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NOAH Connections

NOAH Connections

View upcoming NOAH Connections offerings for:
Youth with Albinism ~ Teens with Albinism ~ Adults with Albinism ~ Parents & Caregivers ~ Grandparents

Inspired by our early pandemic “Social Distancing with Friends” series, as well as the heart-warming connections created during #VirtualNOAHCon2020, NOAH has been offering virtual opportunities for our community to connect through NOAH Connections for nearly 6 years! As we approach 2026, we’re excited to share an updated approach — designed to make it easier than ever to connect, learn, and build meaningful relationships within the albinism community.

Whether you’re returning or joining for the first time, we’d love to have you be part of NOAH Connections in 2026.

To receive invitations and reminders in 2026, everyone must sign up – including returning participants. This helps us send you the most relevant updates and ensure you’re included in the calls that matter to you. Sign up below for NOAH Connections

After you sign up:

  • Join virtual gatherings on Zoom, unless otherwise noted
  • Confirmation e-mail will be sent containing zoom information
  • Periodic reminders will be sent for the social connection calls you signed up for
  • Revisit this page for updated schedule information
  • Register for educational sessions and workshops as they’re added throughout the year

Why Join NOAH Connections?

  • Connect with people who get it: Meet others navigating different stages of the journey with albinism.
  • Get real-life support: Learn how peers navigate medical care, school, work, relationships, and daily life.
  • Connect with professionals: Receive accurate information about albinism directly from the experts
  • Find inclusive spaces: Join welcoming calls for all ages, identities, and life stages.
  • Explore shared interests: Take part in book clubs, parenting discussions, and special interest groups.
  • Join from anywhere: Free, virtual, peer-led gatherings that build connection and belonging.

View upcoming NOAH Connections offerings for:
Youth with Albinism ~ Teens with Albinism ~ Adults with Albinism ~ Parents & Caregivers ~ Grandparents

Upcoming calls for Youth with Albinism:

Our next call for Kids’ PWA Book Club is in the works. Sign up today & we’ll send you an email with all the details once it’s confirmed!

If you signed up for Kids’ PWA Book Club in 2025, no need to register again! You’re already on our list.

Sign up for Kids’ PWA Book Club! (ages 8-12)

Other upcoming calls for youth with albinism:

  • TBD

Upcoming calls for Teens with Albinism:

Sign up once for Teen Social Connections, and you’re invited to all of our social gatherings for teens! Panels, educational calls, and special interest discussions will require a separate sign up.

Please note: Teen Social Connections are open to teens with albinism ages 13-17.

Sign up for Teen Social Connections!
  • Thursday, February 19th at 8pm ET // 5pm PT – Teen Social Connections
  • Thursday, March 19th at 8pm ET // 5pm PT – Teen Social Connections

Upcoming calls for Adults with Albinism:

Sign up once for Young Adult or Adult Social Connections, and you’re invited to all of our social gatherings for your respective group! Panels, educational calls, and special interest discussions will require a separate sign up.

Please note: Young Adult Social Connections are open to adults with albinism ages 18 – early 30s. Adult Social Connections are open to adults with albinism ages 18+

Sign up for Young Adult Social Connections!
Sign up for Adult Social Connections!

February:

March:

Upcoming calls for Parents & Caregivers of children with albinism:

Sign up once for Parent Social Connections, and you’re invited to all of our social gatherings for parents of PWAs! Panels, educational calls, and special interest discussions will require a separate sign up.

Sign up for Parent Social Connections!

Parent Social Connections are typically held on the last Wednesday of each month. Please see below for confirmed call dates:

Upcoming calls for Grandparents of children with albinism:

Sign up once for Grandparent Social Connections, and you’re invited to all of our social gatherings for grandparents of PWAs! Panels, educational calls, and special interest discussions will require a separate sign up.

Sign up once for Grandparent Social Connections and we’ll send you email reminders for all future calls!

Sign up for Grandparent Social Connections!

Grandparent Social Connections typically meets quarterly. Please see confirmed call dates below:

Aging with Albinism

PWAs 55+, join us to connect and chat with others who just get it! Sign up once and we’ll send you email reminders for all future Aging with Albinism gatherings.

Sign up for Aging with Albinism!

Aging with Albinism calls are typically held on the first and third Thursday of each month. Please see below for confirmed call dates:

  • Tuesday, February 17th at 5pm ET // 2pm PT – hosted by Mike Sikes
  • Tuesday, March 3rd at 8pm ET // 5pm PT – hosted by Cynthia Henton
  • Tuesday, March 17th at 5pm ET // 2pm PT – hosted by Mike Sikes

Doctors with Albinism

Doctors with Albinism is a supportive global community of physicians with albinism who meet monthly to share experiences and nurture and mentor each other. At this time, the group is only open to those that are either attending or completed medical school.

For those interested in careers in medicine or in related health fields, stay tuned for other programs coming soon!

Sign up once and we’ll send you reminders for all future Doctors with Albinism calls.

If you signed up for Doctors with Albinism in 2025, you’re already on our list – no need to sign up again!

Sign up for Doctors with Albinism!

Doctors with Albinism calls are typically held on the first Sunday of each month. Please see below for confirmed call dates:

  • Sunday, March 1st at 9am ET // 6am PT

LGBTQ+ & Allies Connections

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 once & we’ll send you reminders for all future LGBTQ+ and Allies Connections calls.

Sign up for LGBTQ+ & Allies Connections
  • Monday, March 16th at 8pm ET // 5pm PT

Parenting without Pigment

Join fellow parents with albinism for our next call! You won’t want to miss this chance to connect and chat with others who “just get it!”

Sign up once & we’ll send you reminders for all future Parenting without Pigment calls.

Sign up for Parenting without Pigment!

Parenting without Pigment is typically held monthly. Please see below for confirmed dates:

  • Tuesday, March 10th at 9pm ET // 6pm PT – Spring Cleaning with Andrew & Katherine Sartorius

PWA Book Club

Are you an adult PWA (18+) who loves to read? Join us for NOAH Book Club! Get a copy of our current reading material, and join us to discuss.

Sign up once & we’ll send you reminders for all future PWA Book Club meetings.

Sign up for PWA Book Club

PWA Book Club is typically held every 2 months on the 2nd Monday of the month. Please see our next confirmed meeting date below:

Current Reading Material: “Lincoln’s Lady Spymaster” by Gerri Willis

Join us to discuss on Monday, March 9th at 8pm ET // 5pm PT


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!

Navigating Sibling Dynamics: for Parents and Caregivers with Children who have Albinism

Raising a child with Albinism brings unique joys and unique circumstances for the entire family. One area that often goes unspoken is how Albinism can shape sibling relationships: from questions about fairness and attention, to protectiveness, misunderstandings, jealousy, pride, and deep bonds.

This interactive workshop is designed to support parents and caregivers in understanding and navigating sibling dynamics in families where one or more children have Albinism. Grounded in empathy, lived experience, and practical strategies, the session creates space for honest reflection and meaningful tools parents can use at home.

We will explore how we as parents can understand the sibling experience, common challenges, strengthen relationships, engage in practical strategies that can help support all of our children.

Sign up for Navigating Sibling Dynamics Workshop!
  • Monday, March 23rd at 8:30pm ET // 5:30pm PT

About Megan Pitt, LMHC-D

Megan Pitt, LMHC-D is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a graduate of the University at Buffalo and Fordham University. Megan currently resides in NYS with her husband and two sons. Megan’s oldest son has Albinism. Megan currently owns her own private counseling practice. She manages NOAH’s New Parent Program in addition to being a regular workshop presenter, and is a Tele-Support group facilitator for The Lighthouse Guild.

Canadian Parent Connections

Join fellow parents of children with albinism living in Canada to connect and share!

Sign up once & we’ll send you reminders for all future Canadian Parent Connections calls.

Sign up for Canadian Parent Connections!

Canadian Parent Connections will generally be held every other month. Please see below for confirmed dates:

  • Next call TBA – sign up for Canadian Parent Connections and we’ll send you the details when our next call is confirmed!!

Love Languages of Self-Advocacy

Adults with albinism: join Kelsey Thompson, MS, MHA, CRC, LCPC for a special session in the spirit of Valentine’s Day. We’ll discuss how to better advocate for ourselves in a number of settings and the self-love of speaking up for your needs!

Sign up for Love Languages of Self-Advocacy!
  • Monday, February 16th at 9pm ET // 6pm PT

Accessible Athletics: Creating Inclusive Sports Experiences

Parents & grandparents of children with albinism – join Sam McClung & Maria Lepore-Stevens for an exciting discussion about accessible athletics!

Sign up for Accessible Athletics!
  • Tuesday, February 24th at 8pm ET // 5pm PT

Maria Lepore-Stevens is dual certified as an orientation & mobility instructor and an adapted physical educator. Maria earned her Doctorate in Education from West Chester University focusing on the expanded core curriculum, and in particular on teaching self-determination skills to youth with visual impairments through summer camp programming She has worked as a COMS for the Delaware Division for the Visually Impaired and the Chester County Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania, and currently works as a professor of adapted physical education at Rowan University. Maria spends her summers directing Camp Abilities educational sports camps for athletes with visual impairments in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Arizona.

Sam McClung comes from a long line of athletes. His brother Marcus played football at Virginia Tech with a short stint in the CFL. His brother Seth McClung was a Major League pitcher where Seth is recorded as having one of the fastest pitches ever in Major League Baseball. In the next generation, his nephew is Mac McClung 3 times back-to-back-to-back NBA slam dunk contest winner. Sam himself was a high school football standout and played football at Tusculum University in Greeneville, TN. He has been involved in coaching football for over 5 years and is currently coaching at Greenbrier East High School in WV.

Sam and his wife Pixote have been married for 21 years and have three boys. Brack McClung, who has albinism, their oldest is 12 and has participated in sports including soccer, baseball, football, basketball, and wrestling. Their two other sons Zeke (9) and Luke (5) Participate in various sports themselves.

Transitioning Teens & Young Adults

featuring: Kayla Hamlin, TVI, COMS; Summer Gibson, PhD, TSVI; Carolyn Barnett; and Susan Dalton, M.S.Ed., CVRT

Parents & grandparents – join us for an informative and encouraging Zoom discussion focused on supporting low vision teens and young adults as they transition from high school into college and/or the workplace. This session will explore practical strategies, resources, and accommodations that help students and young adults build independence, advocate for themselves, and navigate new academic or professional environments with confidence.

Sign up for Transitioning Teens & Young Adults!
  • Thursday, March 5th at 8pm ET // 5pm PT

Meet the Panelists:

Dr. Summer Gibson is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Lamar University and a seasoned educator with over two decades of experience across K–12 and higher education. She holds a Ph.D. in Special Education Administration from Texas Tech University, where her dissertation, “Social Experiences of High School Students with Albinism,” explored the lived experiences of students with low vision and informed best practices for inclusive education.

Dr. Gibson has served in multiple leadership roles, including Director of Special Education, Special Education Coordinator, and curriculum strategist. She is a certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI), a mentor for the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and a frequent presenter at state and regional conferences on topics ranging from disability identity to legally defensible IEPs.

Her university-level teaching includes graduate courses in instructional strategies, special education law, and transition services, with consistently high evaluations. She is also the co-author of the forthcoming book About Ella: Understanding Albinism.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Gibson is a proud mother of three daughters. Her personal journey includes raising a college student with autism and dyslexia, a high school senior with albinism, and a vibrant 13-year-old. This lived experience deeply informs her advocacy and instructional approach, blending research, empathy, and real-world insight.

Dr. Gibson’s work centers on empowering educators, TSVIs, and COMS to create inclusive environments where students with low vision can thrive socially, academically, and emotionally.

Susan Dalton is a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist currently on the faculty of Northern Illinois University’s Department of Special and Early Education where she has been teaching courses in Special Education, Transition, Activities of Daily Living and Home Management for Persons who are Visually Impaired since 1998. The parent and grandparent of children with albinism, she has worked in early intervention as a developmental therapist, teacher of visually impaired and directed a state-wide transition program for teens with visual impairments in Illinois for 17 years.

Kayla Hamlin is the mother of two children, one is a child with Albinism.  Kayla has been a member of NOAH since 2015.  Her involvement includes hosting bowl-a-thons, attending community NOAH events, attending NOAH Conferences, and presenting at the 2022 NOAH
Conference in Florida.  Kayla has attended and hosted parent connection calls and is a Parent Liaison for the new Parent Mentor Program through NOAH.  Kayla is a Certified teacher for grades PreK-5 in the State of Ohio for ten years. She also has a Master’s Degree in Instruction and Design in Education, and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Sensory Impairments. Kayla is a certified Teacher for the Visually Impaired and is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Special. She currently teaches Kindergarten and First grade at The Ohio State School for the Blind (OSSB).  At OSSB, Kayla serves as one of the Curriculum Directors and is on the Dyslexia Committee. Kayla lives in Ohio with her husband and children.  She aided Help Me Grow, an early intervention program, to find vision services for Ohio so her son could get vision services. As a result, Kayla has navigated the early intervention process and the transition to school as a mom. Kayla uses her experience to help families navigate vision services throughout Ohio and in NOAH.  Kayla is passionate about teaching, supporting and helping others learn how to advocate and to build a sense of community.

My name is Carolyn Barnett and I’ve been married to my husband Tim for 28 years. I have four children: two biological (one with albinism), and two adopted (both with albinism). We have been coming to NOAH conferences since 2004 and have gained an invaluable amount of information from them. Plus, we gained another family in this albinism community. I enjoy reading, working puzzles, and playing with my new puppy, Marley.