The following 20 audio files with descriptions of events were recorded at the 2025 FCB Convention. You may read down the page to listen to the audios, or use the Table of Contents links that skip to coordinating events.
2025 FCB Convention - Executive Committee Meeting
2025 FCB Pre-Convention Board Meeting
2025 Continuation of Jeff Bishop's interactive session on Empowering Through AI
2025 Democracy Live - Building Bridges through Accessible Voting
2025 Demystifying Self Publishing
2025 Employment Committee Program - Panel of legally blind employees - Why I love my job.
2025 FCB Annual Awards and Scholarship Banquet
2025 FCB Annual Business Meeting
2025 Continuation of Sunday Morning Annual Business Meeting
2025 FCB Annual Legislative Seminar - 2025 Legislative Imperatives set forth by ACB
2025 FCB Annual Town Hall meeting
2025 FCB Technology Committee seminar - Panel discussion on cyber security
2025 Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision (FCCLV) - Co-chairs of the FCB Activities Committee
2025 Guide Dog Users of Florida (GDUF) - Panel of experienced guide dog handlers on guide dog transitioning
2025 Project Insight Committee - First Aid Tips
2025 The Blind Kitchen - Presenter Debra Erickson, MS, Executive Chef and founder of The Blind Kitchen
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2025 FCB Convention - Executive Committee Meeting
2025 FCB Convention - Executive Committee Meeting
2025 FCB Pre-Convention Board Meeting
FCB Pre-Convention Board Meeting
Friday, May 16, 2025
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Braille Revival League of Florida (BRLF)
Program for Braille Revival League of Florida
Presenters: Paul Edwards and Elizabeth Bowden
For those of you who have always wanted to explore using a braille display, the program from Braille Revival League of Florida is made for you. After our business meeting when new officers will be elected, we’ll be delving into using the two braille displays distributed for free by the National Library Service. If you have considered getting a display, or have one but shiver when thinking about unboxing, now is your chance! Experience instant book download, and get the braille translation options you want with just a few settings. Find out how easy it is to get yours.
All attendees of the program will get to examine the Zoomax eReader personally. We’ll explain the basics and explore the Humanware version of the reader as well. Come explore with us, it’s sure to be entertaining and informative.
Room: Anchor ACB Zoom Audio
9:30-10:30 AM
Guide Dog Users of Florida (GDUF)
Guide Dog Users of Florida (GDUF)
Following a brief business meeting, where elections will be addressed, in-person and virtual attendees will hear from a panel of experienced guide dog handlers about guide dog transitioning. Panelists include: experienced dog guide users Doug Hall, Debbie Grubb, and Chelsea White from The Seeing Eye.
Are you seriously thinking of obtaining your first guide dog or have you lost your previous loyal guide companion and are thinking of whether or not to get a new one? The first question is why or why not get a guide dog? What are the emotional, physical and mobility factors that must be considered? How about grieving the loss or retirement of previous or current guides? How would losing or retiring a previous guide impact acceptance, training and work? These and many other concerns will be addressed by a panel of knowledgeable guide dog handlers. Questions from the audience, whether in person or via Zoom, are welcome.
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
9:45-10:45 AM
FCB Employment Committee Program
FCB Employment Committee Program
Barbara Brown will facilitate this session.
The Employment Committee will discuss the topic of Why I Love My Job. Legally blind employees will discuss this and they welcome audience participation.
Room: Anchor ACB Zoom Audio
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally Blind (CCTB)
Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally Blind(CCTB)
This year, The Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally Blind will have a program featuring Hans, founder and CEO of Be My eyes, who will inform us of the many things they are doing for the blind and low vision community. Be My Eyes is one of the world’s largest networks for blind and low vision people that provide digital accessibility tools to blind and low vision people worldwide. Some of these tools include:
• Being able to call a volunteer for general assistance.
• Be My AI: Being able to take a picture and get back a detailed description.
• Being able to call a company or organization to receive specialized assistance with a product or service.
• And being able to use your Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses for additional ways to gain knowledge and information.
So, we hope you will join us this year in what we think will be a very informative and interesting program, learning about the many ways Be My Eyes can help you become more independent and self-sufficient!
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
11:00 AM -12:00 PM
Project Insight Committee
Project Insight Committee
First Aid Tips
Presenters: registered nurse Margaret Mosher (Paul Edwards daughter) and Dr. Stella Hayes
Come join Project Insight as we continue our outreach to
the blind and visually impaired community with a topic of common interest that affects everyone. We all have our own health concerns, and we know to contact health care providers in an emergency, but what about those everyday things that need immediate First Aid attention. How do we manage these things for ourselves and for those for whom we provide care and support? We welcome our special guest presenters, Ms. Margaret Mosher, a registered nurse, and Dr. Stella Hayes who will share their medical knowledge, and most of all, practical suggestions for managing those everyday health situations.
Room: Anchor ACB Zoom Audio
1:00-2:30 PM
FCB Annual Legislative Seminar
FCB Annual Legislative Seminar
Moderated by Debbie Grubb
Come join us for the 2025 FCB Legislative Seminar.
Once again, the FCB legislative team will bring interesting, informative and insightful thoughts regarding the reception by the Florida Congressional delegation of the 2025 legislative imperatives set forth by ACB.
The 2025 legislative imperatives confront the issues of lack of access to home use medical devices and outpatient equipment; access to websites applications and online services; access to media, video user interfaces and video conferencing services.
The perceptive thoughts shared by the 2025 FCB Legislative team and honored guest, Jeff Bishop, accessible technology expert and President of BITS, will serve us well as we determine next steps in this organization's advocacy agenda.
Won't you make attending this event one of your convention priorities so that you can play a role as we continue the history of the meaningful advocacy that has been undertaken by the Florida Council of the Blind since its founding?
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
1:15 – 2:15 PM
Demystifying Self-Publishing
Demystifying Self-Publishing
Presenter Lynn Chantale Mapier
Have you written a book but don’t know what to do now? Or maybe you have a collection of family anecdotes you’d like to hand out as gifts, or maybe you’d just like to see your name in print. Author Lynn Chantale will provide you with the tools to self-publish your manuscript. From editing to cover art, Lynn will demystify the publishing process.
Lynn Chantale is an accomplished author with over 30 titles under her belt. She’s self-published as well as traditionally published.
Come in, take a seat, and be prepared to peek behind the veil of self-publishing.
Room: Anchor ACB Zoom Audio
3:00-4:00 PM
Democracy Live - Building Bridges through Accessible Voting
Democracy Live - Building Bridgerds Through Accessible Voting
Presenter Charlie Kinnune, Director of Education
What should unite us, now divides us. Some of the most successful advocacy organizations in our country disapprove of accessible absentee electronic balloting. What has proven to be a game changer in accessible voting is not accepted by some organization's that historically supported accessible voting in the past. How do we engage these groups to discuss this very pressing issue?
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
7:00 PM
Awards and Scholarships Banquet
Awards and Scholarships Banquet
Join us on Friday evening to celebrate and recognize FCB leaders and deserving students at a special dinner hosted in their honor by Mary Tyson and Sheila Young, committee chairs for the Awards, Education, Leadership and Scholarships Committees. Select advocates and leaders will be recognized with prestigious awards and deserving students will be presented with valuable scholarships.
There will be a cash bar; cash only; no credit cards will be accepted.
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
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Saturday, May 17, 2025
8:00-10:00 AM
72nd Annual State Convention Opening Ceremony
72nd Annual State Convention Opening Ceremony
Empowering Through AI: Presented by Jeff Bishop and moderated by Debbie Grubb
Jeff Bishop is a prominent figure in the field of accessibility and assistive technology, dedicated to enhancing digital
experiences for individuals with visual impairments; President of Blind Information Technology Specialists (BITS); serves on the Board of Publications and is influential in the ongoing efforts of ACB’s overall information technology, (IT) infrastructure.
A Training for Assistive Technology Users and Professionals is an engaging multi-hour event designed to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the realm of assistive technology. Participants will learn about AI-driven tools and techniques that enhance accessibility, independence, and productivity for individuals with disabilities. This hands-on training will provide actionable strategies for integrating AI into daily workflows, empowering both users and professionals to unlock new opportunities. The session will include practical demonstrations, real-world applications, and interactive discussions to ensure attendees leave with a deeper understanding of AI’s role in shaping a more inclusive future.
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
TWO CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS:
10:15-11:05 AM
10:15-11:05 AM:
Jeff Bishop’s interactive session will continue.
Jeff Bishop's Interactive Session Continues
The demonstrations, discussion and amazing insights into AI will continue. Don’t miss a moment of this potentially life changing presentation.
Room Port Winward ACB Media Stream
10:15-11:05 AM:
The Blind Kitchen
The Blind Kitchen
Presenter Debra Erickson, MS
Executive Chef and Founder of the Blind Kitchen
Welcome to The Blind Kitchen where adaptive tools, helpful strategies, and specialized knowledge are provided to blind and vision-impaired people who want to cook safely, confidently, and independently. Chef Debra will discuss safe cooking techniques and products that The Blind Kitchen sells to make your culinary experience meaningful and provide you with confidence. Please come join us.
Room Anchor ACB Zoom Audio
TWO CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS:
11:15 AM-12:05 PM
11:15 AM - 12:05 PM:
FCB Technology Committee Program
FCB Technology Committee Seminar Panel Discussion on Cyber Security
Learn online security information
Are you worried about online security? Have you ever wondered how to keep yourself safe while shopping or visiting websites, or responding to emails? What about scams, or phishing, or captchas, and are you a robot? And what do these words even mean?
Come to the Technology Committee session to learn some tips about how to avoid online problems. We will just barely touch on the subject, but it will help you think about avoiding security breaches along with threats and perhaps lead you to a few ways to learn how to protect yourself while online.
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
11:15 AM – 12:05 PM:
What's New With Spectrum
Join Petr Kucheryavyy, Sr. Manager with Spectrum’s Accessibility team.
What's New with Spectrum
He will present an informative look at all of Spectrum’s Accessibility offerings. Find out what’s new with the Spectrum FREE Access app, Spectrum TV app, accessible self-support and more. Additionally, learn about the all new Xumo Stream Box with a voice control remote, available now.
Room: Anchor ACB Zoom Audio
1:30-2:45 PM
FCB Annual Town Hall Meeting
FCB Annual Town Hall Meeting
Plan to attend this exciting and informative meeting moderated by President Mikey Wiseman. You will hear from the Director of the Division of Blind Services, (DBS) Robert Doyle, regarding the current status of the goals and mission of the agency including specific news that he wishes to bring to us. After his presentation, he will answer questions from the audience.
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
3:00-4:00 PM
Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision (FCCLV)
Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision (FCCLV)
Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision will conduct its annual meeting and program. FCCLV 2025 program presenters will be Cachet Wells and Greg Lindberg, co-chairs of the FCB’s Activities Committee. As a special interest affiliate, FCCLV members reside in many communities throughout the state. The Activities Committee plans, organizes, and announces events and happenings all over the state. What a great way to get together with fellow visually impaired FCCLV members in your community and meet new/other individuals of the low vision community.
To the surprise of many, with little preparation to any activity, game or skill, you can rework your favorite to be accessible and inclusive to those who are Blind and Low Vision. Join FCCLV and the Activities Committee as we help you navigate and explore new ways to enjoy outdoor and indoor activities.
7:00 PM
2025 Annual Banquet
2025 Annual Banquet
Attend FCB'S Annual Banquet: hosted by FCB President, Mikey Wiseman.
FCB’s Banquet speaker is Jeff Bishop who is a prominent figure in the field of accessibility and assistive technology, dedicated to enhancing digital
experiences for individuals with visual impairments. Jeff is President of Blind Information Technology Specialists (BITS), serves on the Board of Publications and is influential in the ongoing efforts of ACB’s overall information technology (IT) infrastructure and outlook.
He lives in Phoenix, Arizona and will tell us his life story providing us with entertainment.
Sunday, May 18, 2025 8:30 AM - Noon
Annual Business Meeting
Annual Business Meeting
Bright and early on Sunday morning, you can claim your right and responsibility as an FCB member by participating in the organization's annual business meeting. Hear from leaders about progress made and work yet needing to be done and discover what important role you can play in advocacy.
Business Meeting Outline
Call To Order: Mikey Wiseman, President
Roll Call: Sally Benjamin
Minutes: Elizabeth Bowden
Treasurer’s Report: Mark Lear
President’s Report: Mikey Wiseman
Awards Committee: Mary Tyson
Scholarships Recipients: Sheila Young
Constitution and Bylaws: Doug Hall
Convention Committee: Kati Lear
Resolutions Committee: Paul Edwards
Other Committee Reports: (as needed)
Unfinished Business
New Business
Announcements