Welcome to NCSAB.org
NCSAB President
Dorothy Young
OVRB Director
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
P.O. Box 1698
Jackson, MS 39215-1698
(601) 853-5210 Phone
(800) 443-1000 Fax
Email: dyoung@mdrs.ms.gov
NCSAB Executive Committee
Dorothy Young, Mississippi – President
Greg Trapp, New Mexico – President-Elect
Shirley Robinson, Georgia – Secretary
Natasha Jerde, Minnesota – Treasurer
Consumer Success Stories
List of success stories submitted by consumers. Be inspired and encouraged by the many testimonies and see the impacts of our services with life changing experience from the consumers. Read Success Stories
Stay Connected Join Our Listserv
NCSAB has many different list serves to help the members stay inform, share resources and connect with different groups and committees.
NCSAB and NABM are Hosting Trainings
NCSAB and NABM are hosting a series of trainings for vendors, SLA staff, lawyers and others on topics related to Randolph-Sheppard. Check out the Hosted Trainings section under Randolph-Sheppard to find out more!
Upcoming Events
Spring NCSAB In-Person Conference
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
- 8:00 am
- NCSAB Exhibit Hall (Regency Foyer)
- NCSAB Registration (Regency Foyer)
- 9:00 am - CSAVR / NCSAB General Session #5 – Fiscal Management
- 10:00 am - Networking Break
- 10:30 am - CSAVR / NCSAB General Session #6 – RSA
- 11:30 am - CSAVR Closing Session
- 11:45 am - CSAVR Adjourns
- Lunch (On Your Own)
- 1:30 pm – 1:45 pm - NCSAB Opening, Welcome and Meet the New State Directors
- Presenter: Dorothy Young
- 1:45 pm – 2:15 pm - RSA Updates
- Presenter: Michael Quinn
- 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm - Policy Update
- Presenter: Catriona Macdonald
- 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm - Kids Like Me Bookshelf
- Presenter: Marty Schultz
- 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm - NCSAB Breakout Sessions
- Breakout Room 1 – Transition & Employment
- Session Title: Oklahoma BEST-STEP
- Presenter: Renee Sansom Briscoe
- Breakout Room 2 – Technology & Independent Living
- Session Title: Technology: Using AI for Agency Staff
- Presenters: John Oliveira, Sven Akerman Jr., Fred Jones, Shirley Robinson, Rachel Hollen, Anthony Meholic
- Breakout Room 1 – Transition & Employment
- 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm - NCSAB Welcome Reception & Exhibitor Showcase
Thursday, April 10, 2025
- 8:00 am
- NCSAB Registration & Exhibit Hall Opens
- General Session and Exhibitor Showcase with Dorothy Young
- 8:30 am – 9:15 am - Unlocking Opportunities: CRA Investments
- Presenters: Cynthia Speight, Jordan Thomas, Robert Doyle III, David Leon
- 9:15 am – 10:00 am - Ablr Works Program
- Presenters: John Samuel, Logan Passey, Cynthia Speight, Elli Heim
- 10:00 am – 10:30 am - New Directors Forum & Networking Break
- 10:30 am – 11:15 am - Randolph-Sheppard Update
- Presenters: Andrew Freeman, Neel Lalchandani
- 11:15 am – Noon - Contracting for VR Services
- Presenter: Patricia Dickerson
- Noon – 1:30 pm - NCSAB Committees Working Lunch Breakouts
- Employment Committee – Moderator: Darline Graham
- Transition Committee – Moderators: Juanita Barker & Tracy Brigham
- Independent Living/Older Blind Committee – Moderator: Cynthia Speight
- Randolph-Sheppard Committee – Moderators: Rachel Holland & Ashley Townsend
- Technology Committee – Moderator: Fred Jones
- 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm - Career Quest
- Presenter: Anil Lewis
- 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm - Virtual Reverse Job Fair
- Presenters: Carol Cullins, Daniel Martin
- 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm - Technology Skills and Career Success
- Presenters: Brian Switzer, Billy Parker, Dina Rosenbaum
- 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm - Networking Break
- 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm - 5 Cs of Employee Engagement
- Presenters: Dr. Robin Freeman, Dr. Bernice Davis
- 5:00 pm - Adjourn for the Day
Friday, April 11, 2025
- 8:00 am
- Executive Committee Meeting (Committee Members Only)
- NCSAB Registration and Exhibit Hall
- 9:00 am – 9:30 am - NCSAB Business Meeting and Committee Reports
- 9:30 am – 10:00 am - Pathways to Successful Employment
- Presenter: Amy Porterfield
- 10:00 am – 10:30 am - Brag & Steal States Spotlight
- Moderator: Greg Trapp
- 10:30 am – 11:30 am - Driving the Future With AVs
- Presenters: Jeff Farrah, Jesse Shirek
- 11:30 am – Noon - Closing Session
- Presenter: Dorothy Young
- Noon - Conference Adjourns
The mission of the NCSAB is to promote through advocacy, coordination, and education the delivery of specialized services that enable individuals who are blind and visually impaired to achieve personal and vocational independence.
Natasha Jerde, Treasurer
2200 University Avenue West
Suite #240
St. Paul MN 55114
Please direct financial matters to Natasha Jerde
Telephone: 651-539-2272
Email: natasha.jerde@state.mn.us