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Information Desk
The Federation information desk is outside Grand Ballroom C from Friday morning through Monday for attendees with questions or in need of assistance.
Hotel Room Rates
Room rates at the Rosen Centre, Rosen Plaza, and Rosen Shingle Creek are 129 dollars for singles and doubles and 139 dollars for triples and quads. In addition, the combined sales and hotel occupancy tax rate is 13.5 percent.
Proof of convention registration is necessary, including the showing of an NFB registration badge, if requested. Otherwise, regular hotel rates must be paid. Hotel sleeping rooms are non-smoking; smoking is permitted only in specified areas.
Banquet Tickets
Banquet tickets may be purchased for 80 dollars at convention registration. No tickets will be available after 1:45 p.m. on Saturday. At the banquet ticket exchange table, located across from the Grand Ballroom C Prefunction foyer, you may make arrangements to reserve a specific seat for yourself or for a group of up to ten people. On the evening of the banquet, tickets will be required to enter the ballroom and will be collected at the tables. Tickets may be exchanged for vegetarian, vegan, kosher, or halal meals at the banquet ticket exchange table if done so by 2:00 p.m. on Friday.
Banquet ticket exchange will be available at the following times (also listed in the agenda):
- Friday: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. and Noon to 1:45 p.m.
- Sunday: 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. and Noon to 1:45 p.m.
- Monday: 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. and Noon to 1:45 p.m.
Guide Dog Relief Areas
There are two guide dog relief areas at the Rosen Centre. The hotel’s permanent, real grass animal relief area can be found by exiting the main lobby through the front doors and following the sidewalk to the right (heading mostly east) to the end of the guest room wing. There is a second relief area, also on the ground level, through the exit doors across from Grand Ballroom D, near the meeting room elevator. The relief area is on the right side of the sidewalk.
Announcement Requests
All requests for announcements by President Riccobono during General Sessions must be submitted in Braille.
NFB Treasurer Information
Individuals needing to conduct business with the NFB treasurer may do so by going to Registration Desk 4 on Saturday between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. or on Sunday between noon and 2:00 p.m.
NFB Convention Mobile App and Web Portal
The convention agenda can be accessed via the Attendee Hub platform beginning June 17. Mobile apps are available for both the iOS and Android platforms and a web portal for desktop use. All registrants will receive an email invitation with links for both the mobile apps and web portal. The Attendee Hub platform allows users to customize a personal agenda, chat with other Attendee Hub convention goers, and to join streamed sessions with the click of a button for those participating virtually.
Portrait Studio
The portrait studio wants and needs a photo of your gorgeous face! We use images in the Braille Monitor, on websites, and for other types of publications. Having a current photo on file is important even if you are not writing an article or sitting on your chapter board. We will email photos after convention to those who would like to have them. Please visit the portrait studio across from Grand Ballroom A during the following hours:
- Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
- Sunday: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
- Monday: 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.
Raffle Tickets
Raffle tickets will not be sold in the registration area, and no raffles or other such drawings will take place during convention sessions or at the banquet. The single exception will be that national divisions may (if they request it in advance) conduct drawings during the sessions or at the banquet. Groups or affiliates wishing to conduct their drawings (or any person wishing to know the winners) may go to Salon 10 at noon on Monday.
FM Receivers Pick Up
The Amateur Radio Division coordinates the distribution of special FM receivers for our hard-of-hearing and Spanish-speaking attendees. Any interested attendee may pick up a receiver at a table in the rear of Grand Ballroom C. A deposit of 40 dollars in cash is required, and exact change is appreciated. The deposit will be returned if the receiver is brought back to the checkout table in good condition by the end of the banquet or within thirty minutes of adjournment of the last convention session the borrower plans to attend.
Muslim Prayer Space
The Blind Muslims Group has a daily prayer space at convention in Salon 21 from 1:00 p.m. until midnight from July 3 to July 8. This space will also be available for Friday prayer. Please consider joining us.
NFB Camp (Childcare)
NFB Camp for children between the ages of six weeks and twelve years is available during convention sessions, most meetings, and the banquet. Preregistration and payment by June 15 are required for this childcare service. NFB Camp is organized and supervised by co-directors Carla McQuillan, the executive director of Main Street Montessori, and Harriet Go. Please note that childcare services provide morning and afternoon snacks, but parents are required to provide lunch for their child(ren) every day. Times listed are the opening and closing times. A late fee of 10 dollars per quarter-hour per child will be assessed for late pickups. NFB Camp hours are:
- Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday: 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 12:45 to 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Monday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Banquet: 6:30 p.m. to 30 minutes after the banquet adjourns
Zoom and Ways to Access
For sessions broadcast on Zoom, there are multiple options for access. All convention times are in the eastern time zone.
Zoom via web at https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/97729777580.
Or One tap mobile:
+13017158592,, 97729777580# US (Washington DC)
+13052241968,, 97729777580# US (Chicago)
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 408 638 0968US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Webinar ID: 977 2977 7580
International numbers available: https://nfb-org.zoom.us/u/acMFTIlKsS
Closed captions will be provided on the Zoom platform, and you may also access the closed captions/transcript through 1CapApp at 1CapApp Event: https://ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb. More details for streaming available at nfb.org/convention.
Divisions, Committees, and Groups
The Federation carries on its business through the affiliated divisions, committees, and groups listed in this agenda.
Divisions
Divisions of the National Federation of the Blind are organized around a specialized interest area usually related to employment or a major stage in life (e.g., parents or students). Divisions serve as a formal vehicle for building the organization at the national level.
Assistive Technology Trainers: Chancey Fleet, President
Black Leaders: Shawn Callaway, President
Computer Science: Brian Buhrow, President
DeafBlind: Maurice Mines, President
Diabetes Action Network: Debbie Wunder, President
Human Services: Sarah Patnaude, President
Educators: Cayte Mendez, President
Government Employees: Ronza Othman, President
Guide Dog Users: Raul Gallegos, President
Lawyers: Ronza Othman, President
Merchants: Nicky Gacos, President
Parents of Blind Children: Cassandra McKinney, President
Performing Arts: Katelyn MacIntyre, President
Professionals in Blindness Education: Emily Gibbs, President
Rehabilitation Professionals: Amy Porterfield, President
Science and Engineering: John Miller, President
Seniors: Glenn Crosby, President
Sports and Recreation: Richie Flores, President
Students: Lauren Altman, President
Veterans: Vernon Humphrey, President
Writers: Shelley Alongi, President
Committees
Committees of the National Federation of the Blind are appointed by the President, with the exception of the nominating committee, and serve to advise the organization’s leadership on important matters and to carry out projects to build the organization at all levels.
Advancement and Promotion of Braille: Jennifer Dunnam, Chair
Ambassadors: Dan Burke, Chair
Blind Educator of the Year Award: Robin House, Chair
Communications: Liz Wisecarver, Chair
Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award: Carla McQuillan, Chair
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Shawn Callaway, Colin Wong, and Kenia Flores, Co-Chairs
Employment: Jennifer Wenzel and Lia Stone, Co-Chairs
Technology Evaluation: Mark Jones, Chair
Jacobus tenBroek Award: Pam Allen, Chair
Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund: Kathryn Webster, Chair
Kenneth Jernigan Fund: Tracy Soforenko, Chair
Membership: Denise Avant, Chair
PAC Plan: Marilyn Green, Chair
Resolutions: Donald Porterfield, Chair
Scholarship: Cayte Mendez, Chair
Shares Unlimited in NFB (SUN): Sandy Halverson, Chair
Technology Evaluation Committee, Mark Jones, Chair
White Cane and Affiliate Finance: Everette Bacon, Chair
Groups
Groups of the National Federation of the Blind serve as a resource to members around specific topic areas. Groups are coordinated by a chairperson appointed by the President and are intended to connect members across the country to strengthen the resource network of the organization.
Amateur Radio: David Chan, Chair
Blind Christians: Linda Mentink, Chair
Blind Fraternal Greek and Masonic: Shawn Callaway, Chair
Blind Muslims: Tasnim Alshuli, Chair
Blind Parents: Lisamaria Martinez, Chair
Blind Professional Journalists: Elizabeth Campbell, Chair
Blind Survivors: Christine Grassman, Chair
Krafters:
NFB in Judaism: Stewart Prost, Chair
NFB in the Kitchen: Regina Mitchell, Chair
NFB LGBT+: Sanho Steele-Louchart, Chair
NFB Website Coordinators: Corbb O’Connor, Chair