Board Meeting and Division Day
Back to NFB22 Convention Agenda Welcome
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration ($30), Packet Pickup, and Banquet Ticket Sales ($75)
Salon A
8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. COVID Testing
Salon D
9:00 - 11:30 a.m. NFB Board Meeting
Acadia and Bissonet Ballroom
Zoom meeting ID: https://zoom.us/j/96287762142
1CapApp captioning link: https://ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall and Independence Market
Napoleon Ballroom, Sheraton
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Banquet Exchange
Acadia Ballroom Foyer
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. NOPBC Youth Track
Balcony L
Registration required. Email [email protected] for details.
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Amateur “Ham” Radio Division Annual Meeting
Studio 10
Talking with people around the world, responding to emergencies, and tinkering with electronics are just some of the benefits of becoming a licensed ham radio operator. Join us in a discussion about the hobby and plans for a permanent ham radio station at the Jernigan Institute.
Corbb O’Connor, President
1:00 - 3:30 p.m. Community Service Division Celebration
Salon B
The party starts here with the Community Service Division! Who dat? We are a division with willing workers serving beyond the six dots. The Big Easy is known to celebrate culture and community. Hence, our division is enthusiastically shouting, "Let the good times roll!”
Jeanetta Price, President
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Blind Rehabilitation Professionals Division
Studio 2
Come join your peers working in blind rehabilitation fields as we support each other through presentations and discussions on professional development, employment ideas, and resources for supporting well-rounded rehabilitation programs.
- 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Networking opportunity.
Amy Porterfield, President
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. NFB DeafBlind Division Business Meeting
Galerie 1
Join the first-ever NFB DeafBlind Division expo emphasizing relationship building, communication challenges, and DeafBlind-friendly alternative techniques. Get updates on DeafBlind issues, the division’s business, and elections.
- 1:00 p.m. Registration (dues are $10)
Alice Eaddy, President
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. National Association of Blind Merchants
Galerie 6
This year, 2022, is the year of the tiger. The tiger embodies courage, bravery, and strength. We will feature presentations by Lauren McLarney and Michael Dalto, who will discuss self-employment and Social Security.
Nicky Gacos, President
1:00 - 4:30 p.m. Writers Division Business Meeting
Studio 5
Come join the Writers Division for our annual business meeting. Come learn our contest winners, enjoy readings, participate in a Writers Round Up 2.0. Registration will be $10 in person or online.
Shelley Alongi, President
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Senior Division
Studio 7
Join us for our Senior Division meeting where you can help plan for: our winter virtual senior retreat; brainstorm discussion topics for the coming year’s conference calls;
and meet Jessica Beecham to teach us about exercise and healthy living.
Judy Sanders, President
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. NFB in Communities of Faith
Studio 3
Publishers of faith-based literature will provide an update regarding the work of their respective organizations. Other speakers will describe how their faith has helped them to overcome challenges. Division business will be conducted.
Tom Anderson, President
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Assistive Technology Trainers Division
Galerie 4
Current and aspiring tech trainers: join us for professional development, networking, and fellowship. We’ll explore what it takes to become a great trainer, how to help our students build sustainable digital literacy skills, and strategies for remote training.
Chancey Fleet, President
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Performing Arts Division and Voice Acting
Galerie 2
Come prepared to network with other performers! Join us for our annual business meeting followed by a workshop all about voice acting and voiceover work.
Katelyn MacIntyre, President
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. NFB in Computer Science
Galerie 5
Enhancing nonvisual access to information technology and improving the ability of blind information and computer technology professionals to compete in today's world.
Brian Buhrow, President
1:00 - 6:30 p.m. National Association of Blind Lawyers Division Meeting
Galerie 3
Examine legal issues arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic for the blind; address ongoing struggles to gain equal access to websites, employment, legal texts, and exams; share practice tips and technology tools for blind lawyers. Please go to www.blindlawyers.net to register for the meeting.
- 12:30 p.m. Registration
- 5:00 p.m. Ticketed reception
Scott LaBarre, President
1:00 - 3:45 p.m. National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) Annual Meeting
Studio 9
Mix and mingle with vendors, blind mentors, and other parents. Learn about cutting-edge products and programs for our kids. Experience Parent Power. Participate in our business meeting, elections, and much more!
Carlton Anne Cook Walker, President
1:30 - 4:00 p.m. National Organization of Blind Educators Division
Studio 6
Blind teachers and educators discuss techniques they use in their classrooms. Participants meet in groups specific to grade level and content area to create a network of colleagues and mentors. If you teach or are considering a career in teaching, please join us.
Cayte Mendez, President
2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Diabetes Action Network Annual Meeting
Studio 1
Come learn about blind diabetics who are self-sufficient, manage their disease, and work for the development of technology equivalent to that available to other diabetics. Join with those who have overcome being scared and who have embraced the challenge of this disease.
Debbie Wunder, President
2:00 - 5:00 p.m. National Association of Blind Veterans Meeting
Studio 4
All veterans are invited. We will conduct our annual business meeting after a short networking period. We will not be holding elections this year. Remember your dues must be paid in full to vote.
- 2:00 p.m. Networking
- 3:00 p.m. Business meeting
Vernon Humphrey, President
2:30 - 5:00 p.m. Human Services Division Annual Meeting
Salon C
If you have a passion for people, we invite you to join our meeting! We will discuss strategies for meeting needs of diverse populations, conduct self-care activities, and problem-solve Human Services related issues. Register here: https://forms.gle/yrDJsKqERJUdFmva8.
Candice Chapman, President
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Sports and Recreation Division Meeting
Studio 10
Come move, learn, share, have fun, and get down to business with the Sports and Recreation Division at our annual business meeting.
Jessica Beecham, President
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. New Aira Desktop App Enhances School and Work
Studio 6
Aira is secure and professional visual interpreting for your smart phone and now desktop computer. Learn about the new desktop release and how we’re supporting the community with Aira at no cost at universities, as a job seeker, as a small business owner, and at Aira Employment Partners.
Troy Otillio, CEO, and Sandra Marcus, Vice President of Marketing, Aira
5:00 - 6:30 p.m. American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults Braille Book Fair
Riverview 1
Browse tables of new and used Braille and print/Braille books. We have fiction, nonfiction, and early readers through multi-volume novels, cookbooks, and more—all offered at no cost. Volunteers will box and prepare selections to be shipped to your home via free matter. Donations accepted.
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Affiliate Presidents and Treasurers
Galerie 6
All state affiliate presidents and treasurers are asked to attend this session. We will discuss issues related to tracking affiliate finances and other aspects of organization administration. Participants can discuss state issues with facilitator Bridgid Burke.
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Professionals in Blindness Education Division
Galerie 4
All professionals serving students from birth through age twenty-one are welcome and encouraged to join our informative and interactive meeting. Come network and collaborate, sharing and learning with colleagues and future educators.
Emily Gibbs, President
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. National Association of Guide Dog Users Division
Studio 9
Come learn how to make an informed choice when deciding to get a guide dog. Get current updates from our legal counsel about matters pertaining to guide dog users. Find out what NAGDU has been up to over the past year and elect our leaders! Raul Gallegos, President
6:30 - 10:00 p.m. Science and Engineering Division
Studio 3
Learn about several interactive graphics methods, blind-friendly math education methods, the NFB SABER project for students, the Pearson Nemeth Code Curriculum, and Science and Engineering division mentoring.
- 6:30 p.m. Registration
- 7:00 p.m. Meeting
John Miller, President
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Sports and Recreation Division Breakout Sessions
Studio 8
- 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Anytime Anywhere Fitness
Join us to learn and practice body weight exercises that can be done anywhere, any time! Use them to build workouts that you can take with you wherever you go! - 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Anytime Anywhere Fitness
Join us for an advanced High Intensity Interval Training Workout. This is a workout designed for those who regularly engage in intense physical activity and have a basic foundation in body weight exercises.
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Upward Mobility Seminar
Galerie 1
You are employed, but what comes next? Step out of your comfort zone with some innovative ideas about career advancement and entrepreneurship. Brainstorming is always welcome.
Sponsored by the NFB Employment Committee. Dick Davis, Chair
7:00 - 9:30 p.m. Black Leaders Serving Advancement
Galerie 5
Celebrate the numerous contributions of black Federation leaders. This meeting will serve to establish the foundation for a proposed division to inspire the next generation of black blind leaders through program activities to mentor and build the diversity of the movement.
Shawn Callaway, Coordinator
7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Blind Government Employment Meeting
Studio 4
Join employees, retirees, and applicants for employment of federal, state, and local government entities, including pseudo-government entities, as we reorganize and merge the Blind Public Employees Division and Blind Government Employment Committee. We will discuss solutions to issues faced by blind public servants.
Ronza Othman and Everette Bacon, Co-chairs, Blind Government Employment Committee
8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Friends of Recovery Meeting
Studio 1
All convention attendees interested in getting or remaining clean and sober are welcome to our confidential meeting. For more information, call 828-505-0338.
8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Affiliate Historians: An Introduction
Studio 7
Join us as we give a brief introduction to the role of affiliate/division historians and how to approach saving items of importance from the start. A Q&A will follow. Open to anyone. Affiliate presidents and historians encouraged to attend.
Nichole Chrissis, Archivist, National Federation of the Blind
8:00 - 9:30 p.m. Training Champions with the BLIND, Inc. Team*
Galerie 2
Join the staff of BLIND, Inc. for this interactive event sure to help you learn how attending blindness skills training will help you become an all-star!
8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Blind Survivors Group
Studio 6
Join the newly established Blind Survivors Group for our inaugural kickoff meeting where we will reflect, support, and plan for future survivor and victim-centered programming within the Federation. Please email [email protected] with any access needs ahead of the event!
Kathryn Webster and Danielle Montour, Co-chairs
9:00 - 11:00 p.m. LGBT+: Let's Talk About the Plus
Salon B
Come one, come all! We warmly welcome you to a hybrid event for our LGBT+ group. Not sure if you belong? Well, let's talk about that plus! Note that a Zoom link will be published as we get closer.
Sanho Steele-Louchart, Chair