[Colorado-Talk] National Federation of the Blind of Colorado welcomes nationally regarded speaker Anil Lewis to annual statewide convention

[David Dunphy]

Without a doubt, one of the coolest people  you'll ever meet. Super excited
to hear this.

 

From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of kevan
nfbco.org via Colorado-Talk
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2025 1:34 PM
To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: kevan nfbco.org <kevan at nfbco.org>
Subject: [Colorado-Talk] National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
welcomes nationally regarded speaker Anil Lewis to annual statewide
convention

 

For immediate release

 

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado announces prominent blindness
education and public policy expert Anil Lewis to speak at statewide
convention. 

October 30 through November 2

Westin Westminster

10600 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CO 80020

 

Long-time director of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Research
and Training Center. Anil Lewis is known for his ability to connect with
blind, low vision, and non-blind audiences wherever he speaks. For more than
25 years, Mr. Lewis has been regarded as a true thought leader and champion
for the rights of blind Americans. He is known for his wit and wisdom.
According to Jessica Beecham, President National Federation of the Blind of
Colorado, "we always have incredible presenters at our National Federation
of the Blind of Colorado annual state convention. This year, we are
extremely honored to feature a man of extraordinary capacity. People always
come away feeling touched and invigorated by Mr. Lewis's humor and humanity.
I serve on our National Board of Directors, and I feel honored to work with
my friend Anil on a regular basis." Anil will be providing convention
attendees a report detailing the programs, perspectives, struggles, and
successes of the organized blind movement on Saturday morning. 

 

On Saturday evening, Anil will deliver they keynote address at the annual
banquet. "Members and guests always come away from Anil's banquet remarks
feeling inspired and joyful. I've heard this man speak many times. I'm
always filled with the laughter and motivation I get when I listen to Anil's
perspectives on blindness and his personal story," Said Julie Deden,
executive director, Colorado Center for the Blind. 

 

Anil Lewis was born in 1964 in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the third of four
children. Both his older brother and older sister became legally blind at an
early age from retinitis pigmentosa. Lewis was originally labeled educably
mentally retarded but eventually became the first member of his family to
graduate from college. 

 

Currently employed as the executive director for Blindness Initiatives for
the National Federation of the Blind, located in Baltimore, Maryland, he
coordinates outreach, marketing, and fundraising activities for a national
nonprofit organization. He leads a dynamic team of individuals responsible
for the creation, development, implementation, and replication of innovative
projects and programs throughout a nationwide network of affiliates that
work to positively affect the education, employment, and quality of life of
all blind people.

 

As the director of Advocacy and Policy for the NFB, Lewis was responsible
for a variety of public policy and strategic programs. Most notably, he was
the legislative lead of the NFB's efforts to repeal Section 14(c) of the
Fair Labor Standards Act, an obsolete provision that allows employers to pay
workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage. As the
director of Strategic Communications for the NFB, Lewis coordinated the
public relations campaign for the NFB's Blind Driver ChallengeT, an
innovative research project to develop nonvisual access technology that made
it possible for a blind person to safely and independently operate an
automobile. 

 

The convention activities at the Westin Westminster Hotel begin on Thursday
afternoon, October 30, and conclude following the Sunday morning
organizational business meeting. Throughout the weekend, there will be a
number of social activities, breakout discussion sessions, and webinars.
This year's convention will feature a number of program items highlighting
the blind in the recording industry, production, songwriting, promotion, and
marketing in the area of performing arts. For more information about the
National Federation of the Blind of Colorado and the state convention, visit
www.nfbco.org <http://www.nfbco.org> . 

 

 

Book your group rate for National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
<https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=17407753
26672&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true&app=resvlink> 

 

Please note the deadline for hotel reservations is September 26th. Room
rates are only $125 per night plus 11.5% tax. 

Pre-registration fees:  BEFORE October 15

$35 registration

$35 Saturday luncheon

$55 Saturday banquet

 

Total:  $125.00 

 

Registration fees:  AFTER October 15

$40 registration

$40 Saturday luncheon

$75 Saturday banquet

 

Total:  $155.00.  You save $30 by pre-registering, and you are guaranteed
those meals that you register for. Folks who register at the door are not
guaranteed the same meals as those who pre-registered. 

 

Attendees click here to register
<https://nfbco.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=4> 

 

At your service, 

Kevan Worley

303-929-2369

Manager Project Literacy, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want.

Colorado Center for the Blind believes when you believe in yourself and
experience a thriving community of positive blind people, nothing can hold
you back from pursuing your dreams.

 

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