November 19-21,2025
Online Program
From your PC or your Phone – Accessibility First
Table of Contents
Letter from the President
November 19, 2025
Alabama AER Chapter Members, Distinguished Guests, Colleagues, and Friends, Welcome to the 42nd Alabama AER Annual Training Conference! It is truly a pleasure to gather once again with professionals, advocates, and partners who share a deep commitment to supporting individuals who are blind or visually impaired across our state and beyond.
Our theme this year – Amplifying Excellence and Resilience – reflects the spirit that
defines our field. Every day, we witness extraordinary examples of perseverance,
creativity, and collaboration in the work each of you are doing and in the lives of
individuals within the communities that we serve. This conference celebrates those
strengths while challenging us to raise our collective voice, deepen our impact, and
continue to advocate for quality services and equitable opportunities for those we serve.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our President-Elect and Conference Chair, Marquitta Riggins, and the Alabama AER Chapter Board of Directors who have worked tirelessly to put together an engaging and inspiring program for everyone. I also wish to express my sincerest thanks to each of our presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors who have made this conference possible. Whether you are a long-time member or joining us for the first time, I encourage you to take full advantage of the sessions, discussions, and networking opportunities that make this event so special.
Together, let us continue amplifying excellence and resilience – in ourselves, in our practice, and in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for being a part of this important work and for your ongoing commitment to the mission of AER.
Wishing you a rewarding and enjoyable conference experience!
With warm regards,
Kelley Bond, COMS
President, Alabama AER Chapter
Agenda
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
| Time | Event | Title / Introduction / Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 – 12:00 | Exhibit Setup | |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Registration Begins / Exhibits Open | |
| 1:00 – 1:30 | Opening Ceremony Welcome Invocation Special Greetings from AFCB Conference Preview | Marquitta Riggins Donte Little Isaac Beavers Donte Little |
| 1:30 – 2:30 | Session 1 Keynote | Amplifying Excellence and Resilience Jacky Wilson Evan Schwerbrock, Cane and Able Fitness |
| 2:30 – 3:00 | Break / Exhibit Open | |
| 3:00 – 4:00 | Session 2 | Employment Services Isaac Beavers Anil Lewis, National Federation of the Blind |
| 5:30 – 8:00 | President’s Reception Dinner / Networking / Entertainment | *Included in Conference Registration Featuring Karaoke and Dancing with Russ Randolph |
Thursday, November 20, 2025
| Time | Event | Title / Introduction / Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 – 8:00 | Breakfast | *Included in Conference Registration |
| 8:00 – 8:30 | Exhibits Open | |
| 8:30 – 9:30 | Session 3 | Ethics Donte Little Kelley Park, Chief Human Resources Officer – AIDB Shametra G. Miller Director of Employee Relations/ – AIDB |
| 9:30 – 9:45 | Break / Exhibit Open | |
| 9:45 – 10:45 | Session 4 | Resources and Research: A Focus on Inherited Retinal Diseases Kellee Malinauskas Michelle Glaze, Foundation Fighting Blindness |
| 10:45 – 11:00 | Break / Exhibit Open | |
| 11:00 – 12:00 | Session 5 Keynote | Building Resilience Jacklyn Wilson Anil Lewis, National Federation of the Blind Sponsored by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Alabama Freedom Center for the Blind |
| 12:00 – 1:30 | President’s Awards Luncheon | *Included in Conference Registration |
| 1:30 – 2:30 | Session 6 | New Technologies in Vision Rehab Services Bill Adams Jason Martin, APH |
| 2:30 – 2:45 | Break / Exhibit Open | |
| 2:45 – 3:45 | Session 7 | Results of the UAB / AIDB O&M Project Jack Harrison Dr. Lei Liu, UAB Jack Harrison, AIDB Amber James, AIDB |
| 3:45 – 4:00 | Break / Exhibit Open | |
| 4:00 – 5:00 | Session 8 | 3D Printing for the Blind and Visually Impaired Jason Martin Bill Adams, VA Southeastern BRC |
Friday, November 21, 2025
| Time | Event | Title / Introduction / Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 – 8:00 | Breakfast | *Included in Conference Registration |
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Session 9 | Music Therapy Kellee Malinauskas Dr. Ja’Bria D. Barber, UAB |
| 9:00 – 9:15 | Break | |
| 9:15 – 10:15 | Session 10 | Hands-on Blindness with AFCB Bill Adams Isaac Beavers, AIDB AFCB Kimberly Chichester, AIDB AFCB Maranda McKay, AIDB AFCB Anna Trotman, AIDB AFCB Students of Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Alabama Freedom Center for the Blind |
| 10:15 – 10:45 | Break / Hotel Check-Out | |
| 10:45 – 11:45 | AER Business Meeting Call to Order Committee Reports ADRS Update AIDB Update Closing Remarks Adjurn | Marquitta Riggins AER Committee Chairs Assistant Commissioner W. Ashley Townsend President Dr. Dennis Gilliam |
Billy Don Sims 2025 Scholarship Recipient
TAMARA H. LITTLE
Tamara H. Little is the 2025 BDS Scholarship Award Recipient. Tamara is a graduate student at the University of North Dakota, and she is pursuing Master’s in Special Education with a specialization in Visual Impairment (TVI).
Tamara’s interest in working in this field stems from her experiences as a SODA (sibling of a Deaf adult) and as a spouse to someone with a vision difference, both of whom are graduates of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. This inspired her to help others achieve their maximum life goals. As a Registered Dietitian, Tamara was granted the opportunity to serve and empower students at the Alabama School for the Blind as the Family & Consumer Sciences and Independent Living Skills teacher. Tamara’s purpose for obtaining education and training as a TVI is so that she will be better equipped to meet her goal of “empowering individuals with visual differences to live a life without limits.”
Please join us in congratulating Tamara on her success and wishing her all the best as she continues to empower students with visual impairments to be limitless!
Alabama AER Chapter Officers, Board Members & Chairpersons
| Officer | Term Expires |
|---|---|
| President, Kelley Bond | 2025-2026 |
| President-Elect & Conference Chair, Marquitta Riggins | 2025-2026 |
| Past President & Elections Chair, Stephen M. Sullivan | 2025-2026 |
| Secretary, Sharon McLean | 2025-2026 |
| Treasurer, Jacklyn Wilson | 2025-2026 |
| Board Members | Term Expires |
|---|---|
| Jack Harrison, Membership Chair | 2024-2026 |
| Bill Adams | 2024-2026 |
| LaTonya Chatman | 2025-2027 |
| Jason Martin | 2025-2027 |
| Kellee Malinauskas | 2026-2027 |
| Donte Little | 2026-2027 |
| Julia Brock, Scholarship Chair | Non-Voting |
Conference Acknowledgments
Conference Coordination
Marquitta Riggins and AER Board Members
BDS Scholarship Committee
Julie Brock, Steve Sullivan, & Joe Helm Alabama
AER Awards Committee
Sharon McLean, Kellee Malinauskas, & LaTonya Chatman
Conference Registration
Sheila Pennington and Ashley Robinson
Vendors and Sponsorships
Sharon McLean & Kellee Malinauskas
Program Accessibility
Bill Adams
CEU Coordination
Ashley Townsend, Marge Lebrick, & Courtney Dotson
Participant Bags
LaTonya Chatman, Sharon McLean, & Susan Sarro
Sponsors
Vendors
