American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Convention 2018 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Making Connections
by Deborah Kent Stein
One afternoon at last summer's NFB convention, a young man caught up with me outside the Exhibit Hall. "They told me you could give me some ideas about my career choices," he explained. "And you lived in Mexico, didn't you? I really want to do some international travel." We found a couple of chairs and had an animated talk for the next forty-five minutes.
Out in the rest of the world, it is fairly uncommon for a teenager to seek out a long conversation with a woman old enough to be his grandmother. At the national convention of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), however, there is nothing remarkable about such a scenario. Students and seniors take part in many activities geared toward their specific needs and interests, but age is no barrier when it comes to making connections.
NFB Past President Dr. Kenneth Jernigan compared the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind with the gathering of the Scottish clans. NFB conventions bring together people of all ages and backgrounds for a week of sharing and discovery, fellowship and fun. We celebrate our achievements, mourn the departed, and plan for a future of new opportunities. The differences that sometimes loom large in the everyday world melt to insignificance. We find common ground in our core belief in the abilities of blind people.
The 2018 National Federation of the Blind Convention was held July 5-10 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Convention began with "Tools for My Toolbox," a day-long conference for parents and teachers of blind children sponsored by the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC). The days that followed were packed with meetings of the Federation's numerous divisions and committees: blind lawyers, blind parents, blind people in the performing arts, blind people in the health and human services fields, blind people in research and development, and many, many more. During the three days of General Sessions, the entire convention gathered in the vast meeting hall. We heard about the achievements of outstanding blind individuals, the NFB's partnerships with innovators in technology, and the ongoing work of the Federation to ensure equality, opportunity, and security for the blind.
As always, our annual banquet was the capstone of convention week. The 2018 NFB Scholarship Awards were presented, and we heard from our longtime friend and supporter, the futurist Dr. Raymond Kurzweil. NFB President Mark Riccobono delivered a stirring banquet address called "Authenticity, Diversity, and the Synergy of the Organized Blind." "Tonight we celebrate the diversity of our organized blind movement," he declared, "a movement that brings together blind people for a common purpose. We are blind people who come with varying characteristics—different races, sexual orientations, religions, political points of view, gender identities, disabilities, economic circumstances, languages, talents, interests, and priorities. Yet, in everything that matters we are one as blind people. We cannot be divided. We share a quest for equality and hope for the future. It is our diversity that gives us depth. It is our long-standing commitment to work together that gives us strength. It is our synergy that makes us unstoppable."
This issue of Future Reflections offers a selection of the presentations given at the NOPBC conference and during the General Sessions of the convention. If you were able to attend the convention in Orlando, you may be reminded of some of the key moments of your experience. If you could not attend convention last summer, we hope you will be able to join us in 2019. We look forward to meeting you in Las Vegas!
Media Share
