FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

3:30 PM – 5:45 PM
Adaptive Technology and Blindness Resource Exhibit and demonstrations: featuring National Network for Equitable Library Services, Oriano Belusic, Heidi Propp, Aedan Staddon.

Demo Apple computer with VoiceOver, Windows 8, NVDA, and more. learn abouthow to access digital audio books through public libraries, check out Federation literature.

5:30 PM – 6 PM
On Site Registration

6:15 PM
Welcoming Celebration Dinner

8 PM
Festive Fireside
Enjoy icebreakers, Federation conversation, and the talents of your colleagues. Weather permitting, we’ll gather around an outdoor campfire. If it’s cool or rainy, we’ll relax in front of a fireplace in the Lodge.

SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014

7:45 AM
Breakfast

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM
On Site Registration

9 AM – 3:30 PM
Full-Day Conference
MC: Mary Ellen Gabias, President of the Canadian Federation of the Blind

9 AM – 9:15 AM
Invocation: Donna Hudon.
Introductions and convention arrangements.
Door Prize and auction: Gus Thorn our “loud and Proud” door prize chairman.
(Door prizes and auction items will be interspersed throughout the convention.)

9:15 AM – 9:35 AM
Breaking The Mold: from Clienthood to Citizenship – President,Mary Ellen Gabias.

9:35 AM – 10:00 AM
Report from the National Federation of the Blind – Gary Wunder, Editor, “Braille Monitor”.

10:00 AM – 10:40 AM
Shaping Blind Justice: a Panel Discussion – Graeme McCreath, moderator; Juliana Dalley, Canadian Legal Assistance Society (CLAS); Oriano Belusic, CFB First Vice President; Elizabeth Lalonde, CFB Immediate Past President.

10:40 AM – 11:00 AM
NNELS – Then and Now – Allan Carlson, Project Management Specialist, Libraries Branch, Province of British Columbia.

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Blind People in Charge: Report from the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind –PTC staff and program participants.

11:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Fifteen for Funds

12 PM – 1:15 PM
Lunch, plate service, included as part of registration.

1:15 PM – 1:35 PM
Opportunities and Challenges for Blind People in the 21st century Work Environment-Gary Wunder, formerly Systems Analyst and current magazine editor, Columbia, Missouri.

1:35 PM – 2:35 PM
Creating Your Place in the Workforce: Blind Workers Speak Out –a panel discussion – Oriano Belusic, moderator; .

2:35 – 3:05 PM
Breaking the Mold Through the Martial Arts – Johnny Tai, counsellor, self-defense instructor, and competitive martial artist.

3:05 PM – 3:15 PM
Reports, resolutions, and discussion.

3:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Break.

3:30 PM – 6:15 PM
Make Your Own Mold – Choose from a variety of activities:
Experience an introductory lesson in the martial arts.
Learn how to use the new NNELS Library Service.
Take a nature hike on an island trail.
Walk to town and visit local boutique shops.
Relax in the Lodge’s hot tub.

6:15 PM to 9:30 PM
Banquet (Cost of dinner is included in registration fee)
Master of Ceremonies: Graeme McCreath.
Banquet Address: Gary Wunder.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

7:45 AM
Breakfast and Annual General Meeting.

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors who have made this Convention a success:
Victoria Imperial Lions Club;
Knights of Columbus, Father De Lestre Council, Kelowna, British Columbia;
Island Savings Credit Union, Victoria, British Columbia.

Thank you to the businesses and individuals who donated door prizes and auction items.
Finally, thank you to all the people who contributed to the success of this convention. See you next year!