The National Federation of the Blind (NFB)of California is proud to present:

A Path To Educational Excellence for Blind Children

an expert panel helps parents and advocates understand how to get the best public education possible for their children

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Are you a parent of children who are blind? Are you an advocate for educational rights for blind students? Do you want children who are blind to succeed in school and in life? If yes, this panel is the perfect one for you!

So where will it be, exactly? We at the National Federation of the Blind of California have put together this special panel of experts just for you! The panel will be held at our state convention on Saturday, October 27th from 12:30 to 2:00 PM. Grab a bite to eat in Los Angeles and come join us for a truly memorable, inspirational talk that is sure to leave you with ideas and excitement!

So what’s on the agenda for this phenomenal panel? Attorney Elizabeth Eubanks, experienced special education counsel, Varela, recognized expert on transition-age youth under recent WIOA legislation, and Jaye Shupin, certified orientation and mobility instructor and President-Elect of the Northern California Association of Orientation & Mobility Specialists (NCAOMS), will explain what parents and advocates should expect from their school districts and recent changes and hot topics of concern. We’re sure you have plenty of questions and if you don’t, get ready because plenty of time will be allocated for questions and answers. Now let’s take a look at our panelists!

The panelists

Attorney Elizabeth Eubanks

Ms. Eubanks has practiced law for over a decade and has advocated for the rights of blind children and blind people at the local, state, and federal levels of jurisdiction. Suffice it to say, she is an expert! Elizabeth received her Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law and a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. Now, Ms. Eubanks is an adjunct professor at the University of La Verne College of Law, teaching coursework in special education and disability rights law.

Jaye Shupin

Jaye Shupin is a certified orientation and mobility instructor and President-Elect of the Northern California Association of Orientation & Mobility Specialists (NCAOMS). Ms. Shupin received her degree and teaching credential from San Francisco State University. She has been working in the field for 19 years, initially teaching O&M to blind and visually impaired adults, and now has 16 years of experience teaching O&M to children in the public school system. Jaye is the current President-Elect of the Northern California Association of Orientation & Mobility Specialists (NCAOMS). Over the past 18 years Jaye has served NCAOMS as the Chair of various committees, as the Secretary, and as the President. Jaye also holds a Master of Social Work degree from San Francisco State University. She is a long-time advocate for the civil rights of people with disabilities.

Carmen Varela

Carmen Varela is a well-recognized expert on transition age youth under recent WIOA legislation. She has been a human services practitioner for 24 years in Texas and California. Her work is centered on reducing racial & economic inequities for persons with disabilities. She previously worked at Disability Rights California where she specialized in increasing access to educational and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities including transition age youth and adults through the State’s vocational rehabilitation program, special education, and regional center systems. Carmen holds a Masters in Science in Assistive Technology Studies & Human Services from CSU Northridge and is currently pursuing a doctorate in education at USC. She is trilingual and is fluent in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language and has worked as a sign language interpreter throughout Los Angeles for deaf victims of human trafficking from Mexico & Central America. She is currently the Director of Disabled Student Services for CSU Long Beach.

So how can you be a part?

Well this is exciting! We truly have some expert panelists who are prepared to help inform you and answer your questions. Please come join us, as we are all invested in promoting and ensuring the educational rights of all blind students. We deserve to live the lives we want, and that starts with a quality education.

So how can you be a part of this? Well, we’re glad you asked! This panel will take place at the NFB of California state convention in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 27th. You can find information about this year’s convention by clicking this link.

For general information about us and what we do, please click this link. And to register for convention, please click this link. See you there!