Upcoming Events
April 24-25, 2014: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium
The 2014 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, held at the NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, will consist of plenary sessions and workshops facilitated by distinguished law professors, practitioners, and advocates who will discuss topics such as: disability discrimination in the criminal and juvenile justice systems, next steps in Olmstead litigation, rights of parents with disabilities, supported decision making as an alternative to guardianship, and how to work with the media to get the disability rights message across. Register online now and/or visit www.nfb.org/law-symposium for more information, including the agenda and the full list of presenters.
July 1-6, 2014: NFB National Convention
The 2014 convention of the National Federation of the Blind will take place in Orlando, Florida, July 1-6, at the Rosen Centre Hotel. Mark your calendar now - you won't want to miss the largest gathering of blind people in the country! The hotel is now accepting reservations; call (800) 204-7234. Preregistration is also now open at www.nfb.org/registration. Visit www.nfb.org/national-convention for more details as they develop.
What's New
NFB Applauds Senate Introduction
of TEACH Act
The National Federation of the Blind has applauded Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) for introducing the Technology, Education and Accessibility in College and Higher Education (TEACH) Act (S. 2060). The TEACH Act, which is the result of collaboration between the NFB and the Association of American Publishers, and which has been endorsed by eleven other organizations of and for people with disabilities, will create accessibility guidelines for electronic instructional materials and related information technologies used by institutions of higher education. A companion bill, H.R. 3505, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI) on November 15, 2013. For more information about this important legislation, please read the official press release.
NFB Announces 2014
Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program
Applications are now being accepted for the 2014 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program. Each year the National Federation of the Blind presents cash awards to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exemplary leadership and extraordinary accomplishments in improving the lives of blind people in the United States. Recipients of the 2014 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards will be determined by the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Committee of the National Federation of the Blind. Applications are due by March 31, 2014. Individuals or organizations are encouraged to apply on behalf of themselves or others. To submit a nomination or learn more, please visit www.nfb.org/bolotin-award-main.
NFB to Award Thirty Scholarships in 2014
Each year the National Federation of the Blind offers thirty scholarships, ranging from $3,000-$12,000, to recognize achievement by blind scholars. The scholarship program is now officially accepting applications. Applicants must be legally blind and attending a postsecondary school in the 2014 scholastic year. Applications are due by March 31, 2014. For more information or to apply online, please visit www.nfb.org/scholarships.