NAD CONFERENCE 2022: Day 4
Now, it is July 3rd which is the 4th day of this NAD conference so far here in Orlando. I have been enjoying myself. It is also the last day as well. The final event is tonight. Before we continue, I want to quickly show you one of the things that NAD did to work with the Hyatt Regency Hotel & Conference related to communication access and other accessibility – here is one of the things-
This is pretty cool! Here at the Marketplace, NAD made sure that there is a whiteboard by the cashier for me to write my order. See this? Ready for me or I can use an interpreter who is standing here ready as well. Let’s say I want to order a medium coffee, I can either write or ask the interpreter to relay what I said.
Hi, can you tell her that I want a medium coffee?
Cashier: Yes ok.
Thank you! Thank you!
That’s neat. And now, while I am waiting for my drink, what they will do is write my name on the whiteboard when my drink is ready.
I thought that was really cool to share with you and it is important for us to have access too. For our last day, what do we do? Basically the Council of Representatives meeting continues, exhibit hall, workshops, etc. Then tonight, it will be the Pitch Competition and Live Auction. What is the Pitch Competition? It is an opportunity for the contestants who are involved to pitch their idea- it could be a business idea, project idea, innovation, app, or something to pitch and aim to win to be in the top 3. For those who win the competition, for 1st place is $7,500, for 2nd place is $5,000, for 3rd place is $2,500. This competition is for the age between 18 to 30. That is what will happen tonight. So, after the competition is finished, Live Auction will come after.
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Ernest Willman: Hello! See this? It’s part of the pitch competition at the NAD conference. What’s exciting? We added a new part called “Tokens.” What happens is that contestants will quickly pitch their idea to people who approach them then people will pick which idea they like and vote for the best pitch. Check it out!
Domonic Gordine: Hello! My name is Domonic Gordine, the current ambassador. I cannot wait to see who will win next!
What is it? Sign Speak- ASL recognition, you can sign in front of any normal camera, phone, laptop…
Can you tell me one thing that Deaf children in K to 12 have to do because the school expects them to do it- what is it?
That would be the media in our Deaf community which is our vlogs. Rich information is exchanged.
Companies all around say the same thing to us, “we apologize for our actions…”
Jessica Willoughby: Wow! It is hard to believe that my pitch on “Maggie Learning” won! I thought about this for a very long time. A few years really and finally, I get to pitch this idea at the competition at NAD. I won 1st place? Wow. This means you believe in me and my idea. This platform will happen. What is my next step? I want to get a team together, develop a website, get 20 to 30 Deaf students and do a trial using my platform idea by next year!
Renca: Well, that wraps up this NAD conference 2022! The next one is 2024 and will be in Chicago. You can follow NAD on Instagram and Facebook for more information. Check out their website as well.