The 2018 National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind was held Tuesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 8, 2018 at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida.
Key Reports
- 2018 Presidential Report
- 2018 Resolutions
- 2018 Banquet Speech: Authenticity, Diversity, and the Synergy of the Organized Blind
Sponsors
- Platinum: Aira, Google, Humanware, Microsoft, UPS, Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., Vispero
- Gold: Brown Goldstein Levy, HIMS, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Market Development Group, Inc., Oracle, Target, UBER
- Silver: Adobe, Amazon, AT&T, Facebook, Pearson, Sprint
- Bronze: Charter, Delta, ETS, Lyft, Monster, NIB, Reach, VitalSource, Waymo, Wells Fargo
Agenda
- 2018 National Convention Agenda (PDF; English)
- 2018 National Convention Agenda (Word; English)
- 2018 National Convention Agenda (Word; Spanish)
- 2018 National Convention Agenda (BRF; English)
- 2018 National Convention Agenda (BRF; Spanish; Vol. I)
- 2018 National Convention Agenda (BRF; Spanish; Vol. II)
Audio Highlights
Friday, July 6, 2018
- Welcoming Ceremonies (Play MP3; 32 minutes; English)
- Celebration of Freedom: Veterans Recognized (Play MP3; 16 minutes; English)
- 2018 Presidential Report, President Mark Riccobono (Play MP3; 1 hour 13 minutes; English)
- Dream Makers Circle (Play MP3; 6 minutes; English)
- The Unexplored Dimensions of Photography: The Blind and the Freedom of Tactile Understanding, John Olson (Play MP3; 21 minutes; English)
- Directing Big Data and Technological Innovation: Perspectives on the Importance of Leadership by the Blind, Chancey Fleet (Play MP3; 24 minutes; English)
- Bringing Connections to Scale: The Blind and a Worldwide Crowd for Access to Information, Christian Erfurt (Play MP3; 12 minutes; English)
- Networking That Empowers Innovation: Accessibility for the Blind Through Facebook, Monica Desai (Play MP3; 13 minutes; English)
- Introducing Chloe: Artificial Intelligence Guided by the Blind, Suman Kanuganti (Play MP3; 26 minutes; English)
Saturday, July 7, 2018
- What Does "Blind" Have to Do with It? The Right to Parent from a Sighted Daughter's Perspective, Joanne Gabias (Play MP3; 25 minutes; English)
- Common Bonds of Blindness Around the World: A New Blind Chief Executive Officer for the World Organization, José Viera (Play MP3; 20 minutes; English)
- Leading with Conviction: Making Equality for People with Disabilities the Priority for the United States of America, Neil Romano (Play MP3; 23 minutes; English)
- Raising Expectations for the Nation from Florida's Ninth Congressional District: Perspectives from the United States House of Representatives, The Honorable Darren Soto (Play MP3; 10 minutes; English)
- A Record Year of Advocacy for the Blind of America: A Report from the Advocacy and Policy Department, John G. Paré Jr. (Play MP3; 34 minutes; English)
- Resolutions (Play MP3; 1 hour 39 minutes; English)
Sunday, July 8, 2018
- The Untapped Potential of Blind Entrepreneurs: Progress Through Collective Action of Blind Business Owners, Nicky Gacos (Play MP3; 21 minutes; English)
- A Movement of Excellence Built Upon Blind Experience: A Report from Our Jernigan Institute, Anil Lewis (Play MP3; 22 minutes; English)
- From My Blind Child to Our Blind Children: Why the National Federation of the Blind Is the Answer, Carlton Anne Cook Walker (Play MP3; 24 minutes; English)
- Raising Expectations for Education and Rehabilitation: Creating Opportunities for the Blind Through the United States Department of Education, Johnny Collett (Play MP3; 32 minutes; English)
- Playing Your Hand: A Blind Songwriter Doing What It Takes to Live the Life He Wants, JP Williams (Play MP3; 21 minutes; English)
- Authentically Blind on Stage and Screen: One Blind Actress Transforms Obstacles into Stepping Stones, Marilee Talkington (Play MP3; 27 minutes; English)
- Overcoming Obstacles and Recognizing Opportunities: A Blind Entrepreneur Breaks Through Barriers Everywhere He Builds, Isaac Lidsky (Play MP3; 15 minutes; English)
- From Raising Wages to Defending the Right to Live in the World: A Champion for Disability Rights and Friend of the Blind, The Honorable Tom Ridge (Play MP3; 29 minutes; English)
- Aviation, Technology, and Law, Marc Maurer (Play MP3; 25 minutes; English)
- Equal Access in Air Travel for the Blind: Raising Expectations from the United States Department of Transportation, Blane Workie (Play MP3; 23 minutes; English)
- The Eleventh Annual Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards, James Gashel (Play MP3; 27 minutes; English)
- Shaping Automotive Innovation for the Future: An Alliance with the Blind of America, Mitch Bainwol (Play MP3; 12 minutes; English)
- No Borders to the World’s Knowledge: A Commitment to Accessibility for the Blind, Francis Gurry (Play MP3; 15 minutes; English)
- Artificial Intelligence and Authentic Experience: Remarks from an Innovation Partner of the Blind, Ray Kurzweil (Play MP3; 17 minutes; English)
- 2018 Banquet Speech, President Mark Riccobono: Authenticity, Diversity, and the Synergy of the Organized Blind (Play MP3; 58 minutes; English)