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
2025 Fall NCSAB Conference
November 5–7, 2025
Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA
Theme: Waves of Change — Advancing Public Policy for the Blind
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
All times Pacific
NCSAB Exhibit Hall & Registration Opens
CSAVR / NCSAB Concurrent Session
CSAVR Closing Session
Lunch (On Your Own).
NCSAB Executive Committee Lunch with RSA (Invited).
Committee Members Only.
Opening, Welcome & Introductions
Facilitator: Dorothy Young
Presenter: Dorothy Young, Director, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and NCSAB President
California Success Story
Facilitator: Dorothy Young
Presenter: Susan Pelbath, MS, Deputy Director Specialized Services Division, Department of Rehabilitation
General Session #1: Active Participation
Facilitator: Dorothy Young
Presenter: Andrew Shumacher
Networking Break — Visit exhibits and connect with peers.
General Session #2: NCSAB Policy Update
Facilitator: Dorothy Young
Presenter: Catriona Macdonald, NCSAB Policy Analyst and President of Linchpin Strategies
General Session #3: Update on Department of War & Randolph-Sheppard Act Arbitration
Facilitator: Greg Trapp
Presenters: Terry Smith, Nicholas Gacos, and Catriona Macdonald
Networking Break — Visit exhibits and connect with peers.
Welcome Reception & Exhibitor Showcase
Kick off your NCSAB conference experience with a reception featuring exhibitors and networking opportunities.
Thursday, November 6, 2025
NCSAB Registration & Exhibit Hall Opens
General Session #4: A Decade of Reflection — Observations and Recommendations for Older Blind Services
Facilitator: Cynthia Speight
Presenters: Kendra Farrow and Stephanie Welch-Grenier
Networking Break
General Session #5: Wearable Technologies and Resources — The Coming Revolution Has Arrived
Facilitator: Shirley Robinson
Presenters: Troy Otillio, David DeNotaris, Fan Zhang
Networking Break
Working Lunch Facilitated by Dr. Cassondra Williams-Stokes
My Rehabilitation Journey — Presenter: Susan Pelbath
Keynote: Empowering the Blind Through STEM — Dr. Cary A. Supalo
General Session #6: Managing Programs in Challenging Times
Facilitator: Dr. Bernice Davis
Presenters: Dorothy Young, Greg Trapp, Natasha Jerde, Dacia Johnson, Robert Doyle III, Ashley Townsen
Break
Committee Breakout Sessions
• Employment — Facilitated by Darline Graham
• Independent Living/Training/OIB and Technology — Facilitated by Cynthia Speight
• Randolph-Sheppard Act — Facilitated by Ashley Townsend & Rachel Hollen
Networking Break
General Session #7: How Self-Service Technologies Are Reshaping Employment and Business Opportunities for People Who Are Blind or Low Vision
Facilitator: Greg Trapp
Presenter: Matt Ater
General Session #8: From Assessment to Launch — A Customizable Approach to Preparing Aspiring Blind Entrepreneurs for Success
Facilitator: Darline Graham
Presenters: Jonathan Lucus and Marianne Haegeli
Adjourn for the Day
Friday, November 7, 2025
Executive Committee Meeting (Committee Members Only)
NCSAB Registration & Exhibit Hall Opens
Business Meeting, Committee Reports & Election
General Session #9: A Client-Centered O&M Model in Action
Facilitator: Carlos Serván
Presenter: Leslie Hoskins
General Session #10: Partnering for Possibility — Helen Keller National Center’s Role in Empowering the DeafBlind Community
Facilitator: Natasha Jerde
Presenters: John Filek and Ryan Odland
Networking Break
General Session #11: Why Certification Matters — Success Through Structured Discovery Apprenticeship
Facilitator: Juanita Barker
Presenters: Amy Porterfield and Edward Bell
Closing Session
Dorothy Young, NCSAB President and Director, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
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