Annual Meeting 2023 Wrap Up

This October, APH hosted the Annual Meeting of APH Ex Officio Trustees (EOTs) with our EOT Census Assistants, Online Ordering Assistants, TVIs, and many other attendees from across the field. We were excited to welcome everyone back to our hometown of Louisville, Kentucky to focus on innovation while learning and connecting with others.

Preconference

Annual Meeting kicked off with related meetings from our friends across the field and the National Prison Braille Network. Through the National Prison Braille Network, we were able to offer tours of the Kentucky Correctional Institution.

Many attendees took part in our exciting preconference sessions. These sessions included a trip down the Braille Tech Highway, a chance to learn about and experience the technology of the Monarch, interactive puzzles with tactile electronics, opportunities to get hands-on with some of our inclusive STEM products for learners with diverse instructional needs, and so much more!

Keynote: Mark Riccobono

The keynote speech was delivered by Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. His speech was filled with strong statements and personal stories regarding the limitless potential of people who are blind and what “innovate” truly means as it pertains to the field of blindness.

“It’s not enough to center our work on blind people,” Mr. Riccobono said. “We have to truly believe in blind people to the point where we don’t know the limits of blind people…Be daring enough to be led by blind people and be humble enough to innovate in your own life.”

State of the Company

In the opening session, APH President Dr. Craig Meador gave his annual presentation on the State of the Company. This year, he took a more informal approach, focusing on the importance of the work done by EOTs, TVIs, and numerous others who are involved in the field of blindness.

“You are engaged in important and life-changing work,” Dr. Meador said. “Be sure to tell your story and invite people in…allow yourself to feel thankful that you are in a purpose-driven line of work.”

Much of this session was dedicated to The Dot Experience, APH’s upcoming world-class museum that will “change perspectives about blindness, spur insight and action that welcomes everyone, and lead as a model museum of inclusivity and accessibility.” Jo Haas and Marje Kaiser, both members of the museum committee, spoke at length about the vision for the new museum and read aloud descriptions of several renderings of different areas and exhibits that The Dot Experience will feature.

Award Winners

Following the State of the Company, the 2023 recipients of the Horizon, Navigator, and Wings of Freedom Awards were honored. Deane B. Blazie accepted the Horizon award for his significant contributions to braille technology. In 1987, Blaize created the revolutionary Braille ‘n’ Speak, a pocket note taker like today’s Personal Digital Assistants.

Be My Eyes received the Navigator award for their tireless efforts to remove barriers and make the world more accessible for people who are blind or low vision. The Be My Eyes app connects people needing sighted support with volunteers and companies through live video.

The Wings of Freedom award, the highest honor presented by APH, was received by Larry Skutchan, a pioneer of indoor navigation who played a major part in the development of many incredible products, including the Mantis Q40, BrailleBlaster, and so much more.

Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony honored the two most recent Hall of Fame inductees: Dr. Carl Augusto, Executive Director of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) from 1991 to 2016, and the late Dr. Verna Hart, an educator and administrator who left a significant impact on thousands of students and teachers throughout her career.

Concurrent Sessions and APH Solutions

The power of innovation was a common thread throughout many of our concurrent sessions presented by prominent leaders and educators in the blindness field. The wide variety of topics covered included Braille Products for Adult Learners, Music Education for All, Creating Literacy Opportunities for Students with CVI, Creative Ways to Adapt Materials, The Dot Experience, the Monarch, Power Up Braille Literacy with Polly, Sherlock’s Escape Room: Get a Clue, and so much more!

From the APH Hive and the Center of Assistive Technology (CATT) program to accessible STEM products, braille literacy products, and beyond, the APH Solutions Hall gave attendees the opportunity to get hands-on with educational tools and technology and take a deep dive into the services we offer. This year, participants were able to enter a drawing to win APH products and APH branded merch after completing a punch card that required a visit to every table in the Solutions Hall.

All the Light We Cannot See

This year, Annual Meeting attendees were given the special opportunity to see the first episode of Netflix’s limited series All the Light We Cannot See before it is available to stream in November. The screening took place at the Kentucky Science Center and was followed by a Q & A conversation with Associate Producer/Blindness and Accessibility Consultant Joe Strechay and APH President, Dr. Craig Meador.

InSights Art

The InSights Art exhibit and awards honored artists who are blind or low vision of all ages and ended Annual Meeting on a high note. The exhibit was open for the duration of the conference, but many of the artists came in person on Friday night for the Meet the Artists event, which allowed them to talk with Annual Meeting attendees about their work in an informal setting. Afterwards at the banquet, artists took to the stage to accept awards after their piece was displayed on a large screen and expertly described by APH staff members.

You can find a full list of this year’s winners and learn more about the competition on the InSights Art webpage.

We want to thank all of our attendees for joining us for a wonderful Annual Meeting. We hope to see you again in Louisville next year at a new venue!