2020 National Federation of the Blind of South Dakota State Convention Agenda

SATURDAY OCTOBER 24, 2020
ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE
James Koenechne, President

CONVENTION AGENDA

9 a.m. CST Open mic and coffee time for intros
10 a.m. CST Start time
10:15 a.m. Prayer, pledge and welcome Reverend Jill Kundtz
10:20-11:15 a.m. NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND, President Mark Ricobono
11:05-11:15 a.m. Break
11:15-11:45 a.m. SBVI Gaye Matke and Sandy Neyhart, South Dakota Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
11:45-11:50 a.m. Break
11:50 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Guide dog school experience Pam Fisher
12:30-1:30 p.m. Lunch possibly with open mic
1:30-1:50 p.m. National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, Carlton Walker
1:50-2:05 p.m. Update from the Talking Book Library, Connie Sullivan
2:05-2:10 p.m. Break/door prize
2:10-2:25 p.m. BLIND Inc. in Minneapolis, Rachel Kuntz, Resource development coordinator
2:25-2:30 Break
2:30-2:45 p.m. About learning Braille as an adult and teaching children Braille, Treva Olivero
2:45-2:50 p.m. Break
2:50-3:05 p.m. Louisiana Center for the Blind, free screen reader and tech gadgets, Jack Mendez, Director of technology at the Louisiana Center of the Blind
3:05 p.m. Break and door prizes
3:30 p.m. Annual business meeting
4:30 p.m. Closing banquet speech, Mark Ricobono
5:30 p.m. Adjourn

ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS

Gaye Matke

Gaye Mattke has worked for Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired since 1990 and has been director since 2001. She has served on a variety of boards and councils addressing services for South Dakotan’s with disabilities. She’s a member of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation; the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind, and South Dakota Rehab. Action. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with family and spoiling her grandchildren.

Sandy Neyhart

Sandy has been the Program Specialist for the Older Blind Independent Living program with Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI) since 2002. Sandy has worked in the disability field since 1993 when she was employed by the Department of Education Birth to Three Program before working with SBVI. Sandy also worked as a Social Worker with Child Protection Services in an earlier career after graduating from Northern State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Service to the Blind & Visually Impaired’ s Independent Living Older Blind program provides IL services to individuals who are age 55 and older whose significant visual impairment makes competitive employment extremely difficult to attain but for whom independent goals are feasible.

Jack Mendez

Jack Mendez has served as director of technology for Louisiana center for the blind for the last 9 years. He trains students to use adaptive technology to achieve there vocational goals.

Treva Olivero

Treva Olivero currently works as a Paraprofessional for Lincoln Parish Schools, and she contracts with other school districts as an Assistive Technology Instructor. She has her Master of Education from Louisiana Tech University. She has certifications in teaching blind students, elementary education, teaching students with mild disabilities, and Unified English Braille.

Rachel Kuntz

I am honored to have the opportunity to work at one of three National Federation of the Blind Adjustment to Blindness Training Centers. I never expected to find myself in a career that involved teaching anyone but here I am. In 2017, I had the privilege of attending the training program here as a Residential Student. BLIND, Inc. supported me and raised my expectations of myself at every step of my training. As a result, I have regained the confidence I need to deal with the world and its low expectations of blindness.

I have a bachelor of science in Financial Services from Wright State University. I have a gorgeous son in college in Florida. I have had a variety of jobs from account management, executive assistant, to sales. I have given many hours to community projects. I served on the board of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio. I try not to limit myself and enjoy new challenges.

I believe in the philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind and want to help those who are new to blindness find the confidence to continue to live their fullest lives. I look forward to working alongside you.

Pamela Fisher

I am from Rapid City. I learned about my blindness when I was 15 years old. I had a wonderful family support system who encouraged me to do anything I wanted to do. I started a job with Wendy's at age 17 and worked my way up to management and one day running my own store as a General Manager.

When I became a mother of two I made the choice to become a stay at home mom. I worked for Wendy's for twenty-one years. I still wanted to work in some way so I am now a Norwex Sales Consultant. I am loving the ability to work from home, around my kids busy schedules and creating safe havens.

My hobbies include hiking, water skiing, swimming, watching sports, any adventures that include my family.