Blind Travel Summit 2025 Agenda
Summit Location
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired: 1100 W 45th St, Austin, TX 78756
Hotel Block
Most people are staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites Austin-Downtown.
Book hotel as soon as possible. We cannot guarantee
rooms will be available.
Thursday, November 13
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 11:30 AM | Arrive, Check-In, and Explore Exhibits |
| 12:30 PM | Welcome by Emily Coleman from Texas School for the Blind and Visually
Impaired. Welcome, grant program anouncment, and sponsor acknowledgments by Mike Walsh, Executive Director, Blind Travel Foundation Agenda overview by Mike May, description of exhibit tables like Ambutech and 3D maps. |
| 12:45 PM | Aira — Marybai Huking: Explore On Your Terms with Aira: Plan, Navigate, and Discover through Professional Visual Interpreting. Winners of the Aira minutes will be announced too. |
| 1:00 PM | AGIGA — Kevin Chow, introducing the EchoVision smart glasses for the Blind and announcing the winner of the glasses. |
| 1:15 PM | Waymo — Rachel Kamen (virtual). Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company making it safer, more accessible, and more sustainable to get around — without the need for anyone in the driver’s seat. Learn about Waymo’s technology, accessibility highlights, and the impactful community partnerships with the National Federation of the Blind and American Council of the Blind. |
| 1:45 PM | Members of the Uber accessibility team (virtual) — using apps and connecting
with drivers. Discussion of innovative ways Uber may be able to help close some of the gaps. |
| 2:15 PM | Airbnb – Suzanne Edwards and Tiffany Lanham: booking worldwide accommodations,
the app and being an Airbnb host. This is an attendee driven session. Be ready with questions. |
| 2:45 PM | Jean Parker and Orly Corcos — Bold Steps, Boundless Journeys: Resilient Travel |
| 3:30 PM | Quick break |
| 3:45 PM | Michael Forzano and Shawn Keen — AI-Assisted Travel: Navigating Airports and Adventures with Confidence |
| 4:30 PM | Penn Street — audience travel experiences. This will include stories from others. |
| 5:00 PM | Ella Deshautreaux, Carol Trapani, and Lucie Courtois — template for exploring a city. |
| 5:30 PM | Wrap |
| 6:15–7:15 PM | Mingling at the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Austin or nearby bar. |
Friday, November 14
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Arrive and explore exhibits and tactile maps. |
| 8:30 AM | Review of agenda for the day and post-event activities. |
| 8:40 AM | Kevin Andrews — international travel. |
| 9:10 AM | Milagros Constable — the challenges and costs of traveling with a guide dog. |
| 9:40 AM | Mika Pyyhkala — points programs and deals. |
| 10:00 AM | Seable Holidays (virtual) — award-winning accessible tailored and group holidays for the blind and visually impaired community. |
| 10:20 AM | Quick break |
| 10:30 AM | United Airlines — staff member, facilitated by Mike May, air travel. |
| 11:00 AM | Tim Shaw and Scott Garrison — international travel and relocating to another country. |
| 11:45 AM | Eliana Mason and Gena Harper — From Fear to Freedom: How to Be a Confident Traveler |
| 12:00 PM | United Airlines Focus Group 1 in an adjacent room. |
| 12:30 PM | Open Doors Organization/ Eric Lipp — Amtrak and Southwest Airlines. |
| 1:00 PM | Two Blind Brothers video, gift of socks, and Glam Canes. Wrap and explore exhibits until 2 PM. |
| 1:30 PM | United Airlines Focus Group 2 in an adjacent room. |
| 2:00 PM | Event Closed |