November 5th-8th, 2025
Embassy Suites & Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Alabama
Embedded Files
Hosted By
&
A multiday 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.
A multiday 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!
&
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY HELP DESK!!!
Bring all your questions and see if our AT experts from AIS and CATT can help.
SCIVIS Experience Tours
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 scenes 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 during General conference on Thurs. Nov 6.
Space is Limited
Welcome Reception & Opening Keynote Speaker featuring recording artist, Blessing Offor and students from Alabama School for the Blind
Welcome Reception & Opening Keynote Speaker featuring recording artist, Blessing Offor and students from Alabama School for the Blind
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
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 of general conference on Thursday, Nov 6.
Space is limited
Day 1
Day 1
Wednesday 11/5/2025AM & PM Pre-Conference Sessions & Field Trips
Evening Welcome Reception & Opening Keynote 5:30 pm - 7:30 pmwith Singer/Songwriter, Recording Artist, Blessing Offor&Students from Alabama School for the Blind
food, fun, and music!
Evening Welcome Reception & Opening Keynote 5:30 pm - 7:30 pmwith Singer/Songwriter, Recording Artist, Blessing Offor&Students from Alabama School for the Blind
food, fun, and music!
Day 2
Day 2
Thursday 11/6/20258:30 - 5:30
Exhibits - 9:15am - 4:30pmSIlent Auction 12:15pm - 4:30pm
Opening General Session
Concurrent Sessions I, II
Lunch on Your Own
Concurrent Sessions III, IV,V
Evening Activity TBA
Exhibits - 9:15am - 4:30pmSIlent Auction 12:15pm - 4:30pm
Opening General Session
Concurrent Sessions I, II
Lunch on Your Own
Concurrent Sessions III, IV,V
Evening Activity TBA
Day 3
Day 3
Friday 11/7/20258:30 am -5:15 pm
Exhibits - 9:15am - 1:30pmSilent Auction 9:15 - Closes at noon
concurrent session VI
Keynote Session IIDr. Sheri Wells-Jensen
Poster Sessions
Awards LuncheonSilent Auction winners announced
Concurrent Sessions VII, VIII, IX
Exhibits - 9:15am - 1:30pmSilent Auction 9:15 - Closes at noon
concurrent session VI
Keynote Session IIDr. Sheri Wells-Jensen
Poster Sessions
Awards LuncheonSilent Auction winners announced
Concurrent Sessions VII, VIII, IX
Day 4
Day 4
Saturday 11/8/20259 am -12 pm
Concurrent Sessions X, Closing Session
Concurrent Sessions X, Closing Session
The goal of this event is to bring those passionate about literacy for the blind and visually impaired together from across the globe.
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
PRE-CONFERENCE
Morning and Afternoon, Wednesday, November 5, 2025
$25 - Morning half-day pre-conference (Options Include: Ivy Green Trip, SCIVIS Tour, Tactile Graphics)
$25 - Afternoon half-day pre-conference (Options Include: Ivy Green Trip, SCIVIS Tour, 3D Printing)
APH PRE-CONFERENCE MONARCH TRAININGS
The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) in cooperation with GITWL is excited to offer pre-conference training on the revolutionary Monarch. We will be offering the opportunity for a full day of hands-on training. Our morning session will be on Monarch Basics, for those new to the device or needing some extra support for their own learning. The afternoon session will be Monarch Advanced, focusing on deeper-dives, new applications, and creative use cases for a variety of scenarios. Participants will have the option to register for one or both sessions, to best meet your interests and needs. ACVREP will be provided for both sessions.
To allow the best possible experience for everyone, participation will be limited to no more than 30 professionals in each training.
Financial assistance in the form of reimbursement will be made available to participants that apply and demonstrate need. Financial reimbursement is capped at $500 per eligible participant. These funds can be used to cover travel, hotel, and conference expenses.
Snacks will be provided throughout the day and per GITWL plans, there will be a break for lunch on your own from 12-1:30pm eastern.
Additional Separate Registration and Acceptance for Monarch Sessions Required!
Particpants may register for one or both APH Monarch sessions!!!
REGULAR CONFERENCE
Wednesday Evening, November 5 through 10am Sat. November 8, 2025
$325 - Regular Registration (by September 30, 2025)
$400 - Late Registration (by October 31, 2025)
NEED TO CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR REGISTRATION?
Click here to complete registration change/cancellation request form
ALL REQUESTS FOR ANY REFUND MUST BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2025.
A 7% cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds
Thank you to our Sponsors!!! You make this conference possible and help offset the cost for our teachers and instructors in the field! We hope to see your name here soon!
Thank you to our Sponsors!!! You make this conference possible and help offset the cost for our teachers and instructors in the field! We hope to see your name here soon!
GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS
GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS
SILVER LEVEL SPONSORS
SILVER LEVEL SPONSORS
BRONZE LEVEL SPONSORS
BRONZE LEVEL SPONSORS
[Name]
[Name]
[Name]
[Name]
[Name]
[Name]
[Name]
[Name]
STANDARD LEVEL SPONSORS
STANDARD LEVEL SPONSORS
The Venue - Embassy Suites, Huntsville, AL
The Venue - Embassy Suites, Huntsville, AL
Embassy Suites, Huntsville, AL
Embassy Suites, Huntsville, AL
800 Monroe St. Huntsville, Alabama 35801, USA
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.
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.
Hotel Information
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 or click here to book online.
As of 6/16, Rooms have been added to the block. If you try to reserve a room and are finding that it is full, please email us ASAP at gitwlconference@gmail.com.
GITWL has contracted for a conference rate of $159 for two-room suites - (bedroom and separate living room with sofabed)
Free Wifi
Free Breakfast
Free Parking
Free Nightly Happy Hour
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.
If you have any questions - please email us at gitwlconference@gmail.com
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse