Barry Levine, "The Chairman of the Library Board Can't Read the Books!"

Barry Levine of Homer Glen, Illinois, is a business owner, public library

trustee, and family man who will share with us his experience making the

transition from fully sighted through low vision to total blindness as a

result of a genetic eye condition, retinitis pigmentosa. He is a people

person and a great communicator.

"What's New in the Genetics of Eye Disease? Will this research lead to Treatment?"

Richard A. Lewis MD, MS Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine,

Houston, Texas, besides being an ophthalmologist who sees patients on a

daily basis, is an expert on the genetics of eye diseases, with several

ongoing research projects to work out the genetics of such disorders as

retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Leber's Congenital Amaurosis,

and Best's Dystrophy.

"Stem Cells and Other Legal and Ethical Issues that Affect Eye Research"

Hank Greely JD, C. Wendell and Edith M. Carlsmith Professor of Law,

Stanford University, is an authority on science and technology law in

general and stem cells and other bio-research issues in particular. He will

help us explore the legal and ethical issues that eye research may encounter.

"Legal Advocacy As a Part of Living with Low Vision"

Lainey Feingold Esq. Berkeley, California, listened to people with vision

loss and now they listen to talking ATMs. She is a very passionate,

people-oriented attorney who has taken the lead in helping people with

vision impairments have full access to their banking through talking ATMs

and other accessible bank services.

"Approaching Low Vision from the Other Direction"

Mike May, CEO, Sendero Group, Davis, California, is a successful

businessperson in the field of assistive technology for people who are

blind and visually impaired. Totally blind since age 3, 43 years later he

is learning to live with low vision. He will share this unique adventure

and also invite the audience to the exhibits at the end of the day.