1998 NFB Convention in Dallas

1998 NFB Convention in Dallas

Future Reflections Winter/Spring 1998, Vol. 17 No. 1
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1998 NFB Convention in

Dallas, Texas

July 4, 1998-July 10, 1998
In 1998, the National Federation of the Blind

Convention is returning to many parents' favorite convention site: the Dallas-Fort Worth

Hyatt Regency. Those who attended the 1990 and 1993 Conventions at this site will remember

the nostalgic 1950's atmosphere of Sullivan O'Shaughnessy's Restaurant, the delicious

barbecue at Bear Creek, and the wonderful Texas hospitality of our hosts.

Located on the property of the Dallas-Fort Worth

International Airport, the facility is especially nice for parents of families bringing

children. The airport people-mover train makes a stop at the hotel. The ride is free, and

the trains run frequently. Many children may want to take the train just for fun several

times during the week. The facility's 1,300 rooms are divided between two towers connected

by a quarter-mile-long corridor. It was great exercise for many of us (especially after

long hours sitting in meetings), but hotel vans were also available for those for whom

that walk is too long or strenuous.

As usual, the NFB Convention hotel rates are the

envy of all who know about them. For the 1998 convention they are: singles, $41; doubles

and twins, $43; triples, $45; and quads, $47. In addition to the room rates there will be

a tax, which at present is 12 percent. There will be no charge for children in the room as

long as no extra bed is requested.

There is no pre-registration for the convention,

however you must make your room reservations in advance. To make those reservations write

or call directly to:

Hyatt Regency DFW

Post Office Box 619014

International Parkway

Dallas-Fort Worth Airport

Texas 75261

Telephone: (972) 453-1234=20

Do NOT use the Hyatt national toll-free number to

make your reservation. Reservations made through this national number will not be valid.

They must be made directly with the hotel. The hotel will require a deposit of $50 or a

credit card number. If a credit card is used, the deposit will be charged against your

card immediately, just as would be the case with a $50 check. If a reservation is canceled

prior to June 15, 1998, $25 of the $50 deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will

not be made.

There are four excellent and very different

restaurants within the hotel: Il Nonno's, an Italian trattoria, which specializes in

northern Italian cuisine and has servers who sing to diners;

Sullivan O'Shaughnessy's, Papayas, and Mr. G's.

In addition, the S.O.S. Bar in the West Tower serves sandwiches and a limited menu.

There are also malls with food courts, major

department stores, and specialty shops all around the airport. The Irving Mall is nearby,

and recently Grapevine, the town just outside the airport property, opened a large, new

mall. Of course, there are also restaurants and other attractions in the area. The Ball

Park, home of the Texas Rangers, is located in Arlington. So is Six Flags Over Texas.

Texas Stadium is in Irving—that's where the Cowboys play, you know. The small towns

in the airport area are filled with people who will treat visitors like family. But you

can also do some two-steppin' in Fort Worth, enjoy a day at the Galleria, and a night at

the West End District in Dallas.

If you do not have access to a car, you have the

option of using cabs or the following transportation services. The services offer group

rates, and most of those listed here will come to the hotel and provide you with

door-to-door service to almost anywhere in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Just call

ahead and let them know what you want to do. Since each of the services operate a little

differently, be sure to check with more than one to insure that you get the best rates

possible. Here is the list:

A.S.T.A.R. 1-800-531-1204

AAA Atlas Limo and Bus 1-800-854-6678

Aircar 1-214-351-6306

Discount Shuttle 1-800-748-0789 or 1-817-267-5150

Super Shuttle 1-800-BLUEVAN (258-3826) or 1-817-329-2000.

And for first-time convention goers, here is a

list of major convention activities:

Saturday, July 4: Parents Seminar, activities for

children and

teens, Job Opportunities for the Blind workshop,

and other workshops.

Sunday, July 5: Exhibit hall opens. Convention

registration begins.

The registration fee is $10 per person.

Convention registration is required in order to get the convention room rates. Banquet

tickets (usually about $25 each) may also be purchased at the time you register.

Monday, July 6: An open meeting of the NFB Board

of Directors, the

Annual Meeting of the National Organization of

Parents of Blind Children, other division meetings, and a field trip for kids to a nearby

dude ranch.

Tuesday, July 7: General Convention session

begins. In the evening,

the NOPBC sponsors an IEP Workshop.

Wednesday, July 8: General Convention session in

the morning. In

the afternoon parents have the choice of free

time, going on group tours, or attending more parent workshops.

Thursday, July 9: General Convention session.

Banquet.

Friday, July 10: General Convention session and

last day of

convention.

The parent workshops; the displays of new

technology; the meetings of special interest groups, committees, and divisions; the

fascinating tours; the chance to meet hundreds of capable and successful blind adults; the

hospitality and new and renewed friendships; the information-packed program items; and the

general excitement of being with people who know the most about blindness and blindness

issues—all of these make this gathering the most important event of the year for the

blind of this nation. Come and be part of it!

1998 NFB Camp

Pre-Registration

Child(ren) Name(s)/Age(s)

Parent/Guardian

Address

City State Zip

Home Phone ( )

Work Phone ( )

Total Enclosed

Make checks payable to: NOPBC.

(Cut here. Keep the information below.)

Rates:

First Child (full week) $60

Additional Siblings (full week) $30 each

Daily rate per child $15 each per day

Banquet $10 per child=20

Send this form with payment to:

Carla McQuillan

NFB of Oregon

5005 Main Street

Springfield, Oregon 97478

Questions? Need more information? Call Mrs.

McQuillan at: (541)

726-6924

Registration for 1998 Kids' Trip

Wagon Wheel Ranch

Child(ren) Name(s)/Age(s)

Parent/Guardian

Phone ( )

Address

City State Zip

Amount Enclosed $

(Make check payable to NOPBC.)

The following registered child is blind or

visually impaired:____________________ If you have registered a child with special needs,

please list name of child and needs.

Mail with payment to:

Carla McQuillan, NFB of Oregon

5005 Main Street

Springfield, OR 97478

Questions? Call Mrs. McQuillan at: (541) 726-6924

1998 Teen Baby-sitting Course

Discipline and Disability Issues

Age: 12 to 18

Date: Saturday, July 4

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m

Fee: $10 (includes lunch)

Registration

Name Age

Address

City State Zip

Phone

Name of parent(s)

Amount enclosed

(Make check payable to NOPC)

Teen is:

[ ] blind/visually impaired

[ ] a sighted sibling

[ ] a sighted child of a blind parent

[ ] other

Teen reads/writes [ ]Braille [ ]Regular print [

]Large print Briefly describe any previous baby-sitting training or experience.

If none, write "none."

Send payment and registration to:

Carla McQuillan, NFB of Oregon

5005 Main Street

Springfield, OR 97478

Jonalynn Faris of Canada

1993 Texas Convention

enjoys NFB Camp.

NFB Camp day trip.

Sundance Square, downtown Fort

Worth (above). Hay ride, 1993

Texas Convention (below).

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