"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." – Will Rogers

MARY T. ADAMS SEMINAR AND ANNUAL MEETING

By Nancy Johnson

The topic for the fifth annual Mary T. Adams Educational Seminar is congenital vision impairments and blindness. Fees have not been finalized. Members of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired and Blind (AER) will pay a reduced rate, since they are helping KABVI with the expense of the seminar. A Professional rate and a consumer rate will be charged. Persons who provide treatment or professional services to blind and visually impaired individuals will pay the professional rate. Continuing Education credit will be available for the professional groups.

Dr. Karen Wolffe will speak for one hour on “Career Education Needs of Congenitally Blind Children, and a second hour on “Transition – Top Ten Tips”; Peter Valentine, Florence G. Kline Professor of Philosophy, University of Missouri Colombia will discuss (one hour) “Ethical Dilemmas in Congenital Disorders; Linda Lawrence, M.D., two hours on “Congenital Eye Diseases”; and, Paul Edwards will provide an hour on transition from high school of students who are congenitally blind. Venders’ exhibits will be arranged for Friday.

KABVI has arranged for a block of rooms – 10 Thursday, 30 Friday, and 20 Saturday, November 4, 5, and 6 – at the Holiday Inn West Holidome in Topeka for the seminar and annual meeting. The rate will be $68 plus tax for one in the room and $74 for two. With tax, the rooms will cost between $75 and $80 per night. This is a saving of approximately $15 per night over the standard charge. The block will be held until two to three weeks prior to the meeting dates, so reservations need to be made early. Contact the Holiday Inn directly for reservations and tell them you are attending the AER/KABVI meetings. Meal and registration costs have not been finalized. KABVI cannot, as we did last year, bring in our own meals. Health laws require that, since the facility has kitchens, food service must be provided through them. An annual meeting packet with complete information is planned for early August. Watch for it in the mail. The theme for this year’s meeting is “Confidence Builders and Blindness”.

The week end will include the Mary T. Adams Educational Seminar on Friday, November 5; the KABVI Annual Meeting on Saturday, November 6; and, the post-convention board of directors meeting the morning of Sunday, November 7. Members and other interested persons are welcome to attend all events. A hospitality room will be available Friday evening so folks can renew acquaintances and catch up on gossip.

Paul Edwards, who will also participate in the Mary T. Adams seminar, will be the luncheon speaker at the annual meeting. Those of us who have heard him speak will attest to his being an interesting and entertaining speaker.