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VIDBE-Q Volume 63 Issue 3
to ensure that those who live with disabilities gain access to the non-disabled world.
Rather, he challenged the conference participants to begin to think of inclusion as way
of life. And he challenged his audience even further by encouraging them to help others
begin to understand the value of viewing society through an inclusion mindset as well.
As I observed the keynote, plenary and workshop sessions I was struck by the
number of members of the CEC Division on Visual Impairment and DeafBlindness
featured as presenters and with whom I came into contact. There were many DVIDB
members who had been invited to serve as keynote and plenary speakers and many
more members provided information on DeafBlind specific topics in the small group
workshops. As a result, the contributions that the DVIDB membership made to the DbI
Conference of the Americas were notable in both their scale and quality. Sessions led
by DVIDB members which I attended provided information on a wide variety of topics
that effect individuals who are DeafBlind and their families. Many of the family members
in attendance at these sessions expressed their gratitude to the presenters for sharing
their research and their expertise. Likewise, there were many educators within the
DVIDB community who expressed their gratitude to the family members for sharing their
perspectives with professionals through their presentations on family issues.
Diana Griffen, vice president of NFADB, expressed her appreciation to the
conference organizers efforts in creating an environment in which professionals,
families and individuals who are DeafBlind were all provided an equal platform in which
to share their knowledge and experiences. She explained, "I had a strong sense, and
got lots of feedback, that having families present to provide the family perspective
was valuable to the professionals and educators, which helps to make the families feel
