Director Update Request
Make the necessary corrections and click Submit.
Make the necessary corrections and click Submit.
November 5–7, 2025
Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA
Theme: Waves of Change — Advancing Public Policy for the Blind
All times Pacific
NCSAB Exhibit Hall & Registration Opens
CSAVR / NCSAB Concurrent Session
CSAVR Closing Session
Lunch (On Your Own).
NCSAB Executive Committee Lunch with RSA (Invited).
Committee Members Only.
Opening, Welcome & Introductions
Facilitator: Dorothy Young
Presenter: Dorothy Young, Director, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and NCSAB President
California Success Story
Facilitator: Dorothy Young
Presenter: Susan Pelbath, MS, Deputy Director Specialized Services Division, Department of Rehabilitation
General Session #1: Active Participation
Facilitator: Dorothy Young
Presenter: Andrew Shumacher
Networking Break — Visit exhibits and connect with peers.
General Session #2: NCSAB Policy Update
Facilitator: Dorothy Young
Presenter: Catriona Macdonald, NCSAB Policy Analyst and President of Linchpin Strategies
General Session #3: Update on Department of War & Randolph-Sheppard Act Arbitration
Facilitator: Greg Trapp
Presenters: Terry Smith, Nicholas Gacos, and Catriona Macdonald
Networking Break — Visit exhibits and connect with peers.
Welcome Reception & Exhibitor Showcase
Kick off your NCSAB conference experience with a reception featuring exhibitors and networking opportunities.
NCSAB Registration & Exhibit Hall Opens
General Session #4: A Decade of Reflection — Observations and Recommendations for Older Blind Services
Facilitator: Cynthia Speight
Presenters: Kendra Farrow and Stephanie Welch-Grenier
Networking Break
General Session #5: Wearable Technologies and Resources — The Coming Revolution Has Arrived
Facilitator: Shirley Robinson
Presenters: Troy Otillio, David DeNotaris, Fan Zhang
Networking Break
Working Lunch Facilitated by Dr. Cassondra Williams-Stokes
My Rehabilitation Journey — Presenter: Susan Pelbath
Keynote: Empowering the Blind Through STEM — Dr. Cary A. Supalo
General Session #6: Managing Programs in Challenging Times
Facilitator: Dr. Bernice Davis
Presenters: Dorothy Young, Greg Trapp, Natasha Jerde, Dacia Johnson, Robert Doyle III, Ashley Townsen
Break
Committee Breakout Sessions
• Employment — Facilitated by Darline Graham
• Independent Living/Training/OIB and Technology — Facilitated by Cynthia Speight
• Randolph-Sheppard Act — Facilitated by Ashley Townsend & Rachel Hollen
Networking Break
General Session #7: How Self-Service Technologies Are Reshaping Employment and Business Opportunities for People Who Are Blind or Low Vision
Facilitator: Greg Trapp
Presenter: Matt Ater
General Session #8: From Assessment to Launch — A Customizable Approach to Preparing Aspiring Blind Entrepreneurs for Success
Facilitator: Darline Graham
Presenters: Jonathan Lucus and Marianne Haegeli
Adjourn for the Day
Executive Committee Meeting (Committee Members Only)
NCSAB Registration & Exhibit Hall Opens
Business Meeting, Committee Reports & Election
General Session #9: A Client-Centered O&M Model in Action
Facilitator: Carlos Serván
Presenter: Leslie Hoskins
General Session #10: Partnering for Possibility — Helen Keller National Center’s Role in Empowering the DeafBlind Community
Facilitator: Natasha Jerde
Presenters: John Filek and Ryan Odland
Networking Break
General Session #11: Why Certification Matters — Success Through Structured Discovery Apprenticeship
Facilitator: Juanita Barker
Presenters: Amy Porterfield and Edward Bell
Closing Session
Dorothy Young, NCSAB President and Director, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
Conference Adjourns