American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Winter 2024 NOPBC NEWS
by Cassie McKinney
It seems like yesterday that we were just returning from our wonderful convention in Houston, cranking up the AC and enjoying an ice-cold beverage. However, the chill in the air has reminded us that the seasons are changing quickly.
We are now gearing up for our 2024 National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind and anticipating the reunion of our Federation family in Orlando, Florida, July 3-8. It will be a wonderful gathering of blind people from our whole nation and from across the globe.
If you never have been part of this annual gathering, WELCOME! And for those who mark their calendars each year, CONVENTION IS COMING!
The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) holds an annual seminar at the beginning of and throughout the NFB Convention. This year our theme is, "Dreams, Creativity and Skills: The Recipe of Success."
As you might imagine from the theme, we are going to be sharing on many topics, including, but not limited to, cooking. Parents have many questions on how to get their blind children involved in activities in the kitchen. What techniques and adaptations are needed to make cooking an enjoyable experience, something children will want to do more often?
Also we will have meetings and workshops to discuss a wide variety of topics that are important for parents, including those whose children have disabilities in addition to blindness. Parents will have plenty of opportunities for networking and sharing with other parents. Our workshops and speakers will discuss topics that are helpful for parents of young children, middle and high school age students, and teens transitioning to adulthood.
Please note that if you are thinking of attending the NOPBC Seminar and are unsure about whether to bring your children, both blind and sighted, know that there are plenty of activities for the kids, too. The NFB offers childcare during the day, and there will be events throughout the week that will engage kids as well as grownups.
Blind and sighted teens are also invited to take part in Youth Track and experience adaptive sports, interaction with other blind teens, and immersion in an environment of positive energy and blind role models.
You can learn more about preregistration for the NOPBC Seminar and the NFB Convention as a whole by visiting www.nfb.org. If you have other questions or would like more information about NOPBC, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
We hope you will mark your calendar and make plans to join us in Florida! You'll be able to look back on Convention 2024 and say, "Orange you glad you came to Florida?" We hope to see you there!