NOPBC Audio

Do you want advice from other parents about what toys your blind child will enjoy playing with. Are you wondering how to make games and toys purchased off the shelf accessible? We discuss all aspects of holiday gift giving for blind and low vision babies, children, teens and even adults!

Nopbc.org

National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

WELCOME  Carlton Anne Cook Walker, President, NOPBC

OPTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES      Anil Lewis, Executive Director, Blindness Initiatives, NFB

NOPBC: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE—WHO WE WERE, WHO WE ARE, AND WHO WE WILL BECOMECastellano, Past President, NOPBC; Secretary, NOPBC; Founder, Parents of Blind Children-NJ

THE NFB & PEARSON PARTNERSHIPPearson Representatives

KID POWER: Living the Life They Want!  Salome Cummins, 4th Grade Student, Missouri; Ian Oliver, 7th Grade Student, AL; Clara Scelsi, 5th Grade Student, AL

PARENT POWER: Making It Happen

Jeanette Jones, President, CA Parents of Blind Children  Linda Coccovizzo, President, MO Parents of Blind Children

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Virtual Reality vs. Reality

Graciela Olivo, 2020 NFB Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Proprietor, St. Lucia Eyesessible Services, Brownsville, TX

COMMITTEE REPORTS   ELECTIONS  NOPBC BRAINSTORMING

Blind kid  National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

Singing for My Supper: Blind Adults Share Stories about Their First Jobs

Join successful blind adults as they talk about their first adventures into employment. Ask questions to better understand how you can encourage and help your blind teen land a job of her own. Moderator: Melissa Riccobono, Board Member, NOPBC

Let’s Socialize: Accessible, Virtual Ways to Retain Friendships from a Distance

Learn tips for organizing virtual playdates which will engage your blind child and his or her playmate. Also discuss different online game platforms and apps your blind children can play with sighted friends and family. Instructors: Michelle Murrey, Board Member, NOPBC; Georgie Sydnor, Teacher Candidate in Teacher of Blind Students with Orientation and Mobility add-on, Louisiana Tech; NCUEB

Tech Talk: Choosing a Braille Embosser

Particularly during these uncertain times, when a great deal of schooling might be done at home, a braille embosser is an incredibly valuable tool. Learn about different types of embossers which are well suited for home use and how having an embosser at home can benefit your child. Instructor: Matt Hackert, Access Technology Specialist, NFB

Tech Talk: Harnessing the Power of the Google Suite of Products

Can a blind student truly use Google Classroom, Google Docs, Google Forms, and other Google products independently? Get the real info here. Instructor: Nate Kile, Program Director, Alaska Center for the Blind

I Like to Move It: the True Advantages of the Long White Cane

Does the material the cane is made of really make that big a difference? How about the length of the cane? Isn’t a folding cane just easier than a straight cane? Find answers to all of these questions and more!

Instructor: Ben Schuler, NOMC

Counting Sheep: Ways to Help Your Child Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Some parents of blind children have reported that their children seem to have a great deal of difficulty sleeping. Hear from a doctor who is beginning to conduct the research needed to try to get to the bottom of why this might be. Find out on how to combat sleep difficulties in blind children. Instructor: Dr. David Ingram, Sleep Physician, Children’s Mercy, Kansas City

Let’s Socialize: The Importance of and Techniques for Teaching Your Child Common Physical Movements such as Gestures and Dances

Instructor: Melissa Riccobono, Board Member, NOPBC

I Like to Move It: Practical and Fun Ways to Include Cane Travel Skills in Everyday Life—Even if You’re Stuck at Home

Blind Kid Blind Students 

Fourteen: It’s a Magical Age

Learn about all of the transition services your child gains access to when he or she reaches the age of 14. Instructor: Maurice Peret, NOMC; Coordinator for Career Mentoring Programs, NFB

Let’s Socialize: Audio-Described Content for Your Blind Child

Find out what audio description is, how it can help in the enjoyment of movies and TV shows, and how to help your child gain independent access to this content. Instructor: Raul Gallegos, Assistive Technology Consultant and Trainer, RGA Tech Solutions

Tech Talk: Typing, an Essential Skill

Discuss different apps and other methods for teaching and strengthening typing skills for blind children as young as preschool   Instructor: Treva Olivero, TBS; President, North Central Chapter, NFB of LA

I Like to Move It: Encouraging All Types of Movement for Young Blind Children

Let’s Socialize: Helping Your Child Learn the “Soft Skills” of Socialization

Get some tips on teaching your child skills that will help him/her in all kinds of situations—from the lunch room to the board room. Instructor: Carol Castellano, Secretary, NOPBC

It’s All About that Braille: Ways to Make Braille Fun for Early Learners and Reluctant Reader

It’s All about That Braille: Cracking the Code

Learn about and create a Braille cell. Discover the basic pattern of the letters of the Braille alphabet. Learn how to indicate Braille numbers and punctuation.   Instructor: Jackie Anderson, TBS; Board Member, NOPBC

Oh Yes, I Made Mistakes—And Lived to Tell the Tale

No one has everything together all of the time. Here stories from a successful blind adult who, like so many of us, had to recover and learn from her failures before she could succeed. Instructor: Karen Anderson, Coordinator, Education Programs, NFB

It’s All About that Braille: Embracing the Slate and Stylus

An extremely versatile and low-tech tool, the slate and stylus is often overlooked when teaching blind children Braille. Learn all about this valuable writing implement, how you use it, and ways to encourage your child to take advantage of its power.  Instructor: Jennifer Wenzel, Admissions Coordinator, BLIND, Inc.

Best practices for accommodations, assessments, and service time and  negotiation strategies for blind students. Instructors: Penny Duffy, 1st VP, NOPBC; Melissa Riccobono, Board Member, NOPBC

NOPBC IEP WORKSHOP SESSION I     IEP 101

Basics of the IEP with an emphasis on specific issues you should pay close attention to when creating an IEP for a blind child. Instructors: Casey West Robertson, TBS; VP, NBPCB; Board Member, NOPBC; Carlton Anne Cook Walker, TBS; Attorney; President, NOPBC

NOPBC PRESIDENTIAL REPORT: The Best Reality Show Ever—Real Families of the NOPBC    Carlton Anne Cook Walker, President, NOPBC

THE STUDENTS SPEAK: Building & Using Your Blindness Network

Trisha Kulkarni, Computer Science, Stanford University; Board Member, NABS; Precious Perez, Music Education and Vocal Performance, Berklee College of Music; NFB of MA Board member; President, MA Association of Blind Students; Qualik Ford, Class of 2020, Parkville High School, MD School for the Blind; President, MD Association of Blind Students

CONVENTION 411: How to Optimize Your Virtual Convention Experience  Melissa A Riccobono, Chair, NOPBC Conference; Board Member, NOPBC

Does the material the cane is made of really make that big a difference? How about the length of the cane? Isn’t a folding cane just easier than a straight cane? Find answers to all of these questions and more!

Instructor: Ben Schuler, NOMC

WELCOME Carlton Anne Cook Walker, President, National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

KID TALK  Mark Riccobono, President, National Federation of the Blind Children can join President Riccobono for an informal chat

AWARDS Carlton Anne Cook Walker, Presenter

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: NAVIGATING OUR BRAVE NEW WORLD Gabe Cazares, Director, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Houston, Texas