Joint Ohio and Indiana Convention

ACBO and ACBI 2025 Convention

Register now!

Agenda is at the bottom at heading level 2.

When: Friday, November 14-Sunday, November 16, 2025

Where: Best Western Plus Strongsville at 15471 Royalton Road, Strongsville, Ohio 44126

Hotel Reservation Information

Cost Information:

King Bed @ $89.00 plus 17.5% tax per night

Online Reservation Instructions:

  1. Go to

https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.36178.html?groupId=8B3EG1Y1

  1. Click on the “Edit Stay Details” button to select your Arrival and Departure dates, the number of adults and children in each room, and the number of rooms you wish to reserve.
  2. click on the “update” button to save these changes.
  3. Select which room type you would like by clicking the “select” button under the room type description. Note: If you are booking multiple rooms, there is a link for each room before the room type descriptions.
  4. Complete your guest information and payment information, including all agreements and other prompts. When you are done, submit by clicking the “Make Reservation” button.

Notes on this Page:

Phone Reservation Instructions:

Please call the hotel directly at 440-238-8800 or central reservations at 1-800-528-1234. The group code is ACBO2025.

Hotel Policies:

Hotel Amenities:

 

Order convention shirts and more from Blind Girl Designs:

https://blind-girl-designs.myshopify.com/collections/acbo-acbi-celebrate-resilience-2025-convention

 

Exhibits and Corporate Sponsors:

Once again this year, our convention will include an exhibit hall full of vendors and organizations relevant to the blind and low vision community. The exhibit hall will be open on Friday, November 14 in the afternoon and on Saturday, November 15 beginning after the morning business meeting is over and concluding before the banquet. There is no cost to exhibit at our convention. However, we ask exhibitors to please consider donating an auction item or a door prize. To sign up to be an exhibitor, please  complete this form.

 

If you have any questions, please email Renee Arrington-Johnson at renee@acbohio.org or call our office at 614-261-3561.

 

We have several corporate sponsorship options available. . Sponsors are listed in all convention materials and throughout the convention. Diamond sponsors and above (those who donate at least $500) are also provided with time to speak to the convention during one of the meals or at the welcome presentation. To learn more and become a sponsor, please contact the ACB-Ohio office at 614-261-3561.

 

Individual sponsorship opportunities are included on the registration form.

 

We hope you will save the date and plan to join us in the Cleveland area for the first time since 1992! Please stay tuned to future editions of the Ohio Connection, the ACBO website, and the ACBO email list for more announcements as we draw closer to this year’s convention, which is sure to be a great time!

PROGRAM AGENDA

FRIDAY, November 14, 2025

12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Registration (Lobby)

12:45 – 5:00 p.m. Excursion to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Visit the many vendors in the exhibit hall (Sycamore)

1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Hospitality Room (Juniper)

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Dinner on your own

7:00 – 7:20 p.m. Welcome: Brant Adams, President, ACB-Ohio and Rita Kersh, President, ACB-Indiana (Aspen) (Zoom)

7:30 – 11:00 p.m. Hospitality room open (Juniper)

7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Line Dancing Instruction: Get ready to hit the floor! This is a fantastic opportunity to socialize, exercise, and learn new moves. We’ll be grooving to classics like the easy-to-follow Cupid Shuffle and the timeless Electric Slide, as well as contemporary favorites like Boots on the Ground. With clear, verbalized instructions and a supportive atmosphere, everyone can feel the beat and dance together! Instructor, Darcel (Deedee) Arrington. (Aspen) (Renee)

8:30 – 9:00 p.m. ACB-Indiana Business Meeting (Chestnut) (Zoom)

9:00 – 11:00 Bingo and games (Aspen)

SATURDAY, November 11, 2025

7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Breakfast (Aspen)

7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Registration Open (Lobby)

8:15 – 10:15 a.m: ACB-Ohio business meeting (Chestnut A) (Zoom)

8:15 – 10:15 a.m.: ACB-Indiana business meeting (Chestnut B) (Zoom)

10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Visit the Exhibit Hall (Sycamore)

10:30 -11:30 a.m. Concurrent Workshop Session 1

  1. Budgeting to Retirement and Beyond! As you look forward to retirement, it all sounds great until you think about the inevitable financial changes that come with no longer working. Come join Chris Peterson, the founder of Penny Forward and a blind financial planner, as he gives tips and tricks. He’ll help you prepare for retirement and make smart financial decisions and plans. (Chestnut A) (Zoom) Dee Ann
  2. ACBO’s Sports and Rec: A Braille Trail Experience Over the past year, our Sports and Rec Committee has been working with the great folks at Hogback Ridge to create an accessible “Braille Trail.” From guide ropes, to braille signs and descriptions, this trail makes Hogback Ridge a great accessible place for all, including those in the blind and low vision community. Come here from Casey Smith and members of the ACBO Sports and Rec Committee and learn how you can replicate their experience to make your local park the next Braille Trail! (Chestnut B) (Zoom) Kelsey, Catherine

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch and ACBO /ACBI Chapter Presentations (Aspen) (Zoom)

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Concurrent Workshop Session 2

  1. Independent Living Panel: Whether you live with a parent, a spouse, or someone else, many of us have fallen into routines to get through the day-to-day necessities of life. That’s great for now; it’s what works for you. But, what if, at some point, that arrangement changes? Are you prepared to adjust and maintain your independence? Come hear from a panel of people that will help you consider how to get the resources and support you need to increase your independence, no matter what life throws your way. (Chestnut A) (Zoom) Rachel
  2. Safety Positive: We are thrilled that you are taking the first steps in advancing your personal safety journey! Safety Positive Foundation is the first organization dedicated to offering multiple choices in personal safety for the blind, by the blind. Learn about what Safety Positive does, and have a choice of safety topics. (Chestnut B) (Zoom) Brant

2:40 – 3:40 p.m. Concurrent Workshop Session 3

  1. Financial Literacy for the Busy Working Adult: It’s a commonly known fact that when we were in school, we learned more about solving equations than about creating and sticking to a budget. Throw in the complications of things that are specific to us as blind and low vision folks, and you very quickly end up with a confusing mess. Come hear from Chris Peterson, founder of Penny Forward, to learn all the tips and tricks you need to be financially smart for today, and when planning for tomorrow. (Chestnut A) (Zoom) Niral
  2. Accessible Online Shopping Made Easy: From groceries to Christmas presents, and personal care items to vacation essentials, you can get almost everything online these days. “But is it accessible?” is always the question in the back of most of our minds. Come here from a panel of blind and low vision users who use a variety of local grocery stores, big online retailers, and delivery apps to save time and money to get what they want and need, all without fighting the O&M nightmare that is an ever-changing set of store layouts and printed labels.
  3. Online Shopping Panel (Chestnut B) (Zoom) Mel

3:50 – 5:50 p.m. Concurrent Workshop Session 4

  1. CPR, AED, and First Aid: (pre-registration and event ticket required.) Presented by Mary Williams of the American Heart Association, sponsored by See-3D (Chestnut A) Mel
  2. Self-Defense: Waiting on description from Amy (Chestnut B) Rachel

6:15-6:45 p.m. Registration Open (Lobby)

6:30 – 7:00 p.m. Auction preview and bake sale (Aspen)

7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Banquet and Presentation of 2025 Awards (Aspen) (Zoom)

8:30-11:00 p.m. Bake Sale: Purchase bags of chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter chocolate kiss cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, Rice Krispy treats, brownies, chocolate covered pretzels, and slices of apple pie. All desserts are homemade and packaged so that you can eat them now or take them to go. The cost is $2 per item, and is cash only. There is an ATM in the lobby. (Aspen)

8:45 – 11:00 p.m. Auction (Aspen)

SUNDAY, November 12, 2025

7:15 – 7:45 a.m. Nondenominational Service (Aspen) (Zoom)

7:50 – 8:05 a.m. Remembering members who have passed away (Aspen) (Zoom) Katie, Dee Ann

8:15 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast (Aspen)

9:10 – 10:40 a.m. Tricia Waechter: Come and spend Sunday morning with Tricia Waechter from Blind Girl Designs. Tricia has an extensive background in the fashion industry.

We will talk about organizing that closet, clothing care and maintenance, and some great grooming hacks! She also welcomes your questions about fashion, color, and putting it all together! (Aspen) (Zoom) Rachel