Future Reflections
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.
Volume 30 Number 4 Convention Report 2011
Deborah Kent Stein, Editor
Ahbee Orton holds an armload of books she has selected
ISSN-0883-3419
Copyright © 2011 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]
Contents
Volume 30 Number 4 Convention Report 2011
A Letter from the Editor Listen
Now (MP3)
by Deborah Kent Stein
NOPBC CONFERENCE
When I Grow Up Listen
Now (MP3)
by Laura Bostick
Student Viewpoints Listen
Now (MP3)
by Roman Sollano and Shafeka Hashash
Looking to the Future Listen
Now (MP3)
by Frederic Schroeder, PhD
Get a Life! A Social Life, That Is Listen
Now (MP3)
by Mary Fernandez
Discovering and Honoring the Voices of Our Children: From Control to Support
in Five Easy Lessons Listen
Now (MP3)
by Jerry G. Petroff, PhD
Not Just Blind: Planning for the Future of a Blind Child
with Additional Disabilities Listen
Now (MP3)
by Carol Akers
The NFB Math Survey:
Preliminary Results Listen
Now (MP3)
by Al Maneki, PhD
EDUCATION PANEL
Getting an Education for Blind Children and Adults: How to Survive with Proper
Expectations and Accessibility Listen
Now (MP3)
by Anil Lewis
Access to Technology: The Bottom Line Listen
Now (MP3)
by Alexa Posny
The Only Option: Accessibility
from the Ground Up Listen
Now (MP3)
by Gaeir Dietrich
EVENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS
The Cane Walk: Exploration and Discovery Listen
Now (MP3)
by Jeff Altman, MA, NOMCT, CVRCB
Organized Pandemonium:
The Braille Book Fair/Flea Market Listen
Now (MP3)
by Barbara Cheadle
Art Is for Everyone Listen
Now (MP3)
by Ann Cunningham
PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES
Convention Experiences Listen
Now (MP3)
by Deborah Kent Stein
Our Convention Journey Listen
Now (MP3)
by Penny Duffy
One among Thousands Listen
Now (MP3)
by Doreen Franklin
Friends Forever! Listen
Now (MP3)
by Pamela Gebert
AWARDS
The 2011 Educator of Blind Children Award:
Dreamers and Risk Takers Make the Future! Listen
Now (MP3)
by Dr. Dean O. Stenehjem
The 2011 Jacob Bolotin Awards Listen
Now (MP3)
by Jim Gashel
Meet the 2011 National Federation
of the Blind Scholarship Class Listen
Now (MP3)
by Gary Wunder
ANNOUNCEMENTS Listen Now (MP3)
ODDS AND ENDS Listen
Now (MP3)
Complete Future Reflections - Zip file (WORD)
Complete Future Reflections Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version)
Complete DAISY Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version)
Subscription Information
Future Reflections is a magazine for parents and teachers of blind children. It is published quarterly by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership with the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children. Future Reflections is available free of charge to subscriber addresses in the U.S. in regular print and audio formats and via email, or it can be read online on the NFB website. Canadian subscriptions are $35.00 per year, and other foreign subscriptions are $75.00 U.S. per year. Checks should be made payable to the National Federation of the Blind and sent to the NFB, Attention Future Reflections, 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230.
For an email subscription to Future Reflections, visit <www.nfbcal.org/listserv-signup.html> and follow the instructions.
To subscribe to Future Reflections in print or audio format, send an email to [email protected]. Put "Subscribe to FR" in the subject line and include your preferred medium in the body. Please include your address, whether you are the parent of a blind child, a teacher, or other subscriber. If you are a parent, include your child's name and birth date.
URL: <http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Future_Reflections.asp>
Why Join the NOPBC?
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 50 states plus Washington, D.C., 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:
• create a climate of opportunity for blind children in home and society.
• provide information and support to parents of blind children.
• facilitate the sharing of experience and concerns among parents of blind children.
• develop and expand resources available to parents and their children.
• help parents of blind children gain understanding and perspective through partnership and contact with blind adults.
• function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind in its ongoing effort to achieve equality and opportunity for all blind persons.
Most states have an NOPBC affiliate chapter. You can find your state chapter at <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?
• National and State Parent Seminars and Conferences
• Future Reflections Magazine
• NOPBC Web site
• Books and Videos
• Blindkid & Other Listservs
• Early Childhood Conferences
• Pop-Up IEP Web site
• Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest
• Slate Pals Pen Pal Program
• AAF Free Braille Books Program
• Share Braille Book Exchange
• Writing Contests
• Junior Science Academy
• Youth Slam High School Science Academy
• National Center for Blind Youth in Science Web site
• NFB-NEWSLINE® Newspaper Service
• Where the Blind Work Web site
• Free White Cane Program
• Blindness 411 Facebook Group for Teens
• NFB-LINK Mentoring Program
• Scholarship Program
• Straight Talk about Blindness Video Series
• Parent Leadership Program (PLP)
Contact Us:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
[email protected]
<www.nopbc.org>