ACBVA 2026 State Convention
November 6–8, 2026
Preliminary Agenda
Theme: The Future Is Ours! Shaping What’s Next.

Please note: This is a preliminary agenda and subject to updates. Final details will be shared closer to the event.

Friday, November 6: Welcome & Connect

3:00 PM – Registration and Exhibits Open

5:00 PM – Hospitality Hour

6:30 PM – Icebreaker

7:00 PM – Discovering Unlimited Possibilities Together: Cultivate Your Vision, Your Leadership, Our Future

Facilitator: Kenneth Semien Sr., Second Vice-President, ACB

Envision yourself wearing an “ACBVA’s Got Enthusiasm” T-shirt and cap as you show up to the seminar to learn proven and simplified strategies to identify and stimulate thoughts of ways to give back that you never imagined. Gain insight and inspiration into the power within you beyond concerns of limitations.

8:15 PM – Building ACBVA Together: Your Voice Matters

Facilitators: RoseAnn Ashby, Acting President, ACBVA; Theresa Breeden, Interim Vice-President and Treasurer, ACBVA

This is your chance to help shape ACBVA’s future. Share what’s working, what could be better, and what you’d like to see next. Your ideas and feedback will help us build a stronger ACBVA together.9:00 PM – Trivia

Saturday, November 7: Learn, Explore & Celebrate

8:00 AM – Exhibits Open

9:00 AM – Opening Ceremony

Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, introductions, and review of the agenda.

9:30 AM – Session 1: Cruising the Commonwealth – Getting Smart and Going Faster…

Presenter: Ron Brooks, Senior Director – Policy and Partnership, UZURV, Richmond, VA

Transportation options for blind and visually impaired Virginians vary widely, from buses and paratransit to microtransit and dial-a-ride programs, with rural communities often facing greater challenges.

This presentation will explore innovative transportation services expanding across Virginia, including microtransit, dial-a-ride, and on-demand paratransit. You’ll also learn about UZURV’s free online advocacy toolkit and how you can strengthen your voice for accessible transportation. RoseAnn Ashby will close with a brief discussion of ACBVA’s upcoming January advocacy efforts with the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond.

10:45 AM – Break

11:00 AM – Session 2: The Sighted Screen: An Interactive AI Co-Pilot Workshop…

Presenter: Rajiv Shah, Shah Access Services

Artificial Intelligence has evolved far beyond simple voice assistants; today’s AI can act as a real-time co-pilot for both your digital workspace and your physical environment. In this interactive session, we will explore practical applications of today’s top AI tools—including ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, and new action-oriented agents like Guide. Rather than a standard presentation, this session will be driven by audience participation. Together, we will use live demonstrations to decode inaccessible apps, refinel documents, and use camera AI to navigate our surroundings. We will also discuss the potential perils of AI—such as “hallucinations” and data privacy—and share best practices for protecting your personal information while safely leveraging this technology.

12:00 PM – Pick Up Your Box Lunch, Check Out Exhibits, and Bid on Silent Auction Items

2:00 PM – Session 3:

Gaming Accessibility: From Player to Advocate

Presenter: Chris O’Meally, Accessible Gaming Advocate

Discover how gaming is becoming more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. Chris O’Meally shares his journey from struggling to play video games alongside family and friends as a child to working with major game studios to improve accessibility. Along the way, he’ll explore how advocacy, technology, relationship-building, and a passion for gaming can open doors—and how others can get involved in accessible gaming and the industry.

2:45 PM – Break

3:00 PM – Session 4: Hear from Blind and Low Vision Athletes

Facilitators: April Allen and Donna Clarke
Invited Athletes: Jillian Bante, Kevin Brown, Lisa Calhoun, Doug Goist, and Marcia Harvey

Hear from blind and low vision athletes and discover exciting accessible sports. You might even find a new sport you’re ready to try!

4:30 PM – Break

4:45 PM – Session 5: Latest in Vision Research

Presenter: Chad R. Jackson, PhD, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Senior Director, Preclinical Translational Research Program

Discover what’s new in vision research and learn about emerging studies, treatments, and discoveries that could shape the future of vision care and vision loss.

4:30 PM – Breakout Session: Creative Card-Making Workshop

Facilitator: Laura Rae

Join award-winning artist and published poet Laura Rae for a fun, hands-on workshop. Hear about her creative journey and techniques, then create your own fall, birthday, or holiday greeting card.

6:00 PM – Banquet

7:00 PM – Keynote: The Future Is Yours: Shaping What Happens Next

Keynote Speaker: Elizabeth Oleksa

Elizabeth shares a personal journey of resilience and transformation, showing how life’s unexpected turns can awaken our greatest strength. Discover how our choices, perspective, and mindset can help us shape the future from the inside out.

Continue connecting with Elizabeth and learn more about her work:

Elizabeth Oleksa on Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Eh4mYuynq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Elizabeth Oleksa’s Author Page on Amazon⁠: https://www.amazon.com/author/elizabetholeksa

7:45 PM – Get Your highest Bids in on the Wonderful Silent Auction Items

8:30 PM – Auction Bidding Ends and Winners Are Announced!

9:00 PM – Karaoke

9:00 PM – Accessible Gaming Demo Station

Ready to play? Stop by Chris’s gaming station for a hands-on demonstration of Stardew Valley, an accessible farming and life simulation game. Designed to be playable by people who are blind while still offering graphics for players with some usable vision, it’s an easy and fun introduction to accessible gaming.

No gaming experience required—come explore, listen, play, and see what accessible gaming is all about!

Sunday, November 8: Wrap-Up & Reflect

9:15 AM – Rick Mitchell, Commissioner, DBVI (Invited)

Hear the latest news, updates, and developments from DBVI’s Rick Mitchell.

10:00 AM – Business Meeting

All ACBVA members are encouraged to attend. We’ll elect Board members, hear reports from our officers, and listen to the great progress our committees have made.12:00 PM – Adjourn