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:
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