Arizona Council of the Blind
41ST Annual Conference and Convention
From a Century of Effort to a Future of Growth
Official Convention Program
Thursday, April 19th - Saturday, April 21st, 2012
Doubletree by Hilton Tucson – Reid Park
445 South Alvernon Way
Tucson, Arizona 85711
(520) 323-5202
Mr. Ron Brooks, President
Ms. Sharon Carpenter, Convention Coordinator
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Thanks to Our Sponsors
As a tax-exempt charitable organization, the majority of
whose members are blind or visually impaired, the AzCB
depends on the generosity of our sponsors to help fund
the programs and services we offer to blind and visually
impaired Arizonans. The following organizations and
businesses have contributed significantly to make the
2012 AzCB Conference and Convention interesting and
informative.
Centennial Sponsors
The following organizations have contributed at least
$1,000 of cash or in-kind services for this event. We
thank them for their generosity.
 Tucson Regional Transit Authority –
http://www.rtamobility.com
 VIP Taxi of Phoenix and Tucson –
http://www.viptaxi.com
Gold Sponsors
The following organizations have contributed at least
$500 of cash or in-kind services to fund this event. We
thank them for their generosity.
 A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. – http://www.a-zbus.com
 Plastic Safety Systems –
http://www.plasticsafety.com
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Program Guide at a Glance
Welcome from the AzCB President .............................. 1
Note from the AzCB Convention Coordinator ................ 2
Hotel Overview ......................................................... 4
Important Phone Numbers ......................................... 6
Official Conference Program and Schedule ................... 7
Thursday, April 19 .................................................. 7
Friday, April 20 ....................................................... 8
Saturday, April 21 .................................................. 12
Exhibitor Spotlight ................................................... 15
AzCB Officers and Board Members ............................. 16
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Welcome from the AzCB President
I want to welcome you to the 41st Annual Conference and
Convention of the Arizona Council of the Blind. I am
excited to be in Tucson, and I want to thank the
Convention Committee and the Southern Arizona Chapter
for their hard work and hospitality. They have all
contributed a great deal of time, effort and energy to
ensure that you will enjoy an interesting, informative and
fun time here in Tucson. Whether you’re interested in a
night at the Gaslight Theater, a turn or two at our Game
Night, learning about what’s new in the world of
technology or just curious about what the AzCB has to
offer, I know there will be much for you to do and learn.
The AzCB is a membership organization, and our success
depends on your involvement and on the involvement of
each of our members and friends. Therefore, I urge you
to take advantage of the programs we have to offer, the
exciting Exhibits Area, the fun events that have been
planned, our Business Meeting and Chapter Elections set
for Saturday and all the rest. If you do, we will all come
away stronger, better connected and ready to meet the
challenges that face us all.
Ron Brooks
AzCB President
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Note from the AzCB Convention
Coordinator
Hello and welcome to Tucson!
This year, the AzCB Conference and Convention is bigger
and better than ever! Check out these highlights!
 Two full days of informative presentations and
workshops covering a wide range of interesting and
informative topics, including the status of blindnessrelated programs and services in Arizona, tips and
tricks for growing your social media empire, and the
story of how puppies grow into guide dogs.
 An Exhibits Area featuring the latest in technologies
products and services specifically adapted for the
benefit of people who are blind or visually impaired
 The AzCB’s Annual Awards and Scholarship Banquet,
featuring ACB Member and former First VP, Brian
Charlson, an inspiring presentation from Tucson
native Dan Green, and the presentation of our
scholarships for 2012.
 The Annual AzCB Business Meeting, where you can
participate in annual Board elections and the chance
to impact the future direction of the organization.
 A number of events where you can have fun as you
reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
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I want to close by thanking the entire AzCB
Convention Planning Committee as well as our Board
of Directors, all of whom have worked hard to make
this year’s convention an event you will not want to
miss. Mostly, I want to thank each of you for being
here. This is your convention, and the AzCB is your
organization, and our success depends on each and
every one of you.
So have fun; learn a lot; and if you need anything, come
see us at the Convention Registration Table, or give me a
call.
I look forward to meeting each and every one of you.
Sharon Carpenter
AzCB Convention Coordinator
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Hotel Overview
With gorgeous weather and beautiful Sonoran Desert
surroundings, you couldn’t choose a better spot. The
landmark Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Tucson-Reid Park is
conveniently located just four miles from downtown
Tucson and minutes from all Tucson has to offer,
including the University of Arizona, Tucson Desert golf
and much more. If you want to take advantage of worldclass shopping, award-winning dining, Tucson’s vibrant
nightlife and prized attractions, there’s no better place to
stay.
Our guestrooms and suites boast a contemporary,
comfortable decor with luxurious, Sweet Dreams®
bedding, 42” flat screen televisions featuring HD
channels, high-speed internet access, refrigerators,
coffee and tea by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, CITRON
Honey & Coriander by Crabtree & Evelyn bath products
and generous work spaces. Many guestrooms offer patios
overlooking our lush citrus lined courtyard or dramatic
views of the Tucson Mountains and Santa Catalina
Mountains.
After a day of sight-seeing, shopping or meetings enjoy a
workout in our Precor® Fitness facility or relax by our
sparkling pool and whirlpool. Wind down with family and
friends in our atrium Lobby Bar or dine in at the Cactus
Rose Steakhouse or Javelina Cantina.
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Features and Highlights
 8 spacious suites, 1 presidential suite and 3 casitas
 Cactus Rose Steakhouse with patio fireside dining
serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch, voted
Best Sunday Brunch in Tucson
 Javelina Cantina serving contemporary Southwestern
cuisine in a casual setting for lunch and dinner
 Fitness center with Precor® fitness equipment
 Three tennis courts
 Massage therapy provided by Peaceful Spirit
 Complimentary shuttle service within a 3-mile radius
 Gift shop featuring unique southwest jewelry, fun
clothing and accessories
 22,000 square feet of flexible event space plus
stunning outdoor venues
 Expansive resort setting with heated pool and
whirlpool
 Across the street from Reid Park, featuring 25 tennis
courts, 2 LPGA golf courses, and the Reid Park Zoo.
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Important Phone Numbers
Hotel Main – (520) 881-4200
Hotel Extensions
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Front Desk – 5364
Careline for all your hotel requests - 3
Concierge Desk - 5360
Bell Stand - 5360
Housekeeping – 5320
Hotel Maintenance/Engineering – 5214
Room Service – 5372
Cactus Rose Steakhouse – 5370
Javelina Cantina - 5373
Hotel Gift Shop – 5252
Peaceful Spirit (for professional massage services) –
4201
 High-speed Internet/WIFI technical support – 1-877474-2411
 Hotel Operator - 0
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Official Conference Program and
Schedule
Thursday, April 19
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Conference and Convention
Registration – Hotel Lobby – All Convention attendees,
including members, guests, exhibitors and speakers must
register. There is no fee for exhibitors or speakers who
do not plan to attend Convention programs, other than
their own booth or workshop.
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Meeting of the AzCB Resolutions,
Constitution and Bylaws Committee – Ted Chittenden,
Chairman – Board Room
5:00 pm – 9:30 pm – Dinner at the Gas Light Theater –
Transportation will depart from the Hotel Lobby. (This
event requires pre-registration; check at the Convention
Registration Desk for more details.)
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm – AzCB Hospitality Suite –
Presidential Suite 915 -Reconnect with old friends and
make new ones. We’ll have light snacks, refreshments
and conversation.
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Friday, April 20
7:30 am – 9:00 am – Continental Breakfast – Boojum
Foyer – Free for all Convention registrants
7:30 am – 12:00 pm – Conference and Convention
Registration – Boojum Foyer – All Convention attendees,
including members, guests, exhibitors and speakers must
register. There is no fee for exhibitors or speakers who
do not plan to attend Convention programs, other than
their own booth or workshop.
8:00 am – 5:00 pm – Bonsai - Exhibits Hall open to all
Convention Registrants – For more information about our
2012 Exhibits Area, see the Exhibits Showcase section of
the program.
9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Boojum - 2012 General Session
9:00 – Call to Order, Introductions and Pledge of
Allegiance – Ron Brooks, AzCB President.
9:05 – Welcome from the 2012 AzCB Conference and
Convention Coordinator –Sharon Carpenter, AzCB
Secretary and Conference and Convention Coordinator.
9:10 – Welcome from the Session Sponsor – Plastic
Safety Systems, Inc.
9:15 – President’s Address - “From a Century of Effort to
a Future of Growth” – Ron Brooks, AzCB President.
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9:25 – Keynote Address - David Fitzsimmons, Editorial
Cartoonist, Arizona Daily Star, Tucson – Mr. Fitzsimmons
has been awarded the Lee Spirit Award which “recognizes
outstanding citizenship and personal commitment to the
community. In the past year, he made 118 personal
appearances, before crowds as small as two dozen and
as large as 1,500, inspiring young people, entertaining
senior citizens and helping raise hundreds of thousands
of dollars for good causes
9:55 – “Report from the ACB Representative” – Kim
Charlson, First Vice-President, American Council of the
Blind, Watertown, MA.
10:10 - “Update from the Arizona RSA” – Ms. Katherine
M Levandowsky, Administrator, Arizona Rehabilitation
Services Administration, Phoenix.
10:30 – Break
10:45 – Welcome from the Session Sponsor – A-Z Bus
Sales, Inc.
10:50 - “EMvia: Who We Are and What We Do” – Danielle
Callahan, Development Director, EMvia, Tucson.
11:00 “Update from Sun Sounds of Arizona” – Mitzi
Tharin,
Tucson Station Manager, Sun Sounds of Arizona, Tucson.
11:15 – Update from the Arizona Braille and Talking Book
Library – Christine Tuttle, Outreach Librarian / Special
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Services Supervisor, Arizona State Braille & Talking Book
Library, Phoenix.
11:30 – Overview of Disability Resources at Pima
Community College – Barry Richards, Disability
Resources Center, Pima Community College, Tucson.
11:45 – Report from the AzCB Constitution, Bylaws and
Resolutions Committee – Ted Chittenden, Chairman,
Phoenix.
11:55 – Report from the AzCB Nominating Committee –
Dan Martinez, Chairman, Phoenix.
12:00 pm – Break for Lunch - Pick up your box lunch and
either catch some sun on the hotel patio or join us in the
Exhibits Hall where you can visit, eat and check out the
technologies, products and services our vendors have to
offer for people who are blind or visually impaired.
1:30 – Workshop - “Friends, Followers and Connections:
How Groups and Individuals Can Use Social Media to
Connect, to Inform and to Build Influence” – Presenters:
Lisa Brooks, AzCB Social Media and Website
Administrator, Phoenix; Daniel Green, Computer
Instructor, Pima Community College, Tucson; Brian
Charlson, Director of Computer Training Services, Carroll
Center for the Blind, Newton, MA.
2:30 – Break
2:45 - ”From Little Puppies do Big Guide Dogs Grow” –
Learn about the journey puppies take to become
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candidates for training as a guide dog. Lori Murphy,
Volunteer Puppy Raiser Coordinator, Guide Dogs of the
Desert, Palm Springs, CA.
3:45 – General Session Concludes
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm – Guide Dog Users of Arizona
Business Meeting – GDUA was formed to provide a
community for Arizona guide dog users and other
individuals concerned about the specific issues facing
guide dog users who live, work and travel in Arizona. The
purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the future
direction and goals of the affiliate, to hold elections for
officers and to plan upcoming activities for the group.
2012 AzCB Scholarship and Awards Banquet
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Boojum Foyer - Pre-Banquet Mixer
– Join us for refreshments and a cash bar as you mix,
mingle and prepare for a night of fun and celebration.
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Boojum - 2012 AzCB Banquet –
Master of Ceremonies – Brian Charlson, American Council
of the Blind, Watertown, MA.
Banquet Program
 Introduction of Special Guests
 Keynote Address: “Transforming Present Effort into
Future Success” – Dan Green, President, National
Beepball Association, Tucson.
 Introduction of 2012 John Vanlandingham and Dr.
Frank H. Kells Memorial Scholarship Recipients – Gail
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Wilte, Chairperson, Scholarship Committee, Phoenix
and Janet Kells, AzCB Member, Tucson.
 Announcements
9:00 pm – Midnight – Presidential Suite 915 - PostConvention Party – Game Night –Join us for an
evening of refreshments, beverages, games and
conversation in the AzCB Hospitality Suite. This will
be a time of fun, relaxation and friendly competition.
Saturday, April 21
7:30 am – 9:00 am – Continental Breakfast – Boojum
Foyer – Free for all Convention registrants
7:30 am – 9:30 am - Conference and Convention
Registration - Boojum Foyer – All Convention attendees,
including members, guests, exhibitors and speakers must
register. Voting members who have not previously
registered must check in at the registration desk.
8:30 am – 9:15 am – Membership Forum – This is an
open forum where members can share thoughts,
questions and concerns about the AzCB. Conversation
Moderator - Ron Brooks, AzCB President.
9:30 am – 12:00 pm – 2012 AzCB Business Meeting – All
members are urged to attend our 2012 Annual Business
Meeting. This is your chance to hear what’s happening, to
give your input to our policies, programs and future
activities. We will also hold elections at this meeting. The
tentative agenda is as follows:
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1. Call to Order/Introductions
2. Approval of Minutes from 2011 AzCB Business
Meeting
3. 2012 Treasurer’s Report
4. 2012 President’s Report
5. Committee Reports, including:
a. Membership
b. Public Relations
c. Advocacy and Legislation
d. Fundraising
e. Scholarships
f. BRIEF
g. Resolutions, Constitution and Bylaws
h. Nominations
i. Convention
6. Old Business
7. New Business
a. Election of Officers and Directors
b. Proposed Amendments to the AzCB Constitution
and Bylaws
c. Proposed Resolutions for Adoption by the AzCB
8. Other Business
9. Chapter Updates
a. Guide Dog Users of Arizona
b. Maricopa Club of the Blind
c. Phoenix Chapter of the AzCB
d. Southern Arizona Chapter of the AzCB
10.
Announcements
11.
Adjournment
12:00 pm – Hotel Checkout
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12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – Palo Verde - Post-Convention
Board Meeting – Required for All outgoing and incoming
Board Members.
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Tour to the Arizona School for the
Deaf and Blind – On February 14, 2012, the State of
Arizona celebrated its Centennial Birthday, but no less
importantly, the AzSDB is also turning 100 years old. Join
in the celebration by visiting the school and learning
about the vital role it has played and which it will
continue to play in the lives of so many blind and visually
impaired Arizonans. Transportation will leave from the
Hotel Lobby at 1:00 pm. (This event requires preregistration; check at the Convention Registration Desk
for more details.)
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Exhibitor Spotlight
One of the most informative and interesting aspects of
our Annual Conference and Convention is the Annual
Product Showcase where our exhibitors introduce visitors
to the latest and greatest blindness and low-vision
technologies, products and services available in Arizona.
We deeply appreciate the dedication and support which
our exhibitors show—many have been with us for years.
 Arizona Braille and Talking Book Library –
http://www.lib.az.us/braille
 Desert Low Vision Services –
Http://www.desertlowvisionservices.com
 Digital Apex, LLC – http://www.mydigitalapex.com
 Dots and Dogs – http://www.dotsanddogs.com
 Guide Dogs for the Blind –
http://www.guidedogs.com
 Next Level and Freedom Scientific –
http://www.lowvisionsolutions.com
 Plastic Safety Systems –
http://www.plasticsafety.com
 SunSounds of Arizona – http://www.sunsounds.org
 The Seeing Eye – http://www.seeingeye.org
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AzCB Officers and Board Members
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President – Ron Brooks
First Vice-President – Daniel Martinez
Second Vice-President – Ruth Druding
Secretary – Sharon Carpenter
Treasurer – Timothy S. Connell
Board Member – Barbara McDonald
Board Member – Jessica Arnold
Board Member – Ted Chittenden
Board Member – David Steinmetz