General Sessions
AER Opening Session and Keynote Speaker, Wednesday, July 18
Singer, Actor, Author, Writer and Producer,
Tom Sullivan
Singer, Actor, Author, Writer, Producer, Tom Sullivan lives and works by “Sullivan’s Rules.” Invented by his dad, Porky Sullivan, so young Tommy Sullivan could play baseball with the neighborhood kids, “the rules” became the cornerstone by which the adult Tom Sullivan came to live his life, turning any negative into a positive, turning disadvantage into advantage, playing in every game.
Mr. Sullivan has authored over a dozen books, written and starred in numerous television sitcoms, such as Mork & Mindy, WKRP in Cincinnati, and Designing Women and is currently writing and producing films for television major motion pictures. He has also created a series for ESPN, titled Superior Beings. The first special, profiling the amazing courage and accomplishment of some extraordinary individuals, has aired and is set to become a series prime time.
For over thirty years, Tom Sullivan has been one of the most sought-after inspirational speakers on the circuit. His interests and insights, his pride and patriotism, his wisdom and passion for excellence have motivated audiences all over the world.
Join us as Mr. Sullivan talks about his challenges, accomplishments and stregnth in the human spirit, Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm! This session is included in your registration fee.
Also featured as the AER 2012 Anthem Singers:
Meka White is blind but has not let that slow her down at all! She is a Massage Therapist and President of her local chapter of the American Council of the Blind. Music and performing are her passions and she’s working toward making them her career. She is from Bremerton, Washington.
Nick Baker has been into music almost from the moment he was born. Nick has perfect pitch and almost instant recall (he literally can hear a new piece of music one time and play it perfectly). Nick earned a degree in musical performance and has earned honors in both classical voice and classic piano juries from Edmonds Community College. Nick is also a graduate of the Washington State School for the Blind. His first CD, Think Positive, was released in June 2001. His newest release is –“This One’s for You: A Collection of Jazz Standards". He is from Edmonds, Washington.
Thursday Morning Opening General Session, July 19th at 8:15 a.m.
Friday General Session, July 20th at 9:00 am
Panel on Assistive Technology
"Assistive Technology Competencies for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments: A National Study"
Presenters:
Nora Griffin-Shirley, Ph.D., Texas Tech University,Lubbock, TX
Derrick Smith, Ed. D,
Univeristy of Alabama, Huntsville, AL
Phoebe Okungo, Texas Tech University,
Lubbock, TX
For practicing teachers of the visually impaired (TVIs), assistive technology AT has assumed an important role in the education of students with visual impairments for assessment and content learning. Little research has addressed this area; therefore, the purpose of the present study was to identify TVIs' self-perceived possession of AT knowledge and skills. This presentation will reveal the results of an online survey rating their level of expertise they perceived themselves to possess regarding AT knowledge and skills.
"Use of Assistive Technology by Students with Visual Impairments:
Findings from National Surveys"
Presenter:
Stacy Kelly, Ed.D., COMS,
Illinois State University, Normal, IL
A recent series of studies will be described that investigated the use of assistive technology by students who are visually impaired through a secondary analysis of nationally representative databases. Practical recommendations will be provided.
Saturday General Session, July 21st at 1:30 p.m.
Jim Fruchterman
CEO & Founder, Benetech
Join us as we welcome Jim Fruchterman, social entrepreneur and CEO of Benetech, a nonprofit technology company based in Palo Alto, California. A technology entrepreneur and engineer, Fruchterman has been a rocket scientist, founded two of the foremost optical character recognition companies, and developed reading machines for people with disabilities. Fruchterman founded Calera Recognition Systems and RAF Technology, Inc. both of which were based on optical character recognition technology.
In 1989, Fruchterman founded Arkenstone, a nonprofit social enterprise, to produce reading machines, based on the Calera technology, for people who are blind. Arkenstone changed its name to Benetech in 2000 and began creating new technology for people with disabilities, the human rights and environmental conservation communities. Benetech’s programs include Bookshare, the world’s largest accessible online library for people with print disabilities. Fruchterman received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2006 in recognition of his work as a pioneering social entrepreneur. He believes that technology is the ultimate leveler, allowing disadvantaged people to achieve more equality in society.