NOAH Connections
Inspired by our early pandemic “Social Distancing with Friends” series, as well as the heart-warming connections created during #VirtualNOAHCon2020, NOAH is delighted to offer NOAH Connections, an ongoing series of virtual opportunities to bring the community together. An essential part of NOAH’s mission is to “provide a place where people with albinism and their families in the U.S. and Canada can find acceptance, support, and fellowship.” With the participation and engagement of community members like you, NOAH Connections will provide this opportunity for virtual “face to face” connections. Unless otherwise stated, NOAH Connections will be hosted on the Zoom platform.
Looking for a way to help? Let YOUR voice be heard!
Learn more about NOAH Connections Advisory Task Force opportunities!
We hope you’ll join us for one of many upcoming opportunities to connect!
What’s Your Vision?
Do you have a vision for future support forums, interest group meetings, educational sessions or social activities that would benefit the albinism community?
Submit your session ideas using this form to suggest upcoming content and connections for all!
Upcoming Opportunities to Connect:
In order to make efficient use of NOAH resources, if less than two attendees join a NOAH Connections call within 15 minutes of the published call start time, the NOAH Connections call will end.
Preschool ~ Grades K-5 ~ Grades 6-8 ~ Teens
Young Adults ~ Adults ~ Parents, Grandparents, & Caregivers
Special Interest ~ Everyone!
Are you looking for educational or social-emotional sessions facilitated by a licensed professional? Check out NOAH Workshops and register for upcoming offerings!
Monday, November 11th ~ PWA Book Club
Wednesday, November 13th ~ Young Adults
Thursday, November 14th ~ Adults
Tuesday, November 19th ~ Aging with Albinism ~ Parenting without Pigment
Thursday, November 21st ~ Teens
Sunday, November 24th ~ Thanksgiving Gratitude Lists (Adults)
Monday, November 25th – Sunday, December 1st ~ NOAH Connections Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, December 5th ~ Teens
Wednesday, December 11th ~ Young Adults
Thursday, December 12th ~ Adults
Preschool NOAH Connections
Preschool NOAH Connections
with Kathi Garza
TBD
Join us for some Fun Fall Fingerplays as we chat about the beautiful changes fall brings. If you like spending time outdoors in the fall, collect a few treasures on a nature walk and bring them to Preschool Connections so we can share in the joy together! If you’re unable to go on a nature walk and would like to draw some of your favorite fall things, we’d love to see that, too!
Sign up for Preschool NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Preschool NOAH Connections!
Grades K-5 NOAH Connections
Are you looking for educational or social-emotional sessions facilitated by a licensed professional? Check out NOAH Workshops and register for upcoming offerings!
Grades K-5 NOAH Connections
Next Call TBA
Sign up for Grades K-5 NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Grades K-5 NOAH Connections!
NOAH Kids’ PWA Book Club
(recommended for ages 7-10)
Next Book Club TBD
Grades 6-8 NOAH Connections
Are you looking for educational or social-emotional sessions facilitated by a licensed professional? Check out NOAH Workshops and register for upcoming offerings!
NOAH Kids’ PWA Book Club
(recommended for grades 4-8)
Next Book Club TBD
Teen NOAH Connections
Are you looking for educational or social-emotional sessions facilitated by a licensed professional? Check out NOAH Workshops and register for upcoming offerings!
Teen NOAH Connections
Thursday, November 21st at 8:00pm ET // 5:00pm PT
Thursday, December 5th at 8:00pm ET // 5:00pm PT
NOAH Teens, you’re invited to our next Teen Connections call!
Sign up for Teen NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Teen NOAH Connections!
Young Adult NOAH Connections
Are you looking for educational or social-emotional sessions facilitated by a licensed professional? Check out NOAH Workshops and register for upcoming offerings!
Young Adult NOAH Connections
Wednesday, November 13th ~ 9:00pm ET // 6:00pm PT
Wednesday, December 11th ~ 9:00pm ET // 6:00pm PT
Young Adults, join us for our next session. This is a great chance to share our experiences and connect with fellow PWAs!
Sign up for Young Adult NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Young Adult NOAH Connections!
Adult NOAH Connections
Are you looking for educational or social-emotional sessions facilitated by a licensed professional? Check out NOAH Workshops and register for upcoming offerings!
Adult NOAH Connections
Thursday, November 14th at 9:00pm ET // 6:00pm PT
Thursday, December 12th at 9:00pm ET // 6:00pm PT
Adult PWAs, you’re invited to our next session of Adult Connections! We hope to see you on Zoom for social time with fellow PWAs.
Sign up for Adult NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Adult NOAH Connections
PWA Book Club
hosted by: Casey Greer, Silpa Tadavarthy, and Chrys Buckley
Next Meeting: Monday, November 11th at 8:00pm ET // 5:00pm PT
Current Reading Material: “A Mango-Shaped Space” by Wendy Mass
Are you an adult PWA (18+) who loves to read? Join us for the re-launching of the NOAH Book Club! Get a copy of our current reading material, and join us to discuss.
Please note: NOAH’s book club is offered free of charge, but NOAH does not provide the current reading material to participants. You must purchase or borrow the selected book to participate!
Join NOAH PWA Book Club Today!
Thanksgiving Gratitude Lists
hosted by Marleena Barber & Casey Greer
Sunday, November 24th at 8:00pm ET // 5:00pm PT
Join Marleena and Casey to create gratitude lists to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Sign Up for Thanksgiving Gratitude Lists
Parents, Grandparents, & Caregivers
Are you a parent or caregiver who lives in Canada?
Sign up for NOAH Connections: Canadian Parents today!
Are you looking for educational or social-emotional sessions facilitated by a licensed professional? Check out NOAH Workshops and register for upcoming offerings!
Parent Connections
Next Call TBD
Join us to talk about parenting during the holidays and all of the things that come with this time of year.
Parents & caregivers – join us to become part of a community that “just gets it!” Stay tuned for upcoming calls including social time, educational presentations, and more.
Sign Up for Parent Connections!
Ocular Albinism – Parents, Grandparents, & Caregivers Connections
hosted by: Pamela Tarnawa, M.Ed., TVI
Next Call TBD
Come talk, listen and discuss the unique ways OA is present in your life.
Join Ocular Albinism Parents, Grandparents, & Caregivers Connections!
Grandparent Connections
Next Call TBD
Join us to discuss overstepping when it comes to being a grandparent of a child with albinism.
NOAH grandparents, join us to connect with fellow grandparents of children with albinism! Grandparents of kids of all ages are welcome to attend 🙂
Join Grandparent Connections!
NOAH Connections: Dads!
hosted by: Sam McClung
Next Call TBD
NOAH Dads, join us to connect with fellow dads of children with albinism. We’ll discuss the unique experiences of being a dad to a PWA and come together in the shared goal of being the best dads we can be for our children.
Register for NOAH Connections: Dads today!
NOAH Connections for Everyone
Seeing Beyond: Navigating Life with Low Vision
What to Do When You’ve Been Told Nothing Can Be Done
An educational presentation by Dr. Thomas Porter, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Wednesday, October 23rd at 9pm ET // 6pm PT
Unfortunately most patients or parents of children with albinism are told the diagnosis and “nothing can be done”. This presentation will cover the basics of low vision care and visual rehabilitation. Often by manipulating fairly simple variables one’s functional visual skills improve. Strategies will be discussed to help those with limited vision compete more equally with average vision.
About Dr. Thomas Porter, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Dr. Porter is an Associate Professor and Director of Low Vision Services at Saint Louis University’s department of ophthalmology. He also serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri College of Optometry. For his entire 44 year career, Dr. Porter has limited his practice to patients with low vision such as albinism. His clinic sees in excess of 1,000 low vision patients each year. Dr. Porter has also served as a clinical consultant to several manufacturers of low vision aids as well as a medical advisor to the Vision Council of America.
Sign up today and you’ll receive email invites for future sessions in our Seeing Beyond session too!
Register for Seeing Beyond: Navigating Life with Low Vision!
NOAH Connections Research Coffee Chat!
Next Call TBD
Are you interested in albinism research? Join the NOAH Research Program Committee for a call to discuss the program, share details about our Research Program Grant process and provide information and insight about NOAH’s ongoing support of albinism research and how you can GET INVOLVED.
Sign up for NOAH Connections Research Coffee Chat today, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join NOAH Connections Research Coffee Chat!
*please note* those signed up for the standard NOAH Connections Coffee Chat will not receive the link for the Research Program Coffee Chat. Please use the link above to sign up if you are interested in attending the Research Coffee Chat!
NOAH Connections: Coffee Chat
Next Call TBD
Coffee Chats are an open invitation to have coffee with NOAH staff on Zoom. Share your thoughts on NOAH programming, share your voice, or simply join us for some social time.
Sign up for NOAH Connections Coffee Chat today, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join NOAH Connections Coffee Chat!
Special Interest
Low Vision Driving Chat
hosted by: Bonny Reinhardt
Next Call TBD
Adults with albinism – you’re invited to join Bonny Reinhardt and friends to discuss your experiences with low vision driving!
Sign up for NOAH Connections Low Vision Driving Chat today, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join NOAH Connections: Low Vision Driving Chat!
Prospective Drivers Connections
hosted by: Chuck Huss COMS, Lee Laughlin, Brandi Green LCSW, and Matt Bailey
Next Call TBD
Join us for a panel discussion for prospective drivers to learn more about low vision driving. We will be taking questions at the end!
Panelist Bios:
Brandi M. Green, LCSW
Brandi M. Green, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and works as a school-based counselor for high school youth. Additionally, she has experience in research, operations, and communications. In her free time, Brandi enjoys exercising, watching her favorite shows, sharing funny memes in group chats, and looking for opportunities to be creative. She also enjoys quiet and unplanned moments because rest is resistance (source: The Nap Ministry).
Brandi holds a B.A. in English from Grinnell College, and an M.A. in social work from the University of Chicago. She is also the author of a children’s book called Golden Like Me, which shares the story of two Black children with albinism who meet for the first time.
Lee Laughlin
Lee Laughlin never expected to drive. A comment by her low vision specialist started a personal journey to learn if she could drive safely. She earned a daytime driving license in Massachusetts at the age of 29, six months later she earned a full license. When she & her family relocated to New Hampshire, she started driving with a bioptic telescope. Her current vehicle, a 2017 Kia Sportage is going strong with 120,000 miles on it. Lee also taught her daughter and son with albinism to drive.
Matt Bailey
Matt Bailey is a person with albinism and has been a licensed driver using bioptics for 27 years. In 2013, Matt worked with a group of fellow bioptic users to legalize bioptic driving in North Carolina. He served on NOAH’s Board of Directors from 2000 to 2006. Matt and his wife Melike, who also has albinism, live in Chapel Hill, NC with their 16 year old.
Chuck Huss, COMS
Mr. Huss received his Master of Arts degree in Orientation and Mobility from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI in 1976.
He has worked as an Academy-certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) in Ohio and West Virginia for the past 47 years, serving clients or students, pre-school through geriatrics.
Mr. Huss is also nationally known for his work in formalized bioptic driver training and assessment – where he has been crossed trained and served as one of the driver rehabilitation specialists with the:
– West Virginia Pilot Low Vision Driving Study (’85-’88),
– Its continuum of related services (’89-’08), and the
– Current West Virginia Bioptic Driving Program (’09-’22).
Prior to his retirement (1/05/22), his full-time employer for the past thirty-nine (39) years has been the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS).
Honors/Awards: For his years of service, knowledge sharing and professional advocacy efforts revolving around “bioptic driving”, Mr. Huss was awarded the AER Ambrose Shotwell Award in 2012, a NOAH Distinguished Service Award in 2014, and an ADED Scholar’s Award in 2018.
Sign up for NOAH Connections Prospective Drivers Connections today, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Sign Up for Prospective Drivers Connections
NOAH Connections: LGBTQ+ & Allies
hosted by: Sarah Kane
Next Call TBD
YOU belong here! Join us for a social gathering open to all LGBTQ+ and allies with albinism. Participants are welcome to connect however they are comfortable – leave your camera off or dial in via phone if video isn’t your style. We look forward to connecting with you!
Sign up for NOAH Connections LGBTQ+ & Allies today, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join NOAH Connections: LGBTQ+ & Allies!
PWAs in the STEM Fields
hosted by Sarah Kane & Derek Schindelman
Next Call TBD
PWAs in STEM, you’re invited to a social gathering hosted by Sarah Kane & Derek Schindelman!
Register to participate in this and future PWAs in STEM connections!
Parenting without Pigment
Tuesday, November 19th at 9pm ET // 6pm PT
Are you a PWA with kids? Parenting without Pigment is the perfect group for you!
Join us on November 19th for a Parents without Pigment Friendsgiving, hosted by Kathi Garza! We’ll discuss what we are grateful for as parents 🙂
Sign up for Parenting without Pigment NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Parenting without Pigment NOAH Connections
Aging with Albinism
Aging with Albinism is typically held on the third Tuesday of each month. See below for confirmed dates!
Tuesday, November 19th at 5:00pm ET // 2:00pm PT
PWAs 55+, you’re invited to our next session of Aging with Albinism!
Sign up for NOAH Connections Aging with Albinism today, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join NOAH Connections Aging with Albinism!
People with Albinism in the Legal Profession
hosted by Arielle Lewis
Next Call TBD
Calling all law students, lawyers, judges, and paralegals with albinism. You’re invited to join with fellow PWAs in the legal profession for a NOAH Connections social time just for you. Please join us for conversation and connections.
Note: This is a social time for people with albinism in the legal profession – legal advice will not be provided.
Register Now for People with Albinism in the Legal Profession!
NOAH Connections: Military Families
hosted by: Ashley Maynard
Next Call TBD
Calling all military families (active, reserve, retired), join us to connect, share experiences, and discuss the challenges of being a military family navigating life with albinism.
Sign up for Military Families Connections today!
BIPOC NOAH Connections
hosted by: Torey Alford
Next Call TBD
This gathering is intended for adults with albinism who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
Sign up for BIPOC NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join BIPOC NOAH Connections!
Canadian Parents
hosted by: Rebekah Zigby
Next Call TBD!
Calling all Canadian parents of children with albinism! This group is just for YOU! Sign up today for info to join this call and you’ll be invited to future chances to connect with fellow parents from Canada 🙂
Sign Up Now!
Canadian PWAs
Next Call TBD
Sign up for NOAH Connections: Canadian PWAs today, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!