Future Reflections
Volume 34 Number 4 Convention Issue 2015
A magazine for parents and teachers of blind children published by
the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership
with the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children.
Deborah Kent Stein, Editor
ISSN-0883-3419
Copyright © 2015 American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
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]
Contents
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Live the Life You WantListen
Now (MP3)
by Deborah Kent Stein
FEATURE
Convention 2015: The NOPBC ReportListen
Now (MP3)
by Carlton Anne Cook Walker
NOPBC CONFERENCE
Kid TalkListen
Now (MP3)
by Mark Riccobono
Crossing the ThresholdListen
Now (MP3)
by Anil Lewis
Crafting Your DiamondListen
Now (MP3)
by Carlton Anne Cook Walker
ANNUAL MEETING
By Touch AloneListen
Now (MP3)
by Ann Cunningham
Braille Instruction Everywhere: Introducing the Cosmo BraillerListen
Now (MP3)
by David Pillischer
Everyone Can PlayListen
Now (MP3)
by Richard Gibbs
Voices from the FutureListen
Now (MP3)
by Naudia Graham and Ashleah Chamberlain
PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Learn to Play and Play to Learn:
Facilitating Your Child's Learning and PlayListen
Now (MP3)
by Heather Field
Adopting a Blind Child from OverseasListen
Now (MP3)
by Merry-Noel Chamberlain
GENERAL SESSIONS
#NCBYS: Making the Connections and Equipping the Next GenerationListen
Now (MP3)
by Angel Ayala
Sharing the Spirit of Our Movement around the World:
A Federationist in the Peace CorpsListen
Now (MP3)
by Serena Olsen
The Nature of BlindnessListen
Now (MP3)
by Dr. Marc Maurer
ADVENTURES
Breaking BarriersListen
Now (MP3)
by Jean Bening
AWARDS
The Dan Ryles Memorial AwardListen
Now (MP3)
presented by Carlton Anne Cook Walker and Barbara Cheadle
The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards for 2015Listen
Now (MP3)
presented by Jim Gashel
Meet the 2015 National Federation of the Blind Scholarship ClassListen
Now (MP3)
presented by Patti Chang
Convention Bulletin 2016
Complete Future Reflections Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version)
Complete DAISY Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version)
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 fifty states plus Washington, DC, 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 <http://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
- 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 Website
- 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)
Contact Us:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
[email protected]
<www.nopbc.org>