two options. (a) turn left to enter the corridor leading to the Folsom Room entrance, Harvard Street Grill, restrooms, and a front exit (in a counter clockwise order) or (b) turn right and walk toward the rear of the lobby. As you walk to the rear of the lobby, along the north wall you will find the following: Folsom Room (two entrances from lobby; alcove with a grand piano; Brandywine Room (one entrance); Women's and Men’s Restrooms, and double doors leading into an employees’ only area. At this point, if you continue walking, you will leave the lobby and enter the Atrium/Solarium, which will be described in more detail later. Back at the front entrance of the hotel if you turn right you will encounter the Bellmen's desk and will have to make a left turn to walk parallel with the south wall of the lobby. Along the south wall of the lobby you will find the following: a hallway leading to two (2) glass elevators to the tower rooms, front registration desk, Concierge's desk, 24 hour Business Center, gift shop and a hallway leading to the first floor of the tower (a.k.a. the third rectangle). At this point, if you continue toward the rear of the hotel, you will leave the lobby and enter the Atrium/Solarium area. When you enter the Atrium/Solarium you will find yourself in a reasonably square shaped room that is carpeted and has movable planters. The Atrium/Solarium has exit doors at the east or rear side of the building, which open onto the swimming pool area. As you enter the Atrium/Solarium from the lobby area, the following rooms can be found on the north or left side: Shasta (one entrance), Tahoe (one entrance), Berryessa (one entrance) and Eagle (one entrance). When all the room dividers are retracted from these four rooms they are then considered the Grand Ballroom. On the south or right wall running from the common wall between the lobby and the Atrium/Solarium to the swimming pool area the following meeting rooms can be found: Chardonnay (2 entrances), Cabernet(2 entrances) and Zinfandel (2 entrances). As you pass the Zinfandel Room you will walk through a set of glass double doors and walk toward the exit that takes you to the swimming pool area, you will find a glass wall to your left that separates you from the remainder of the Atrium/Solarium. On your right-hand side is the opening to a hallway that leads to the east or rear elevators, and the first floor of the tower or the third rectangle. Starting again at the front entrance and turning right, walk past the Bellman's desk and you will enter the third rectangle (a.k.a. the first floor of the tower). Immediately upon entering the west front elevator hallway you will pass the following on your right hand side: two glass elevators, a staircase, and a secondary front entry door. On the left side, across from the elevators, you will find the ATM machines. If you make a left turn and walk eastward, you will find the following on the left hand side of the hallway: four unmarked, locked doors, Women’s and Men’s Restrooms, the second hallway from the lobby, the Chardonnay Room (one entrance), Cabernet Room (one entrance), Zinfandel Room (one entrance) and the east rear elevator hallway. If you start down the hallway from the front of the hotel and walk eastward, you will find the following on the right side of the hallway: Executive Office (which is locked), Sales and Catering, hallway to south side exit, Sonoma (1 entrance), Napa (1 entrance), Merlot(1 entrance), Board Room (1 entrance), stairwell, and exit to delivery dock. At this point, if you make a left turn, you will enter the east or rear elevator hallway that also leads to the Atrium/Solarium. This completes the description of the first floor plan.

Tower

Except for the first floor, which was described in the preceding paragraph, the second through the 12th floors, have one corridor that is intersected at both ends by a short dead-end corridor. This is where the west or front and the east or rear elevators are contained with their accompanying stairwells. On the second through 12th floors are guest rooms and vending machine rooms (located at the end of the main hallway near the rear elevators). In addition, on the second and 12th floors you will find more meeting rooms. The second floor has three meeting rooms, the Eureka 219, Natomas 221, and Sierra 229. On the 12th floor, walking from the front of the tower to the rear, the first room on the right hand side is the Penthouse (no room number assigned). Next comes the Presidential Suite, Room 1214 and Club Room, Room 1222. This is the end of the description of the main hotel building.

Other Hotel Facilities

By using the exterior exit doors from the Eagle/Ballroom, the Atrium/Solarium, or hallway to rear/east elevators you can access the swimming pool area, health club building, and dog relieving area, which are east of the main hotel building.

Swimming Pool Area

The swimming area is a large concrete rectangular patio with an hourglass shaped swimming pool in its center and an in-ground Jacuzzi to the left. Warning: There is no fencing encircling either the pool or Jacuzzi. When you are standing with your back to the main hotel building the north or left side of the patio is bordered with a fence and raised gazebo and a sidewalk leading to a parking lot. On the south or right side of the pool is a pay telephone on a wall and a flower bed. Directly in front of you on the opposite side of the swimming pool are the entrances into the various rooms making up the health club building. When facing the health club building going left to right you will find the following rooms and spaces: Men’s and Women’s Restrooms, weight room, dry sauna and aerobic room. The dry sauna is in an alcove Note: All the rooms and spaces making up the health club building are labeled with accessible signage.

Guide Dog Relieving Area

Exit the rear of the main hotel building, find the south or right side of the swimming pool area, and walk toward and beyond the Health Club building through the wood gate. NOTE: You will need your hotel room key to re-enter the pool area. Also, the gate is very heavy. After passing the health club building you will find the dog's relieving area to the right. NOTE: The grassy area to the left is not to be used as a relieving area. Also, there is no fence separating the relieving area and the parking lot. There will be a large trash can and plastic bags at the corner of this area.

DISCLAIMER

The above narrative description of the Sacramento Hilton Inn is to be considered only as a general overview and not an exhaustive in-depth description of the facilities.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures:

Fire Exits:

For your personal safety, please note where each exit is located upon arrival. All floors/rooms are equipped with diagrams/locations of various fire exits, which are located at the end of each hallway. Each exit is labeled with a raised print and Braille sign. The two stairways are located on the East and West end of each hotel floor. The emergency exit on the east end of the hallways (higher room numbers) leads onto a small balcony. The staircase entrance is to the right of the Exit door. Both stairways exit outside the buildings on the main grounds. There are two (2) fire extinguishers located in each hallway. They are in white metal cabinets. All cabinets are located on the north-side (odd room numbers side) of the hallways. They are mounted on the wall to the right side of the 07 and 25 room entrances on each floor. The cabinet door handle is 40 inches above the floor on the right side of the cabinet opening towards the left. There are two (2) fire alarm manual pull stations, which are red in color, with the center point of the device mounted 52 inches above the carpeted floor; one (1) at each end of the hallway to the right of the stairway exit door.

Our Banquet rooms are located on the main level floor. The fire exits are located at each end and in the middle of the hallway that runs between the small meeting room entrances and hotel offices on the south side of the building, as well as at the back of the main ball room on the east side of the building and in front of the restaurant on the west side of the building. All exits are marked with illuminated green Exit Signs throughout the hotel. Each exit is also labeled with a raised print and Braille sign.

Alarm/Evacuation Procedures:

Our fire alarm makes a high-pitched sound. The elevators will not be in working order once the alarm is activated. If the alarm is activated, we recommend that you stay in your guestroom or in the meeting room. Our hotel staff will investigate right away the cause of the fire alarm. Our hotel staff will determine if it is a false alarm or if evacuation is necessary and will advise hotel guests accordingly through the PA system.

If evacuation is necessary, every attempt will be made for a member of our staff to assist you in exiting the hotel. All hotel guests with visual impairments will be noted by the front desk, and special assistance would immediately be deployed to their hotel room or meeting rooms.

If you detect fire or smoke, notify the operator by dialing “0”, or pull the nearest fire alarm manual pull station. If you must leave the room, feel the door to see if it is hot. If it is not hot, open the door slightly to look and listen to determine if you can make it to the stairways. Stay low to the floor and take your room key. Do not use the elevator. Proceed to the nearest stairway and exit on the ground floor. Then proceed to the meeting area in the front of the hotel. If unable to exit your room because of fire or smoke: (a) Close the door and seal it with a wet towel (b) Notify the operator by dialing “0”. (c) Stay near the window until help arrives but do not open the window.

We ask that our guests assemble in front of the hotel in the parking lot facing the main entrance. There will be members of our staff at this location to account for all guests and to inform our guests when it is safe to re-enter the hotel.

** End of Document **


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Revised April 1, 2008
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