2026 State Convention Agenda
Louisville, Kentucky
October 23 to October 25
Welcome to the 79th Annual State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky!
Location: Hilton Garden Inn Northeast located at 9850 Park Plaza Ave, Louisville, Kentucky 40241
The Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky welcomes you to our 79th annual state convention. We are pleased that you have joined us for this exciting and informative event!
NFB of Kentucky Board of Directors:
Executive Board:
Angela Henderson, President - Ashland
Ashley Swafford, 1st Vice President - Louisville
Sandra Williams, 2nd Vice President - Louisville
Danielle Burton, Interim Secretary - Louisville
Todd Stephens, Treasurer - Lexington
Board Members:
Jacob Hack - Louisville
Karen Mayne - Frankfort
Lora Stephens - Lexington
We welcome National Representative John Paré to the 2026 state convention. John serves as the Executive Director of Advocacy and Policy for the National Federation of the Blind.
Navigating the hotel
The NFB of Kentucky offers a special “Thank You” to our Platinum sponsor, GoodMaps. GoodMaps is an indoor navigational tool with smarter “way finding” technology. As a Platinum sponsor, GoodMaps has mapped the Hilton Garden Inn Northeast, so you have the perfect opportunity to check it out during the 2026 NFB state convention. To do this, simply download GoodMaps from the App Store or Google Play, select “Hilton Garden Inn NE Louisville” on the app, and begin to explore the hotel using the audible navigation cues provided by this amazing mobility tool.
Anthony Brettnacher Memorial Fund
The National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky is pleased to announce the creation of the Anthony Brettnacher Memorial Fund. Anthony was a beloved student in the NFB of Kentucky BELL Academy. Anthony’s sweet voice and positive outlook on life warmed the hearts of all who knew him. In honor of Anthony, the NFB of Kentucky is creating a fund that will allow blind and low vision children in Kentucky the opportunity to receive financial assistance to allow them to participate in educational and experiential opportunities that may be out of financial reach for them and their families. If you would like to contribute to this fund, you can visit the NFB of Kentucky website, click the Donate button, specify in the notes area that your donation is earmarked to the Anthony Brettnacher Memorial Fund. If you would like to donate cash in person at this convention, please see NFB of Kentucky 2nd Vice-President, Sandra Williams, and she will be pleased to accept your cash donation in honor of Anthony.
Friday October 23rd
8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. - Registration packet pick-up
15th Annual TAD Symposium
8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. - TAD Symposium Registration/ Check-In
9:00 a.m.-9:05 a.m. - Introductions and Housekeeping
Sandra Williams, Mistress of Ceremonies
9:05 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. – Updates from Vispero
Vispero Ryan Jones, VP, Software Product Management
9:45 a.m.-10:15 a.m. - When Technology Fails
Panel Discussion
10:15 a.m.-10:55 a.m. - Tactile Engineering, The Cadence Tablet
David Schleppinbach, CEO
11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. - Is This a Me Problem or an Accessibility Problem? Panel Discussion
11:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. - AM NFB-NEWSLINE® Highlights
Lora and Todd Stephens, NFB-NEWSLINE® Kentucky
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - GPS Travel Related Technology
Joe Hodge and Jacob Hack, TAD Board of Directors
12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m. - Lunch & Business Meeting
TAD Board of Directors
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. - Exhibit Hall
Please stop by and check out our exhibitors! NFB- Newsline ®; NFB PAC; Kentucky Talking Book Library (KTBL); Vispero; GoodMaps, American Printing House (APH); iCanConnect; Tactile Engineering; Procter & Gamble (P&G)
3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. - Resolutions Committee Meeting
Katie Adkins, Chair
Please join the Resolutions Committee as it meets to discuss and finalize the resolutions that will be brought before the general assembly during the annual business meeting on Sunday morning for consideration and vote for adoption by the membership. This is one of the most important aspects of our convention as our resolutions are how we develop policy for the organization.
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. - Sports and Recreation Group
Ashley Swafford & Sandra Williams, Co-Chairs
8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. - Annual NFB of KY Social
Highlighting the Coast-to- Coast Movement Challenge Dance-a-thon. The dance-a-thon will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 PM. A $5.00 entrance fee per person is required for all dance-a-thon participants. Participants will dance-battle for a chance to win a $25 gift card. All dancers will be awarded a mini trophy for participation. Proceeds from the dance-a-thon go to the NFB Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge. While not required, spectators of the dance-a-thon are encouraged to donate as well.
Adam’s Chill Cart will be on-site from 8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Bring cash and enjoy a delicious ice cream treat!
Ashley Swafford, Chair
Saturday October 24th
7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. Scholarship Breakfast for Scholarship Finalists and invited guests
8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. - Registration Packet Pick-up
General Session I
9:00 a.m.-9:15 a.m. - Call to order
Angela Henderson, President
Invocation, Ashley Swafford, First Vice President
NFB Belief Statement, Danielle Burton, Interim secretary
NFB Pledge, Karen Mayne, Board Member
A “Thank you to our Sponsors”, Jacob Hack, Board Member
9:15 a.m.-9:45 a.m. – Failure is Worth it
Dave Wilkinson
9:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m. - Report from our National Office
John Paré, National Representative
10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. - What's new with Vispero
Ryan Jones, VP of Software Marketing Management
11:00a.m.-11:15 a.m. - Asking the Allens: A Parenting Panel
Ashley Swafford, First Vice President
11:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. - Updates from The Kentucky Talking Book Library
Evan Hatter
11:30 a.m.-11:40 a.m. - Get on the PAC Plan!
Sandra Williams, Affiliate PAC Chair
11:40 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Financial Report
Todd Stephens, Treasurer
12:00 p.m.-12:15 p.m. - What’s New at AT Guys?
Jacob Hack
12:15 p.m.-12:30 p.m. - Youth Slam 20th Anniversary
Amelia Lillie, NFB KY Youth Engagement Representative and Danielle Burton, Former Youth Slam Participant
12:30 p.m. Adjournment until 2:00 p.m.
General Session II
2:00 p.m. - Call to Order
Angela Henderson, President
2:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. - Blindness and Mental Health: Beyond the Adjustment to Vision Loss
Aliceson Barger
2:30 p.m.-2:50 p.m. - Updates from the American Printing House for the Blind
Joe Hodge, APH Quality Engineer
2:50 p.m.-3:20 p.m. - Washington Seminar 101
Katie Adkins, Legislative Director, NFB of Kentucky; John Paré, Executive Director of Advocacy and Policy, NFB
3:20 p.m.-3:50 p.m. - 250 Years of Democracy and Accessible Voting
Lora Stephens, Board Member
3:50 p.m.-4:05 p.m. - What's Happening at the Kentucky School for the Blind
Peggy Sinclair-Morris, KSB Principal
4:05 p.m.-4:20 p.m. - Kentucky Governmental Updates
Justin Jeter, Governmental Specialist
4:20 p.m.-4:40 p.m. - Secretary Report from the 2025 State Convention Danielle Burton, Interim Secretary
4:40 p.m.-5:00 p.m. - What’s New With NFB-NewsLine®
Todd and Lora Stephens, NFB-NEWSLINE Kentucky
5:00 p.m.-5:20 p.m. - Accessibility at Procter & Gamble
Amy Delgado and Sumaira Latif
5:30 p.m. Adjournment until Annual Banquet at 7:00 p.m.
Annual Banquet 7:00 PM
Welcome: Ashley Swafford, Mistress of Ceremonies; First-Vice President
Invocation: Todd Stephens, Treasure
Recognition of Head Table: Ashley Swafford, Mistress of Ceremonies
Banquet Keynote Address: John Paré, National Representative
Special Presentation: Anthony Bretnatcher Memorial
Sandra Williams, Second Vice-President
Presentation of NFB of Kentucky Academic Scholarships:
Lora Stephens, Chair
Presentation of NFB of Kentucky Awards
Karen Mayne, Chair
Recognition of New and Returning Attendees
Raffle drawings and door prizes.
A “Thank You” to our Sponsors.
Adjournment
Sunday October 25
General Session III: Business Meeting
9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. - Presidential Report
Angela Henderson, President
9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Nominating Committee Report and Election of Executive Officers
Danielle Burton, Chair
10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Resolutions
Katie Adkins, Chair
10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. - Presentation of Charter for New Central KY Chapter
Angela Henderson, President
11:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. - Old Business
11:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. - New Business
11:30 a.m. - Adjournment
Exhibitor Acknowledgments
A special thank you to our 2026 NFB of Kentucky state convention exhibitors: NFB-NewsLine ®; GoodMaps; American Printing House for the Blind (APH); AT Guys; Kentucky Talking Book Library (KTBL); iCanConnect; Vispero; Procter & Gamble; Tactile Connections.
Sponsor Acknowledgements
We would also like to thank all the generous sponsors of the 2026 NFB of Kentucky state convention. Your generous donations help make this convention possible:
PLATINUM LEVEL:
GoodMaps;
TLQ Vending Services;
Karen and Buster Mayne; Todd and Lora Stephens
BRONZE LEVEL: Stephanie Davis; Angela and Ben Henderson; Alan Shrebtienko; Scott Spaulding
Thank you for attending the 2026 convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky! We can’t wait to see you next year!!!
NFB Pledge
I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.
NFB Belief Message
The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.