Logo for 2025 Getting in Touch with Literacy that says "Launch into Literacy 2025, Huntsville, AL" with an image of a book opened with a rocket taking off from the center of it going upwards

November 5th-8th, 2025

Embassy Suites & Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Alabama

   Hosted By 

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A multiday-day conference of talks, activities, and workshops related to the teaching of literacy to individuals who are blind or visually impaired in addition to pre-conference and field trip opportunities.


New This Year - ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRACK!   

We will have a whole track dedicated to assistive technology that supports teaching, learning, and literacy for students and adults with visual impairments!

SCIVIS Experience Tours

Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students 

Join us as we travel together to the US Space and Rocket Center as we get a behind the scences look at this amazing 1 week per year opportunity for students with blindness and visual impairments. 

Morning and afternoon trips offered during Wednesday, Nov 5 Pre-Conference or Thurs. Nov 6.  Space is Limited

Welcome Reception with Opening Keynote Speaker Singer/Songwriter            Blessing Offor

Singer/Songwriter from Nigeria who made his start on The Voice.  Although Blessing is legally blind from Glaucoma, he continues to overcome his challenges and experience success while inspirng others. 

Wednesday November 5, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Trip to and Tour of Helen Keller's Birthplace - Ivy Green

Join us on a bus ride to Ivy Green  - The birthplace of Helen Keller, where we will learn and tour the house where Helen grew up and even get to see the historic pump that provided the "miracle" breakthrough. 

Morning and afternoon trips offered during Wednesday, Nov 5 Preconference and afternoon only on Thursday, Nov 6. 

Space is limited

Day 1

Several conference attendees sitting at tables wearing their conference name badges
Wednesday 11/5/2025Pre-Conference Sessions,  Field Trips
5:30 pm - 7:30 pmEvening WelcomeReception & Opening Keynote with drinks and hors d'euvres and live entertainment with Singer/Songwrite, Recording Artist, Blessing Offor

Day 2

A Conference Presenter holding up her poster presentation about teaching TVI remotely
Thursday 11/6/2025Opening General Session; Concurrent Sessions I, II, III, IV;  Poster Sessions,  Field Trips ExhibitsBox Lunch Includedevening activity TBA

Day 3

A young child wearing a t-shirt with the braille alphabet on it. The child is wearing glasses and is looking down at the letters in print and braille on them and feeling them on his stomach/chest area on his shirt at the same time.
Friday 11/7/20258:30 am -5:15 pm Awards Breakfast,Keynote Session IIConcurrent Session V, VI, VII, VIIIExhibits, 

Day 4

Saturday 11/8/20258:30 am -1:00 pmConcurrent Sessions IX, X, XI, Closing General Session

 

The goal of this event is to bring those passionate about literacy for the blind and visually impaired together from across the globe.

Cay Holbrook and Janie Humphries Blome, Getting in Touch with Literacy Conference Founders, colleagues, and best friends.  GITWL was founded on the desire for those passionate about Literacy to come together to collaborate, share ideas, learn and have fun.

 

REGISTRATION RATES

Registration NOW OPEN

$275 -  early bird registration (by June 15, 2025)

$250.00  - DVIDB Member Rate (by June 15, 2025)

$100.00 - Student Volunteers (limited to up to 20 by June 15)

$325 - Regular Registration

$350 - On-Site Registration

 

Thank you to our Sponsors-   Hope to see your name here soon!

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The Venue - Embassy Suites, Huntsville, AL

Embassy Suites, Huntsville, AL

800 Monroe St. Huntsville, Alabama 35801, USA

Embassy Suites, located in beautiful downtown Huntsville, and only 10 minutes from the US Space and Rocket Center.  The hotel is connected via skybridge to the Von Braun Center and next to Big Springs International Park. The hotel has its own restaurant and there are several restaurants within a 1/2 mile walking distance.  We are securing nearby overflow hotels in addtion to the main conference hotel.

Image of a picture of an entrance sign on stone wall saying U.S. Space and Rocket Center with a life like rocket sitting next to it t
image of the waterway that runs behind the conference venue and runs down and through Big Springs Park in Huntsville

 

Hotel Information

Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville Hotel & Spa
800 Monroe Street, Huntsville, Alabama 35801 

Call this number to reserve your suite  256-539-7373, and tell them you are with Getting in Touch with Literacy

GITWL has contracted for a conference rate of $159 for two-room suites - (bedroom and separate living room with sofabed)

Deadline to receive conference rate of $159.00/night is October 7, 2025, or earlier should room block become full. We encourage you to stay at the hotel to help us meet our contract requirements. 


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