Agenda for the 2009 Josephine L. Taylor Leadership Institute

Wednesday, March 4
4:30 pm - 7:00 pm	Evening Training for Thursday Hill Visits This training will provide an overview of the basic steps in making a visit to Capitol Hill.
Thursday, March 5
8:00 am - 4:00 pm	Visits to Capitol Hill This session will begin at the Washington Marriott with a brief discussion of current pivotal issues on Capitol Hill. AFB is arranging transportation to the Hill and appointments with representatives for those who pre-register. The registration deadline was February 13, 2009. Registrants will be contacted by an AFB Representative mid-February 2009 to schedule visits. If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please contact Caitlin McFeely at 212-502-7674 or cmcfeely@afb.net.
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm	2009 Access Awards Ceremony and Reception Honoring Apple Inc., Mike May and The Sendero Group, Diagnostic Devices, Inc., and Canada's National Broadcast Reading Service.
Friday, March 6
7:15 am - 8:15 am	JVIB Peer Reviewers' Session
8:30 am - 11:30 am	Opening Plenary: Action in a Time of Change Keynote Speaker: James McLaughlin, AFB Trustee and Managing Director of Convergent Wealth Advisors, will provide insight on surviving the economic challenges ahead. Keynote Panel: In this opening panel, experts from within and outside the vision loss field will discuss how changes in education, healthcare and aging, rehabilitation and employment, and the international arena will affect people living with vision loss. The ensuing dialogue will help professionals, parents, consumers, and educators in the vision loss field take action and leverage the changes in Washington and beyond. Speakers: Laura Kaloi, Director of Public Policy, National Center on Learning Disabilities, and Co-Chair of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Education Task Force; Dr. Karen Blankenship, Program Coordinator, Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, Program in Visual Disabilities, and Co-Chair of the National Agenda; Mary Andrus, Easter Seals; Gale Watson, National Director, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Blind Rehabilitation Service; Brad Turner Little, Assistant VP, Government Relations, Easter Seals, and Co-Chair of the CCD Employment and Training Task Force; Dr. Karen Wolffe, Director, Professional Development and CareerConnect®, AFB; Richard Orme, Head of Accessibility, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB); and Dr. Susan Jay Spungin, recently retired Vice President, International Programs and Special Projects, AFB, and former Treasurer, World Blind Union
11:30 am - 1:30 pm	Networking Lunch/Technology Exhibits
1:45 pm - 3:15 pm	Concurrent Sessions Research Agenda: A Meeting of the Minds: Fostering Meaningful Research Agendas on Living & Learning with Vision Loss (Part One) Research is vital to the creation and application of knowledge within the vision loss field and it's important that we play a proactive role in the stimulation, funding, and conducting of research to answer the most pressing questions concerning the needs and capabilities of people with vision loss of all ages. This two-part, facilitated dialogue will engage attendees in an interactive discussion about how to develop and promote research agendas in two general areas: living with vision loss and learning with vision loss. This session will initiate a structured process for developing consensus on the contours of the two research agendas, explore commonalities and any necessary distinctions between the two, prioritize research questions that need to be addressed, and engage participants in collective action leading to the agendas' implementation. Speakers: Duane R. Geruschat, Ph.D., Editor in Chief, Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, Maryland School for the Blind, Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute; Mark Richert, Esq., Director, Public Policy, AFB; and Stacy Kelly, Ed.D., COMS, Policy Research Associate, AFB Administrators' Roundtable: Part One Hard economic times present unique challenges to nonprofits seeking to balance fiscal responsibility with the delivery of quality service. The for-profit sector has steadily been striving to deliver quality service with fewer resources and has developed strategies that may benefit agencies serving people with vision loss. In a two-part session aimed at current administrators and future leaders, corporate and foundation leaders (including members of AFB's Board of Trustees) will discuss survival strategies for making personnel decisions and maintaining morale, messaging, working smarter, and grantmaking in the current economy. Sessions are intended to spark dialogue and solutions-oriented discussions among participants and panelists. Speakers: Betsy Inch Fouss, Executive Director, Delta Gamma Foundation; Mike Gilliam, Chief Executive Officer, San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, and AFB Trustee; and Jane Parker, CEO, Interbrand Health, and AFB Trustee Moderator: Judith Lurie Stotland, MBA, Associate Director of Resource Development, Program Planning and Budgeting, AFB Conducting an Assistive Technology Assessment for Children and Adults: What Do You Need to Know? A comprehensive assistive technology assessment is the first step to providing students and adults who are blind or visually impaired with recommendations about the appropriate technology for the school or work environment. This presentation will provide an overview of the major areas in which technology can assist students and adults who are visually impaired; show how to identify the background information needed to conduct an AT assessment; and explain the positive impact that comes from integrating technology objectives into a student's educational program or an adult's work setting. Speaker: Ike Presley, National Project Manager, Professional Development, AFB A Webtastic Overview of AFB's Online Resources Come learn more about AFB's web site, AFB.org, and its content-rich online communities, where there is something for everyone. Need some ideas to help your consumers get around their homes safely? Visit AFB Senior Site®. Are you a young professional working on your resume? AFB CareerConnect® has tips for you. Is your visually impaired child having trouble making friends? Consult other parents at FamilyConnect™. Want to learn about the latest technology for home, school, or the office? You can check out AccessWorld® or AFB TECH online. Looking for the employment rates for people with vision loss? Consult the new AFB Statistical Snapshots section. This session will highlight the features, current and new material, and other resources found on these areas of AFB.org and will provide ample time for questions from attendees. Don't miss out on this fun and informative session. Speakers: Pris Rogers, Ph.D., National Independent Living Associate, AFB; Scott Truax, CareerConnect® Program Manager, AFB; Susan LaVenture, Executive Director, National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI); Stacy Kelly, Ed.D., COMS, Policy Research Associate, AFB; and Lee Huffman, National Technology Associate, AFB Moderators: Lee Huffman, National Technology Associate, AFB; and Pris Rogers, Ph.D., National Independent Living Associate, AFB
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm	Concurrent Sessions Research Agenda: Part Two (See above for session descriptions) Administrators' Roundtable: Part Two (See above for session descriptions) A Webtastic Overview of AFB's Online Resources (See above for session descriptions) Get Moving! Infusing Physical Activity into the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) Given the increased rate of obesity observed among children today, it's extremely important for children to stay active. Yet, recent studies have found that children with visual impairments have fewer opportunities for physical activity and sport than their age peers and have low levels of cardiovascular endurance, upper body strength, and flexibility. While these findings are challenging, there are solutions and many intervention strategies that can be applied through a child's IEP to improve physical activity. Learn how to infuse strategies like using trained peer tutors in physical education, implementing accessible nutrition programming, making Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) accessible, and more, to ensure a barrier-free environment and lead to increased choices and physical activity for children with vision loss. Speaker: Lauren J. Lieberman, Ph.D., The College at Brockport-State University of New York Moderator: Mary Ann Siller, M.Ed., National Project Manager, Professional Development, AFB
Saturday, March 7
8:00 am - 8:30 am	Memorial Service
9:00 am - 10:30 am	Plenary Session Two: Essential Elements of an Agenda for Change This plenary session will provide a forum for the exploration of critical issues in the vision loss field as identified by five pre-selected JLTLI attendees. The forum will provide a series of brief "hot topic" presentations that will address the delivery of services to, expansion of opportunities for, and/or advancement of the rights of individuals with vision loss of all ages in subject areas such as public health, special education, employment, or independent living. Speakers: Thomas Panek, Vice President, Relationship Management, National Industries for the Blind; Rebecca Renshaw, National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI) Doctoral Fellow, University of Pittsburgh; Eugene McMahon; and Phil Hatlen Moderator: Stacy Kelly, Ed.D., COMS, Policy Research Associate, AFB
10:45 am - 12:15 am	Concurrent Sessions Vision Loss and Other Disabilities: What's Different? What Strategies Can We Employ? From Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) to deaf-blindness, to physical or social disabilities, many people are living with vision loss and additional disabilities. In part one of this session, Dr. Greg Goodrich will highlight the work of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in serving patients with combat and non-combat-related TBI and Staff Sgt. Brian Pearce will talk about his experience living with TBI. Attendees will also discuss strategies to ensure better services for individuals experiencing TBI-related vision loss. Part two will explore recommendations for promoting optimal outcomes for families who have children with visual impairments and other disabilities. Attendees will discuss whether data-driven decision-making and the evidence-based practice movement have any relevance for young children with dual diagnoses. Dr. Hatton will share resources for professionals and families. Speakers: Dr. Greg Goodrich, Ph.D., Research Psychologist and Coordinator, Optometric Research Fellowship Program, VA Palo Alto Health Care System; Staff Sgt. Brian K. Pearce, U.S. Army-Retired; and Deborah Hatton, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina Promising Solutions for Access to Curricular Materials Participants in this session will gain new knowledge about how to advocate for access to educational materials in the classroom and learn about the latest solutions for accessing research-based curricular materials. In the first part of this session, participants will learn about the work AFB has done with the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) to create the first-ever guidelines to equal access for students with vision loss—the Description Key: Guidelines for the Description of Educational Media. Part two will focus on AFB's work with the WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) and other organizations on a multi-year project, funded by the National Science Foundation, to develop research-based guidelines for providing meaningful description for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graphics and illustrations. Speakers: Kay Alicyn Ferrell, Ph.D., Executive Director, National Center on Severe and Sensory Disabilities at the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley; Bryan Gould, M.A., Project Manager/Describer, WGBH; Thomas Lohman, Communications Services Specialist, DCMP; and Mary Ann Siller, M.Ed., National Project Manager, Professional Development, AFB Living in Our Time of Change: Demonstrating Access to the Digital Lifestyle We live in a high-tech world where technology is constantly changing and evolving, impacting almost every aspect of our lives. In this session, attendees will learn about new ways technology is creating better access to information for people who are blind or visually impaired. Access to digital media, small-screen displays, and telecommunications will be highlighted, along with demonstrations of cell phone access programs and new technology that allows individuals to download music and digital books to portable digital audio players for listening and reading on the go. Attendees will also see demonstrations on two non-traditional screen access program options studied by AFB TECH, and learn how each tool presented can be an effective aid when using the computer. Speakers: Susan Mazrui, Director, Federal Regulatory, AT&T; Darren Burton, National Program Associate, AFB; Brad Hodges, National Technology Associate, AFB; and Lee Huffman, National Technology Associate, AFB How Families Connect and Professionals Connect in the Twenty-First Century Families of children with visual impairments have historically looked to professionals for guidance regarding the needs of their children. In the twenty-first century we have experienced the dawn of an explosion of access to both information and people. The Internet has become the primary research tool for people with health-related questions. And perhaps equally powerfully, social networking tools are helping families find and support each other online. Parents who were once isolated by the low incidence of their child's disability and by geography can now quickly connect to each other on the web. Learn and discuss how these new tools have already changed the relationship between families and professionals. Speakers: Scott Truax, CareerConnect® Program Manager, AFB; Susan LaVenture, Executive Director, National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI); and Crista Earl, Director, Web Operations, AFB
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm	M.C. Migel Awards Presentation and Luncheon Honoring Dr. Susan Jay Spungin
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm	National Agenda Meeting The Steering Committee for the National Agenda for the Education of Children and Youths with Visual Impairments, including those with Multiple Disabilities, will meet immediately after the 2009 Migel Medal Luncheon on Saturday, March 7. RSVP to Dr. Karen Blankenship, Program Coordinator, Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, Program in Visual Disabilities, and Co-Chair of the National Agenda, at kareneyeonthefuture@gmail.com. An agenda will follow your RSVP.