2026 Virtual Conference & Convention Program

Beyond Barriers

Location
Zoom and streamed on ACB Media
Pre-Convention April 18-26, 2026
Main Event April 30 -May 3, 2026

California Council of the Blind
8880 Cal Center Dr. Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95826
916-441-2100, 800-221-6359
President Guillermo Robles

Convention Committee Co-Chairs Alice Turner and Andrea DeKlotz
 

Table of Contents

  • 2026 Convention Presenter Biographies

    • President’s Message

    Welcome to the California Council of the Blind’s Annual Conference and Convention!

    This year’s theme, Beyond Barriers, reflects more than the challenges we face, it reflects the choices before us.

    I often think about my grandparents, who came to this country in the 1950s from Central America in search of education and opportunity. They encountered new systems, a new language, and a new culture. The barriers were real—but they did not stop them. They adapted, persevered, and laid a foundation for future generations.
    As they would say, “El sacrificio de hoy es la oportunidad del mañana.” (The sacrifice of today is the opportunity of tomorrow.)

    That lesson has followed me throughout my life.

    I think about my mother, raising a blind child as a single parent. She navigated medical systems, sought support from the Los Angeles Regional Center, worked with the Los Angeles Unified School District, and learned how to advocate—not because it was easy, but because it was necessary. She understood that access does not happen by accident.
    Growing up in a home shaped by instability, I struggled at times to keep my footing. Then came a turning point. When the Superintendent of the California School for the Blind visited and spoke to blind and low vision students in my high school resource room about the school and its programs, I felt something shift. I saw possibility. I saw belonging.
    But possibility alone was not enough.
    I had to advocate for myself—convincing my school district and my family that attending the California School for the Blind, while remaining mainstreamed and earning a regular high school diploma, was the right path. I was not asking for less. I was asking for the tools to succeed.

    That experience taught me something I still carry today: barriers do not disappear on their own. They are overcome through vision, persistence, and action.
    When I later attended my first California Council of the Blind conference as a sophomore in high school, I saw that lesson reflected in an organization. I saw blind individuals leading, debating, organizing, and shaping their own future. After graduation, I became involved in local chapters, searching for where I fit—until I found my place within this movement.
    Today, this movement stands at a crossroads.

    There are those who say our organization is declining—that it is “dying.” Let me be clear: the California Council of the Blind will only fade if we allow it to. Organizations do not disappear because challenges exist. They disappear when innovation stops, when engagement weakens, and when vision is lost.
    And vision is something this community has never lacked.
    As Stevie Wonder reminds us, “Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn’t mean he lacks vision.”

    Our challenge now is to apply that vision boldly—not only to advocacy, but to how we grow, sustain, and reimagine our organization. Beyond Barriers means embracing new ideas, new voices, and new models. It means rethinking how we engage members, how we build financial stability, and how we remain relevant and powerful in a changing world.
    At the same time, external threats remain very real. Funding pressures on Vocational Rehabilitation, uncertainty surrounding SSI and SSDI, and challenges to Medicare and Medicaid directly impact the lives of blind and low vision Californians. These realities demand an organization that is strong, adaptable, and forward-looking.

    This conference is not just a gathering. It is a working moment. I challenge each of us to leave here ready to act—to mentor, to recruit, to innovate, to advocate, and to strengthen this organization for the next generation. Attend the sessions. Ask hard questions. Share new ideas. Build partnerships. Bring someone new into the movement.

    Barriers will continue to change.
    So must we.
    Together, we will ensure that the California Council of the Blind does not simply survive—but evolves, grows, and leads as we move Beyond Barriers.

    With resolve and confidence,
    Guillermo Robles
    President, California Council of the Blind


    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Welcome

    This document provides important information to help you prepare for and fully participate in the 2026 CCB Conference and Convention.

    Included FAQ Documents

    1. Registration and Participation FAQ
      Provides information about how and when to register, along with helpful tips for participating in the Zoom webinar.
    2. 2026 Conference and Convention Meeting Procedures
      Provides helpful information about Robert’s Rules of Order and other procedural guidelines.

    Important Session
    The first session in the 2026 Pre-Convention schedule is titled:
    “Keys to Convention”
    to be held on Thursday, April 16 at 7:00 PM PT, as reflected in the Pre-Convention Schedule.
    All participants are strongly encouraged to attend this interactive and informative session to learn more and prepare for a successful convention experience.

     
    Below are answers to common questions about registering for and participating in the 2026 CCB Conference and Convention. Members are encouraged to attend the “Keys to Convention” session, scheduled prior to Pre-Convention activities, to learn more.

    1. Where can I find information about registering for the Convention, and what are the deadlines?
      Registration opens the first week in March, 2026 and closes April 15, 2026.

      Important: If you wish to request the program to be mailed in braille, large print or audio version, you must register no later than April 1, 2026, to receive the program prior to the start of the Conference and Convention.

      To register online:

      1. Visit the CCB website at http://www.ccbnet.org
      2. Go to “2026 Conference and Convention”
      3. Follow the links for Registration, Convention Program, and Important Dates
      4. If you do not have online access, please contact the CCB Operations Manager, Nicole Pacheco, at 1-800-221-6359, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. She will assist you with registration. The same registration deadlines apply.
    2. What will I receive after registering?
      If you register online, you will receive a payment confirmation receipt from PayPal.
      Before the start of the main event), you will receive an email containing:
      • The webinar link
      • Webinar code
      • Password
      • Telephone numbers for participating by phone

      Digital versions of the Convention Program will be posted on the CCB website by the first week of March.
      If you requested the program to be mailed in braille, large print or audio, and registered by April 1, you will receive it before the start of the Conference and Convention.

    3. What should I do if I misplace the webinar link or phone information?
      Webinar access information is provided only to registered participants and may not be shared. If you cannot locate your webinar access information, contact Nicole Pacheco, CCB Operations Manager, at 1-800-221-6359, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. After verifying your registration, she will resend the information to you. After hours, send an email to ask@ccbnet.org or call (916) 393-0662.
    4. How do I register for Pre-Convention activities?
      No registration is required for Pre-Convention activities. These sessions are open to all at no cost. The Convention and Conference Program will include the Zoom information to join Pre-Convention sessions.
    5. How do I listen to the Conference and Convention through Alexa, and do I need to register?
      Registration is not required if you are listening through the Alexa application as this is a listening experience and does not include engaging in the Conference and Convention. Instructions for how to listen through Alexa will be sent out through the email Convention Connection.
    6. If I am registered, how do I ask questions or make comments during Convention activities?
      The Conference and Convention will be broadcast via a Zoom webinar.
      When the session Chair opens the floor for questions and comments:

      Use the appropriate command below to raise your hand.
      1. The ACB Host will send you a prompt to unmute.
      2. State your name and indicate whether you have a question or a comment.
      3. Keep questions concise.
      4. Limit comments to approximately one minute to allow full participation.

      Zoom Webinar Keyboard Shortcuts
      Windows
      • Raise/Lower Hand: Alt + Y
      • Mute/Unmute: Alt + A
      • Leave Webinar: Alt + Q

      Mac
      • Raise/Lower Hand: Option + Y
      • Mute/Unmute: Command + Shift + A
      • Leave Webinar: Command + W

      Phone (Keypad)
      To join by phone, dial the provided webinar number and enter the conference code and password.
      • Raise/Lower Hand: *9
      • After the ACB Host prompts you:
      • Mute/Unmute: *6

      Mobile Phone (Zoom App)
      Main Controls (bottom menu):
      • Raise Hand: Tap More, then select Raise Hand
      • Mute/Unmute: Tap the microphone icon after the Host prompts you
      • Leave Webinar: Tap Leave (top corner)

    7. How do I ask a general question, and how will I receive a response?
      For general questions or assistance, email ask@ccbnet.org. You will receive a response as soon as possible.

     
    Meeting Procedures FAQs

    The following FAQs and corresponding answers provide Conference and Convention participants with a basic understanding of the key business aspects of the event. Members are encouraged to attend the “Keys to Convention” session, scheduled prior to Pre-Convention activities, to learn more.

    1. What is “parliamentary authority” in regard to CCB?
    Organizations function similarly to legislative bodies in which members meet to decide on actions to be taken. To conduct business effectively, rules must be established and followed. These rules are known as parliamentary authorities.
    CCB’s adopted parliamentary authority is the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR).

    2. What are “Robert’s Rules of Order”?
    Robert’s Rules of Order is a set of procedures and ethical guidelines designed to help groups conduct orderly meetings. These rules ensure that the majority can make decisions while also protecting the rights of minority voices to be heard.

    3. What are “Standing Rules”?
    At the beginning of each convention, CCB adopts a set of Convention Standing Rules by majority vote of the members present. Discussion is permitted before the vote (conducted by show of virtual hands).

    4. What is the difference between motion and amendments?
    A main motion is a formal proposal by a member that the organization take a specific action. A main motion must be seconded by another member before it can be considered.
    Example:
    “I move that the club purchase a chair for the secretary.”
    This motion must receive a second to proceed.
    At convention, when the Resolutions Committee or the Constitution and Bylaws Committee introduces a main motion, no second is required because the motion comes from a committee (more than one person), and therefore already has implicit support.
    Once a main motion is on the floor, members may propose an amendment (a change to the motion) or move to refer the motion to a committee.
    An amendment:
    • Must be seconded
    • Is debatable
    • Must be voted on before the main motion
    Example amendment:
    “I move to amend by inserting the word ‘red’ before the word ‘chair.’”
    If adopted, the assembly then votes on the amended motion (e.g., purchase a red chair). If rejected, the vote proceeds on the original motion unless further amendments are made.
    If an amendment itself is amended, the secondary amendment is voted on first.
    It has been CCB custom that some amendments may be considered friendly amendments. The chair will ask the maker of the motion whether the amendment is accepted as friendly. If accepted, no vote is required

    5. What is a Point of Inquiry?
    A Point of Inquiry (or Parliamentary Inquiry) is directed to the chair to obtain information about parliamentary procedure. It does not relate to a violation of the rules.
    Example:
    “Can chairs be purchased if the office budget is running low?”
    Procedure:
    • The member seeks recognition.
    • After being recognized, the member states:
    “Mr. or Madam President, I have a point of inquiry.”
    • The chair invites the question.
    • The member asks the question.

    6. What is a Point of Information?
    A Point of Information is a request for information relevant to the business at hand but not related to parliamentary procedure.
    Procedure:
    • The member seeks recognition.
    • After recognition:
    “Mr. or Madam President, I have a point of information.”
    • The chair invites the question.
    • The member asks the question.
    Members must address all remarks through the chair. Direct discussion between members is not permitted.
    A Point of Information is not an opportunity to debate (e.g., “I think we should purchase a chair because the old one is creaky.”). If remarks drift into debate, the chair will rule them out of order.
    The chair is the presiding officer, and their rulings are final. Points of Inquiry and Points of Information may be limited to specific time periods.

    7. What is a Point of Order?
    A Point of Order is raised when a member believes the rules of the assembly are being violated.
    A Point of Order may interrupt a speaker if immediate attention is required. It is the only legitimate reason to interrupt proceedings.
    Procedure:
    • The member raises their virtual hand and states:
    “Point of order.”
    • The chair asks the member to state the point.
    • The member explains the rule believed to be violated.
    • The chair rules whether the point is “well taken” or “not well taken.”
    The chair must rule on the point before business resumes.
    Not all Points of Order will be valid, but the chair’s ruling determines how the meeting proceeds.


    Pre-Convention Activities and Schedule

    Pre-Convention Zoom information:
    Topic: pre-convention 2026
    Thursday April 16 through Sunday April 26. Consult the pre-convention schedule for meeting dates and times

    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/739825688?pwd=bk85ZUVmZ3UxUjEzVHN5aG1NRWZjUT09

    One tap mobile
    +14086380968,,739825688#,,,,,,0#,,222638#

    call in number: 408.638.0968
    meeting ID: 739825688
    Passcode: 222638
    When prompted for a participant code, press the Pound key.

    Thursday, April 16

    7:00 PM Keys to the Convention

    We will dive into the "Keys to the Convention." Learn about officers and board elections, accessing the event via Zoom, and essential Robert's Rules of Order. Plus, we have planned entertaining games to keep the energy high! Do not miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and have fun with your fellow community members. Your voice matters – be part of shaping our future, breaking barriers.


    Friday, April 17

    7:00 PM Games Galore!

    Come and join us for fun interactive games with your fellow CCB members. You never know what surprise the games committee might have in store.


    Saturday, April 18, 2026

    12:00 PM Resolutions Committee

    Review and discussion of resolutions submitted by members of CCB.


    3:00 PM California Diabetics in Action Program

    Weighing In: Our Diabetic Journey
    Presented by California Diabetics in Action

    In this program we will engage in interactive discussion exploring how to be successful in finding balance on our everyday walk with diabetes. We will cover the following:

    • self-awareness
    • nutrition
    • sleep/wake habits
    • exercise
    • recreation
    • stress reduction
    • diabetic burn-out, when life gets in the way.


    Sunday April 19

    3:00 PM Housing Committee Presentation

    California Housing Rights and Resources
    Learn about our housing rights, resources and how the CCB Housing Committee can partner with your chapter to help members of your local blind community who are seeking housing.


    Monday April 20

    7:30 PM Credentials Committee Meeting


    Tuesday, April 21

    7:30 PM CCB Bylaws Committee Meeting

    Discussion of proposed bylaws amendments and changes.


    Wednesday, April 22

    7:30 PM Nominating Committee Meeting (closed session, chapter designees only)


    Thursday, April 23

    7:00 PM Accessibility Update from Spectrum

    Please join Petr Kucheryavyy, Director with Spectrum’s Accessibility team to learn about all of the accessibility products and features, including the free Spectrum Access app available to anyone in the US, providing access to over 1300 Audio Description titles. Come learn about Spectrum’s Disability Support Team, available 24/7. Not a Spectrum customer? You may still be able to benefit from some of the Spectrum offerings and learn more about the expansion of Spectrum services that may be in your area soon


    Saturday, April 25

    12:00 PM Second Resolutions Committee Meeting


    2:00 PM California Council of Citizens with Low Vision Program and Business Meeting

    Our speaker will be Stephanie Zabitz from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Orientation and mobility immersion program.

    This program assists clients who have an eventual goal of owning a guide dog but need additional O and M experience before applying for a dog. Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) is pleased to offer a free Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Immersion Program for people interested in learning orientation and mobility skills for safe, independent travel, including those skills that are most relevant to guide dog mobility.

    Our week-long O&M Immersion courses are held throughout the year. All courses start on a Sunday afternoon and conclude the following Saturday. The classes are conducted by O&M specialists on location at either one of our campuses (San Rafael, California or Boring, Oregon), or at one of our partner organization facilities. Each partner O&M specialist has undergone training with Guide Dogs for the Blind to prepare them to instruct clients who have a guide dog mobility goal.


    4:00 PM Join IDC (Inclusive Diversity of California) and CLUA (California Library Users of America) for the audio-described film "RENEGADES - Thomas Wiggins:

    Composing the Future" with author Day Al-Mohamed. An African American composer and pianist known as one of the greatest musicians of the 19th century, Thomas Wiggins (1849-1908) was blind from birth and likely autistic. Although born into slavery, Wiggins was the first African American to perform at the White House, and toured throughout the U.S., South America, and Europe. This is an extended session with an opportunity for interactive discussion.


    Sunday, April 26

    4:00 PM Golden State Guide Dog Handlers, INC. Program

    Linda MacLeod, a retired attorney, will speak about her experience suing Uber Technologies, Inc in Small Claims Court for discrimination due to ride share denials involving her guide dog, Gideon. Linda will speak about the process of filing her claim in Small Claims Court, going to Court, presenting her case to a judge, and then collecting damages. She will also answer questions regarding the process and what others need to know if they want to pursue their rights against Uber or Lyft when they are denied a ride share due to their guide dog.


    6:00 PM California Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss Program

    This meeting will feature two presentations. Our first speaker will discuss the Medi-Cal program, emphasizing the application process and specific concerns such as the asset test. The second speaker will present independent living services for seniors who are blind or have low vision.
     


    Main Convention Program Schedule

    Wednesday, April 29

    7:00 PM - 8:30 PM CCB Board Meeting

    Presiding Officer, Guillermo Robles, President, CCB Culver City, CA


    Thursday, April 30

    6 PM Opening Session Presiding Officer, Guillermo Robles, CCB President Culver City, CA

    Welcome by Guillermo Robles, CCB President
    Alice Turner Sunnyvale, CA and Andrea DeKlotz, Orange CA, Convention Committee Co-Chairs

    • 6:20 PM Approval of Convention Standing Rules
      Presenter: Regina Brink, CCB First Vice President Sacramento, CA
    • >6:35 PM Credentials Committee Report
      Presenter: Frank Welte, Credentials Committee Chair San Leandro, CA
    • 6:50 PM Nominating Committee Report
      Presenter: Frank Welte, Credentials Committee Chair San Leandro, CA
    • 7:05 PM Approval of 2025 CCB Convention Minutes
      Presenter: Steve Bauer, CCB Secretary, Culver City CA
    • 7:20 PM CCB Treasurer Report
      Presenter: Lisa Presley-Thomas, CCB Treasurer Fresno, CA
      Newell Perry Trust report Mitch Pomerantz Pasadena, CA
      Ellen Murphy Fund report Donna Pomerantz, Pasadena, CA
    • 8:00 PM First Reading of Bylaw Amendments
      Presenter: Steve Bauer, Chair, By-Laws Committee, Culver City CA
    • 8:15 PM Session Close


    Friday, May 1

    1 PM - 4 PM General Session 2

    Presiding Officer, Regina Brink, CCB First Vice president Sacramento, CA

    • 1 PM First Vice President Welcome, Pledge of Allegiance and Announcements
    • 1:15 PM Advocating for Accessibility – Meet Kolby Garrison, ACB Accessibility Consulting & Compliance Services Coordinator, American Council of the Blind
      Presenter: Kolby Garrison Greensboro, NC

      The goal of the American Council of the Blind Accessibility Consulting & Compliance Services program is to advocate for equal access for people who are blind or have low vision in all aspects of life including the workplace, websites, mobile apps, products, services, experiences, and more. We will hear about the key initiatives underway at ACB.

    • 2:15 PM Beyond Barriers: Real Journeys to Employment Success for Blind and Low Vision Individuals
      Moderator: Alice Turner, Sunnyvale CA
      Presenters:
      Tricia Waechter, Blind girl designs Houston, TX
      Mark Hanohano Chino Hills, CA
      John Gassman Fullerton, CA

      This panel brings together blind and low vision professionals from different generations and industries to share their real-world employment journeys. Panelists will discuss how they identified and overcame common barriers, navigated accessibility and bias, and built successful careers using practical strategies, tools, and resilient mindsets. We will hear actionable advice, and renewed confidence to pursue meaningful employment and professional growth.

    • 3:30 PM What is the purpose of the Blind Advisory Committee
      Moderator: Jeff Thom, Sacramento, CA
      Presenters
      Guillermo robles Culver City, CA
      Dan Kysor Sacramento, CA
      Robert Wendt Long beach, CA

      Have you ever wondered about the work of the Blind Advisory Committee (BAC)? CCB has a robust representation for the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). BAC provides advice to DOR on means to increase competitive employment, enlarge economic opportunities, enhance independence and self-sufficiency, and in methods of improving services for persons who are blind or visually impaired.

      We will hear about the annual work plan to identify and address areas for improvement in services provided by DOR.

    • 4:30 PM Session Close


    6 PM - 9 PM General Session 3

    Presiding Officer, Lisa Presley-Thomas, CCB Treasurer Fresno, CA

    • 6:10 PM President’s message
      Guillermo robles Culver City, CA
    • 7:00 PM In Memoriam
    • 7:15 PM Elections


    Saturday, May 2

    9 AM - Noon General Session 4

    Presiding Officer, Steve Bauer, CCB Secretary Culver City, CA

    • 9:00 AM Announcements
    • 9:15 AM ACB Update, Scott Thornhill, Executive Director, American Council of the Blind
      Presenter: Scott Thornhill, Executive Director, American Council of the Blind Alexandria, VA
      Scott Thornhill will discuss the key initiatives and updates from ACB for the year ahead.
    • 10 AM CCB Governmental Affairs Report
      Presenters:
      Ardis Bazyn, CCB Governmental Affairs Committee Co-Chair, Thornton, CO
      Joshua Saunders, Governmental Affairs Committee co-chair, El Cerrito, CA
      Regina Brink, Director of Governmental Affairs, Sacramento, CA
    • 11 AM Beyond Barriers: Creativity Without Limits
      Moderator: Susan Glass Saratoga, CA

      Presenters:
      Day Al-Mohamed Washington D.C.
      Kelly Coleman Lincoln, NE
      Kurt Weston Mission Viejo, CA

      This panel discussion brings together three remarkable blind and low vision artists—a filmmaker, a photographer, and a painter—who challenge conventional ideas about creativity and artistic practice. Through their distinct approaches, they invite us to reconsider how art is experienced and to recognize how creative expression extends beyond traditional assumptions.


    1:00 PM - 3:30 PM General Session 5

    Presiding Officer, Rob Turner, CCB Second Vice President, Sunnyvale, CA

    • 1:00 PM Welcome and Announcements
    • 1:05 PM A Glimpse into Our Past, Peggy Chong, the Blind History Lady
      Presenter: Peggy Chong Aurora, CO

      Join Peggy as she takes us through key moments in our blind history.

    • 1:45 PM Fall Prevention
      Presenters:
      Steve Kerr, PT and Founder
      Fall Prevention Foundation Rio Rancho, NM

      Glenda Such, M.Ed.
      President, Low Vision Now
      Yardley, PA

      Falls are a leading cause of injury for people who are blind or have low vision, yet many falls can be prevented with the right knowledge, skills, and environmental awareness. This interactive workshop is designed specifically for blind and low vision individuals and focuses on practical, real-world strategies to improve balance, confidence, and personal safety.

    • 2:30 PM Debate By-Law amendments
      Presenter: Steve Bauer, Chair, By-Laws Committee Culver City, CA


    5 PM Banquet

    Master of Ceremonies: Jeff Thom, Sacramento, CA
    Keynote speaker: Dr. Josh Miele, Berkeley, CA

    Join us for the 2026 CCB Banquet. We are honored to welcome Dr. Joshua Miele, 2021 MacArthur Fellow—a blind scientist, designer, author, and disability scholar—as our virtual banquet speaker. Josh’s insight, humor, and groundbreaking work make him an ideal voice for our theme. His life and career exemplify what it means to live and thrive beyond barriers. We will also celebrate the achievements of CCB members through the presentation of various awards.


    Sunday, May 3

    8:30 AM – 12 Noon Business Session

    Presiding Officer, Guillermo Robles, CCB President, Culver City, CA

    • 8:30 AM Opening remarks from CCB President
    • 8:35 AM Recording of By-Law Standing Rules
    • 8:45 AM By-Law amendments Debate and Voting
    • 10:30 AM Resolutions
    • Other Business Items to be added at later date
    • 12:00 PM Convention Adjourn


    2026 Convention Presenter Biographies

    Day Al-Mohamed

    Policy Executive, Award-Winning Filmmaker, and Science Fiction Author

    Day Al-Mohamed has a decades-long policy career with a focus on marginalized and underrepresented populations. A former White House Director of Disability Policy, she also designed and led the US Department of Labor’s Add Us In initiative to increase hiring in minority communities by partnering with local chambers of commerce. She had an active role in legislative passage of the Affordable Care Act and the Hate Crimes Prevention Act; and before her time in Washington DC worked at the United Nations.

    A sought-after presenter, Day is a regular host on Idobi Radio's Geek Girl Riot, and creator of American Masters/PBS award-winning historical series RENEGADES. She is co-founder of FWD-Doc (Documentary Filmmakers with Disabilities) and has written two novels, Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn, and The Labyrinth's Alchemist as well as multiple short stories and essays. Day lives in Washington DC with her wife, NR Brown, daughter "Baby Dragon," and guide dog.


    Linda MacLeod

    Linda MacLeod is a retired attorney who practiced litigation in the areas of personal injury, probate, employment and business law. She retired 10 years ago after suffering significant vision loss from Usher Syndrome. She and her first guide dog, Gideon, resides in the Bay Area.


    John Gassman

    My working career started in 2000 at Braille Institute in Anaheim California.
    I worked as a receptionist at the front desk for a year and was then asked to teach Braille reading and writing. I did that for two years. I interviewed thanks to Braile’s career center with Walt Disney Company and was hired in May of 2003 as a sales Reservation agent for Walt Disney Company specifically the Disneyland Resort.

    In addition to booking vacation packages at the resort, I trained 17 other blind individuals using JAWS and the reservation system we used.

    I tested Disney software to be sure it worked with JAWS.

    In 2019, I was nominated for and was selected as a winner of the Walt Disney Legacy Award which is the highest award given by the Disney Company. Less than half of 1% of Disney cast members win that award which is given every two years. Winning that award and singing at Christmas time with the Disney Candlelight choir are two of my highlights with Disney.

    I retired after twenty years at the end of July 2023.


    Mark Hanohano

    Mark Hanohano is a visually impaired higher-education professional and disability advocate based in Chino Hills, California.

    He serves as a Lead Rotation Coordinator at Western University of Health Sciences (College of Veterinary Medicine), where he supports experiential learning logistics, faculty, staff and student communication, and student success.

    Mark is completing his B.A. in Rehabilitation Services at Cal State LA and has 10 plus years in customer service and 12 years in administrative support, with specialized experience in assistive technology and program coordination. He has contributed to youth leadership and disability advocacy efforts, including the California Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities.

    Mark’s lived experience has been growing up in a family with blindness and navigating his own low vision which grounds his passion for accessible design, equitable employment pathways, and practical strategies for overcoming barriers at school and work.


    Tricia Wechter

    Tricia Wechter is the founder and CEO of BLIND GIRL DESIGNS, a clothing company focused on fashion for the visually disabled and blind. Her inspiration for founding BLIND GIRL DESIGNS comes from her own diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, which has left her with 11 percent of her vision.

    Tricia’s career has been centered around the creative arts, working in either theater or fashion design. Throughout her career, she traveled to all seven continents and 48 countries for work and personal visits. Tricia was long-aware that retinitis pigmentosa had the possibility of diminishing her vision, which propelled her to take full advantage of the opportunities, such as travel, presented to her. When Retinitis Pigmentosa ended her ability to work in a traditional corporate and fashion design setting, she was devastated. However, she didn’t let this setback stop her.

    Tricia is open about the mental health challenges she faced due to losing her vision, most notably her diagnosis of depression. However, through seeking therapy, Tricia was inspired to create BLIND GIRL DESIGNS. This not only gave Tricia a way to continue her beloved fashion career, but to provide clothing options she and her fellow visually impaired or blind peers could wear confidently. Her goal is to normalize blindness in the general community, and her clothing options are meant to start conversations around that mission.

    Since founding BLIND GIRL DESIGNS, Tricia has traveled across the country to conventions, selling BLIND GIRL DESIGNS apparel and has become the go-to designer for custom apparel for blind community fundraisers. Additionally, Tricia has served as the keynote speaker at many events and has been featured in magazines, podcasts, and television segments across the globe.

    Tricia's key beliefs and building blocks in this endeavor are acceptance, love and empathy. She is proud to be a part of the blind community and looks forward to continued growth in her personal and career journey.


    Scott Thornhill

    Scott Thornhill is the Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.
    Founded in 1961, ACB’s organizational roots reach back nearly 150 years, and it now leads to the efforts of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates, numerous corporate sponsors, and more than 8,000 individual members nationwide.

    Scott was diagnosed at age eight with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) [reh-tin-EYE-tis pig-men-TOE-zah], a hereditary disease that slowly destroys the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eyes. By the time Scott was fifteen, doctors told him that he would be blind by age 40.

    Despite this childhood diagnosis and the life changes it demanded, Scott excelled in academics and athletics through high school and even went on to play football at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC, with a limited amount of his vision remaining.

    Throughout his professional life, Scott’s optimism and can-do attitude have helped him to find innovative ways to level the playing field for people who are visually impaired and to support them as they tackle the challenges they face in their home, work, community, and recreational pursuits.

    Prior to ACB, Scott served as the Director of Public Policy for Alphapointe, a nonprofit organization that helps visually impaired individuals find better employment and navigate the workplace more easily. Scott helped to lead Alphapointe’s government relations, employment partnerships, operational innovation, and fundraising efforts.

    While at Alphapointe, Scott successfully shepherded legislation that saved almost 1,000 jobs for people with disabilities. He also secured more than $6 million in funding through lobbying and private placement to support Alphapointe’s programming goals.

    During his almost six years at Alphapointe, Scott navigated over 30 airports, took more than 275 flights, rode in countless rideshare vehicles, and stayed in hotels in dozens of cities while advocating for visually impaired employees across the country. With all those miles under his belt, Scott has become a leading consultant on improving access and accommodation for travelers with various needs.

    In 2022, Alphapointe honored Scott as their Employee of the Year, and he was named a finalist for the Career Achievement Award from the National Industries for the Blind.

    Prior to working in the nonprofit sector, Scott built successful businesses with his wife, Jane, including their Keller Williams real estate brokerage that served central North Carolina for almost 20 years. In 2018, Scott was named a Cultural Icon by Keller Williams Realty International, an annual recognition reserved for only a few of their 150,000 agents worldwide.

    Scott has also served many nonprofit organizations, including the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB) and VisionServe Alliance, both of which benefitted from his work on their public policy committees.

    Scott’s ability to help others see blindness in a brighter light has made him a sought-after speaker and consultant around the country, especially with elected officials, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and educational and youth groups.

    His easy sense of humor, compassion for anyone facing challenges in life, desire to increase equal access and opportunity for people with disabilities, and leadership excellence inspire audiences wherever he speaks.

    More than anything, Scott hopes that his work will help eliminate barriers so that everyone can reach their full potential, whatever they want to do, and regardless of whether the “vision challenges” they experience are physical, mental, or emotional.
    Scott received his undergraduate degree in sport management from Guilford College and his master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
    Scott, Jane, and their son, Will, split their time between Greensboro, NC, and Washington, DC.


    Kelly Coleman

    Kelly Coleman, Occupation: disability specialist at the university of Nebraska Lincoln
    I am a blind artist who uses acrylic paints mixed with other forms of media to create tactile art. I’m mainly paint landscapes, but I have been known to do some abstracts and animal portraits. I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, got my bachelor’s degree in family social work, then went to Louisiana Tech and got a master’s degree in education. I’m certified nationally in braille, and I’m certified to teach in three states. I teach graduate students every spring who are wanting to become teachers of the blind and visually impaired. I teach braille during those classes. I have worked for the Commission for the blind in LINCOLN for five years before going to the university.

    I taught technology as my main course, but also taught cooking, braille, and other life skills. These included travel as well as budgeting and Crochet.

     


    Kurt Weston

    Kurt Weston is an award winning legally blind photographer living in Mission Viejo, California. Weston’s art has been exhibited internationally -most notably in “Sight Unseen – photographs by blind photographers,” and _Transformations,” at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. His work is in the permanent collection of the Houston Museum of Fine Art, the Museum of Contemporary Photography and the National AIDS Museum. Weston has a BA in photography from Columbia College, Chicago and after his sight loss was able to achieve his MFA from California State University, Fullerton. Weston’s art and life story has been featured in many articles and interviews – including an interview on CNN talking about his art and advocacy.

    In the 1990’s, Weston’s career as a commercial and fashion photographer flourished. However, this promising trajectory was abruptly altered when he was diagnosed with AIDS. The disease not only left him legally blind but also profoundly influenced his artistic direction. Weston’s limited peripheral vision in one eye provides him with a unique perspective akin to an impressionist painting. Weston’s art consistently confronts themes of loss, resilience, and the enduring human spirit. His celebrated series, “Blind Vision,” serves as a powerful exploration of his own visual impairment, symbolizing the disconnection and reimagined reality experienced by those with sight loss. Through bold chiaroscuro techniques, Weston’s portraits transcend physical appearances, illuminating the inner struggles and fortitude he displays living with sight loss. The series has been widely exhibited and remains a cornerstone of his artistic legacy.

    As an artist living with disability, Weston, has been committed to the full inclusion and access to the arts for the disabled. He participated as an artist and advisor with the national arts organization VSA arts, and the National Arts and Disabilities Center - assisting these organizations with the groundbreaking “Hire Value Conferences – Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities.” In 2005, Weston conceived the Shared Visions art exhibition featuring the art of blind and visually impaired artists. The yearlong exhibitions were held at the Southern California College of Optometry.

    For 12 years the Shared Visions exhibition provided opportunities for blind artists around the world. Weston has also been involved with political action, advocating Capitol Hill for the continued funding for the Arts in education.

    Kurt Weston is a proud member of the California Council of the Blind (CCB), and the American Council of the Blind (ACB). He has been the beneficiary of scholarships from CCB and ACB’s Friends in Art which assisted Weston in financing his academic career while studying for his MFA. Weston taught at California State University, Fullerton, the Huntington Beach Art Center and the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton. Weston’s life story and artwork has an extensive presence on the World Wide Web and is featured on many websites including his own website at www.kurtweston.com .
     


    Peggy Chong

    Peggy Chong is the author of more than a dozen books about “Blind Ancestors” also available at http://www.smashwords.com https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/24325 who have made a difference. Her monthly email list to her followers highlights another “Blind Ancestor”. She wrote the history column for Dialogue Magazine, "The Way We Were".

    In 2016, Peggy launched "The Blind History Lady" project. This project has to date published thirteen books, detailing the lives of what she calls her "blind ancestors" who quietly made a difference in the lives of the blind men and women of today. Each book highlights their struggles and triumphs as blind people and highlights the normality of their lives and how each person was an integral part of his/her community as a normal citizen.

    Through her monthly emails and public speaking, Peggy brings to life the all-but-forgotten Blind Ancestors from around the country.

    Peggy's goal is to have the history of the average blind and disabled person taught—not just to the blind and disabled themselves, but to those entering into professional fields where their jobs will impact people with disabilities. Blind people historically held regular jobs and pursued professions that are the same as professions occupied by people without disabilities. These blind individuals performed exceptionally well, setting examples for others. By understanding what the blind and disabled have achieved in the past and knowing the history of the contributions made by people with disabilities to our country, our society will be much more willing and accepting of the disabled.


    Stephen J. Kerr

    I have been a PT since the year 2000 and a PTA for 10 years prior to becoming a PT. The majority of my work experience has been in the SNF.

    Current Employment
    Currently I work at Ladera Rehabilitation Services as a PT under the rehab group Genesis Rehab Services and have been full time since Sept 2012.

    Previous Employment
    When I first went to Ladera Rehabilitation Services, it was under Rehab Care Services where I worked from Sept. 2010 until the Sept 2012. At that time Genesis bought out the contract and I was hired by them remaining on at Ladera as a PT. Prior to this I worked for a PT travel company called Alegiant Services starting with them in Dec. 2008 to Sept 2010 all work was full time.
    In addition, I have worked PRN as a PT for Hallmark Rehabilitation since December 2008 and have had consistent employment on 2 Saturdays a month.

    Education
    Findlay University (Ohio) 1998-2000 PT Degree and Licensure Community College of Allegheny County (PA) 1989 - 1991 PTA Degree and Licensure
    Biola University (California) 1980 BA Degree in Intercultural Studies


    Glenda V. Such

    Glenda V. Such, M.Ed.
    Websites: https://www.suchasite.com https://www.lowvisionnow.org

    PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
    Consultant: Private:
    Responsibilities: Assessing technology needs for people with visual disabilities who also may have other disabilities. Recommendations of assistive technology to enable people to complete tasks of employment, daily living, or personal growth. Develop educational plans for people to effectively use both assistive and basic technologies. Creation of reference sheets to augment the learning process.

    Consultant, Knowbility Technology, Texas
    Responsibilities: Analyze websites for accessibility compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act, provide constructive suggestions and techniques to meet the ADA guidelines and user friendliness for those with disabilities.

    ACADEMIC BACKGROUND:
    Temple University
    6 credits Ph.D. Education Program

    Salus University (Pennsylvania College of Optometry)
    Master of Education: Education of the Visually Impaired

    Norwich University: Vermont College
    Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Pre-Law (Liberal Arts)

    Bucks County Community College
    Associate of Arts in Health and Physical Education


    Dr. Joshua Miele

    Joshua A. Miele is a blind scientist, designer, author, and disability scholar. He writes, advises, and collaborates widely on accessible design, disability-inclusive research methods, and the disability experience, with understandable emphasis on blindness and low vision. He is a 2021 MacArthur Fellow, Distinguished Fellow of Disability, Accessibility, and Design at UC Berkeley’s Othering and Belonging Institute, and an Amazon Design Scholar focusing on accessible experiences for Amazon Devices. He has a bachelor’s degree in physics and a Ph.D. in psychoacoustics from the University of California at Berkeley.

    For over 20 years, Dr. Miele was based at the Smith-Kettlewell Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Blindness and Low Vision in San Francisco. There he led a team of engineers, scientists, and students dedicated to addressing a wide variety of accessible information challenges in education, employment, and entertainment. His accessibility creations, then and now, focus on the use of affordable emerging technologies and ideas to address a wide range of social and information accessibility challenges. These include tactile maps and graphics, digital spatial information, video and audio description, data sonification, AI and ML promises and threats, and inclusive, accessible design challenges of all descriptions.

    Josh lives in Berkeley, California, where he enjoys hiking, cooking, reading hard SF, making sawdust, and eating as many oysters as possible with his friends and family.


    Stephanie Zabitz

    Stephanie Zabitz joined Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) as an apprentice guide dog instructor in 2007 while pursuing her master’s degree in special education at San Francisco State University (SFSU). She advanced to the role of Master Guide Dog Mobility Instructor before returning to SFSU in 2018 to attain her O&M Specialist certification (COMS). Since graduating from that program, she has worked as a teaching assistant and a part-time faculty lecturer for SFSU’s O&M program. She is now the Senior Orientation & Mobility Program Specialist for GDB’s O&M Immersion Program. She really enjoys being able to utilize both her COMS and GDMI qualifications. Her highest motivation comes from interacting directly with the clients and helping them have the best experience with all parts of the O&M Immersion Program. Stephanie resides in San Rafael with her husband, Spencer, and rescued Australian Cattle Dog, Finca which means small farm in Spanish. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, and kayaking.


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