Parents Workshop

Parents Workshop

Future Reflections March/ April 1983, Vol. 2 No. 2
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PARENTS WORKSHOP
Saturday, July 2nd, 1983
Radisson Muehlebach Hotel
Kansas City, Missouri
Once again the National Federation of the Blind Committee on Parental Concerns is sponsoring a
workshop for parents and educators of blind
children. The workshop will be held on the Saturday
preceding the opening session of the NFB
1983 Annual Convention. Last year we sponsored
our first such seminar at the 1982 Annual Convention
in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We had over 300
persons in attendance, some coming from as far
away as Florida. It was apparent that parents and
educators perceived a need for the kind of information,
perspective and philosophy about blindness
that only the collective experience of the
organized blind could contribute.
This year registration will begin at 8:00 a.m.,
Saturday, July 2,1983, and the program will begin at 9:00 a.m. The convention and the workshop will be headquartered at the Radisson Muehlebach Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri (see section "Reservation and Registration" later in this article
for more details). The agenda is a good one and
will include such topics as a "Mock" I.E.P. (Individualized
Educational Plan) session with a
parent, principal and a resource teacher; a discussion
of the blind and multiple-handicapped child; a
panel of parents and blind adults; a film called
"Kids and Canes"; and other informative items.
But an excellent agenda is not the only reason we
urge you to make special plans to attend. Over the
past year we came to the conclusion that we needed
a national structure with elected officers in
order to best deal with the work that needs to be done. To that end, we are organizing a National
Federation of the Blind, Division of Parents of
Blind Children. Election of officers and a discussion
of goals and purposes of the new Parents
Division will also occur on the Saturday of the
Parents Workshop.
The division structure is not a new concept. The
NFB has several national divisions. For example,
we have the Blind Teachers Division; the Students
Division; the Blind Lawyers Divison; the Division
of Workshop Workers, etc. Each division is a part
of the larger blind movement and works toward
specific goals within that constitutional and
philosophical framework.
We are very excited about the new Parents Division.
This division is a big step forward in bringing
parents together with other parents and with
blind adults in order to work toward more and better
opportunities for all blind children.
For those of you who decide to attend the
workshop, we would also encourage you to stay
over for all or part of the NFB Annual Convention.
It will be an excellent opportunity to meet and
mingle with nearly 2,000 blind adults from every
part of the country and to learn about the issues of
importance to the blind. The opening session
begins Tuesday morning, July 5th. However,
various committee and division meetings are
scheduled the preceeding Sunday and Monday.
You will get to see and hear top officials and
legislators come to talk and interact with the blind
of this nation. Unlike many conventions, this is
truely a "working" convention (although there is
time for some fun, too). Thursday evening is the
annual banquet. The banquet is considered the
highlight of the convention. Everyone looks forward
to hearing President Kenneth Jernigan's inspiring
banquet speech.
So, come for the workshop, come to participate in
the launching of our new NFB Parents of Blind
Children Division, and stay for as much of the convention
as you can! We believe you will leave not
only knowing more about blindness, but feeling
more confident and encouraged in your role as a
parent of a blind child.
Reservation and Registration
Information
There will be no registration fee for the workshop.
However, persons wishing to join as members of
the NFB Parents of Blind Children Division can
pay dues at the registration table. Dues will be
$1.00 per person. If you are not already a member
of the NFB, these dues will also automatically
enroll you as a member-at-large of the National
Federation of the Blind.
All persons attending the workshop are eligible
for the special convention rates. We will be headquartered
at the Radisson Muehlebach Hotel and
other rooms at nearby hotels have been reserved
for overflow accomodations. The room rates are:
Singles, $19.00; Doubles and Twins, $24.00; and
$10.00 for each additional person. There is no
charge for children staying in the same room with
their parents. There is also a 8.125% tax on each
room. To make reservations, send your request
plus a $20.00 non-refundable deposit to:
Raddisson Muehlebach Hotel
12th and Baltimore
Kansas City, MO 64105
Phone (816) 471-1400
If you would like to become a member of the NFB
Parents of Blind Children Division but cannot attend
the NFB Annual Convention, you may fill out
and mail in the following form.
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