NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF PENNSYLVANIA 2022 ANNUAL CONVENTION
November 10-13, 2022
Sheraton Station square
300 W. Station square Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 261-200 0
Lynn Heitz, President
Joseph Drenth, Convention Chair
National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, Inc.
101 Cambridge Place
Chalfont, PA 18914
Phone: (215) 988-0888
president@nfbp.org
http://www.nfbp.org
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF PENNSYLVANIA 2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers:
| President: | Lynn Heitz: | 215-208-7582 |
| First Vice-President: | Joseph Drenth: | 215-827-7787 |
| Second Vice-President: | Emily Gindlesperger: | 724-863-3706 |
| Secretary: | Harriet Go: | 610-259-1706 |
| Treasurer: | Brian Mackey: | 609-680-8488 |
Directors:
| Simon Bonenfant: | 610-212-0016 |
| Denice Brown: | 215-808-5875 |
| Kirk Hunger: | 484-239-0741 |
| Michelle McManus: | 814-769-3191 |
| Jason Polansky: | 301-606-4480 |
| Connie Scheu: | 814-868-1122 |
Description of the Sheraton Station Square Lobby
We will be using Cardinal directions to describe the hotel lobby. With your back to the front doors, you are facing North and South is behind you. West is to your left and East is to your right.
From the Front Door, walk Northwest to the Front Desk. When you have finished checking in, you will turn south (Left), walk about five feet, and turn West (Right). This will put you on track toward the elevators to the sleeping rooms. As you walk West you will pass the hotel gift shop on your left. As you pass the gift shop follow the hallway bearing left. The elevators will be on your left. Across the hallway from the elevators is a small coffee stand. You can purchase from a limited menu of grab and go breakfast items.
Back to the Front doors facing North. Walking North, you will encounter a carpeted area with a variety of seating options. When you locate the carpeted area, turn West (Left) to the end of the carpet and turn North(right). Follow the carpet to the end, about twenty feet, continue walking North, for another eight feet and you will arrive at the Hostess Stand for the restaurant.
Back at the Front Doors facing North, walk forward to the carpeted area and turn East(right) to the end of the carpet. At the end turn North(left) following the carpet to the end. Continue walking North(straight) on the tile floor. You will pass through a short walkway. In about four feet you will find the Registration table and continuing North(straight) the doorway to the Admiral and Reflections Ballrooms will be on your right.
2nd Floor Meeting Rooms:
Take one of the first two sleeping room elevators to the 2nd floor. When you exit the elevator, bear right for about twelve feet and you will find a hallway. Traveling down the hallway the first room on your right is Brighton 3 and 4. The second room on the right is Brighton 1 and 2. These rooms will only be used on Friday.
Registration will be held Thursday, Nov. 10th from 11:00A.M. to 5:00P.M. and on Friday, Nov. 11th from 10:00 A.M. to 3:30P.M. outside of the Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level.
A table featuring materials of the National Federation of the Blind will be available in the registration area.
There is a dog relief area available outside of the hotel. For further information, contact Joseph or Marsha Drenth.
There will be an Exhibit Hall on Thursday, Nov. 10th from 11:00A.M. to 5:00P.M. and on Friday, Nov. 11 from 9:00A.M. to 3:00P.M. located in the Reflections Ballroom, Lobby Level.
Box Lunches will be available for pick-up on Thursday and Friday from 12:00P.M. to 1:00P.M. in the Reflections Ballroom, Lobby level
Thursday, November 10, 2022
| 9:30A.M. to 12:00P.M. | Senior Possibilities Fair; Connie Scheu and Deneice Hopper, Facilitators, Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level |
| 11:00A.M. to 5:00P.M. | Exhibit Hall, Reflections Ballroom, Lobby Level |
| Noon to 1:00P.M. | Box Lunches will be available in the Reflections Ballroom. Be sure to bring your meal ticket |
| 1:00P.M. to 5:00P.M. | Technology Seminar; Joseph Drenth, Moderator, Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level |
| 7:00P.M. to 10:00P.M. | Celebration of Our Veterans; Emily Gindlesperger, Facilitator, 2nd Vice President, NFB of PA. Hors D’oeuvres will be available for attendees as well as a Cash Bar. Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level |
Friday, November 11, 2022
| 8:00A.M. to 9:30A.M. | Blind Parents Group; Facilitator: Stacie Leap, 1st Vice President, Keystone Chapter, NFB of PA, Brighton 3 and 4, 2nd Floor |
| 8:45A.M. to 12:55P.M. | Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students; Simon Bonenfant, President, Brighton 1 and 2, 2nd Floor |
| 9:00 A.M. to 10:15A.M. | Pennsylvania Association of Guide Dog Users Division Meeting; Marsha Drenth, President, Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level |
| 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. | Exhibit Hall; Reflections Ballroom, Lobby Level. |
| 9:30 A.M. to 11:45A.M. | Pennsylvania Organization of Parents of Blind Children; Emily Gindlesperger, President, Brighton 3 and 4, 2nd Floor. |
| 10:00 A.M. to 3:30P.M. | Registration; outside of the Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level. |
| 10:30A.M. to Noon. | NFB of Pennsylvania DeafBlind Division Meeting; Marsha Drenth, President, Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level |
| Noon to 1:00P.M. | Box Lunches will be available in the Reflections Ballroom. Be sure to bring your meal ticket |
| 1:00P.M. to 2:00P.M. | Are We Ready To Take The Next Step? Considering a Constitution? Senior Blind Meeting; Facilitators: Connie Scheu, 1st Vice President, Erie County Chapter, NFB of Pa and Deneice Hopper, Member, Keystone Chapter, NFB of PA; Brighton 3 and 4, 2nd floor |
| 1:00P.M. to 2:00P.M. | Pennsylvania Association of Blind Merchants; Pamela Baquero, President, Brighton 1 and 2, 2nd Floor |
| 2:00P.m. to 3:00P.M. | What’s Happening with The Jigsaw Chapter! Chris Westbrook, vice President, Jigsaw Chapter, NFB of PA, Brighton 1 and 2, 2nd Floor |
| 2:00P.M. to 3:30P.M. | Space: The Final Frontier; Matt Marone, PhD, Professor of Physics at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia; David Hurd, PhD, Planetarium Director, Professor of Astronomy, Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania Western University; Daniel Gardner, CEO, View Plus Technologies, Inc.; Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level
Matt Marone is Professor of Physics at Mercer University in Macon Georgia where he teaches Physics, Astronomy, and Asian Studies. He received his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from Clemson University in the area of experimental solid-state physics and a B.S. degree in physics from the Rochester Institute of Technology. In the early 1990s he worked as a post-doctoral researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. At Mercer he teaches a wide range of physics classes including several specialized classes in observational astronomy, acoustical foundations of music, and ancient Chinese science. In addition to his academic research, he is also active in the area of space resources. This work involves the extraction of oxygen and metals from the regolith of the Moon, Mars, and asteroids. Dr. Marone is the author of The Art of Teaching Physics with Ancient Chinese Science and Technology and Teaching Physics Through Ancient Chinese Science and Technology. David Hurd has been teaching about the wonders of science for over 35 years. Dr. Hurd is currently professor of geosciences and planetarium director at Pennsylvania Western University. His broad science background coupled with his high energy and inquiry-based pedagogy is stamped on his teaching techniques and is evidenced through recognition including recipient of the prestigious Emmons Award through the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 2-time winner of Teacher of the Year at Edinboro, and keynote speaker for national planetarium conference. Along with his colleague at College of Charleston, Hurd has written and produced over 10 tactile books published by NASA and maintains close affiliation with several NASA centers. His extensive work with students who are blind/VI is supported by grants with Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium, National Science Foundation and NASA. Dan Gardner is the CEO and eldest son of the ViewPlus founders, John and Carolyn Gardner. He started as CEO in 2015 after a varied career in high tech and finance. He achieved a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, San Diego. His wife, Susannah, and two kids, Kelly and Taylor, work or have worked at ViewPlus. |
| 2:15P.M. to 3:15P.M. | Yoga for All: Carol Lubecki, Certified Yoga Instructor, Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh, Brighton 3 and 4, 2nd Floor |
| 4:00P.M. | NFB of Pennsylvania Board Meeting; Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level |
| 5:00P.M. | Nominating Committee; Brighton 3 and 4, 2nd Floor |
| 5:15P.M. to 6:00P.M. | Resolutions Committee; Michelle McManus, Chair, Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level |
| 7:00P.M. to? | Open Mic and Live Auction; Hors D’oeuvres will be available for attendees as well as a Cash Bar; Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level |
SATURDAY, November 12, 2022
NFB PLEDGE
I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.
General Session, Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level
| 8:30A.M. | Invocation |
| 8:35A.M. | Tribute to our Nation and the National Federation of the Blind |
| 8:40A.M. | Welcome: Emily Gindlesperger, 2nd Vice President of NFB of PA and President PAPOBC. Housekeeping: Joseph Drenth, Convention Chair |
| 8:45A.M. | Presidential Report; Lynn Heitz, President, National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania |
| 9:15A.M. | NFB National Report; Karl Smith, National Representative and Chairman, board of Directors, Louisiana Center for the Blind, Ruston, Louisiana |
| 9:45A.M. | What Can I do To Relieve Stress? Liliya Asadullina, licensed massage therapist by the Academy of Massage Therapy and Body Works and CPR/First Aid Certified |
| 10:00A.M. | Getting A Bill Passed: How Does the Legislature Work; Brian Rasel, Chief of Staff, State Representative George Dunbar, District 56, Westmoreland County |
| 10:15A.M. | What is the Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program and Why Are They A Secret? Stephen S. Pennington, Esq., Executive Director, PA Client Assistance Program |
| 10:30A.M. | Questions |
| 10:40A.M. | Making the Service connection; Erika Petach, President/CEO, Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh |
| 10:55A.M. | An Update from the State Board of vocational Rehabilitation: What Are They Being told? Joseph Drenth, Member, State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation and 1st Vice President, NFB of PA |
| 11:10A.M. | What’s Happening at Blindness and Visual Services? Dawn Sokol, Acting director, Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Commonwealth of PA |
| 11:40A.M. | Questions |
| Noon. | Lunch; Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level |
| 1:30P.M. | Reaching For The Stars; Matt Marone, PhD, Professor of Physics at Mercer University in Macon Georgia; David Hurd, PhD, Planetarium Director, Professor of Astronomy, Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania Western University; Daniel Gardner, CEO, View Plus Technologies, Inc. |
| 2:00P.M. | Confessions of a Networking Addict: Eileen Rivera Ley, CEO, Blind Savvy USA |
| 2:15P.M. | Report of the Nominating Committee and Elections |
| 2:30P.M. | PACE: What is IT? And How Can I Get Involved? Thomas Snedden, director, Pennsylvania PACE Program, and Rebecca Lorah, PACE Program Manager, Outreach and Enrollments, Department of Aging, commonwealth of PA |
| 2:45P.M. | Do You and Your Prescription Medications Get Together On A Regular Basis? Andy Burstein, CEO, Accessible Pharmacy Services, Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania |
| 2:55P.M. | An Update from The Bureau of Special Education: Carol Clancey, Director, Bureau of special Education, Department of Education, Commonwealth of PA. |
| 3:15P.M. | How Can We Assist PATTAN? Gregory A. Lazur, Educational Consultant, Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network |
| 3:30P.M. | Moving forward with Accessibility; Ellen Strom, Chief Accessibility Officer, Office of Administration, Commonwealth of PA |
| 3:45P.M. | Questions |
| 3:55P.M. | What’s New at LAMP? Mark Lee, Administrator, Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians |
| 4:10P.M. | My Experience as a Miss Blind Diva; Esther Gillyard, Member, Keystone Chapter, NFB of PA |
| 4:20P.M. | My National Convention Experience: Christine Palmer, Member, Greater Philadelphia Chapter, NFB of PA |
| 4:30P.M. | Reports and Resolutions |
| 5:00P.M. | Adjourn |
| 6:00P.M. | Cash Bar; Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level. |
| 7:00P.M. | Banquet; Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level |
SUNDAY, November 13, 2022
| 8:00A.M. | Breakfast; Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level. |
| 8:15A.M. | Chapter Breakfast; Moderator Harriet Go, Secretary, NFB of PA and President, Keystone Chapter |
Business Meeting; Admiral Ballroom, Lobby Level
| 9:00A.M. | State Financial Report; Brian Mackey, NFB of Pennsylvania Treasurer |
| 9:30A.M. | Funding at the National level; Karl Smith, National Representative |
| 9:50A.M. | Funding at the State level; Lynn Heitz, NFB of PA President |
| 10:00A.M. | Funding at the Local Level; David Goldstein, Treasurer, Keystone chapter, NFB of PA |
| 10:10A.M. | Legislative Report; Emily Gindlesperger, NFB of PA Legislative Chairperson |
| 10:30A.M. | Reports and Resolutions |
| 11:30a.M. | Adjournment |
The National Federation of the Blind is not an organization speaking for the blind—It is the Blind speaking for themselves.