ACB Events American Council of the Blind

Bay State Council of the Blind
2024 Spring Conference and Convention Agenda
Grousbeck Center, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA

Morning Session


Welcome From Our Host, Perkins School for the Blind

Opening Remarks
David Kingsbury, President, BSCB



Overview of Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Activities
John Oliveira , Commissioner, MCB



Participant Introductions



State Government Initiatives to Improve Accessibility
Ashley Bloom, Chief Information Technology Accessibility Officer, Executive Office of Technology Services and Security



Updates from Two of Our Committees
Ambassador Program: Pam Loch, Membership Committee chair
Healthcare Resources web page: Nona Haroyan and Jerry Berrier, Advocacy Committee co-chairs



First Reading of Proposed BSCB Code of Conduct Policy
Brian Charlson and Jennifer Harnish



lection of BSCB Officers
Brian Charlson (to explain voting procedures)
Mary Haroyan( to announce slate of nominees recommended by the Nominations Committee)
Sharon Strzalkowski to chair election of President
David Kingsbury to chair election of other officers



Afternoon Session



Announcement of Election Results
David Kingsbury
Short comments by newly elected Officers



Debate and Adoption of Proposed Code of Conduct Policy
Brian Charlson



Experience as a Book Author
Andrew Leland, author of “The Country of the Blind,” interviewed by Kim Charlson



Announcement of BSCB Awards
Awards Committee: Kim Charlson (chair), Pam Loch, and Jerry Berrier



Tips for Getting a Handle on Your Personal Finances
Moe Carpenter, Penny Forward



News from the Tech World
Jeff Bishop, ACB Blind Information Technology Specialists affiliate President: Overview of BITS training activities and other member benefits
David Kingsbury, Demo of the new JAWS PictureSmart with Generative AI feature for describing digital images



Overview of Recent Perkins Library Activities
Kim Charlson



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Re-experience the April 8, 2024 total eclipse of the sun through sound.

Harvard University’s Astronomy Department welcomes those who are blind or have low vision to experience the total eclipse of the sun, through use of the LightSound device which uses a technique called sonification, the process of converting data, in this case light intensity into sound.

The American Council of the Blind and ACB Media are proud to partner with Harvard to broadcast this amazing event where you experience and track through sound the eclipse as it reaches totality at different times from Texas through Vermont. Folks from many different organizations around the country connected their LightSound devices to Zoom as the eclipse reached totality at their location.

The podcast opens with an interview of Allyson Bieryla, Science Center Astronomy Lab and Telescope Manager, Harvard University Astronomer, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory who describes the LightSound Project, and demonstrates and explains the LighhtSound device.

For more information about the LightSound Project, go to The LightSound Project (harvard.edu)

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20240215-1 RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD VENDORS OF AMERICA(r)
20240215-1 Morning Sessions

CELEBRATING OVER FIFTY YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ADVOCACY
Teaming up to Tackle the ins and outs of Randolph-Sheppard business

Moderator: Jerry House (TX), OIT Limited, Sagebrush Committee Member



iPhone Updates and Apps:
o Brad Snyder (TX), Vice-President, Blind Information Technology Specialist: Sandhya Rao (TX), Vice-President, iBugToday



Questions and Answers



Different ways to implement Chat GPT 4 into everyday business practices:
o Enrique Mejia (IA), Rehabilitation Technology Specialist, Iowa Department for the Blind
o Robert Serian, Head of Business Development & Territory Management- North America, Envision Technologies B.V.
Participants learned how to use AI to enhance their business. Attendees also heard about a feature called "Ask Envision" which uses Chat GPT and AI technology to guide the user.



Questions and Answers



How to reach students and newly blind persons to enter the RS Program:
o Bill Findley (FL), Bureau Chief Business Enterprise, FLDOE/Division of Blind Services.
o Maureen Fink (FL), Operations Manager Business Enterprise, FLDOE/Division of Blind Services
o Randall Crosby (FL), Crosby's Café, Sagebrush committee



Questions and Answers



Experiences with theft in the facility and ways to prevent it:
o Round Table Discussion



Social Security and Medicare Questions Answered:
o Annie Walters (NV), SSA Public Affairs Specialist
Participants learned about the latest updates and changes in Social Security and Medicare. Attendees also learned how vendors can use deductions differently for SSA. Get information on retirement.



Questions and Answers



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20240214-2 RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD VENDORS OF AMERICA(r)
20240214-2 Afternoon Sessions

CELEBRATING OVER FIFTY YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ADVOCACY
Teaming up to Tackle the ins and outs of Randolph-Sheppard business

Moderator: Scott Eggen (MN), RSVA(r) President



Luncheon speaker - Teaming up to Tackle the ins and outs of Randolph-Sheppard business:
o Dan Spoone (FL), Executive Director, American Council of the Blind



Presenting Terry Camardelle and Charlie Carroll Advocacy Scholarship Award: and Warren Toyama and George Arsnow Scholarship Award:
o Scott Eggen (MN), RSVA(r) President



American Council of the Blind Updates and activities:
o Dan Spoone (FL), ACB Executive Director
ACB programs and services were shared and conference information for upcoming conferences. Educational opportunities were also explained.



Questions and Answers



When and how to advocate about the Randolph-Sheppard Program?:
o Jeff Thom (CA), RSVA(r) Advocate and retired attorney
o Randall Crosby (FL), Crosby's Café, Sagebrush committee member
o Paul Patche (CA), PT Foods
Participants learned the best ways to share experiences about the importance of the program, the necessity of working together to foster change, and when and how to move issues forward.



Questions and Answers



What's happening with food trucks?:
o Jim Hemmen (WA), Business Enterprise Program Manager, WA State Department of Services for the Blind
o Ben Ploch (MI), Michigan EOC Chair
Attendees heard updates on the progress with food trucks collaborating with local vendor managers and starting food trucks for vendors.



Questions and answers


Sagebrush Auction

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20240214-1 RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD VENDORS OF AMERICA(r)
20240214-1 Morning Sessions

CELEBRATING OVER FIFTY YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ADVOCACY
Teaming up to Tackle the ins and outs of Randolph-Sheppard business

Moderator: Ardis Bazyn (CO), Bazyn Communications, RSVA(r) First Vice President, Sagebrush Committee



Technologies benefiting BEP operators and VI staff:
o Michael Babcock (OR) Payown Media, LLC.
o Jessica Hipp (NH), Chief Operating Officer, Way Around Technology
o Ladesa Santos (FL), National Account Executive, Patriot Vision Industries
o Waseem Salamah, Key Account Manager, AVS Connect
o Bob Roehm (TX), Sales Manager, Envision Technologies BV
Many technologies assist vendors while they are managing a facility. These speakers highlighted how their products/service will improve the business owner's abilities to manage the business.



Questions and answers



What's new in using the backend for Micro Markets and Vending Management:
o Waseem Salamah, Key Account Manager, AVS Connect.
*** ZEBRA SPONSOR***
Participants learned about back-end services in vending and micro market management including credit card processing.



Questions and Answers



Advantages of Teaming Partners:
o Alton Palmore (FL)
o Jerry R. Gann (CA), OIC Limited
o Walt Berry, Southern Food Management.
Vendor managers and teaming partners highlight how they work together to enhance their business.



Questions and Answers



What can you learn from Blind Abilities podcasts?:
o Jeff Thomson (MN), Blind Abilities



Questions and Answers



Pan Optyc for Micro Markets:
o Patrick Martin (FL), Live Better Inc.
Participants discovered a camera system for micro markets. It has some built-in AI features.



Questions and Answers



RSVA(r) Sagebrush Awards luncheon:
Sponsor: AVS Connect (AVS Companies)



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20240213-2 RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD VENDORS OF AMERICA(r)
20240213-2 Afternoon Sessions

CELEBRATING OVER FIFTY YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ADVOCACY
Teaming up to Tackle the ins and outs of Randolph-Sheppard business

Moderator: Jim Jirak (NE), Jirak Enterprises, RSVA(r) Board Member



Are you listening to your machines?:
o Kieth Severson (MN), Vending Technician Minnesota
This session discussed how vendors can know when a machine isn't acting correctly and how to fix and repair it. Also, participants learned how the machine will alert you when you need to call an expert.



Questions and Answers



Are you up to date on the IRS requirements for payroll documents? What are ABLE accounts and how can they be part of your financial plan?:
o Chris Peterson AFC (MN), President and CEO, Penny Forward
o Kane Brolin, CFP(r) ChSNC(r)MBA (IN) CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(tm)
o Cody Bair (CO), CPA
Participants learned about updates to IRS tax forms for your business and what forms have changed. Attendees also learned about other financial considerations as well as using ABLE accounts.



Questions and Answers



What new products have you tried in your facility?:
o Round Table discussion



Questions and Answers



Breakout Session 1: State Administrators:
o Co-Moderators



John Hulet (MN), Director Minnesota BEP Program


Jim Hemmen (WA), Business Enterprise Program Manager, WA State Department of Services for the Blind

Breakout Session 2:
o State Committee Chairperson Meeting Co-Moderators:



Randall Crosby (FL), Crosby's Café, Sagebrush Committee member


Jerry House (TX), OIT Limited, Sagebrush Committee Member

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