Leading Together: Leveraging Change to Advance Our Vision
Thank you for joining us at the 2025 American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference (AFBLC), held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, from November 12–14. We were honored to gather with our community as we leveraged change to advance our vision!
The focus of the conference was built on the dynamic reality that has been ensconced in our community in recent years. From the rapidly expanding fiscal austerity that has dramatically impacted legacy programs and institutions to the seismic societal shift brought by artificial intelligence and other technologies, our world has witnessed significant change. While headlines increasingly highlight a growing sense of disruption, AFB believes that by coming together, we could leverage this change in a manner that propels our mission forward for the next generation of thought leaders, scholars, and practitioners committed to creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision.
Program At-A-Glance
The 2025 AFB Leadership Conference brought together thought leaders, advocates, scholars, and practitioners, paving the way for positive change within the field of blindness and low vision. Key themes addressed at this year’s conference focused on leading during these rapidly changing times and exploring how innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence, continue to take center stage as services and tools are redefined. Get a quick overview of the program below or access the agenda.
Network
On the evening of November 12th, we kicked off with a special welcome reception hosted by AFB’s Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB). Attendees took time to reconnect with colleagues and meet the scholars who are conducting leading research in the field. Additional time was held to foster relationships throughout the event, including another special networking reception the evening of November 13th, celebrating 25 years of AFB’s AccessWorld Magazine.
Inform & Connect
Sessions began on the morning of November 13th, beginning with a deep dive into the pressing issues of the day. We heard how leaders from across the field and the community are navigating these rapidly changing times as government and services continue to transform. Then we welcomed our 2025 keynote speaker, Dr. Joshua Miele, who has stood at the forefront of technological innovation for people with disabilities for over 30 years. His recently published memoir, Connecting Dots: A Blind Life, captures the spirit of a scientist determined to make the world more accessible, driven by the events of his own life. This engaging morning program set the stage for a day and a half of breakout sessions and plenaries intended to inform and inspire attendees on what our pathway to success looks like during these changing times.
Attendees were also invited to join AFB at our annual AFB Awards Luncheon, where we were inspired by the formidable voices in our community who have made a lasting impact on society and broken down barriers to opportunity and independence for people who are blind or have low vision.
Check Out the Full AFBLC Agenda
Location
We were excited to hold this year’s conference within the Beltway of our nation’s capital. This year’s conference offered us a platform to hear from leaders across all sectors in our field. It provided a backdrop embodied in our nation’s core values, advancing a narrative of independence, opportunity, and inclusion. It also gave us space to expand our network, strengthening our collective voice and opening the door for future leaders. Arlington has long been recognized as a gateway to innovation, where the best and brightest minds converge to find real solutions to tackle the most significant problems of the day. Its proximity to transportation, iconic monuments, and key influencers allowed attendees to recharge and recommit to our shared mission.
2025 AFB Award Recipients
Migel Medal
- Dr. Bernadette Kappen, New York Institute for Special Education (NYISE) (retired)
- Lukas Franck, The Seeing Eye (retired)
- Louis Braille, Inventor of Braille
Learn more about the 2025 Migel Medal recipients.
Corinne Kirchner Research Award
- Dr. Tiffany Wild, The Ohio State University
Learn more about the 2025 Corinne Kirchner Research Award recipient.
Llura Gund Leadership Award
- Nicholas Cook, Assistiv Labs
Learn more about the Llura Gund Leadership Award recipient.
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