Future Reflections Volume 32 Number 2

ISSN-0883-3419

For more information about blindness and children contact:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230 • (410) 659-9314
www.nfb.org/nopbc • [email protected] • [email protected]

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National Federation of the Blind National Convention 2013

Monday, July 1--Saturday, July 6, 2013
Rosen Centre Hotel
9840 International Dr.
Orlando, FL 32819
Reservations: (800) 204-7234

The 2013 convention of the National Federation of the Blind will take place in Orlando, Florida, July 1-6, at the Rosen Centre Hotel at 9840 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819. Make your room reservation as soon as possible with the Rosen Centre staff only. Call (800) 204-7234.

The 2013 room rates are singles, doubles, and twins, $79; and triples and quads, $85. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 13.5 percent. No charge will be made for children under seventeen in the room with parents as long as no extra bed is requested. The hotel is accepting reservations now. A $90-per-room deposit is required to make a reservation. Fifty percent of the deposit will be refunded if notice is given to the hotel of a reservation cancellation before May 28, 2013. The other 50 percent is not refundable.

Rooms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations may be made before June 1, 2013, assuming that rooms are still available. After that time the hotel will not hold our room block for the convention. In other words, you should get your reservation in soon.

Guest room amenities include cable television; in-room safe; coffeemaker; hairdryer; and, for a fee, high-speed Internet access. Guests can also enjoy a swimming pool, fitness center, and on-site spa. The Rosen Centre Hotel offers fine dining at Executive Chef Michael Rumplik's award-winning Everglades Restaurant. In addition, there is an array of dining options from sushi to tapas to a 24-hour deli. The hotel has first-rate amenities and shuttle service to the Orlando Airport.

SCHEDULE

Monday, July 1--Seminar Day
Tuesday, July 2--Registration Day
Wednesday, July 3--Board Meeting and Division Day
Thursday, July 4--Opening Session
Friday, July 5--Business Session
Saturday, July 6--Banquet Day and Adjournment

First Timer's Guide to the NFB National Convention

View our beginner's guide to the NFB National Convention, intended to give the first-time convention attendee some important information about national conventions of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Read the First Timer's Guide at <https://nfb.org/convention-first-timers>.

INTRODUCTION

A Letter from the Editor Listen Now (MP3)
by Deborah Kent Stein

Terms and Acronyms Listen Now (MP3)

FEATURE

Protecting the Rights of Blind Individuals
in the United States Listen Now (MP3)
by Dan Goldstein

EDUCATION AND THE LAW

Weapons of Meaningful Education Listen Now (MP3)
by Carlton Cook Walker

INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS (IEPs)

Just Forget They're Blind: A Philosophy-Based Approach
to the Education of Blind Children and the IEP Listen Now (MP3)
by Carol Castellano

Transition Is Never Easy:
IEP Advice to a Middle-School Teacher Listen Now (MP3)
by Michael Gosse

From Control to Autonomy:
Our Quest to Homeschool Our Daughter Listen Now (MP3)
by Terri O'Neill

THE FEDERATION IN ACTION

Braille Standards for the State of Maryland Listen Now (MP3)
by Melissa Riccobono

Amazon Kindle: Is It Coming to a School Near You? Listen Now (MP3)
by Mehgan Sidhu and Valerie Yingling

SELF ADVOCACY

Developing Self-Advocacy Skills, or,
The Pursuit of a Normal Life Listen Now (MP3)
by Carol Castellano

The Courage to Fight for Chocolate Cake Listen Now (MP3)
by Haben Girma

Blind and Gifted? Blind and Gifted! Listen Now (MP3)
by Stephanie Kieszak-Holloway

Cane Denied: When Good Policy Isn't Enough Listen Now (MP3)
by Penny Duffy

Katie Can Sit Where She Pleases Listen Now (MP3)
by Heather Fritz

NFB CONVENTION 2013

NFB Kids Camp Adventure Listen Now (MP3)
by Carla McQuillan

No Limits! 2013 National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC)
Conference for Families and Teachers Listen Now (MP3)
by Carlton Cook Walker

PROGRAM

Calling in the Cars Listen Now (MP3)
by Joanne Wilson

ANNOUNCEMENTS Listen Now (MP3)

ODDS AND ENDSListen Now (MP3)

Complete Future Reflections

Complete Future Reflections Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version)

Complete DAISY Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version)

Subscription Information

Future Reflections is a magazine for parents and teachers of blind children. It is published quarterly by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership with the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children. Future Reflections is available free of charge to subscriber addresses in the U.S. in regular print and audio formats and via email, or it can be read online on the NFB website. Canadian subscriptions are $35.00 per year, and other foreign subscriptions are $75.00 U.S. per year. Checks should be made payable to the National Federation of the Blind and sent to the NFB, Attention Future Reflections, 200 E. Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230.

For an email subscription to Future Reflections, visit <www.nfbcal.org/listserv-signup.html> and follow the instructions.

To subscribe to Future Reflections in print or audio format, send an email to [email protected]. Put "Subscribe to FR" in the subject line and include your preferred medium in the body. Please include your address, whether you are the parent of a blind child, a teacher, or other subscriber. If you are a parent, include your child's name and birth date.

URL: <https://nfb.org/future-reflections>

Why Join the NOPBC?

Are you the parent of a blind or visually impaired child? Don’t know where to turn?

Founded in 1983, the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) is a membership organization of parents, educators, and friends of blind children reaching out to give each other vital support, encouragement, and information. We have thousands of members in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

The NOPBC offers hope, encouragement, information, and resources for parents of blind or visually impaired children. NOPBC provides emotional support and a network of other families dealing with the same challenges you are facing. We also provide information, training, and resources to empower you to take an active role in guiding your child’s development and education. We can provide information on your child’s rights and on the laws and legislative issues that will enable you and your child to become strong and effective advocates.

Have you ever wondered what your blind or visually impaired child will be capable of when he or she grows up? The answer to that question is that blindness/visual impairment does not have to stop your child from doing anything he or she wants to do. We can connect you with other families and blind adults who can serve as positive mentors and role models. They can teach you the attitudes and techniques that will enable your child to become independent and to succeed in life.

What is different about the NOPBC?

Our status as a division of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the largest and most influential organization of blind people in the world, provides many benefits. Our members are well informed about the societal, legislative, and technological issues that affect blind people. We also enjoy the resources, support, and expertise of fifty thousand blind people who can serve as mentors and role models for us and our children. Finally, as our children grow up, they have the Federation to belong to.

No other organization for parents of blind/visually impaired children offers more programs, activities, and training to families, children, and youth. One of our most exciting activities is our annual conference. Every year since it was established, the NOPBC has conducted an annual conference for parents and teachers of blind children as part of the national convention of the NFB. The program has grown to include five exciting days of workshops, training sessions, activities for all family members, including sighted siblings, and countless opportunities to meet blind adults and other families and children from around the country.

What is the mission of the NOPBC?

The purpose of the NOPBC is to:

• create a climate of opportunity for blind children in home and society.
• provide information and support to parents of blind children.
• facilitate the sharing of experience and concerns among parents of blind children.
• develop and expand resources available to parents and their children.
• help parents of blind children gain understanding and perspective through partnership and contact with blind adults.
• function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind in its ongoing effort to achieve equality and opportunity for all blind persons.

Most states have an NOPBC affiliate chapter. You can find your state chapter at <www.nopbc.org>. If your state does not have a chapter and you would like to start one, please contact us. We may be able to offer training and other assistance to start a state NOPBC chapter.

What are the programs, activities, publications, and resources of the NOPBC?

• National and State Parent Seminars and Conferences
• Future Reflections Magazine
• NOPBC Website
• Books and Videos
• Blindkid & Other Listservs
• Early Childhood Conferences
• Pop-Up IEP Website
• Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest
• Slate Pals Pen Pal Program
• AAF Free Braille Books Program
• Share Braille Book Exchange
• Writing Contests
• Junior Science Academy
• Youth Slam High School Science Academy
• National Center for Blind Youth in Science Web site
• NFB-NEWSLINE® Newspaper Service
• Where the Blind Work Website
• Free White Cane Program
• Blindness 411 Facebook Group for Teens
• NFB-LINK Mentoring Program
• Scholarship Program
• Straight Talk about Blindness Video Series
• Parent Leadership Program (PLP)