The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children presents
EDUCATE
Educate * Dream * Unite * Captivate Advocate * Transform * Empower
The 2025 NATIONAL SEMINAR for Parents and Teachers

7:30 – 8:45 AM – REGISTRATION PACKET PICK-UP & YOUTH TRACK REGISTRATION

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Those who preregistered online can come and pick up their packets.

9:00 – 10:45 AM – NOPBC YOUTH TRACK SESSION (ages 11 – 18)

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Games and Prizes. See the Youth Track agenda for activity details.

9:00 – 10:30 AM – NOPBC SEMINAR OPENING SESSION

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WELCOME – Cassandra McKinney, President, National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

A GREETING FROM OUR NFB NATIONAL PRESIDENT – Mark Riccobono, President, National Federation of the Blind

NOPBC PRESIDENTIAL REPORT – Cassandra McKinney, President, NOPBC

UNITE, CAPTIVATE, EMPOWER – Norma Crosby, President, NFB of TX; Treasurer, NFB

I AM A BLIND PERSON GIVING BACK – Zachary Ledford, Board Member, National Association of Blind Students; Member, NFB of UT

CONTINUED EFFORTS TO REACH FAMILIES: EXPANDING OUR DIVERSITY – Conchita Hernandez, Special Projects, Maryland School for the Blind

WHAT’S ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT? YOUTH TRACK 2025 – Amy Porterfield, Director of Programs, SAAVI

PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS – Melissa Riccobono, 2nd Vice-President, NOPBC

ADJOURN

Following the general session there will be one set of 4 workshops, then a lunch break, and then two sets of 4 workshops

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM – WORKSHOP GROUP A

IEP 101: Learn the Basics

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Come learn the basics of a good IEP for blind/low vision students. What are the fundamentals of the law? What are your rights? What are the blindness-specific essentials to include? What should you be on the alert for?

Instructor: Carlton Walker, JD, TBS; Educational Advocate and Consultant, Blindness Education and Advocacy Resources (BEAR)

Let’s Play

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Play is a critical way that children develop and learn about the world. Come hear information about the interaction of play and development, and get some practical tips on how to invite and encourage your child to be active in play.

Instructor: Emily Gibbs, Teacher of Blind Students

Picking Up on Social Cues—It’s Not Just Visual

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Do you worry that your child is missing important social cues when interacting with others? This workshop will offer practical strategies you can practice with your child to help them learn ways to pick up on social cues non-visually and to navigate social situations more effectively.

Instructor: Amanda Juetten, Graduate Student in Organizational Leadership

Family Dynamics—Getting Everyone Onboard for Competence and Independence

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Do you sometimes feel that your child is being held back by the low expectations or inappropriate actions of others (maybe even your own)? Do you worry about sibling relationships? This session will explore ways to get family and friends, teachers and neighbors on the team for progress, no matter what your child’s diagnosis.

Instructor: Carol Castellano, Author; Secretary, NOPBC

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM – Youth Track Session (ages 11 – 18)

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Introduction to your NFB Convention and Youth Track Activities. See Youth Track agenda for details.

12:00 – 1:45 PM – Lunch

Child Care will be closed during lunch, so plan to pick up your children, have lunch with your family, and then come back for the afternoon workshops.

1:30 – 5:00 PM – NOPBC YOUTH TRACK SESSION (ages 11 – 18)

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Tactile Art and more. See the Youth Track agenda for activity details.

1:45 – 3:00 PM – WORKSHOP GROUP B

Don’t Bubble Wrap Your Child!

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Sometimes it’s hard to let our children undergo the ordinary bumps and bruises of life. But shielding them too much or overprotecting them can impede their development and keep them from making progress and gaining independence. Come learn ways to rein in your fears and empower your child!

Instructor: Tarik Williams, SAAVI Services for the Blind

Meet the IEP Advocates

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Our trained IEP advocates will introduce themselves and invite you to make appointments to meet with them during the week. Bring your child’s IEP and/or your specific concerns.

Instructor: Casey West Robertson, TBS, 1st VP, NOPBC

My Body Belongs to Me!

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Blind children (and even adults) often encounter unsolicited and sometimes unwelcome “help” from well-meaning individuals who, without asking, may move, pull, push, steer, or position them. It’s important to equip your child with the skills to handle these situations confidently, including how to assertively yet politely decline unwanted assistance.

Instructor: Melissa Riccobono, former school counselor; 2nd VP, NOPBC

Blind Kids Can Do STEM!

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Parents across the country know the skills and confidence their children gain through attending an NFB youth program. Come find out what makes programs like NFB STEM2U unique, educational, and truly empowering for our blind youth. Learn about the thoughtful curriculum, the focus on nonvisual skill-building, and the importance of blind role-models. Get tips on continuing your child’s success even after the program ends!

Instructors: Karen Anderson, Coordinator, Education Programs, NFB; Ashleigh Moon, STEM Specialist; Children & Youth Services Coordinator, SAAVI Services for the Blind

3:15 – 4:30 PM – WORKSHOP GROUP C

Getting a Fair Evaluation when Your Child Has Additional Disabilities

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It can be very difficult to get a fair evaluation for blind children, especially if there are additional disabilities present. Too often, evaluators are inexperienced, evaluations are not normed on blind children, and children are failed on test items because they cannot see them or because evaluators cannot understand their responses. This session will cover common pitfalls to steer clear of and strategies for getting better results.

Instructor: Carlton Walker, JD, TBS; Educational Advocate and Consultant, Blindness Education and Advocacy Resources (BEAR)

Get Your Baby’s Wiggle On!

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How to encourage moving, exploring, and coming into contact with objects in the environment, crucial activities for a baby’s and young child’s development as they learn what’s out there, how things work, and what to expect. Help your child become active, a doer, not a done-to’er.

Instructor: Krystal Guillory, Teacher of Blind Students; Kristen Simms, TBS, NOMC

Age/Stage Appropriate Skills & Chores

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Can blind kids REALLY be expected to pitch in in the home as much as a sighted kid? Yes! Come learn about age- or stage-appropriate expectations and responsibilities and how parents can learn how blind people accomplish tasks and then teach the strategies to their children.

Instructor: Corbb O’Connor, Accessibility Specialist

Guide Dog? Cane? I Use Both!

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Many blind children learn cane travel, but sometimes parents want the child to get a guide dog instead, thinking that the dog will take the child places, protect the child, and even help with social interaction. This session will discuss the benefits and challenges of each travel choice and why being skilled at both methods can provide the most flexibility and efficiency.

Rick Fox, Instructor and Co-Owner, B&F Teaching & Technology, LLC

4:00 – 5:00 PM – NOPBC YOUTH TRACK SESSION (ages 11 – 18)

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What Kind of Jobs Can Blind People Do? See the Youth Track agenda for activity details.

7:00 PM – SPORTS & REC MOVIE

Salon E—See NFB agenda for details

8:30 PM – STUDENT NETWORKING

Galerie 2 & 3—See NFB agenda for details