Volume 36 Number 4 Convention 2017
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 © 2017 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]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Convention Revisited
by Deborah Kent Stein
NOPBC CONFERENCE
Kid Talk
by Mark Riccobono
#Howweseeit
by Kim Cunningham
The Impact of Disability Simulations
by Arielle Silverman
Enable Your Child to Succeed Academically
by Denise Robinson
Student Perspectives
by Hank Miller, Julia Gebert, and Lindsay Adair
It's Recess Time!
by Deja Powell
NOPBC AWARDS AND OTHER HONORS
Twig Awards
Presented by Carol Castellano, Jean Bening, and Kim Cunningham
Twig Book Award
Presented by Carol Castellano
Dan Ryles Memorial Award
Presented by Carol Castellano
2017 Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award
Presented by Carla McQuillan
NOPBC BOARD MEETING
Bigger, Better, Brighter
by Anil Lewis
Targeting Independence
by Amy Lund
Preparing for the Future: Services for Transition Age Students
by Dick Davis
NFB GENERAL SESSIONS
Leadership in Literacy: How Do We Know What We Do Not Know?
by Marc Maurer
Breaking Blind: Staying Fit with a Dose of Federation Love, Hope, and Determination
by Maureen Nietfeld
CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
Strutting Their Stuff
by Gary Wunder
Growing Up in the NFB
by Michelle Murrey
NFB Convention Reflections
by Alyssa Shock
NFB AWARDS
A Word of Thanks to Our Scholarship Partners
by Patti Chang
Meet the 2017 National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Class
Presented by Patti Chang
The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards
Presented by Jim Gashel
Complete Future Reflections Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version) Coming Soon!
Complete DAISY Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version) Coming Soon!
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:
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?
Contact Us:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
[email protected]
www.nopbc.org