Conference Schedule
Tentative - Subject to change
LINK TO CONCURRENT SESSION OPTIONS
Embedded Files
Getting In Touch with Literacy 2025
Pre-Conference, Field Trip Options, Evening Welcome Reception
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Registration Open 8:00 am - 5:30 pm - Embassy Suites Lobby
PRE-CONFERENCE MORNING OPTIONS
On-Site Workshops
On-Site Workshops
Embassy Suites (ES)
AM Option 1- $25
(9:00- 12:00)
ES -Madison - 2nd Floor (40 in Rounds)
ES -Madison - 2nd Floor (40 in Rounds)
Tactile Graphics Workshop, Amanda Thompson
Many TVIs do not know we can make high quality tactile graphics using Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Canva, and other mainstream apps, or they just feel overwhelmed at the entire process and don’t even try. We know we need to produce high quality tactile graphics, in accordance with BANA guidelines, and that these graphics support literacy, including reading comprehension and foundational literacy concepts. Students need access to high quality graphics as best practice, and to prepare them for standardized testing, college entry exams, college, and the workforce.
This workshop will demo using Word, Docs, and Canva. The brief presentation portion will also cover differences in embossed, swell, and thermoform braille tactiles, as well as share fonts for creating the files. The presenter will also share tips for embossing or printing the graphics to problem-solve common user errors. After a brief demo, participants will create tactile graphics together! Please bring your computer to this session!!
AM Option 2
(9:00-12:00)
ES - Monte Sano -2nd Floor (40 in rounds)
ES - Monte Sano -2nd Floor (40 in rounds)
CATT
potential additional am onsite pre-conference session rooms
Red Stone - Second Floor 40 (rounds)
Orion - First Floor - 60 people (rounds)
Saturn - First Floor - 30 people (rounds)
Pre-ConferenceMorning Field Trips
Pre-ConferenceMorning Field Trips
AM Option 3 - $25
8:30-12:30
Bus to Ivy Green - Tour of Birthplace of Helen Keller
Bus to Ivy Green - Tour of Birthplace of Helen Keller
REGISTER EARLY - SPACE IS LIMITED
Includes bus to Tuscumbia, AL from Embassy Suites, entry fee and tour
AM Option 4 - $25
9:00 - 12:00
The (SCIVIS) Experience - Behind the scenes Tour of Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students Experience at the US Space and Rocket Center.
The (SCIVIS) Experience - Behind the scenes Tour of Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students Experience at the US Space and Rocket Center.
Tours Facilitated by Dan Oates and Trina Britcher
REGISTER EARLY - SPACE IS LIMITED
Includes Van Shuttle to US Space and Rocket Center from Embassy Suites
Lunch Break (on your own) 12:00-1:30 pm
On-Site Pre-Conference Afternoon Workshops
On-Site Pre-Conference Afternoon Workshops
Embassy Suites (ES)
PM Option 1 - $25
1:30 - 4:30
ES -Madison - 2nd Floor (40 in Rounds)
ES -Madison - 2nd Floor (40 in Rounds)
3D Modeling Workshop - Amanda Thompson
Sometimes ordering materials with quota funds can take eons. Sometimes an item is too expensive to purchase, but you could adapt it and print it yourself. And sometimes you have a great idea to solve a simple problem for a student and wish you had the skills to model your own materials.
This session will support participants and empower them to learn the basics of 3D modeling, learn the lingo, explore different printers on the market, see some examples and then make their own models (with help!). Participants will use Tinkercad (free, web-based software) to model items. They will upload a pre-created file to adjust and tinker with and then create their own model from the start. Please bring your computer to this session!!
1:31:30 - 5:30
1:30 - 4:30
ES - Monte Sano - 2nd Floor
ES - Monte Sano - 2nd Floor
CATT
potential additional pm onsite pre-conference session rooms
Saturn - First Floor - 30 people (rounds)
Orion - First Floor - 60 people (rounds)
Red Stone - Second Floor 40 (rounds)
Pre-Conference Afternoon Field Trips
PM Option 3 - $25
1:30 - 5:30
Pre-Conference Trip to Ivy Green - Birthplace of Helen Keller
REGISTER EARLY - SPACE IS LIMITED
Includes Van Shuttle to US Space and Rocket Center from Embassy Suites
PM Option 4 - $25
1:30 - 4:30
Pre-Conference The (SCIVIS) Experience - Behind the scenes Tour of Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students Experience at the US Space and Rocket Center.
Pre-Conference The (SCIVIS) Experience - Behind the scenes Tour of Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students Experience at the US Space and Rocket Center.
Facilitated by Dan Oates and Trina Britcher
REGISTER EARLY - SPACE IS LIMITED
Van Shuttle to US Space and Rocket Center from Embassy Suites
5:30 - 7:30 PM WELCOME RECEPTION
Embassy Suites Atrium and Big Springs Ballroom
with OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER, SINGER/SONGWRITER, BLESSING OFFOR
and students from Alabama School for the Blind
Live music, Drinks, Hors d'oeuvres
Opening General Session; Concurrent Sessions I, II, III, IV, V, Lunch, Field Trips options
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Exhibit Set Up 7:30 am - 9:15 am
Registration Open - 8:00am - 4:00pm
Von Braun Center - South Hall Entrance
Exhibits Open 9:15am - 4:30pm Von Braun Center South Hall Pre-function Area
Silent Auction open 12:15pm - 4:30pm Von Braun Center South Hall Rear Pre-function Area
8:30 - 9:30 pm
Opening General Session
Opening General Session
Welcome
Opening Remarks
Sponsor Introductions
Gold Sponsor talks
Von Braun Center - South Hall (1-2-3)
Von Braun Center - South Hall (1-2-3)
9:30 - 12:30 (morning trip - $25)
The (SCIVIS) Experience -Behind the scenes Tour of Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students Experience at the US Space and Rocket Center.
The (SCIVIS) Experience -Behind the scenes Tour of Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students Experience at the US Space and Rocket Center.
REGISTER EARLY - SPACE IS LIMITED
Van Shuttle to US Space and Rocket Center from Embassy Suites/Von Braun Ctr
Dan Oates and Trina Britcher
Break with Exhibitors/Transition 9:30 am - 10:00
with Snacks/Drinks at Skybridge
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Concurrent Session I - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Concurrent Session I - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Saturn - First Floor (30 rounds)
Orion - First Floor (60 rounds)
Madison - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Red Stone - Second Floor (40 rounds, 60 theater)
Monte Sano - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Von Braun Center
South Hall 1, (200)
South Hall 2 (200)
South Hall 3 (200)
Meeting Room 1 (80 rounds)
Meeting Room 2 (80 rounds)
Break/Transition 11:00 - 11:15 am
11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Concurrent Session II - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Concurrent Session II - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Saturn - First Floor (30 rounds)
Orion - First Floor (60 rounds)
Madison - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Red Stone - Second Floor (40 rounds, 60 theater)
Monte Sano - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Von Braun Center
South Hall 1, (200)
South Hall 2 (200)
South Hall 3 (200)
Meeting Room 1 (80 rounds)
Meeting Room 2 (80 rounds)
12:15 - 1:45 Lunch on Your Own
Silent Auction Opens At Von Braun Center South Hall
1:30 - 4:30 pm (afternoon trip - $25)
The (SCIVIS) Experience - Behind the scenes Tour of Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students Experience at the US Space and Rocket Center.
The (SCIVIS) Experience - Behind the scenes Tour of Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students Experience at the US Space and Rocket Center.
REGISTER EARLY - SPACE IS LIMITED
Van Shuttle to US Space and Rocket Center from Embassy Suites
Dan Oates and Trina Britcher
1:30 - 5:30 (afternoon trip - $25)
Trip to Ivy Green - Birthplace of Helen Keller
Trip to Ivy Green - Birthplace of Helen Keller
REGISTER EARLY - SPACE IS LIMITED
Bus to Ivy Green - Tuscumbia, AL from Embassy Suites
1:45 pm - 2:45 pm
Concurrent Session III - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Concurrent Session III - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites
Orion - First Floor (60 rounds)
Madison - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Red Stone - Second Floor (40 rounds, 60 theater)
Monte Sano - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Saturn - First Floor (30 rounds)
Von Braun Center
South Hall 1, (200)
South Hall 2 (200)
South Hall 3 (200)
Meeting Room 1 (80 rounds)
Meeting Room 2 (80 rounds)
Break/Transition 2:45 - 3:15
Dessert Break at Skybridge
Silent Auction Continues
3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
Concurrent Session IV - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Concurrent Session IV - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites
Orion - First Floor (60 rounds)
Madison - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Red Stone - Second Floor (40 rounds, 60 theater)
Monte Sano - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Saturn - First Floor (30 rounds)
Von Braun Center
South Hall 1, (200)
South Hall 2 (200)
South Hall 3 (200)
Meeting Room 1 (80 rounds)
Meeting Room 2 (80 rounds)
Break/Transition 4:15 - 4:30
4:30- 5:30 pm
Concurrent Session V - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Concurrent Session V - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites
Orion - First Floor (60 rounds)
Madison - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Red Stone - Second Floor (40 rounds, 60 theater)
Monte Sano - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Saturn - First Floor (30 rounds)
Von Braun Center
Meeting Room 1 (80 rounds)
Meeting Room 2 (80 rounds)
South Hall 1, (200)
South Hall 2 (200)
South Hall 3 (200)
Embassy Suites Hotel Sponsored Social in Atrium 5:30-7:00
Evening Activity - Let's go to school!!! A Night out at CAMPUS 805!
Join us at the old school that has been transformed into the South's Premier Brewery & Entertainment Venue
Showcase Session, Poster Sessions, Awards Luncheon, Concurrent Sessions VI, VII, VIII, IX
Friday, November 7, 2025
Friday, November 7, 2025
8:45 am - 5:15 pm
Registration 8:00am - 2:00pm
Von Braun Center - South Hall Entrance
Exhibits open 9:15 am - 1:30 pm - Von Braun Center South Hall - Pre-Function Area
8:00 AM - Poster Session Set-Up
8:45 am - 9:45 am
Concurrent Session VI - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Concurrent Session VI - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Orion - First Floor (60 rounds)
Madison - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Red Stone - Second Floor (40 rounds, 60 theater)
Monte Sano - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Saturn - First Floor (30 rounds)
Von Braun Center
South Hall 1, 2,3 (600)
Meeting Room 1 (80 rounds)
Meeting Room 2 (80 rounds)
Break/Transition 9:45 am-10:00 am
Coffee/Drinks/Snacks on Skybridge
10:00am - 11:00 am
GENERAL CONFERENCE KEYNOTE
GENERAL CONFERENCE KEYNOTE
Dr. Sheri Wells Jensen
Von Braun Center - South Hall (1-2-3)
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Exhibits /Poster Sessions
Exhibits /Poster Sessions
Von Braun Center South Hall - Pre-Function Area
Silent Auction Ends at Noon
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Awards Luncheon
Awards Luncheon
Silent Auction Winners Announced
Von Braun Center - South Hall (1-2-3)
1:30 - 2:30 pm
Concurrent Session VII - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Concurrent Session VII - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Orion - First Floor (60 rounds)
Madison - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Red Stone - Second Floor (40 rounds, 60 theater)
Monte Sano - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Saturn - First Floor (30 rounds)
Von Braun Center
South Hall 1, 2,3 (600 rounds)
Meeting Room 1 (80 rounds)
Meeting Room 2 (80 rounds)
Break/Transition 2:30 - 3:00
Dessert Break at Skybridge to Embassy Suites
3:00- 4:00 pm
Concurrent Session VIII - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Concurrent Session VIII - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Orion - First Floor (60 rounds)
Madison - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Red Stone - Second Floor (40 rounds, 60 theater)
Monte Sano - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Saturn - First Floor (30 rounds)
Von Braun Center
South Hall 1, 2,3 (600)
Meeting Room 1 (80 rounds)
Meeting Room 2 (80 rounds)
Break/Transition 4:00 - 4:15
4:15 pm - 5:15 pm
Concurrent Session IX - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Concurrent Session IX - Embassy Suites and Von Braun Center
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom AB First Floor ES (140 rounds))
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor ES (140 rounds)
Orion - First Floor (60 rounds)
Madison - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Red Stone - Second Floor (40 rounds, 60 theater)
Monte Sano - Second Floor (40 rounds)
Saturn - First Floor (30 rounds)
Von Braun Center
South Hall 1, 2,3 (600)
Meeting Room 1 (80 rounds)
Meeting Room 2 (80 rounds)
Social - Embassy Suites Hotel Sponsored in Atrium 5:30-7:00
Concurrent Sessions X, XI, Closing Remarks/Wrap-up
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Saturday, November 8, 2025
9:00 am - Noon
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Concurrent Session X - Embassy Suites
Concurrent Session X - Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites
Big Springs Ballroom AB - First Floor
Big Springs Ballroom AB - First Floor
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor
Saturn - First Floor
Orion - First Floor
Madison - Second Floor
Red Stone - Second Floor
MonteCarlo - Second Floor
Break/Check Out - 10:00 am - 10:15 am
Snack/Drinks at Skybridge to Embassy Suites
10:15 am - 11:15 am
Concurrent Session XI - Embassy Suites
Concurrent Session XI - Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites
ROUND TABLE INTEREST GROUPS
Big Springs Ballroom AB - First Floor
Big Springs Ballroom AB - First Floor
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor
Big Springs Ballroom CD - First floor
Saturn - First Floor
Orion - First Floor
Madison - Second Floor
Red Stone - Second Floor
MonteCarlo - Second Floor
Break/Transition 11:15 - 11:30
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Closing Wrap-Up - Embassy Suites
Closing Wrap-Up - Embassy Suites
If you have any questions - please email us at gitwlconference@gmail.com
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