Pennsylvania Council of the Blind 2021 Virtual Conference and Convention

Thursday, September 16, 2021

• Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Maggie Felton, MSN, CRNP, Clinical Nurse Educator. Vanda offers the only approved treatment for Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder (Non-24), a serious, chronic disorder that disrupts a person’s circadian rhythms. Non-24 affects up to 70% of people who are totally blind, whether you were born blind or became so later in life.

• Democracy Live, Bryan Finney, CEO. OmniBallot is an ADA compliant solution that allows people with disabilities to accessibly exercise their right to vote. We will demonstrate the accessibility our system offers.

• The Seeing Eye, Chelsea White, Outreach Specialist. The Seeing Eye enhances the independence, dignity and self-confidence of people who are blind through the use of specially trained Seeing Eye® dogs. Come join folks from The Seeing Eye to learn about our program and what we’ve been up to lately. We love questions, so come ready to ask.

• Accessible Pharmacy, Andy Burstein, Founder. Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind is a home delivery pharmacy service specializing in blind and low-vision patients. They are the only provider of its kind and the largest blind-owned healthcare company in America.

• EnVision America: Advocating for Accessible Prescription Labels in the Store and at the State Capitol, Sharla Glass, Public Policy Liaison. For those who can’t clearly read their medication labels, accessible prescription labels can be crucial to ensuring medication safety and adherence. Find out more about advocating for accessible prescription labeling locally at your pharmacy and statewide through support of legislation such as Pennsylvania House Bill 89.

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Pennsylvania Council of the Blind 2021 Virtual Conference and Convention

Thursday, September 16, 2021

• HIMS Inc, Earle Harrison and Thomas Simpson. We believe the star of this year’s exhibits will be our BrailleSense 6 notetaker because it’s the fastest notetaker out there and it’s now running Android 10. And don’t miss learning more about the one-of-a-kind QBraille XL 40-cell braille display which pairs with your computer and screen reader better than your favorite wine and a good cheese.

• Guide Lights and Gadgets, Barry Scheur and KaeAnn Rausch, Owners. We specialize in 3 lines of products, all intended to assist in access to adaptive electronics, enhance experiences for guide dog teams, and offer practical accessories for organization and travel. Then there are the random products that are included, just for fun! We work with our customers 1-on-1 to assure the proper selection of product to meet each individual customer’s goals and needs.

• PM Guide Dog Foundation, Lauren Berglund, Consumer Relations Coordinator. For 75 years, the Guide Dog Foundation has trained and placed guide dogs and service dogs to provide increased independence and enhanced mobility to people who are blind, have low vision, or have other disabilities. Once the decision is made to get a guide dog, applicants become part of the Foundations’ open and welcoming community and are supported with an uncompromising commitment to excellence, from highly empathetic and certified trainers to a meticulously constructed curriculum. Come learn more.

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• “Why NAYAX Is A Better Solution?” Harry Kozlovsky, Senior Director of Solution Sales, Nayax

• “Why not use Temp Agencies?” Tania Marler (FL), Business Development Manager, Graham Inc. Participants will learn why using temp agencies might help when facilities are short-staffed.

• “RSA June circular- What does it Mean?” Jesse Hartle (DC), Rehabilitation Services Administration

• “HR Compliance: Steps in Hiring and Firing Staff” Malena Otero (CA), Strategic HR Alliance This session focuses on Applications, interviews, employee handbook and expectations, and knowing how and when to fire an employee.

• “Discovering new products and services to enhance your sales” Scott Schwingler, Vistar; Webstaurant representative also Invited. This session highlights advantages of adding new types of products and services as well as new food products.

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• “How to present to legislators and others about the Randolph-Sheppard Program” Part I: “Getting advocates involved in Reaching Legislators and others” Robert Jackson (VA), NAMA Government Affairs Manager, National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)

• Part II: “Telling Your Story” Donna Seliger (IA), Long-time IA advocate Jeff Thom (CA), California Council of the Blind Governmental Affairs Director Advocates will share Examples of telling your own story to lawmakers.

• “The importance of Necessary Business Insurance” Mark Polak (CA), Owner Lemark Insurance This session explains the need for the following: Product liability, Employee Non-owner Driver vehicle Insurance (ENOD), and Workmen's Compensation. It will also mention the benefits of an Umbrella policy and when to Bond Employees.

• “When to Use a Broker or get a 401K policy or Self- Employed (SEP) insurance plan?” Mark L. Simon (CA), LUTCF, Diversified Benefits Insurance Services

• “Navigating the Trends in Employee Compensation” Malena Otero (CA), Strategic HR Alliance This session focuses on managing increasing wages and other compensation and how to adapt to trends in the industry: Minimum wage, Implementing Benefits: Holiday Pay and Sick Leave, and Flexible Hours.

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• Banquet

• Mistress of Ceremonies Denise Colley, WCB Immediate Past President

• Invocation Julie Brannon, WCB President

• Presentation of scholarships Kim Moberg, Chair, WCB Scholarship Committee

• Presentation of awards Jessamyn Landby, Chair, WCB Awards Committee

• Introduction of Youth Track participants Hayley Agers, Chair, WCB Families Committee

• Recognition of WCB Life Members Julie Brannon, WCB President

• Banquet address Deb Cook Lewis, ACB First Vice President

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• ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

• In Memoriam; Nominations/Elections: President, First Vice President, Treasurer and 3 board directors; Proposed Operations Budget for 2022; Proposed Constitution and Bylaw Amendments Resolutions; Old business; New business

• The Science of Sound (career panel) The panelists share how sound has played an important part of their lives, from being part of their career path to ways to make entertainment more accessible for the blind to radio, podcasting, and advocating through the use of social media. Facilitated by Hayley Agers, Chair, WCB Families Committee Panelists: Joey Stuckey, owner and Senior Engineer Shadow Sound Studio Debbie Hazelton, podcast producer/Grid FM radio host Anna Garcia, “Blind with a Vision” YouTube content creator Tanja Milojevic, voiceover artist/podcast producer

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Presiding Officer: Denise Colley, WCB Immediate Past President

• Welcome Back

• National Report Learn what’s happening on a national level with American Council of the Blind. Deb Cook Lewis, ACB First Vice President

• The Jobs People Do The unemployment rate of those who are blind continues to be at an unacceptably high level. Panelists are successfully employed in very different fields and will share the paths which led them there. Facilitated by Cindy Hollis Panelists: Chelsea Armstrong, Test Technician Quality Logic Boise, ID

  Larry Watkinson, Deputy Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity Washington State Department of Transportation Olympia, WA Natalie Couch, Customer Service Representative Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities Louisville, KY

• Presiding Officer: Reginald George, WCB Board Director

• APH ConnectCenter Learn about American Printing House for the Blind’s ConnectCenter, presented by Richard Rueda.

• Put the FUN in Fundraising This presentation will highlight fundraising ideas for local chapters as well as opportunities that are available through WCB, focusing on what’s applicable to fundraising in the state of Washington. Presented by Lisa George, Chair, WCB Fundraising Committee and Kim Moberg, President, South Kitsap Council of the Blind.

• The Big Three Let’s learn what’s happening with our agencies serving the blind and visually impaired. Panelists: Scott McCallum Superintendent Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) Danielle Miller Director and Regional Librarian Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) Michael MacKillop Acting Executive Director Department of Services for the Blind (DSB)

• Forward Together: An Inside Look at Guide Dog Training This presentation hosted by Guide Dog Users of Washington State (GDUWS) is excerpted from the Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) program at the 2021 ACB conference and convention. It features Christie Bane, author of the book "Forward Together: An Inside Look at Guide Dog Training."

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Vendor Spots

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• The Newlywed Game hosted by Cindy Hollis, with our 3 couples: Colette and Andy Arvidson, Hayley and David Edick, and Ursula and Glenn McCully.

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