NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND

ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION, NOVEMBER 6-8, 2020

RISE UP!

MARYLAND ORGANIZATION OF PARENTS OF BLIND CHILDREN

ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND LUNCH IN NOVEMBER 6-7, 2020

CAN’T BACK DOWN

Board of Directors

President, Garret Mooney

First-Vice President, Teresa Graham

Second-Vice President, Christine Day

Secretary, Melisa Sheeder

Treasurer, Bill Jacobs

Board Member, Stephanie Cascone

Board Member, Monica Rao

Board Member, Heather Guy

Board Member, Melisa Riccobono

ACCESSING THE CONVENTION

This Year’s conference and lunch in will be accessible via Zoom. Click on the imbedded links in the agenda to launch the Zoom desktop client or mobile application.  Alternatively, dial 301-715-8592 and enter the ten- or eleven-digit Conference ID listed in the agenda followed by the pound key. 

REGISTRATION AND MEMBERSHIP

You can register for our seminar and business meeting by visiting the link Below:

http://www.nfbmd.org/convention/2020

Also, do not forget to pay your membership dues. Dues cost $15 and includes the whole family. If you pay your dues you will be put into a drawing to have a free dinner with our affiliate President Ronza Offman. You can pay your membership dues by visiting the link below:

http://www.nfbmd.org/dues

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6

Annual Conference for Parents and Teachers of Blind Children

Can’t Back Down

Meeting ID: 898 9205 8751

8:45 AM to 12:00 PM Annual Conference for Parents and Teachers of Blind Children
 

8:45 AM—Pre-Registration

Parents can come to our Zoom seminar before it starts and register for our event. Also, virtual coffee and donuts will be provided. 

9:00 AM—Opening Remarks and board introductions

Garret Mooney, president Maryland Organization of Parents of Blind Children

9:10 AM—Breakout Session 1

Session A: Advocating for My Child in COVID-19

Carlton Walker, President National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

Session B: Making up for Lost Instruction

Sharon Maneki, NFB of Maryland Youth Empowerment Grant

Martin Becerra, Director of Youth programs Colorado Center for the Blind

Pam Allen, Executive director Louisiana Center for the Blind

Eric Guillory, Director of Youth Services Louisiana Center for the Blind   

9:50 AM—Breakout Session 2

Session A: Advocating for My Child in COVID-19

Carleton Walker, President National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

Session B: Making Up for Lost Instruction

Sharon Maneki, NFB of Maryland Youth Empowerment Grant

Martin Becerra, Director of Youth programs Colorado Center for the Blind

Pam Allen, Executive director Louisiana Center for the Blind

Eric Guillory, Director of Youth Services Louisiana Center for the Blind   

10:30 AM to 11:30 AM—Seminar Intermission for Parents to Attend Resolutions Committee

Meeting ID: 942 0234 6609

We encourage are parents to attend our resolutions committee meeting. There, parents will learn about the efforts the NFBMD is making to advocate for the blind. This is a great way for parents to learn more about our policies and programs. We will resume the seminar at 11:30 AM.

11:30 AM—Developmental Disabilities Administration Waiver Services: A Pathway to Independence and Supports for your Child with Developmental Disabilities

Casey Shea, Staff Attorney Disability Rights Maryland

Casey Shea's presentation and information  is available  below.

Download the Powerpoint document 2020-11-06 DRM presentation on DDA eligibility

Download the PDF document 2020-11-06 DRM presentation on DDA eligibility

12:00 PM—End of Seminar

1:00 PM to 5:00 PM—Exhibit Hall Showcase and Open Office Hours

We encourage all parents to attend the exhibit hall show case and open house. There you can find tools that can be used to help your child during school and conduct everyday tasks around the house. To connect with the exhibiters and view the show case visit NFBMD.org/ExhibitHall to get direct connect information.

6:00 PM To 7:00 PM—Parent and Family Networking Hour

Meeting ID: 831 9061 1917

Do you have questions about MDOPBC or the NFB? Do you want to meet our board of directors? Do you want to meet other parents of blind children? Then come to our networking hour. Our board of directors will be standing by to answer all of your questions and help you network with parents in your area.

SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER 7

Luncheon: The Education of Blind and Low-Vision Students

Can’t Back Down

Meeting ID: 966 4768 7165

We have a feeling this year’s lunch will be the best ever. Be sure to take a picture and tell us what you are having by tagging us on twitter at @NFBMD. Also, be sure to tip your waiters.

12:00 PM to 1:55 PM—Luncheon: The Education of Blind and Low-Vision Students

12:00 PM—Opening Remarks

Garret Mooney, President Maryland Organizations of Parents of Blind Children

Ronza Offman, President National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

12:10 PM—Round Table Discussion:  Being a Parent and Teacher in COVID-19

12:40 PM—Overcoming the Trauma of CoVID-19

Jodi Witthaus, MSW Rehabilitation Counselor for the state of Colorado

1:00 PM—Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators

Carlton Walker, Project Manager Helpdesk Bridges Transition Project for the IMAGE Center of Maryland

Hindley Williams, Project Coordinator Helpdesk Bridges Transition Project for the IMAGE Center of Maryland

1:15 PM—Presentation of Educator of the Year

Teresa Graham, First-Vice President Maryland Organization of Parents of Blind Children and Chair Educator of the year committee

1:35 PM—Presidential Report

Garret Mooney, President Maryland Organization of parents of Blind Children

1:45 PM—Elections

Teresa Graham, First-Vice President Maryland Organization of Parents of Blind Children and Chair Nominations Committee

1:55 PM—Adjournment

We want to thank all of our speakers and guests who participated in our seminar and business meeting from around the state of Maryland and country. We also want to thank all of the volunteers who helped run the seminar. This seminar could not have been a success without you.

It was such a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and catch up with old ones. We wish everyone safe virtual travel home.

Board of Directors

Maryland Organization of Parents of Blind Children