*Special Note: Have you booked your hotel room yet? Rooms are going fast! Our room block expires on February 4 or whenever rooms sell out, so book soon to avoid disappointment: online reservations or call 888-236-2427 and reference our conference to get the group rate.
Experts predict that by 2030, rates of vision loss will double along with the United States' aging population. Join us for the Aging and Vision Loss track to learn more about the unique needs and issues facing the older blind with vision loss.
Thursday, February 28
- AG14: Dementia and Vision Loss: The Role of the Rehabilitation Team—Moderator: Audrey Demmitt, RN; Presenters: Teepa Snow, OT, Positive Approach® to Care. Learn about dementia and its impact on teaching and learning new skills.
- AG24: Transportation for Older Adults with Vision Loss: Transitions, Options & Adaptations to Support Community Living—Presenter: Virginia Dize, M.S., N4A and Co-Director of the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center. This session will cover what the Center is doing nationally to promote the availability and accessibility of transportation options for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and communities.
- AG34: Popular Apps and Smart Speakers in the Home: Strategies for Reducing Social Isolation—Presenter: Steve Kelley, CVRT, CVLT, CATIS, IRIS. Smart speakers, like the Amazon Echo and Google Home can bring a great deal of information, practical communication functions, and leisure to older adults, without the need for a computer science degree or even a keyboard. Explore the basics and some features of each to consider during an assessment.
- AG44: Connecting to the Outside World from Home: Strategies for Reducing Social Isolation—Presenter: Steve Kelley, CVRT, CVLT, CATIS, IRIS. An overview of options will be covered and discussion of these options and how they are working across the country will be facilitated in this interactive session.
Friday, March 1
- AG54: Treatment of Chronic Visual Impairment: An Evidence-based Approach—Presenters: Judith Goldstein, OD, Wilmer Eye Institute. This session will cover the relationship between patients seeking outpatient low vision services and the effects of depression, cognitive impairment and loss in physical ability on rehabilitation outcomes.
- AG64: Peer Support Networks: A Strategy for Addressing Isolation—Presenters: Linda Pogue, MSW; Kay McGill, M.A., CRC and Audrey Demmitt, RN. Project Independence (PI), an Older Individuals Who Are Blind program in Georgia, offers a statewide network of peer support groups. The presenters will cover how this network was started, what training took place and the ongoing support the peer support leaders receive.
- AG74: Falls Prevention and Health Promotion: Evidence-Based Programs, Partnerships, and Funding—Presenters: Kathleen Zuke, MPH, NCOA and Shannon Skowronski, MPH, ACL. Join us to learn more about evidence-based programs available through the aging services network focused on falls prevention, health promotion, and disease prevention.
2019 AFB Leadership Conference
Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
February 28-March 1
Older Individuals Who Are Blind Program Managers Meeting - February 27 (Open to all conference attendees, but seating is limited)
Early-bird rate until February 1: $399
Rate after February 1: $449 (includes on-site registrations)
To learn about sponsorship opportunities: 2019 Sponsorship menu
And don't forget—we'll kick things off on February 27 with the 2019 Helen Keller Achievement Awards Gala! This black-tie event was established by AFB in 1994 to acknowledge Keller's extraordinary efforts and to promote the notable achievements of individuals and organizations that have improved the quality of life for people with disabilities. The gala, which will be emceed by athlete, adventurer, and author Erik Weihenmayer, includes a cocktail hour, silent auction, and formal dinner. The 2019 award recipients are Amazon, Northrop Grumman, and Washington State Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib. Tickets for this special event must be purchased separately. Please visit our site to purchase individual tickets, tables, or event sponsorships.
