Note 1: All convention sessions will be conducted using the Zoom conferencing platform. Convention participants are strongly encouraged to download the Zoom mobile app for best audio quality. Those that already have the mobile app are encouraged to upgrade to the latest version. However, attendees may also use the web portal or dial in to meetings using a cell phone or a landline. If dialing in to a session, you can dial 301-715-8592 and enter the meeting ID to connect. Additional Zoom dial-in numbers can be found at https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/zoom-information. On this webpage you will also find helpful user guides and lists of shortcut keys.
Note 2: The convention agenda and exhibit hall can be accessed via the CrowdCompass platform beginning June 25. Mobile apps are available for both the iOS and Android platforms (https://crowd.cc/s/40gtm). A web portal is also available (https://crowd.cc/nfb21). In addition to providing convention access to the agenda, CrowdCompass allows users to join sessions with the click of a button, customize a personal agenda, explore the online exhibit hall, and chat with other CrowdCompass convention goers.
Note 3: Voting for national elections and resolutions will be conducted via SMS (text messaging) and phone. To be eligible to vote, attendees must be current Federation members and have registered for convention by May 31. The phone number for voting is 667-206-6677. You may choose to program this number into your phone. The number and voting instructions will be sent via email to qualified voters in addition to being posted to the convention information page.
Note 4: As always, guide dog relief areas are an important component of convention. This year, they can be found in the same locations as were used yesterday.
Note 5: All requests for announcements by President Riccobono during General Sessions must be submitted by email to [email protected].
Note 6: Divisions, Committees, and Groups: The Federation carries on its business through the affiliated divisions, committees, and groups listed below:
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.
Amateur Radio: Karen Anderson, President
Assistive Technology Trainers: Chancey Fleet, President
Communities of Faith: Tom Anderson, President
Computer Science: Brian Buhrow, President
Community Service: Jeanetta Price, President
DeafBlind: Alice Eaddy, President
Diabetes Action Network: Debbie Wunder, President
Human Services: Candice Chapman, President
Educators: Cayte Mendez, President
Guide Dog Users: Raul Gallegos, President
Krafters: Tammy Freitag, President
Lawyers: Scott LaBarre, President
Merchants: Nicky Gacos, President
Parents of Blind Children: Carlton Anne Cook Walker, President
Performing Arts: Katelyn MacIntyre, President
Professionals in Blindness Education: Eric Guillory, President
Public Employees: Gary Van Dorn, President
Rehabilitation Professionals: Amy Porterfield, President
Science and Engineering: John Miller, President
Seniors: Ruth Sager, President
Sports and Recreation: Jessica Beecham, President
Students: Trisha Kulkarni, 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
Automobile and Pedestrian Safety: Maurice Peret, Chair
Autonomous Vehicles and Innovations in Transportation:
Blind Educator of the Year Award: Edward Bell, Chair
Blind Federal Employment: Ronza Othman, Chair
Communications: Liz Wisecarver, Chair
Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award: Carla McQuillan, Chair
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Shawn Callaway and Colin Wong, Co-Chairs
Employment: Dick Davis, Chair
Evaluation of Technology: Mark Jones, Chair
Jacobus tenBroek Award: Marc Maurer, Chair
Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund: Tracy Soforenko, Chair
Kenneth Jernigan Fund: Allen Harris, Chair
Membership: Kathryn Webster and Tarik Williams, Co-Chairs
PAC Plan: Scott LaBarre, Chair
Research and Development: Brian Buhrow, Chair
Resolutions: Sharon Maneki, Chair
Scholarship: Cayte Mendez, Chair
Shares Unlimited in NFB (SUN): Sandy Halverson, Chair
Spanish Translation: Daniel Martinez, 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.
Blind Fraternal Greek and Masonic: Shawn Callaway, Chair
Blind Muslims: Tasnim Ashuli, Chair
Blind Parents: Lisamaria Martinez, Chair
Blind Professional Journalists: Elizabeth Campbell, Chair
NFB in Judaism: David Stayer, Chair
NFB LGBTQIA+: Sanho Steele-Louchart, Chair
NFB Lions: Milton Ota, Chair
NFB Webmasters: Corbb O’Connor, Chair
SPONSORS
The National Federation of the Blind acknowledges with gratitude our convention sponsors listed below. Their messages follow.
Platinum:
Facebook
Google
Microsoft
UPS
Vanda
Vispero
Gold:
Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP
Target
Oracle
Waymo
Silver:
Aira
Amazon
AT&T
Market Development Group
McDonald’s
Pearson
T-Mobile Accessibility
Bronze:
American Printing House for The Blind
Democracy Live
Educational Testing Service
HumanWare
Learning Ally’s College Success Program
Newsela
Spectrum
Tusk Philanthropies
VitalSource Technologies
Wells Fargo
White Cane:
Chris Park Design
Cruise
D2L Corporation
Duxbury
Envision - Workforce Innovation Center
En-Vision America
IKE Smart City
Independence Science
Law School Admission Council, Inc.
Leader Dogs for the Blind
McGraw Hill
National Industries for the Blind
Personal AI
Rosen, Bien, Galvan & Grunfeld, LLP
The Chicago Lighthouse
SPONSOR ADS
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze
White Cane