by Pam Allen and Tracy Soforenko
From the Editor: Pam Allen, the first vice president of the National Federation of the Blind and chair of its board of directors, organizes the Rookie Roundup, a gathering for first-time convention attendees, each year. Tracy Soforenko, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia and also a member of the national board, chairs the Jernigan Fund Committee, which provides financial assistance to individuals attending their first convention. Here is what they have to say about this year’s gathering:
Enthusiasm at our first day of convention reached Texas proportions as we kicked off our Rookie Roundup. As first-time convention attendees arrived, we observed everyone singing and clapping to “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” Using a rodeo theme, 400 attendees learned tips and tricks from a diverse set of Federation leaders from across the country. Presentations included welcoming remarks in English and Spanish; a special greeting from President Riccobono and First Lady Melissa; and remarks from Norma Crosby, NFBTX president and national treasurer, along with several members of our Jernigan Fund Committee and Texas affiliate, all designed to help our first-time attendees make the most of their convention experience. John Berggren, convention chair extraordinaire, reviewed some logistics to help the week run smoothly. We were delighted to hear reflections from Dr. and Mrs. Maurer as our evening concluded. One attendee commented that they could not wait to put some of the networking strategies shared into practice, while another said that they were motivated by the positivity and energy in the room, reassuring them they were not alone and were part of a larger community. The rookies felt especially welcomed by the many veterans who greeted them personally and by the team of Louisiana Center for the Blind staff and alumni who helped distribute special ribbons and tote bags as the evening ended and they headed out to experience all the convention had to offer. Throughout the week, it was exhilarating to hear the cheers from the first-timers whenever they were recognized from the stage. Thanks to all our affiliates who work throughout the year to find ways to encourage members to attend convention and to all who support the Jernigan Fund, which offers convention scholarships. We are already planning for 2024!
by Maryanne Melley
From the Editor: Maryanne Melley is president of the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut.
The National Federation of the Blind Convention in Houston this year was hot and steamy both outside and in. There were many pleasurable moments and some disappointments. For the most part the positives outweighed the negatives. I send my sincere gratitude to Norma Crosby and the Texas affiliate for hosting an amazing event. I can only imagine the magnitude of effort it takes to prepare for such a task, and Norma handled it with such grace and grit. It was a wonderful surprise to have the return of local tours at the convention again. The last time I recall this taking place was in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2007. Tours of the Museum of Natural Science, The Houston Space Center and a Houston Astros baseball game offered a variety of choices. Having President Riccobono throw the first pitch at the ball game to chants of “NFB!” from the crowd was incredible. And that’s just the fun stuff. The vast array of meetings that we were offered, the opportunity to attend and learn about so many products and issues was enough to keep anyone busy throughout the week. The speakers during General Sessions were compelling and informative. It is difficult to pick favorites for this article and not take up ten pages so I will only pick three.
Saturday’s “What’s New with JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion” seminar shed new light on many new keystrokes that are up and coming that will make using our computers much more streamlined. But one of the best new features coming out in the autumn will be JAWS assisting you to line yourself up properly for a Zoom meeting. It will be able to tell you if your face is on the screen rather than your shirt; also if you forgot to put the dirty laundry away, it will let you know that also. Imagine how professional you will look in a job interview or in a meeting with your legislators if they are seeing your face and a clean background.
Another informative meeting was the National Association of Guide Dog Users. President Raul Gallegos held a meeting with updates on the Air Carrier Access Act for travelers with guide dogs. We have been having issues with the airlines which you may recall hearing President Riccobono speak about. They require us to fill out a form for our dogs before they can fly with us. These forms are inaccessible. Though we would prefer the airlines to have the same ADA laws apply to us, for now thanks to NAGDU there is progress being made toward these forms becoming obsolete.
Finally, at the “How to Get Legislation Passed in Your State” session, the information that was shared on electronic ballot delivery and return was frustrating but helpful. Hearing about the hard work that was done on bills being passed just to be vetoed by the state governor was disheartening. However, we are not deterred. With what I learned at the meeting plus the language of Resolution 2023-04, I now feel more confident than ever to approach my legislators in Connecticut to achieve accessible independent voting for the blind.
The only disappointing part of this convention is the same I find at every national convention. It is the lack of common courtesy at the elevators. Many people do not allow those that are on the elevators to get off before they go charging in. They also trample over people who are in front of them waiting in line, even though they have been told that they are there. Why does this happen every year? What happens to “we are a loving family” when it comes to elevators? Don’t get me wrong, plenty of people were very kind and helpful with swiping their card so people could then press their floor number. Doing both was a challenge. I just wish people would remember from year to year how to behave in a more generous manner. We are all going to the same places. We all must be patient and wait our turn. In the big scheme of things this is a minor matter but an important one. All in all, let us all keep deep in our hearts and minds what President Riccobono said in his banquet speech: It is up to us, the blind, to change our world for the better. Whether it be accessible websites, voting, medical devices, and more. Nobody is going to do it for us.
by Cindy Scott-Huisman
I hadn’t solo traveled since college days in the 1980s, but I didn’t let that keep me from making plans to attend my first National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind 2023.
I first attended an NFB meeting in late 2019, and became Central Arkansas Chapter president in 2020. I joined the State Board in March of this year.
Once I made my decision to attend convention, I wasted no time making reservations for the Houston-Americas Hotel, and air travel. I was on the same flight with my friends, Cindy and Kyle Kiper, departing Little Rock, but I had a different connection in Dallas, so I was on my own for that leg of the trip and from the airport to the hotel. I made friends along the way.
I have traveled extensively, both during the fifty-one years of my life before central-eyesight loss and the five-plus years since becoming legally blind, almost entirely with family and friends. My husband of almost thirty-three years was confident I would be fine, yet somehow it felt a bit like when a parent drops their child off at kindergarten on the first day of school. Although I had reservations about a few of the details, everything went perfectly smoothly!
I experienced so much friendliness every step of the way on this adventure.
During the weeks after making reservations and as the time approached for my departure, I thought through all kinds of preparations, and worked towards being organized. I felt at ease throughout the entire trip. I uploaded the Hilton Honors app, and was so pleased by its accessibility.
The first evening after I arrived a small group went to Xin Chao, one of [blind chef] Christine Ha’s restaurants. This was a definite highlight. I had just finished watching her win Season 3 of Master Chef the day before I left town.
There’s so much to do during convention days. With plans already on my calendar before and after convention dates, I opted to arrive on July 3. Lesson learned! In order to feel like there is enough time to get through the Exhibit Hall and everything else, I want to attend the entire convention in the future.
I volunteered in the Independence Market. This was a fun opportunity to interact with fellow attendees. Another memorable activity was going to the hot tub with a friend from my chapter. She and I grew closer throughout the week.
I truly appreciate the information provided on NFB-NEWSLINE® about surrounding restaurants, the room service menu, and the item about the layout of the hotel and convention facility.
One evening twelve of us went out to eat together at a nearby restaurant owned by Pat Green, The Rustic. I made new friends and got to reconnect with others.
I loved all the teamwork on display for getting around. One time I was waiting in the elevator bay in the lobby, and someone suggested that we spread out and pay attention to each of the six elevators, and when the next one arrived, alert the others. Everyone present seemed to think this was a great idea.
For future convention plans, I hope to figure out how to meet up with people more successfully. There were a couple of folks I tried to find, and I never did. I did make it up to the Presidential Suite one morning, and I was happy to get to meet President Riccobono. While I was there, I also got to have a quick visit with Shawn Callaway. He had spoken to the Central Arkansas Chapter a couple of years ago.
I was amazed by the packed-full schedule of speakers, punctuated by fit breaks and door prize announcements throughout the three days of General Sessions. The culmination of the banquet was remarkable.
My travels home were seamless.
All in all, I am proud of myself for reaching a bit out of my comfort zone, and learning so much in the process.
From the Editor: Rob Tabor, first vice president of the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas, shared the sad news of Tom’s passing to the affiliate listserv. Rob said:
We of the Kansas affiliate regret to announce the loss of a good man and a longtime Federation leader. Tom Anderson passed on Tuesday of this week in the late afternoon hours at Advent Health in Overland Park, Kansas, where he was hospitalized to treat very severe COVID symptoms. Many Federationists will fondly remember Tom's eloquently delivered invocations at NFB national conventions over many years. Those involved with the Communities of Faith Division will miss his leadership in the devotional services which take place every morning at convention. As a Braille and communications instructor at Colorado Center for the Blind, Tom touched untold hundreds of lives over many years before retiring and returning to Kansas. Back in Kansas, Tom went immediately to work, serving on several state advisory committees pertaining to blind Kansans, while serving as a member of the Kansas affiliate board of directors. Above all, Tom was a wonderful husband to his wife Linda, also a long-time Federationist. Tom will definitely be missed by all and forgotten by none.
I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.