Invited Guests
All Elected Statewide Officeholders, all State Senators & State Representatives, all State Agency Heads, Members of Congress from Florida, Vision Care Professionals, Nonprofit & Industry Leaders, Visually Impaired & Blind Floridians, the Media & the Public.
Co-Hosts
The Florida Legislature’s Vision Caucus &
The Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind (FAASB)
The Vision Caucus is a Bipartisan, Bicameral Caucus of 71 Legislators. FAASB is a Statewide Nonprofit Association of 16 Community-based Nonprofit Agencies that Provide Direct Support Services to Floridians who are Visually Impaired or Blind.
FAASB's on-going goal is to hold an annual Vision Summit where everyone interested in vision issues can come together, discuss the issues, define the problems, raise public awareness, and urge our State leaders to address these critical issues. In it's fourth year, the Florida Vision Summit raises public awareness and prompts State government to address the concerns and issues of Florida’s blind and visually impaired residents. Through the Summit, we all gain a better understanding of these issues and improve both our prevention efforts and blind services.
The Fourth Annual
Florida Vision Summit
Guest Speakers & Invited Participants
We have an impressive and influential line-up of speakers and participants for today’s 2010 Florida Vision Summit. We will hear from State government policymakers including legislators, agency heads, and education officials; leading experts from the private sector, including eye care physicians and professionals, leaders of statewide professional associations, leaders of community-based nonprofit organizations; and most importantly we will hear from some inspiring Floridians who are blind or visually impaired.
State Officials
The senior State officials participating in today’s Vision Summit oversee both the Florida Legislature and the Executive Branch agencies that have a direct impact on Floridians who are visually impaired or blind at various life stages.
In the Executive Branch, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) touches the lives of blind babies. The Florida Department of Education (DOE) provides for the pubic education of visually impaired and blind children. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) is keenly focused on the rapidly growing incidence of age-related vision loss among senior Floridians. Lastly, the Florida Division of Blind Services, a Division of DOE, coordinates multiple services for visually impaired and blind Floridians of all ages and needs. We will hear from all of them today.
Additionally, the Florida Legislature is responsible for funding all of these Executive Branch agencies and their services to Floridians who are visually impaired or blind. We will also hear from legislative leaders today. The invited State officials are all listed on the following pages.
Private Sector Professionals & Advocates
The private sector is also well represented at today’s Florida Vision Summit. Joining us are professionals from the fields of medicine, health care, and vision care. We have invited Florida’s best ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, and leaders from community-based nonprofit organizations. Lastly, and most importantly, we have invited some of Florida’s most respected and effective vision advocates. These individuals serve Floridians who are visually impaired and blind on a daily basis; and some have the added knowledge, experience and perspective of living with their own low vision or blindness. We encourage you to talk with any of the Florida Vision Summit speakers and participants today. All of the invited private sector experts and advocates are also listed on the following pages.
2010 Florida Vision Summit
Legislative Breakfast Speaking Agenda
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM, 22nd Floor, The State Capitol
7:30 AM Buffet Breakfast Service
7:30 AM Call to Order & Invocation
By Representative Kurt Kelly
Moderator, 2010 Florida Vision Summit Chair,
Florida Legislature’s Vision Caucus Member,
Florida House of Representatives
7:33 AM Pledge of Allegiance
By Mr. Paul W. Kaminsky, Cdr, USN-Ret
Past President, Blinded Veterans Association, Florida
7:35 AM Entertainment
By Mr. Omar Banegas, Mr. Harold Cobo, Ms. Mirna Garcia,
Mr. Randy Margitza, Mr. Ghonathan Saldana,
Mr. Matthew Smith & Mr. Jose Vega
“A Better Chance” Music Program,
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired
8:10 AM Welcome Remarks & Introduction of State Officials
By Representative Kurt Kelly
8:15 AM Welcome Remarks & Introductions of Nonprofit Leaders
By Mr. Robert Kelly, President, FAASB
Executive Director, Florida Lions Conklin Center for the Blind
8:20 AM Welcome Remarks
By House Speaker Larry Cretul
8:25 AM Presentation of the FAASB Visionary Leadership Award
To Allergan, Inc., a Founding Sponsor of the annual
Florida Vision Summit
By Mr. Robert Kelly
8:27 AM Singing of God Bless America
By “A Better Chance” Music Program,
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired
8:30 AM Adjourn
2010 Florida Vision Summit
General Session Speaking Agenda
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, Florida House Chambers, 4th Floor, The State Capitol
9:00 AM Call to Order
By Representative Kurt Kelly
Moderator, 2010 Florida Vision Summit
Chair, Florida Legislature’s Vision Caucus
Member, Florida House of Representatives
9:02 AM Invocation
By Commissioner Bob Rackleff
Chairman, Leon County Board of Commissioners
9:05 AM Pledge of Allegiance
By Mr. Paul W. Kaminsky, Cdr, USN-Ret
Member, Blinded Veterans Association of Florida
9:07 AM Singing of the National Anthem
By Ms. Mirna Garcia
“A Better Chance” Music Program
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired
9:10 AM Welcome Remarks from the Florida Legislature’s Vision Caucus
By Representative Kurt Kelly
9:15 AM Welcome Remarks from the Florida Senate
By Senator Stephen R. Wise
Member, Florida Legislature’s Vision Caucus
Member, Florida Senate
9:20 AM Welcome Remarks from the Florida Association
Of Agencies Serving the Blind ( FAASB)
By Mr. Robert Kelly, President, FAASB
Executive Director, Florida Lions Conklin Center for the Blind
9:25 AM Presentation of FAASB Statesman of Vision Award
To Representative Kurt Kelly
By Mr. Robert Kelly
Special Segment On Children, Youth & Education
9:27 AM The Role of the Florida Department of Health
By State Surgeon General Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros, MD, MPH
Secretary, Florida Department of Health
9:37 AM Presentation of the FAASB Visionary Leadership Award
To Surgeon General Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros, MD, MPH
By Mr. Robert Kelly
9:40 AM The Heiken Children’s Vision Program of the
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired
By Ms. Virginia A. Jacko
President & CEO, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired
9:50 AM The Role of the Florida School for the Deaf & the Blind
By Ms. Mary Lou Hofmann-Sitten
Blind & Special Needs Principal, FSDB
10:00 AM The Role of Florida’s Pre-K-12 Education System
By Dr. Eric J. Smith, PhD
Commissioner of Education, Florida Department of Education
10:10 AM Presentation of the FAASB Visionary Leadership Award
To Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith, PhD
By Mr. Robert Kelly
10:12 AM The Role of Florida’s Higher Education System
(Community Colleges & Universities)
By Dr. William D. Law, PhD
President, Tallahassee Community College
10:22 AM Braille & Technology Literacy for the Visually Impaired
By Ms. Susan LaVenture
CEO, National Association for Parents of Children With Visual Impairments
10:32 AM A Family’s Personal Perspective
By Ms. Lenora J. Marten
President, Florida Organization of Parents of Blind Children
Secretary, Jacksonville Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Florida
10:37 AM A Student’s Perspective
By Mr. Eric S. Marten, Student, Florida School for the Deaf & Blind
Board Member, National Federation of the Blind of Florida,
Student Division
Sponsor Presentation
10:42 AM Advances in Optometry
By Dr. R. Andrew Wiles, OD
Chairman of the Board, Florida Optometric Association
Special Segment On Workforce
10:52 AM The Working Adult Blind & Visually Impaired
By Ms. Roxann Mayros
CEO, VisionServe Alliance
11:02 AM A Worker’s Personal Perspective
By Mr. Joe Minichiello
2nd Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Florida
President, Greater Jacksonville Chapter, NFBF
11:07 AM A Business Owner’s Personal Perspective
By Mr. Fred Sanguiliano
Founder & CEO, Keystone Design, LLC
Board Member, Lighthouse of the Big Bend
11:12 AM A Professional’s Personal Perspective
By Ms. Kathryn A. Zarate
Deaf Blind Consultant
Sponsor Presentation
11:17 AM Advances in Ophthalmology
By Dr. Bradley D. Fouraker, MD
Board Member, Florida Society of Ophthalmology
Special Focus On Seniors
11:27 AM The Role of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs
By Dr. E. Douglas Beach, PhD
Secretary, Florida Department of Elder Affairs
11:37 AM Presentation of the FAASB Visionary Leadership Award to
Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Dr E Douglas Beach, PhD
By Mr. Robert Kelly
11:39 AM A Senior’s Personal Perspective
By Ms. Barbara Grill
Sponsor Presentation
11:44 AM Advances in Opticianry
By Mr. James Reese, LDO
President, Professional Opticians of Florida
Invited Guest Presentation
11:54 AM The Governor’s Commission on Disabilities
By Mr. Bryan Vaughan
Executive Director, The Governor’s Commission On Disabilities
Special Focus On Key Issues
11:59 AM Key Issue: Federal & State Funding
By Mr. Kurt Ponchak
Bureau Chief, Division of Blind Services,
Florida Department of Education
12:09 PM Key Issue: Voting Accessibility
By Mr. Paul Edwards
Director of Access Services,
North Campus, Miami-Dade College
12:19 PM Key Issue: The 2010 Legislative Session
By Representative Kurt Kelly
12:29 PM 2010 Florida Vision Summit
Summary and Closing Remarks
By Dr. Elly du Pré, DPA
Vice President, FAASB
Executive Director, Lighthouse of Broward
12:39 PM Adjourn
A Special Thank You to the Honorable Larry Cretul
Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
The Vision Caucus and FAASB deeply appreciate the kind and generous support of the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Larry Cretul, and his House administration in providing their hospitality and assistance, as well as the beautiful, august Florida House Chambers for the Florida Vision Summit. Speaker Cretul has served our great state well and faithfully and presided over the Florida House of Representatives with the grace and compassion of a true leader. The FAASB Board of Directors appreciate the personal and professional sacrifices that Speaker Cretul, and all elected officials, make to serve the people of Florida.
From Representative Kurt Kelly, Chair, Florida Legislature's Vision Caucus:
Vision loss and blindness can be birth-related, accidentrelated, disease-related or age-related. Even as vision research advances, eye care improves, and blind services expand, the numbers of visually impaired newborns, schoolaged children, adults, and elderly are increasing.
Over 360,000 Floridians have diabetic retinopathy, over 160,000 have glaucoma, and over 128,000 have macular degeneration. Florida also has the 6th highest prevalence of vision loss and blindness among all states.
I am honored to be leading the Florida Legislature’s Vision Caucus as our State leader address the concerns and issues important to the over one million Floridians who have vision loss or are blind. The Vision Summit and the on-going work of the Vision Caucus provide opportunities to bring greater legislative and public awareness to the critical vision issues that impact our healthcare, education, workforce and social services.
From Former Rep. Dennis Baxley, Founding Chair, Florida Legislature’s Vision Caucus
In the summer of 2005, FAASB President Lee Nasehi traveled to my legislative office in Ocala to, as my friend Bill Hebrock said that day: “lay three requests on my heart.”
Their three requests were that I lead an effort to:
1) create a Vision Caucus in the Florida Legislature,
2) create a “State of Vision” license plate to benefit for the blind, and
3) create an annual Florida Vision Summit.
As the parent of a blind child, I was pleased to embrace those requests, as were many other legislators. Within two years, we had achieved all three goals! We are fortunate that an extraordinarily talented legislator, Representative Kurt Kelly, is now leading the bicameral, bipartisan Vision Caucus and moderating the Vision Summit. The work being done by Representative Kelly and his colleagues continues to impact the lives of countless Floridians like my son, Jeffrey, and families like my own, who deal with vision-related issues every day. I thank you, all.
FAASB’s Statesman of Vision Award
Last year, in 2008, FAASB announced the new “Statesman of Vision Award,” which is
presented periodically when appropriate to a nominated and qualified individual. A
Statesman of Vision Award recipient must meet the following criteria: “An elected or
appointed government leader in the legislative or executive branch of our local, state
or federal governments who has been a prominent and successful advocate for
visually impaired and blind people over a long period of time.”
February 10,2009, FAASB was pleased to announce that The Honorable Loranne Ausley of
Tallahassee is the third recipient of the FAASB Statesman of Vision Award.
Herself the mother of a visually impaired child, public service and work as an attorney is Loranne
Ausley’s chosen profession. For the last eight years, Loranne Ausley served in the
Florida House of Representatives where she exemplified the highest standards of
statesmanship and personal integrity. She was a passionate, influential voice in the
Florida Legislature for children’s issues and vision issues. She remains active in
these issues today as Chair of the Whole Child Leon Steering Committee.
Representative Ausley has worked tirelessly on vision issues that affect Floridians of
all ages, from blind babies to Florida’s low vision workforce to elders with age-related
vision loss. Her colleagues in the Florida Legislature chose Representative Ausley to
Chair of the Vision Caucus in 2007; and she served as Moderator of the 2008
Florida Vision Summit.
FAASB is pleased to honor Loranne Ausley as a recipient of the Statesman of Vision
Award. 
Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind