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The CEC Convention… From the Eyes of A First-Timer By Durrae Delp, DVI Student
Ambassador Presenting for first time at the CEC convention in Kansas City was quite an experience. Along with a dozen or so other Kutztown University students I committed myself to present information that I felt was important and beneficial to the division of blind and visually impaired. Knowing that I had an entire year to gather information for my presentation, I wasn’t too worried about time. I had the support of my fellow classmates and mentor, Dr. Ross, head of the vision department at Kutztown. I felt confident about what was to be expected at the conference. After
many weeks of meeting with Elizabeth and Bernadette, two other students working
on the presentation, we were ready to take flight to Kansas City.
I was a little nervous, but also very excited!
We carefully packed all the materials we would need for our presentation,
this included handouts for people who stopped by our booth and a colorful poster
or display board. The hard part was over, now it was time to experience what
this convention was all about. One
of the perks of being a part of CEC convention is traveling to a different city
and experiencing new sites. Last
year the conference was in Vancouver, British Colombia which I heard was
beautiful. Next year the conference will be in the one and only ‘big apple,’
yes, I am talking about New York City! If
you have never been to New York, don’t miss this opportunity.
Anyway, aside from the excitement of a new place to visit there is the
conference, the real reason for your journey.
The CEC convention. Upon
entering the conference center you are able to check in and get your name badge.
This is where you receive the ‘big book,’ at least that is what I
called it! This book contained all
the information about the convention such as meetings, events and workshops.
The hardest part is making a choice of what to do.
There are so many great workshops and presenters it is impossible to see
everything!
The day
after arriving in Kansas City my group was scheduled to give our presentation.
The atmosphere was very comfortable. For a poster session you are given a
small area in a large room with a table and some chairs.
There is a place to display your poster board and just enough room to
mingle with the people who stop by and talk.
Our poster session was called “Lifetime Leisure Activities for the
Blind and Visually Impaired.” I
was very impressed by the amount of people who were interested in our topic.
What I found out was, that people in the field of visual impairments are
extremely interested the knowledge of college students.
I felt very comfortable talking to people about my thoughts and ideas.
Another
great perk about the convention was the expo!
The expo was an area designated for vendors and recruitment/career
booths. I believe there was probably
a recruitment booth for every state! How
would you like to teach the blind or visually impaired in Hawaii? Or the Florida
Keys? This is a great place to make
connections with people about jobs and to see what kind of new and innovative
technology is available. Before
I left for Kansas City I really did not know what to expect!
When I was ready to leave to come home I realized that I had made the
right choice in attending this conference. As a student
and a future educator, I feel the CEC annual convention is a life
changing, learning experience, that you can revisit every year!
I am looking forward to New York City in 2002!
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