CONFERENCES
10.0  CONFERENCES
Effective 2003, national conferences shall take place every two years on odd numbered years, depending on finances (bylaws).
10.1  CONFERENCE POLICIES
The President, with the approval of the Board, shall announce the date and location of national conferences in the DEAF-BLIND AMERICAN publication and/or by mail (bylaws).
AADB can remove members who are disruptive or abusive from conferences (bylaws).  Section 4.5.2, above on page 26, provides the procedure for removing disruptive members from meetings.
10.2   POLICIES FOR CHILDREN AT CONFERENCES
AADB national conferences are primarily for deaf-blind adults, age 18 or older.  When children attend conferences they are governed by the following policies:
* Deaf-blind teens, age 16-17, are welcome to register as Delegates and participate in conference activities as long as they have a responsible adult registered with them.  The responsible adult can come as an SSP for the deaf-blind youth or pay the conference fee as a Family Member. 
* Delegates or observers who bring their children who are under the age of 18 are required to register them as a “Family Member” and pay the respective registration fee.  Delegates and observers are responsible to supervise their own children at the conference.  
* If teens who are not deaf-blind wish to observe the conference, they need to register as an observer or family member and a parent or responsible adult must go with the teen.  If a parent is not going to attend the conference, they must fill out the name of the responsible adult on the registration form, giving permission for the named responsible adult to supervise his/her child during the conference.
* AADB does not provide any daycare or activities for children under the age of 16.  
* Children and youth under the age of 18 cannot register as SSPs.  SSPs and local workers are not allowed to bring their children to the conference for the simple reason that they will not be able to supervise their children and work with deaf-blind delegates at the same time.
10.3   POLICIES ON MENTAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES AT AADB CONFERENCES
* AADB is not responsible for providing mental health counseling or medical services for participants at AADB conferences.  
* For minor medical needs, AADB will normally provide a list of nearby stores to buy over-the-counter medication for minor ills.  
* Participants will need to dispense their own medications.  AADB does not have a nurse on staff to do this.     
* AADB will compile a list of clinics, hospitals, and mental health resources in close proximity to the conference site.  Participants will be responsible to pay for the medical/mental health services, and arrange and pay for their own transportation to/from these services.