CCB Spring 2008 Convention
Schedule

THURSDAY, April 10, 2008

• 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.

FRIDAY, April 11, 2008

• 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.