Future Reflections Convention 1999, Vol. 18 No. 4
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The 1999 NFB Convention
Photo Review
Dr. Maurer chairs the 1999
Convention with enthusiasm and
decisiveness.
"How does an organization mark the change of an
era? That was the question the National Federation of the Blind resolved June 30 to July 6
in Atlanta. At the time of the 1998 convention in Dallas, Dr. Kenneth Jernigan was still
able to take an active part in planning and conducting the convention, despite nearly a
year of serious illness, and to call forth from us the same courage and hope for the
future that he himself was demonstrating. But since his death on October 12, 1998, we have
been mourning, working to incorporate his teachings into our daily activities,
consolidating our strength, and preparing to move into the new millennium.
More than three thousand Federationists gathered in Atlanta from every
state, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and sixteen other countries from around the world.
Almost inevitably it was a convention of contrasts: celebration and solemnity, intense
focus and remarkable diversity. The Marriott Marquis’s architecture probably
contributed to the feeling that Convention delegates were comfortably spread out to engage
with those of like interests in their own part of the facility. Yet we have never had a
convention in which more delegates gathered together to take an active part in general
convention sessions."
This is how Barbara Pierce, editor of the NFB’s monthly magazine,
the Braille Monitor, began her 25 page report of the 1999 NFB convention.
Among those who contributed to the "diversity" and "contrasts" of the
convention were over 100 families of blind children. From cities, small towns, sprawling
suburbs, and farms; from the mountains of Idaho, the beaches of California, the bayous of
Louisiana, the cornfields of the mid-west, and the high-rises of the east—families
descended upon Atlanta with one shared hope: that their blind children might be able to
achieve their fullest potential, and lead normal, happy, productive lives.
The following photo review highlights the many exciting ways in which
the 1999 convention gave parents (and children) the information, the support, the
attitudes, the inspiration, and the courage necessary to shape that hope into a reality.
People find their seats in the crowded ballroom as the general session gets underway.
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The August-September 1999 issue of the
Braille Monitor contains a complete report of the activities of the 1999 NFB
Convention. To order a free copy of that issue, just mail the following request to:
NFB Materials Center
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Please send me the August-September 1999Braille Monitor in [ ]LP [ ]Braille [
]Tape Name_______________________________
Address_____________________________
City___________State___Zip____________ |
The children in NFB Camp enjoy a tour of the nearby Coca-Cola Museum Friday afternoon
while parents attend the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) annual
meeting and other convention activities.
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Eve Bryant, President of the Utah Parents of Blind Children,wheels Shawn and Anthony
through the registration line.
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Parent Workshops
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Dr. Lilli Nielsen (left) an internationally- known expert on the
education of blind, multiply impaired children, discusses and demonstrates educational
tools and techniques she developed to enhance the active learning process to a
standing-room only crowd (above). Matthew O'Connor of Minnesota (below left) does an
impromptu demonistration for the "Computers for Tots" workshop.
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To assist families with their many
and varied needs for information about blindness, the NOPBC sponsored 10 different
workshops for parents. The week began Wednesday morning with a general session
called "Preparing for the Year 2000." followed by a 6 break- out workshop
sessions in the afternoon: Resource Materials: Computers for Tots" (left), Technology
in the Classroom; Writing IEP Goals and Objectives; Placement: How to Find the Right
Program for Your Child; and Blind Mentors, Models and Peers: Why and How. Later in the
week, parents had the option of attending one of two "Cane Walk" sessions, a
two-hour "A Conversation with Lilli Nielsen" workshop, a four-hour drop-in
discussion on "Kids and Canes," or an intensive four-hour session on
"Beginning Braille for Parents. |
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Dr. Lilli Nielsen (above left) an internationally-known
expert on the education of blind, multiply impaired children, discusses and demonstrates
educational tools and techniques she developed to enhance the active learning process to a
standing-room-only crowd (above). Matthew O’Connor of Minnesota (below left) does an
impromptu demonstration for the "Computers for Tots" workshop.
To assist families with their many and varied needs for information
about blindness, the NOPBC sponsored 10 different workshops for parents. The week began
Wednesday morning with a general session called "Preparing for the Year 2000,"
followed by 6 break-out workshop sessions in the afternoon: Resource Materials; Computers
for Tots (left), Technology in the Classroom; Writing IEP Goals and Objectives; Placement:
How to Find the Right Program for Your Child; and Blind Mentors, Models, and Peers: Why
and How. Later in the week, parents had the option of attending one of two "Cane
Walk" sessions, a two-hour "A Conversation with Lilli Nielsen" workshop, a
four-hour drop-in discussion on "Kids and Canes," or an intensive four-hour
session on "Beginning Braille For Parents."
Teen Activities
Barbara Pierce (OH) and Dr. Sharon Sacks (CA) lead a discussion group for young blind
women sponsored by the Committee on the Status of BlindWomen, North America/Carribean
Region of the World Blinc Union.
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Lydia Richardson (MD) keeps Caleb Dine (NJ) occupied while his parents attend a
workshop. Many teens, blind and sighted, find their baby-sitting skills much in demand at
the NFB convention.
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Sighted kids get a chance to try a cane under sleepshades during the annual scavenger hunt
sponsored by the NOPBC.
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Blind teens mingle during an "ice-breaker" game at the Teen Room sponsored by
Blind Inductries and Services of Maryland (BISM) and the NOPBC.
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Families
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Burt and Melanie Manwaring (UT) relax and enjoy the
Family Hospitality night with children Kirt, Kelsie and Kyle. |
Diann Foster (KY) watches while son Peter John tries
out the escalator cane technique he learned at the Cane Walk workshop for children,
parents, and teachers. |
Diana Reinhardt (MI) registers for the NOPBC "Preparing for the Year 2000"
parents Seminar.
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Joyce, Kim, Katie, and David Wintz (LA) pause for a family snapshot on their way
out to explore Atlanta.
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Braille Carnival |
NFB Camp |
The Kenneth Jernigan Braille Carnival was a big hit. Below, Michael Taboada (LA) and
Mary Brunoli (CT) play checkers, and Diane McGregor (CO) helps Nichelle Bryson (UT) make a
craft.
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As usual, NFB Camp provided a variety
of fun activities for kids up to age 12. Above, OH twins Madison and Macy McClain read a
book together. Below, blind entertainer Daniel Lamonds of SC leads NFB Campers in a
sing-along game.
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Convention Speakers
The line-up of speakers at the general sessions and the National Board
meeting was impressive, indeed. The list included top business executives, influential
political figures, blind leaders from other countries, high-ranking government officials,
and blind people whose achievements in non-traditional endeavors were an inspiration to
all.
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| Suzanne Mitchell, President of the National Coundil of State Agencies
for the Blind. |
Dr. Marc Maurer and Tom Johnson, President and CEO
of CNN News. |
Congressman John Lewis, Fifth Congressional District
of Georgia. |
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Erik Weihenmayer's tales of his adventures as a
blind mountain climber delight and inspire the audience. |
Ellen Bomer talks about her rehabilitation following
the '98 embassy explosion in Nairobi which left her blind. |
Sabriye Tenberten, a blind German scholar, describes
why and how she invented the Tibetan Braille code. |
Dr. Kenneth Jernigan Remembered
John Cheadle
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Diane McGeorge
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The 1999 convention was dedicated to the memory of Dr.
Kenneth Jernigan who passed away October 12, 1998. Most fittingly, a special half-day
memorial service for Dr. Jernigan was conducted on Sunday, July 4th--Independence Day.
Pictured above is the bronze bust of Kenneth Jernigan unveiled
during the convention, and photo boards of his life which were displayed in the Jernigan
suite throughout the convention.
Below and to the left are pictures of the ten Federation
colleagues who spoke livingly and eloquently at the memorial service of "The man who
carried our burdens, cherished our spirits, challenged our minds, demanded excellence,
taught us, loved us, and set us free!"
Peggy Elliott
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Barbara Pierce
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Joanne Wilson
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Don Capps
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Allen Harris
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Joyce Scanlan
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Ramona Walhof
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James Gashel
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John Cheadle Diane McGeorge Joanne Wilson Don
Capps Allen Harris
Joyce Scanlon Ramona Walhof James Gashel Peggy Elliott Barbara Pierce
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