Monday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM—PREREGISTRATION PACKET PICKUP

  • Pacific Registration Desk

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM—REGISTRATION ($30) AND BANQUET TICKET SALES ($75)

  • Bayview Court South

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM—INDEPENDENCE MARKET

  • Islander Ballroom

9:00 - 11:00 AM—SPONSOR-LEVEL EXHIBITORS PREVIEW

  • Islander Ballroom
  • The exhibit hall opens its doors and is dedicated solely to sponsor-level exhibitors. Come say “thank you” to our sponsors and enjoy their interesting offers and demonstrations. Our exhibiting convention sponsors follow:
  • Elite:
    • Aira Tech Corp
  • Platinum:
    • Google, Inc.; HumanWare; Microsoft Corporation; OrCam Technologies; UPS; Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Vispero
  • Gold:
    • BlindShell, Uber
  • Silver:
    • Amazon, Delta Air Lines, Lyft, Pearson
  • Bronze:
    • Educational Testing Service (ETS), National Industries for the Blind, Sprint, VitalSource Technologies
  • White Cane:
    • C&P - Chris Park; Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind; Duxbury Systems, Inc; Election Systems & Software; En-Vision America; Envision, Inc.; HIMS, Inc.; Law School Admission Council, Inc.; Nevada Blind Children's Foundation; RTB Safe Traffic, Inc.; TRE Legal Practice

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM—NOPBC YOUTH TRACK SESSIONS (ages 11-18)

  • Shell Seekers A and B

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM—2019 EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR

  • Tradewinds F
  • All convention attendees are invited to gain confidence, embrace individuality, and explore ways to feel empowered through challenging ourselves. Blind people continue to advocate, but it takes a village, not a single person, to break down society's misconceptions. Pam Allen, Chair and Vice President, National Federation of the Blind; President, National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana; and Kathryn Webster, President, National Association of Blind Students, Facilitators

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM—GETTING YOUR NFB BELL ACADEMY UP AND RUNNING

  • Mariners B
  • Would your affiliate like to host an NFB BELL Academy next summer? If this’ll be your first time, or it’s been a while since the BELL rang in your state, you’ll want to be here! Come for an overview of the training, planning, and prep required to run a successful NFB BELL Academy. Carla McQuillan, NFB BELL Coordinator

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM—EXHIBIT HALL

  • Islander Ballroom

1:00 PM—RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE

  • South Pacific Ballroom
  • Sharon Maneki, Chair

1:00 - 2:15 PM—ABLE ACCOUNTS: EMPOWERING YOUR OPPORTUNITIES

  • Tradewinds F
  • The ABLE Act continues to purposefully impact the lives of people with disabilities. Learn more about its empowering choices, financial inclusions, and positive impacts in your life. Eric Ochmanek, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the State Treasurer of Ohio

1:00 - 2:30 PM—MASTER THE BASICS OF MANAGING YOUR MONEY

  • Tradewinds E
  • In this session, you’ll discover the benefits of using a financial institution, opening checking and savings accounts, and keeping track of your money. Learn how to choose checking and savings accounts that are right for you; make purchases and pay bills with ATM cards, debit cards, and checks; track and manage your transactions; and avoid or minimize fees. In addition, learn the basics of budgeting and gain access to tools to help you create a personal spending plan.

1:00 - 4:00 PM—DEAFBLIND HOPE: HAVE ONLY POSITIVE EXPECTATIONS

  • Coral A
  • Join our workshop designed to give unique solutions and create positive changes for those who live with a combined loss of hearing and sight. Featuring presentations from Sprint IP Relay, CapTel, BookShare, Aira, and more. Sponsored by the NFB Deaf-Blind Division. Alice Eaddy, President
  • 1:00-1:30 PM—Registration ($5)

1:00 - 4:00 PM—NOPBC YOUTH STYLE SHOW

  • Tradewinds D
  • Our young blind models and NFB stars strut their stuff on the runway. We extend a special invitation to our kids with additional disabilities. Come enjoy the fashions and music and support NOPBC. Tickets are $5 at the door. Penny Duffy, First Vice President, NOPBC, and Carlton Anne Cook Walker, President, NOPBC
  • 1:00 PM—Rehearsal
  • 2:30 PM—Style Show Begins

1:00 - 4:00 PM—BLIND MUSICIANS GROUP

  • Coral C
  • Master class on improvisation and performances by attendees. Parents and students are welcome. Linda Mentink and Chris Nusbaum, Co-Chairs

1:00 - 4:45 PM—HUMANWARE PRODUCT SHOWCASE

  • Tropics B
  • 1:00-1:30 PM—What's New and Trendy in Low-Vision Tech?
  • 1:30-3:00 PM—The Newest Features of the BrailleNote Touch Plus and Brailliant BI14
  • 3:00-4:00 PM—Victor Readers Unite! Learn Some New VR Tricks
  • 4:00-4:45 PM—Participate in an Open Forum with HumanWare!

1:00 - 5:00 PM—NFB NATIONAL CAREER FAIR

  • South Pacific Ballroom AB
  • Forty-five employers, face-to-face. They really want to hire you if you have the right stuff. Do you? Dress for interviews (we mean it), bring a polished résumé and cover letter, and get ready to sell yourself. Attend the Job Seeker Seminar for information on their needs and how to impress them. Sponsored by the NFB Employment Committee. Dick Davis, Chair
  • 1:00-3:00 PM—Career Fair
  • 3:30-5:00 PM—Employer Interviews (by Appointment Only)

1:00 - 5:00 PM—AIRA AFTERNOON DELIGHT

  • Coral B
  • The afternoon sessions begin with post-secondary education discussions with BTS students and Aira representatives. Just as in life, our education talk will be followed by an employment discussion, first, as a resource in identifying and securing a job, then using Aira on the job.

1:00 - 5:30 PM—NOPBC YOUTH TRACK SESSIONS (ages 11-18)

  • Shell Seekers A and B

1:00 - 6:00 PM—NFB-NEWSLINE® DEMONSTRATION OPEN HOUSE

  • Tropics A
  • Stop by and learn how the information sources of NFB-NEWSLINE can help you become a part of your community’s conversation and live the life you want. Now available on Amazon Alexa! Our NFB-NEWSLINE experts are here to answer your questions. Not a subscriber? We can sign you up on the spot!

1:00 - 6:00 PM—KNFB READER OPEN HOUSE: LEARN HOW TO POINT, SHOOT, AND READ!

  • Tropics A
  • Read inaccessible print and PDFs with KNFB Reader! KNFB Reader uses the power of digital photography and a specially designed mobile device app to read print on the go using your iOS, Android, or Windows 10 computer. Come get your questions answered and request a demonstration from KNFB Reader experts.

1:00 - 8:00 PM—INSPIRING ARTISTS, BEGINNERS TO PROS

  • Tradewinds C
  • 1:00-5:00 PM—Drop-in Activities: Free activities for all! Make tactile drawings and sculpt with friends. Contact: [email protected] for information about exhibiting your artwork.
  • 6:00-8:00 PM—Let's Explore Perspective: Learn how perspective works in pictures and create your own. Deborah Kent Stein and Ann Cunningham, Coordinators

3:00 - 4:30 PM—USING CREDIT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

  • Tradewinds E
  • Learn the basics of credit, including information on credit scores, how to obtain and read a credit report, and how to establish a good credit history. In addition, you’ll learn how to use your credit to your advantage to help you achieve your goals and dreams. Attend this session to learn about the types of loans available; how to shop for, compare, and choose a loan product; how to choose a lender; and how to protect yourself from risk.

4:15 - 5:45 PM—TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL MOCK TRIAL (Admission: $5)

  • South Pacific Ballroom CD
  • Federation lawyers oppose each other to enact a case addressing the civil rights of blind people, and the audience serves as the jury. The subject matter is serious, but the courtroom portrayers are very entertaining. Scott LaBarre, President, National Association of Blind Lawyers

4:30 - 6:00 PM—ASIAN MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

  • Coral A
  • Contribute and gather ideas on how to provide culturally relevant outreach and support to the Asian community. Your thoughts are critical in shaping the course of this initiative. Shawn Callaway and Rosy Carranza, Co-Chairs, Committee on Diversity and Inclusion

4:30 - 6:30 PM—BLIND CANCER SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP

  • Coral C
  • Join us for a meet and greet, a panel discussion, and personal stories of strength and courage. Our group's purpose is to help all cancer survivors get well and stay well, to offer preventive measures, and to create a platform for cohesive dialogue and information dissemination. Isaiah Nelson, Coordinator

5:00 - 7:00 PM—ACCESSIBILITY @ MICROSOFT + WINDOWS MAGNIFIER

  • Tradewinds E
  • Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. Blind and low-vision employees share our latest efforts to embed accessibility into our products, websites, services, and culture. Deep dive into Windows Magnifier improvements. And peek into what’s next!

5:00 - 10:00 PM—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND VETERANS RECEPTION AND MEETING

  • Tradewinds F
  • All veterans are invited to our reception and meeting. We will hold our semi-annual elections and conduct our annual business meeting after the reception. Dwight Sayer, President
  • 5:00 PM—Reception
  • 7:00 PM—National Meeting

6:00 - 9:30 PM—AIRA EVENING NIGHTCAP

  • Coral B
  • Join us for “a look under the hood” as we discuss our inclusive design and product development process. We’ll also spark a post-dinner conversation about the Aira mindset. And will hear from Aira Explorers from different walks of life, who will discuss their own Aira experiences.

6:15 - 10:00 PM—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND STUDENTS (NABS)

  • South Pacific Ballroom CD
  • Students of all ages are warmly invited to the National Association of Blind Students annual meeting! This year think: interactive and engaging presenters, fun door prizes, and special performers that make this event not worth missing! Kathryn Webster, President
  • 6:15 PM—Registration ($5)
  • 7:00 PM—Meeting 

7:00 - 9:00 PM—NOPBC YOUTH TRACK SESSIONS (ages 11-18)

  • Shell Seekers B

7:00 - 9:00 PM—NFB-NEWSLINE®: ALEXA IS IN THE HOUSE!

  • Tropics A
  • Learn about the NFB’s free, audible information service for the blind, with specific information on how to talk to Amazon Alexa to read over five hundred publications by using your voice. Other 2019 service enhancements will be covered. Plus, share your ideas for new content with NFB-NEWSLINE staff.

7:00 - 9:00 PM—DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING

  • Tropics B
  • We are providing an avenue to share experiences, explore strategies, and generate ideas to support NFB diversity efforts. Get involved in this aspect of our movement. Shawn Callaway and Rosy Carranza, Co-Chairs

7:00 - 10:30 PM—SPORTS AND RECREATION WORKSHOPS

  • South Pacific Ballroom B
  • Sponsored by the Sports and Recreation Division. Jessica Beecham, President
  • 7:00-8:30 PM and 9:00-10:30 PM—One Touch Self-Defense: Come learn One Touch Self-Defense, a form of self-defense designed with the blind in mind.

7:00 - 10:00 PM—ACTING WORKSHOP

  • South Pacific Ballroom A
  • The Performing Arts Division will sponsor our first-ever acting experience class. Marilee Talkington, a professional actor, will deliver a training session covering performing from script to stage. Spots are first-come, first-served. Please contact Julie McGinnity at [email protected] if interested.

7:30 - 8:30 PM—JUDAISM MEETING

  • Coral C
  • David Stayer, Chair, NFB in Judaism Group

7:30 - 9:00 PM—LIBRARY SERVICES COMMITTEE

  • Coral A
  • Learn about new developments at the National Library Service and Bookshare, discuss the accessibility of public libraries and how can libraries best serve our needs. David Hyde and Marci Carpenter, Co-Chairs

7:30 - 9:30 PM—BLIND PARENTS GROUP

  • Tradewinds D
  • Share techniques for traveling with young children, connecting with other parents in your community, and resources available to blind parents. Lisamaria Martinez and Briley O’Connor, Co-Presenters

9:00 - 10:00 PM—SPANISH TRANSLATION COMMITTEE

  • Coral C
  • Call for interpreters! We provide simultaneous interpreting services at our national convention, from English to Spanish, during the open board meeting, general sessions, and banquet. Please join us in our committee meeting if you would like to help with these efforts. Daniel Martinez, Chair