If you cannot attend the convention in Austin, Texas, you can still participate in exclusive convention activities online.
July 3 through 8, 2026, plus pre-convention activities!
Welcome to the National Federation of the Blind National Convention Virtual Experience, a dedicated online space for exclusive convention activities. We are excited to offer opportunities for engagement and connection to participants who are unable to be in Austin.
Registration
The Virtual Experience registration fee is 10 dollars. Registration includes access to the convention mobile app and opportunity to win door prizes. Registration will be open until July 8, 2026.
Register for the 2026 NFB National Convention Virtual Experience.
Pre-Convention Activities
Join the following events to prepare for convention. Please note that pre-convention activities have their own Zoom ID that is different from the convention Zoom. Pre-convention activities will be made available
Tuesday, June 23 at 8:00 p.m., eastern, Sponsor Preview
Virtual Access: Zoom meeting ID 926 5381 5301
1CapApp Event: https://ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb
Learn about each sponsor, their newest innovations and programs, and how to connect with them for more information.
Thursday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m., eastern, Exhibitor Showcase
Virtual Access: Zoom meeting ID 980 1444 2446
1CapApp Event: https://ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb
Get a preview of what to expect in the exhibit hall and how to connect with exhibitors.
Tuesday, June 30 at 8:00 p.m. Prepare for the #NFB26 Virtual Experience
Virtual Access: Zoom meeting ID Coming Soon
1CapApp Event: https://ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb
For those participating in the virtual experience, we will be sharing tips for making sure your voice is heard at convention. Join us to learn about resolutions, engaging with your delegate, interacting on social media, and navigating the convention app.
Schedule and Agenda
The National Convention Virtual experience kicks off with pre-convention activities at the end of June to prepare, and then from July 3 through 8. Registered participants will receive email information for the app during the pre-convention week.
The Zoom link for the week for NFB26 Virtual Experience is coming soon.
1CapApp Event for Captions: https://ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb
Friday, July 3
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Virtual Experience in the Presidential Suite
Welcome to Convention
Saturday, July 4
8:40 a.m. Pre-show Banter
Join our podcast hosts and members for quick conversation to learn who and what to expect in the Access Board Townhall.
12:40 p.m. Pre-show Banter
Finish the lunch break with our podcast hosts and guests as they serve up fresh takes, fun stories, and the latest buzz from around the convention!
1:00 p.m. Resolutions Committee
Tune in to hear the discussion and draft resolutions that will be voted on by the convention.
Sunday, July 5
8:40 a.m. Pre-show Banter
Join our podcast hosts and members for quick conversation.
9:00 - 11:30 a.m. NFB Board Meeting
All are welcome to attend the NFB Board Meeting.
Monday, July 6
8:40 a.m. Pre-show Banter
Join our podcast hosts and members for casual and social news and happenings around the convention.
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Opening General Session
Call to Order and Invocation: President Riccobono gavels the session to order; religious member offers an invocation.
Presentation of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance–National Association of Blind Veterans, a Division of the National Federation of the Blind
Keep NFB Growing: Welcome from the Texas Federation Family, 2026 National Convention Host Committee: The National Federation of the Blind of Texas
Celebration of Freedom: Veterans Recognized, Roy Stinson, President, National Association of Blind Veterans, a Division of the National Federation of the Blind; Goodyear, Arizona
Roll Call of States and Appointment of Nominating Committee, Affiliate announcements of delegate, nominating committee appointment, and future convention plans.
Reports and Resolutions, President Riccobono delivers important information and convention business as time allows.
1:40 p.m. Pre-show Banter
Join our podcast hosts and members for casual and social news and happenings around the convention.
2:00 - 5:00 p.m. General Session II
Call to Order–President Riccobono gavels the session to order
Presidential Report–Mark Riccobono, President, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
Build, Lead, and Innovate: Transforming Expectations Through Blind-Centered Solutions–Mike Calvo, CEO and Co-Founder, Pneuma Solutions; Watkinsville, Georgia
Keep Accessibility Advancing: Continuous Innovation Influenced by the Blind–Neil Barnett, Chief Accessibility Officer, Microsoft; Redmond, Washington
Bending the Arc of the Universe Towards Justice: Representing the Organized Blind Movement in the Courts–Jessica Weber, Managing Partner, Brown, Goldstein & Levy; Baltimore, Maryland
Keep Your Hands on the Court: Innovative Nonvisual Access to Professional Sports–Jerred Mace, CEO, One Court Technologies, Inc.; Seattle, Washington
Reports and Resolutions–President Riccobono delivers important information and convention business as time allows.
Tuesday, July 7
8:40 a.m. Pre-show Banter
Kick start the day with our podcast hosts and community for a quick session full of laughs, stories, and all the latest scoop from around the convention floor!
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. General Session III
Call to Order and Invocation–President Riccobono gavels the session to order; religious member offers an invocation.
Financial Report–President Riccobono presents the annual financial report, including a discussion of the current financial circumstances.
Elections–Presentation of nominating committee report and elections for open board positions for the National Federation of the Blind.
Keep Building Connections: The Federation Employment Network by and for the Blind–Moderator: Lia Stone, Chair, NFB Employment Committee; New Brunswick, New Jersey, Panel: Audrey T. Farnum, Senior Administrative Law Judge, Oklahoma Tax Commission; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Jenn Han, Nurse Manager, Registered Nurse; Seattle, Washington; J.J. Meddaugh, Owner, A. T. Guys; Kalamazoo, Michigan
Reports and Resolutions–President Riccobono delivers important information and convention business as time allows.
1:40 p.m. Pre-show Banter
Grab an afternoon snack and tune into our podcast hosts and members to dive into the latest convention buzz, news, and behind-the-scenes happenings!
2:00 - 5:00 p.m. General Session IV
Call to Order–President Riccobono gavels the session to order.
Keep NLS Strong: Fulfilling America’s Promise to Knowledge and Equality–Jason Broughton, Director, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled; Washington, District of Columbia
It’s Not Over Until the Blind Secure Equality: 2026 Advocacy Report–John G. Paré Jr., Executive Director for Advocacy and Policy, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland; Jesse Shirek, Director of Advocacy, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland; Justin Young, Government Affairs Specialist, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland; Sanho Steele-Louchart, Legal Program Coordinator, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
Reports and Resolutions–The Resolutions Committee shares its report, and policy matters are considered.
Wednesday, July 8
8:40 a.m. Pre-show Banter
Kick start the day with our podcast hosts and community for a quick session full of laughs, stories, and all the latest scoop from around the convention floor!
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. General Session V
Call to Order and Invocation–President Riccobono gavels the session to order; religious member offers an invocation.
"I Identify as Blind: A Brazen Celebration of Disability Culture, Identity, and Power"–Lachi, Author of I Identify as Blind, CEO of RAMPD, Recording Academy National Trustee, Producer of a Grammy-nominated Album; New York, New York
Keep Sparking Imagination: Federation Programs to Build the Future–Anil Lewis, Executive Director for Blindness Initiatives, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland; Mika Baugh, PhD, CSE, Research Fellow, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
Fulfilling America’s Promise to the Blind: Advancing Equality from the United States Congress–The Honorable Greg Casar, United States House of Representatives, Thirty-Fifth Congressional District; Austin, Texas
Keep Elevating Creativity with Accessibility: Blind Wisdom in Marketing–Josh Loebner, Global Head of Inclusive Design, VML; New York, New York
The Nineteenth Annual Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards–Everette Bacon, Chairperson, Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Committee, and Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind; Salt Lake City, Utah
Reports and Resolutions
6:00 p.m. Pre-show Banter
Join our podcast hosts and fellow attendees for a memorable banquet evening filled with great food, lively conversation, and the latest convention highlights and stories!
6:30 p.m. Banquet
Invocation
Master of Ceremonies—Pam Allen, Chairperson of the Board, National Federation of the Blind, and President, National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana; Ruston, Louisiana
Introductions and Presentations
Banquet Address—Mark Riccobono, President, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
Scholarship Awards
Post-Convention Activities
Stay tuned for access to share your feedback on the convention survey as well as post-convention webinars.
Zoom details are coming soon.