From nabs.president at gmail.com Tue May 4 02:48:24 2010 From: nabs.president at gmail.com (Arielle Silverman) Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 20:48:24 -0600 Subject: [Mabs] NABS May Bulletin! Message-ID: national Association of Blind Students >From the Desk of the President May 3, 2010 In This Bulletin: 1. Convention Countdown! 2. News from the Membership Committee! 3. State division Announcements 1. Convention Countdown! In exactly two months we will begin gathering in Dallas for our weeklong National Federation of the Blind (NFB) annual convention! Convention activities will begin on Saturday, July 3, and the convention will adjourn after the banquet on Thursday, July 8. Why should you come to the convention? Meet other blind students across the country (including people you may know from the NABS listserv) at our annual NABS meeting on Sunday, July 4. Meet blind lawyers, scientists, musicians, writers, social workers, and other professionals in our division meetings on July 4 and 5. Learn more about our training centers and how you can attend one. Browse the latest in assistive technology at the exhibit hall. Attend our general sessions on July 6, 7, and 8 to learn about important developments in technology, rehabilitation, and legislation for the blind. Have fun at karaoke, dancing, a talent show, Monte Carlo Night, and other exciting events! There will also be exciting workshops and social opportunities specifically for teens throughout the convention. Hotel rooms are still available! Call the Hilton Anatole at (214) 761-7500 to reserve your room today. Reservations will run out before June 1, so call soon. To pre-register for the convention, go to www.nfb.org It's not too late to talk to your state president if you need financial assistance to attend the convention or if you would like to find roommates. See you at convention! News from the Membership Committee: Greetings fellow students! The national Association of Blind Students will have a conference call regarding NFB Philosophy. This call is to take place on Sunday, May 9th at 8p.m. eastern time. If you are interested in joining this call, please join us by calling 712.775.7100 and dialing the pass code 257963. On the call, we will have special guest speakers Ron Gardner (president NFB of Utah) and Sam Gleese (president NFB of Mississippi). We are please to have such dynamic leaders with great experience in the movement joining us on what should be a can?t - miss call. So, no matter how long you?ve been involved with the NFB; there promises to be something for you! Please join us on Sunday and stay tuned to your Face book, Twitter and to your locally moderated list serve for more information regarding the call, including how to hear the call as it happens! Wishing you the best in your finals, The Nabs membership committee. The membership committee is also working on planning some fun student events at convention! If you have ideas or suggestions, please contact Darian Smith at dsmithnfb at gmail.com or Janice Jeang at Janice.jeang at gmail.com More details will be announced in June. State Division Announcements: >From Wisconsin: The NFB of Wisconsin held their 35th annual state convention the weekend of April 23-25 in Appleton Wisconsin. This year, WABS hosted the convention for the first time. Friday morning began with mentoring opportunities with the younger students in astronomy and chemistry. We had our business meeting/seminar on Friday afternoon and rounded out the evening with a talent show. Saturday, over the lunch break, we held elections, and the new board is as follows: President, Chelsea Reilly Vice President, Sarah Baebler Secretary, Laurie Holzmann Treasurer, Meghan Whalen First board member, Imran Ahmed Second board member, Joanne Stark After a hasty election, we darted outdoors to the rain and whipped cream for an opportunity of a lifetime. How many people can say they had the chance to throw pies in the face of Dr. Maurer? Not many, and they all come from Wisconsin. We would like to thank our targets. They included: John Fritz, President of NFBW WABS' very own Vice President, Sarah Baebler Our NABS rep Sean Whalen and of course, Dr. Marc Maurer, President, National Federation of the Blind. Saturday evening, prior to the banquet, we had an opportunity for people to have their pictures taken. Proceeds went to WABS. Following the banquet and the auction, WABS held a prom, where people had the opportunity to have more pictures taken and dance the night away in their formal attire. Sunday, shortly after convention adjourned, WABS rounded up conventioneers to head to a nearby middle school to play goalball for a couple of hours. In the upcoming year, WABS plans to organize a variety of events and fundraising including but not limited to: selling pizza at the Lodi Agricultural Fair conducting our annual seminar with rock climbing swarming Washington DC and hopefully not getting snowed in and various fundraising activities as needed. We eagerly anticipate the upcoming year with this new dynamic board. Best, Chelsea Reilly, President Wisconsin Association of Blind Students >From Utah: Uabs will be holding a game night fundraiser on may 21st at 8pm at the red lion hotel at are state convention. For more information, contact Mac Biggers at utahabs at yahoo.com >From Michigan: If you have been a college student in the state of Michigan within the past five years, then the Michigan Association of Blind Students would like to hear from you. We are currently in the process of conducting a survey on the quality of services college students are receiving from the Michigan Commission for the Blind. If you would like to take part in our survey, send an email to students.nfbmi at gmail.com. We will be sending out surveys beginning on Monday, May 10, 2010, and would like to receive completed surveys no later than Monday, June 7, 2010. The Michigan Commission for the Blind will be holding a special meeting to discuss the adoption of a new college policy on Monday, June 21, 2010, and we want to make sure that the voices of college students are heard during this important meeting. Elizabeth Mohnke Michigan Association of Blind Students -- Arielle Silverman President, National Association of Blind Students Phone: 602-502-2255 Email: nabs.president at gmail.com Website: www.nabslink.org From gwunder at earthlink.net Tue May 4 23:00:10 2010 From: gwunder at earthlink.net (Gary Wunder) Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 18:00:10 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] NABS May Bulletin! References: Message-ID: <06B843EB6E194B50B4B86D0137823FA4@gary4fd8f0f186> I really appreciate you sending me this newsletter. Thank you for all of your activity. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Arielle Silverman" To: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Cc: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; <1roxgin at gmail.com>; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Sent: Monday, May 03, 2010 9:48 PM Subject: [Mabs] NABS May Bulletin! national Association of Blind Students >From the Desk of the President May 3, 2010 In This Bulletin: 1. Convention Countdown! 2. News from the Membership Committee! 3. State division Announcements 1. Convention Countdown! In exactly two months we will begin gathering in Dallas for our weeklong National Federation of the Blind (NFB) annual convention! Convention activities will begin on Saturday, July 3, and the convention will adjourn after the banquet on Thursday, July 8. Why should you come to the convention? Meet other blind students across the country (including people you may know from the NABS listserv) at our annual NABS meeting on Sunday, July 4. Meet blind lawyers, scientists, musicians, writers, social workers, and other professionals in our division meetings on July 4 and 5. Learn more about our training centers and how you can attend one. Browse the latest in assistive technology at the exhibit hall. Attend our general sessions on July 6, 7, and 8 to learn about important developments in technology, rehabilitation, and legislation for the blind. Have fun at karaoke, dancing, a talent show, Monte Carlo Night, and other exciting events! There will also be exciting workshops and social opportunities specifically for teens throughout the convention. Hotel rooms are still available! Call the Hilton Anatole at (214) 761-7500 to reserve your room today. Reservations will run out before June 1, so call soon. To pre-register for the convention, go to www.nfb.org It's not too late to talk to your state president if you need financial assistance to attend the convention or if you would like to find roommates. See you at convention! News from the Membership Committee: Greetings fellow students! The national Association of Blind Students will have a conference call regarding NFB Philosophy. This call is to take place on Sunday, May 9th at 8p.m. eastern time. If you are interested in joining this call, please join us by calling 712.775.7100 and dialing the pass code 257963. On the call, we will have special guest speakers Ron Gardner (president NFB of Utah) and Sam Gleese (president NFB of Mississippi). We are please to have such dynamic leaders with great experience in the movement joining us on what should be a can?t - miss call. So, no matter how long you?ve been involved with the NFB; there promises to be something for you! Please join us on Sunday and stay tuned to your Face book, Twitter and to your locally moderated list serve for more information regarding the call, including how to hear the call as it happens! Wishing you the best in your finals, The Nabs membership committee. The membership committee is also working on planning some fun student events at convention! If you have ideas or suggestions, please contact Darian Smith at dsmithnfb at gmail.com or Janice Jeang at Janice.jeang at gmail.com More details will be announced in June. State Division Announcements: >From Wisconsin: The NFB of Wisconsin held their 35th annual state convention the weekend of April 23-25 in Appleton Wisconsin. This year, WABS hosted the convention for the first time. Friday morning began with mentoring opportunities with the younger students in astronomy and chemistry. We had our business meeting/seminar on Friday afternoon and rounded out the evening with a talent show. Saturday, over the lunch break, we held elections, and the new board is as follows: President, Chelsea Reilly Vice President, Sarah Baebler Secretary, Laurie Holzmann Treasurer, Meghan Whalen First board member, Imran Ahmed Second board member, Joanne Stark After a hasty election, we darted outdoors to the rain and whipped cream for an opportunity of a lifetime. How many people can say they had the chance to throw pies in the face of Dr. Maurer? Not many, and they all come from Wisconsin. We would like to thank our targets. They included: John Fritz, President of NFBW WABS' very own Vice President, Sarah Baebler Our NABS rep Sean Whalen and of course, Dr. Marc Maurer, President, National Federation of the Blind. Saturday evening, prior to the banquet, we had an opportunity for people to have their pictures taken. Proceeds went to WABS. Following the banquet and the auction, WABS held a prom, where people had the opportunity to have more pictures taken and dance the night away in their formal attire. Sunday, shortly after convention adjourned, WABS rounded up conventioneers to head to a nearby middle school to play goalball for a couple of hours. In the upcoming year, WABS plans to organize a variety of events and fundraising including but not limited to: selling pizza at the Lodi Agricultural Fair conducting our annual seminar with rock climbing swarming Washington DC and hopefully not getting snowed in and various fundraising activities as needed. We eagerly anticipate the upcoming year with this new dynamic board. Best, Chelsea Reilly, President Wisconsin Association of Blind Students >From Utah: Uabs will be holding a game night fundraiser on may 21st at 8pm at the red lion hotel at are state convention. For more information, contact Mac Biggers at utahabs at yahoo.com >From Michigan: If you have been a college student in the state of Michigan within the past five years, then the Michigan Association of Blind Students would like to hear from you. We are currently in the process of conducting a survey on the quality of services college students are receiving from the Michigan Commission for the Blind. If you would like to take part in our survey, send an email to students.nfbmi at gmail.com. We will be sending out surveys beginning on Monday, May 10, 2010, and would like to receive completed surveys no later than Monday, June 7, 2010. The Michigan Commission for the Blind will be holding a special meeting to discuss the adoption of a new college policy on Monday, June 21, 2010, and we want to make sure that the voices of college students are heard during this important meeting. Elizabeth Mohnke Michigan Association of Blind Students -- Arielle Silverman President, National Association of Blind Students Phone: 602-502-2255 Email: nabs.president at gmail.com Website: www.nabslink.org _______________________________________________ Mabs mailing list Mabs at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/mabs_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Mabs: http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/mabs_nfbnet.org/gwunder%40earthlink.net From JFreeh at nfb.org Wed May 5 14:12:37 2010 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Wed, 05 May 2010 09:12:37 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Law Schools Discriminate Against Blind Applicants Message-ID: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Director of Public Relations National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2330 (410) 262-1281 (Cell) cdanielsen at nfb.org Law Schools Discriminate Against Blind Applicants National Federation of the Blind Files Complaints Against Nine Law Schools Baltimore, Maryland (May 5, 2010): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the nation's oldest and largest organization of blind people, announced today that it has filed complaints with the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, requesting investigations of nine prominent law schools for violating the civil rights of blind and other print-disabled law school applicants. The NFB filed the complaints because the law schools require applicants who wish to have the convenience of applying online to use a centralized Internet-based application process provided by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) through its Web site (www.lsac.org) that is inaccessible to blind law school applicants. While sighted law school applicants can use the LSAC system to submit multiple law school applications at once, blind students must seek sighted assistance to use the LSAC system. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires these law schools to offer equal access to their programs and services. The nine law schools named in the complaints are The University of Chicago Law School, Yeshiva University's Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Atlanta's John Marshall Law School, University of Denver's Sturm College of Law, Washington and Lee University School of Law, University of Miami School of Law, William Mitchell College of Law, Gonzaga University School of Law, and Northeastern University School of Law. The complaints ask the Justice Department to require these law schools to suspend use of the LSAC application system until it is accessible to blind and other print-disabled students and to require each law school to provide the same application process in a format available to all students. The NFB already has a lawsuit pending against the LSAC for violating California law by maintaining an inaccessible Web site. Blind people access Web sites on computers equipped with screen access software that converts what is on the screen into synthesized speech or Braille. The keyboard is used instead of a mouse to navigate the Web site and click on selected links or buttons. If a Web site is improperly coded, however, blind computer users cannot access or interact with the site. The LSAC application process does not present information to screen access software and thus requires blind users to resort to sighted assistance. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The National Federation of the Blind expects those who control admission to the practice of law to obey the law. Forcing blind law school applicants to use a separate and inherently unequal application process violates both the letter and the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. Accessibility standards for Web-based forms like those used in the Law School Admissions Council's application system have been in place for years and have been successfully implemented by many other Web sites, so there is no reason why the LSAC cannot make its application service available to blind law school applicants. That is why we have asked the United States Department of Justice to act swiftly and decisively to ensure that blind law school applicants are treated the same as their sighted peers." The National Federation of the Blind is represented in this matter by Daniel F. Goldstein and Mehgan Sidhu of the Baltimore firm Brown, Goldstein, and Levy; Laurence W. Paradis, Anna Levine, and Karla Gilbride of the Berkley firm Disability Rights Advocates; and Scott C. LaBarre of the Denver firm LaBarre Law Offices. ### About the National Federation of the Blind With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind. From info at michaelhingson.com Thu May 6 00:29:25 2010 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Wed, 05 May 2010 19:29:25 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] KNFB Reader Mobile At NFB National Convention Message-ID: Hello everyone, Once again this year the NFB and The Michael Hingson Group, Inc. will be selling the KnfbReader Mobile at our National convention. We want to help you with your purchase should you wish to buy a Reader at the convention. First, we will have plenty of KnfbReader Mobile systems available with either the Nokia N82 or the N86 hardware. Second, all systems will be configured and ready to activate. We will be happy to activate software for you in the exhibit hall when you purchase your KnfbReader Mobile. Third, once again we shall be utilizing the NFB %3 low interest technology loan as a way to help you buy a KnfbReader Mobile should you not wish to use cash or a credit card to make your purchase directly at the convention. Unfortunately, it will be difficult to approve and fund loans at the convention. The chair of the Loan Fund committee has told me that due to time constraints the committee will not be able to meet and approve loans during the convention. If you may be planning on using the loan fund to purchase a KnfbReader at the convention I would like to urge you to complete an application now rather than waiting until July. If your application is approved you can simply order the Reader from us for delivery at the convention which will save shipping charges. A link to the online loan application is available at http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com near the bottom of the page. In the field asking for the name of your dealer simply enter the words "NFB convention" should you plan to pick up your Reader at the convention. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of completing the application now should you wish to use the loan fund to purchase a KnfbReader Mobile. Curtis Chong, chair of the Loan Fund Committee tells me that any applications completed by late May should be funded by the convention. The sooner you complete the application the faster your loan will be completed. We cannot provide Readers to anyone who has not gone through the entire loan process and had their loan funded. We shall be ready to help anyone complete an application at the convention, but there will be a delay in you receiving your KnfbReader Mobile. Fourth, we will again be ready to answer any support questions of current users as well as helping you with any issues you may have. Representatives of KNFB Technologies will also be on hand to answer your questions. Finally, we are presently working on having a Reader users meeting sometime early in the convention. More details will follow on this when they become available. If anyone has any questions or wishes more information about the Reader please call me at (415) 827-4084 or email me at info at michaelhingson.com. Please tell your friends and anyone you know about how they can see this great technology at the NFB convention. All of us on the KnfbReader team look forward to serving you. Thank you for your support. Best, Michael Hingson The Michael Hingson Group, INC. "Speaking with Vision" Michael Hingson, President (415) 827-4084 info at michaelhingson.com www.michaelhingson.com for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit: http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com http://michaelhingson.com/images/knfbReader-michael_hingson.jpg __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5089 (20100505) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Thu May 6 14:17:02 2010 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 07:17:02 -0700 Subject: [Mabs] nabs conference call: philosiphy 101 Message-ID: Greetings fellow students! The national Association of Blind Students will have a conference call regarding NFB Philosophy. This call is to take place on Sunday, May 9th at 8p.m. eastern time. If you are interested in joining this call, please join us by calling 712.775.7100 and dialing the pass code 257963. On the call, we will have special guest speakers Ron Gardner (president NFB of Utah and board member of the national Federation of the Blind) and Sam Gleese (president NFB of Mississippi). We are please to have such dynamic leaders with great experience in the movement joining us on what should be a can?t - miss call. So, no matter how long you?ve been involved with the NFB; there promises to be something for you! Please join us on Sunday and stay tuned to your Face book, Twitter and to your locally moderated list serve for more information regarding the call, including how to hear the call as it happens! Wishing you the best in your finals, The Nabs membership committee. -- Darian Smith Skype: The_Blind_Truth Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com " Life is not about always making the right dicisions, it's about learning which dicisions are the right ones to make." From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Fri May 7 15:49:15 2010 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Fri, 7 May 2010 08:49:15 -0700 Subject: [Mabs] Fwd: [Nabs-presidents] nabs conference call: philosiphy 101 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Janice Jeang Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 19:47:14 -0500 Subject: Re: [Nabs-presidents] nabs conference call: philosiphy 101 To: List for NABS State Presidents , Arizona-students at nfbnet.org, cabs-talk , Colorado Students , Florida Students , Gabs at nfbnet.org, Illinois Students , Kansas Students , Kentucky Students , Louisiana Students , mabs at nfbnet.org, Minnesota Students , National Association of Blind Students mailing list , Nebraska , New Hampshire Students , New Jersey Students , New Mexico Association of Blind Students , nfb-hi , North Carolina Students , Oabs at nfbnet.org, tabs_students at googlegroups.com, Tennessee Students , Utah Students , Virginia Students Hello Presidents, The Membership Committee is also proud to announce that recordings of the conference call will be available for your listening pleasures, on the off chance that another engagement is going to take precedence this Mother's Day. We will announce the launch of the new NABS audio website shortly. However, for those who have even a little bit of time to share, we would greatly appreciate as many of you guys as possible, to come in and help answer questions. I have always felt that sharing with and learning from other members of my Federation family helps invigorate the lesson, causing them to stay with me. Please join us in passing Federation Philosophy along to others, as well as creating a useful audio document. Hope to see y'all on Sunday! 712.775.7100 code- 257963#. Best, Janice Jeang ----- Original Message ----- From: "Darian Smith" To: ; "cabs-talk" ; "Colorado Students" ; "Florida Students" ; ; "Illinois Students" ; "Kansas Students" ; "Kentucky Students" ; "List for NABS State Presidents" ; "Louisiana Students" ; ; "Minnesota Students" ; "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" ; "Nebraska" ; "New Hampshire Students" ; "New Jersey Students" ; "New Mexico Association of Blind Students" ; "nfb-hi" ; "North Carolina Students" ; ; ; "Tennessee Students" ; "Utah Students" ; "Virginia Students" Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 9:17 AM Subject: [Nabs-presidents] nabs conference call: philosiphy 101 Greetings fellow students! The national Association of Blind Students will have a conference call regarding NFB Philosophy. This call is to take place on Sunday, May 9th at 8p.m. eastern time. If you are interested in joining this call, please join us by calling 712.775.7100 and dialing the pass code 257963. On the call, we will have special guest speakers Ron Gardner (president NFB of Utah and board member of the national Federation of the Blind) and Sam Gleese (president NFB of Mississippi). We are please to have such dynamic leaders with great experience in the movement joining us on what should be a can?t - miss call. So, no matter how long you?ve been involved with the NFB; there promises to be something for you! Please join us on Sunday and stay tuned to your Face book, Twitter and to your locally moderated list serve for more information regarding the call, including how to hear the call as it happens! Wishing you the best in your finals, The Nabs membership committee. -- Darian Smith Skype: The_Blind_Truth Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com " Life is not about always making the right dicisions, it's about learning which dicisions are the right ones to make." _______________________________________________ Nabs-presidents mailing list Nabs-presidents at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-presidents_nfbnet.org _______________________________________________ Nabs-presidents mailing list Nabs-presidents at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-presidents_nfbnet.org -- Darian Smith Skype: The_Blind_Truth Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com " Life is not about always making the right dicisions, it's about learning which dicisions are the right ones to make." From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Sun May 9 13:19:40 2010 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Sun, 9 May 2010 06:19:40 -0700 Subject: [Mabs] Reminder: Nabs membership call today!! Message-ID: Greetings fellow students! The national Association of Blind Students will have a conference call regarding NFB Philosophy. This call is to take place on Sunday, May 9th at 8p.m. eastern time. If you are interested in joining this call, please join us by calling 712.775.7100 and dialing the pass code 257963. On the call, we will have special guest speakers Ron Gardner (president NFB of Utah and board member of the national Federation of the Blind) and Sam Gleese (president NFB of Mississippi). We are please to have such dynamic leaders with great experience in the movement joining us on what should be a can?t - miss call. So, no matter how long you?ve been involved with the NFB; there promises to be something for you! Please join us on Sunday and stay tuned to your Face book, Twitter and to your locally moderated list serve for more information regarding the call, including how to hear the call as it happens! Wishing you the best in your finals, The Nabs membership committee. -- Darian Smith Skype: The_Blind_Truth Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com ?We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.? - Teilhard de Chardin From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Sun May 9 22:01:41 2010 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Sun, 9 May 2010 15:01:41 -0700 Subject: [Mabs] Fwd: [Nabs-presidents] nabs conference call: philosiphy 101 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Janice Jeang Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 19:47:14 -0500 Subject: Re: [Nabs-presidents] nabs conference call: philosiphy 101 To: List for NABS State Presidents , Arizona-students at nfbnet.org, cabs-talk , Colorado Students , Florida Students , Gabs at nfbnet.org, Illinois Students , Kansas Students , Kentucky Students , Louisiana Students , mabs at nfbnet.org, Minnesota Students , National Association of Blind Students mailing list , Nebraska , New Hampshire Students , New Jersey Students , New Mexico Association of Blind Students , nfb-hi , North Carolina Students , Oabs at nfbnet.org, tabs_students at googlegroups.com, Tennessee Students , Utah Students , Virginia Students Hello Presidents, The Membership Committee is also proud to announce that recordings of the conference call will be available for your listening pleasures, on the off chance that another engagement is going to take precedence this Mother's Day. We will announce the launch of the new NABS audio website shortly. However, for those who have even a little bit of time to share, we would greatly appreciate as many of you guys as possible, to come in and help answer questions. I have always felt that sharing with and learning from other members of my Federation family helps invigorate the lesson, causing them to stay with me. Please join us in passing Federation Philosophy along to others, as well as creating a useful audio document. Hope to see y'all on Sunday! 712.775.7100 code- 257963#. Best, Janice Jeang ----- Original Message ----- From: "Darian Smith" To: ; "cabs-talk" ; "Colorado Students" ; "Florida Students" ; ; "Illinois Students" ; "Kansas Students" ; "Kentucky Students" ; "List for NABS State Presidents" ; "Louisiana Students" ; ; "Minnesota Students" ; "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" ; "Nebraska" ; "New Hampshire Students" ; "New Jersey Students" ; "New Mexico Association of Blind Students" ; "nfb-hi" ; "North Carolina Students" ; ; ; "Tennessee Students" ; "Utah Students" ; "Virginia Students" Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 9:17 AM Subject: [Nabs-presidents] nabs conference call: philosiphy 101 Greetings fellow students! The national Association of Blind Students will have a conference call regarding NFB Philosophy. This call is to take place on Sunday, May 9th at 8p.m. eastern time. If you are interested in joining this call, please join us by calling 712.775.7100 and dialing the pass code 257963. On the call, we will have special guest speakers Ron Gardner (president NFB of Utah and board member of the national Federation of the Blind) and Sam Gleese (president NFB of Mississippi). We are please to have such dynamic leaders with great experience in the movement joining us on what should be a can?t - miss call. So, no matter how long you?ve been involved with the NFB; there promises to be something for you! Please join us on Sunday and stay tuned to your Face book, Twitter and to your locally moderated list serve for more information regarding the call, including how to hear the call as it happens! Wishing you the best in your finals, The Nabs membership committee. -- Darian Smith Skype: The_Blind_Truth Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com " Life is not about always making the right dicisions, it's about learning which dicisions are the right ones to make." _______________________________________________ Nabs-presidents mailing list Nabs-presidents at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-presidents_nfbnet.org _______________________________________________ Nabs-presidents mailing list Nabs-presidents at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-presidents_nfbnet.org -- Darian Smith Skype: The_Blind_Truth Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com ?We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.? - Teilhard de Chardin From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Sun May 9 22:40:17 2010 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Sun, 9 May 2010 15:40:17 -0700 Subject: [Mabs] Announcing the Nabs Audio Center! Message-ID: Greetings Nabsters! Ever got caught up so deep in your studies that you missed out on one of our monthly conference calls? Ever wished you could gain access to the information and insight that is shared amungst your peers and leaders within our movement? Ever just wondered if there was a better way? Ever wished the questions would end and we'd get on to the actual announcement? Well, wonder and Lament no more! Ladies and Gentlemen introducing the National Association of Blind Students Audio and podcast center! Here you can listen to a call you might have missed or listen to a live stream of that monthly call that you just can't call into. The audio posts and stream will be available for calls starting with the philosiphy discussion this evening at 8p.m. eastern time! check it out at www.nabslinkaudio.org Much thanks to David Dumphy (of Radio 360 fame) for setting up this new and exciting oppertunity! We look forward to your joining of both this and future calls. Best, Darian Smith co-chair nabs membership committee Board Member: National Association of Blind Students -- Darian Smith Skype: The_Blind_Truth Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com ?We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.? - Teilhard de Chardin From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Mon May 10 00:12:24 2010 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Sun, 9 May 2010 17:12:24 -0700 Subject: [Mabs] Announcing nabs membership conference call live streaming! Message-ID: Dear listers, David Dumphy, who is handling the Launch of our Audio Site announces the following exciting news relating to our nabs membership conference calls! "I'd like to add that you can listen to the call using your computer. When it starts, which is at 8 PM eastern, you can go to http://www.nabslinkaudio.org/listenlive.html to hear it. And if you can't catch it, a link will be made available for you to download the call soon after it takes place. Enjoy." -- Darian Smith Skype: The_Blind_Truth Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com ?We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.? - Teilhard de Chardin From JFreeh at nfb.org Wed May 12 00:20:44 2010 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Tue, 11 May 2010 19:20:44 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] NFB President Marc Maurer to Receive Honorary Doctorate from University of Notre Dame Message-ID: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Director of Public Relations National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2330 (410) 262-1281 (Cell) cdanielsen at nfb.org NFB President Marc Maurer to Receive Honorary Doctorate from University of Notre Dame Baltimore, Maryland (May 11, 2010): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the largest organization of blind people in the United States, today announced that its president, Dr. Marc Maurer, will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Notre Dame at the 2010 commencement ceremony on May 16, 2010. Maurer is a 1974 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "I am pleased and privileged to receive an honorary degree from my alma mater. As president of the largest organization of blind people in the United States, I have been fortunate to play a role in many exciting and life-changing developments for blind people in America. While we have made much progress, there is still more to be done. Only 10 percent of blind children are learning Braille in this country, and this directly contributes to a 70 percent unemployment rate among blind people in the United States. I humbly accept this honor on behalf of blind Americans and pledge to work harder than ever to ensure that the blind are not left behind in today's society." Maurer earned his law degree from Indiana University in 1977 and began focusing on representing blind individuals in the courts. A member of the Bar in Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Maryland, and the Bar of the Supreme Court, Maurer is one of the most experienced lawyers in the field of civil rights and discrimination against the blind. Maurer has been president of the National Federation of the Blind since 1986. In that capacity, he has joined President George W. Bush in the Oval Office in 2001 to celebrate the organization's Everest Expedition, and was present for Bush's signing into law the Help America Vote Act of 2002. He has promoted new technology for the blind, including the knfbReader Mobile (a revolutionary cell phone application that scans and reads aloud most printed material) and the prototype vehicle for the Blind Driver Challenge. He has overseen the visionary expansion of the NFB Jernigan Institute, the first training and research institute for the blind, led by the blind. He has also previously served as president of the North America/Caribbean Region of the World Blind Union. In November 2009, Dr. Maurer was awarded the Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., Award for outstanding contributions in the field of public service from the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association. For more information about the National Federation of the Blind, please visit www.nfb.org. ### About the National Federation of the Blind With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind. From CDanielsen at nfb.org Thu May 13 19:58:52 2010 From: CDanielsen at nfb.org (Danielsen, Chris) Date: Thu, 13 May 2010 14:58:52 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Please post on all NFB list-serves Message-ID: The 2009 National Federation of the Blind Annual Report is Now Available! Take a look back on all of the accomplishments of the National Federation of the Blind in 2009 by reading the newest Annual Report! The 2009 Annual Report is available online as an accessible PDF file (http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/2009%20Annual%20Report_Accessible.pdf) or a BRF file (http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/brf/2009_NFB_Annual_Report.BRF). Print copies are also available for order from the Independence Market; call (410) 659-9314, extension 2216 now to order your copy. From peggychong at earthlink.net Tue May 18 10:03:39 2010 From: peggychong at earthlink.net (Peggy Chong) Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 05:03:39 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Used Braille Books Needed for 2010 Braille Book Flea Market Message-ID: It is that time again. Donate your gently used but no longer needed braille books to the 2010 Braille Book Flea Market sponsored by the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children and the National Association to Promote the Use of Braille to be held at our national convention in Dallas TX. Books should be in good condition. Cookbooks, twin-vision books and books suitable for children are greatly needed. Do not forget those twin-vision books. We always run short. Box up the books so they do not get damaged during shipping and tape the box closed. Books can be sent Free Matter for the Blind to the following address. Vanessa Pena UPS Customer Counter 10155 Monroe Dallas, TX 75229 Search through the boxes in your basement and spare room and get your Braille book donations ready for shipping. If you have any questions, contact me, Peggy Chong at 515-277-1288 or e-mail at peggychong at earthlink.net. From gwunder at earthlink.net Tue May 18 21:08:33 2010 From: gwunder at earthlink.net (Gary Wunder) Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 16:08:33 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Fw: Research on Blindness and Sleep Message-ID: ----- Original Message ----- From: Christian Lavedan To: gwunder at earthlink.net Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 2:32 PM Subject: Research on Blindness and Sleep Dear Mr. Wunder I am contacting you because I believe that some members of the Missouri Division of the National Association of Blind Students may be interested in learning about our effort to better understand sleep problems in people who are totally blind. I am from Vanda Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company located in Rockville, MD. Vanda is developing an experimental new medicine to treat the complaint of the sleep/wake cycle experienced by some individuals with no light perception. For this reason, we are interested in learning more about people who have no light perception blindness and the problems they face with sleep or wakefulness. Below is an announcement about upcoming sleep studies that some totally blind individuals may be interested in. We gladly welcome the opportunity to talk to you about our plans and to learn more about you and your organization. We also would appreciate if you could pass this information along to other individuals in your community who may be interested by this research. Sincerely, C. Lavedan Announcing Upcoming Sleep Studies in Totally Blind Individuals Are you blind with no light perception? Do you have problems sleeping or trouble with daytime sleepiness? Non-24-hour sleep wake disorder occurs in some individuals who are totally blind and lack the light sensitivity necessary to reset the "body clock". This can lead to problems with sleep and/or daytime excessive sleepiness. You can help researchers understand non-24-hour sleep wake disorder by taking a brief phone survey. In addition, you will have the opportunity to be informed of upcoming clinical studies recruiting in your area. Survey Participants Need to: . be over 18 years of age . be blind with no light perception . have sleep problems and/or daytime sleepiness Collected information will be kept strictly confidential. For each completed survey, a donation of $25 up to $50,000 will be made to organizations that support people with blindness. If you want to participate in the survey, please call toll-free 1-877-708-1936 Monday-Friday between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM ET. Thank you! Christian Lavedan, Ph.D. Head of Discovery Vanda Pharmaceuticals 9605 Medical Center Drive Suite 300 Rockville, MD 20850, USA Tel: 240.599.4500 Fax: 301.294.1900 www.vandapharma.com **************************************************************************** This message, including its attachments, is company confidential and may contain proprietary information. Any unauthorized distribution of this message is strictly prohibited -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 3272 bytes Desc: not available URL: From gwunder at earthlink.net Wed May 19 16:36:49 2010 From: gwunder at earthlink.net (Gary Wunder) Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 11:36:49 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Camp Barnabas Message-ID: <002201caf771$7e4ab1f0$260482a1@umh.edu> I send this along in the hope it can help some blind children. It comes to me recommended by our good friend and colleague Paul Weingartner. Camp Barnabas featured on ABC's program, Extreme Makeover, offers summer camps for people with disabilities. Currently, there are openings in their week for blind children and youth, August 1-7. For more information contact: Camp Barnabas 901 Private Road 2060 Purdy, MO 65734 417.4762565 (Camp office) 417.886.9800 (Springfield office) www.campbarnabus.org "making the cross accessible" Paul Weingartner National Representative for the Blind Director of Center for the Blind of the Assemblies of God P 417.831.1964 F 417.862.5120 www.blind.ag.org For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 From JFreeh at nfb.org Thu May 20 10:51:08 2010 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 05:51:08 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Key Stakeholders Agree on Measures to Protect Blind Pedestrians from Silent Cars Message-ID: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Director of Public Relations National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2330 (410) 262-1281 (Cell) cdanielsen at nfb.org Key Stakeholders Agree on Measures to Protect Blind Pedestrians from Silent Cars Urge Passage as Part of Motor Vehicle Safety Act Baltimore, Maryland (May 19, 2010): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the American Council of the Blind (ACB), the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM), and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) announced today that they have agreed on proposed legislative language that will protect blind pedestrians and others from the danger posed by silent vehicle technology. The four organizations are urging Congress to adopt and pass the language as part of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010?which is currently pending in both houses of Congress?as quickly as possible. The proposed language would require the Department of Transportation to promulgate a motor vehicle safety standard requiring automobiles to emit a minimum level of sound to alert the blind and other pedestrians. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: ?The National Federation of the Blind commends the automobile industry for its leadership on this issue and for its genuine concern for the safety of blind Americans, cyclists, runners, small children, and other pedestrians. We look forward to working with the parties to this agreement, the United States Congress, and the Department of Transportation to ensure that America?s streets remain safe, both for those who drive and for those who do not.? "Good policy is a collaborative effort, and this is a good approach for pedestrians and automakers," said Dave McCurdy, President and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. Because blind pedestrians cannot locate and evaluate traffic using their vision, they must listen to traffic to discern its speed, direction, and other attributes in order to travel safely and independently. Other people, including pedestrians who are not blind, cyclists, runners, seniors, and small children, also benefit from hearing the sound of vehicle engines. New vehicles that employ hybrid or electric engine technology can be silent, rendering them extremely dangerous in situations where vehicles and pedestrians come into proximity with each other. A recent report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that hybrid and electric vehicles are nearly twice as likely to be involved in accidents with pedestrians as vehicles with internal combustion engines. ### About the National Federation of the Blind With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people?s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind. From dandrews at visi.com Wed May 26 01:45:03 2010 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 20:45:03 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] C.A.R.S. Division Reaching Out to NFB. Membership Message-ID: From: AmNaulty at aol.com [ mailto:AmNaulty at aol.com] Subject: C.A.R.S. Division Reaching Out to N.F.B. Membership This is a message from the C.A.R.S. Division of the National Federation of the Blind. We are asking the N.F.B. membership, across the country, to consider joining the C.A.R.S. Division. While we are only five years old, we are energetic and committed to growth. We are fast, fun and focused. Dues are only $5.00 each year. Many of us have very fond, happy memories of cars we once owned or family cars which took us to school, jobs and shopping. Keep those fun memories alive and join the C.A.R.S. Division of the National Federation of the Blind. When we convene in Dallas, Texas, the Division needs assistance with the following activities: 1. Setting up the C.A.R.S. Division table in the exhibit hall, Saturday, July 3, Noon to 4 p.m. 2. Covering the C.A.R.S. table during exhibit hours 3. Helping with the Automobile Show, Sunday, July 4, 12 Noon to 4 p.m. Monday evening, July 5, the C.A.R.S. Division will conduct a seminar with interesting guest speakers. Our annual general meeting and election of officers will take place that evening after the seminar. We would welcome interested N.F.B. members to get involved and join our fun activities. The C.A.R.S. Division will be offering affordable model cars, membership forms and agendas of C.A.R.S. activities at the table in the exhibit hall. We hope everyone will stop by and chat with our current members. It is always fun to meet new people and make new friends. We all know of Dr. Maurer's interest in driving a car; help us "drive" fun activities at the Convention and expand the work of the C.A.R.S. Division in 2010. If you have enjoyed the experience of seeing and touching the special interest cars and motorcycles at previous National Conventions, please consider donating a few hours to help the C.A.R.S. Division continue the tradition of fun and enjoyment for everyone. We invite you to contact: Joseph B. Naulty, President e-mail jnaulty at cfl.rr.com< mailto:jnaulty at cfl.rr.com> address: 996 South Fork Circle Melbourne, FL 32901 (321) 768-9500 David Andrews: dandrews at visi.com Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920 From jsorozco at gmail.com Wed May 26 20:42:25 2010 From: jsorozco at gmail.com (Joe Orozco) Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 16:42:25 -0400 Subject: [Mabs] Apple offering price breaks for college students Message-ID: <3828D1534786429EB8911DC8D6EF5364@Rufus> Apple offering price breaks for college students Promotion launched Tuesday offers college students and teachers of any grade a free iPod Touch with purchase of new Mac, plus educational pricing. Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20005892-37.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Ne ws-Apple Joe "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing From braille at nbpcb.org Fri May 28 02:22:20 2010 From: braille at nbpcb.org (Louise Walch) Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 21:22:20 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Braille Testing at NFB National Convention Message-ID: A reminder to all: Testing for National Certification in Literary Braille (NCLB). will be held at this year's NFB National Convention in Dallas this July. Date: Sunday and Monday, July 4-5, 2010 Time: 1-5pm on both days Location: Hilton Anatole Hotel 2201 Stemmons Freeway Dallas, Texas 75207 Cost: $250 (or $75 per single section) Application deadline: Sunday, June 13, 2010 *Unless otherwise notified, candidates must be present for all four sections. Sections one and two will be offered on Sunday, July 4, and sections three and four will be offered on Monday, July 5. Alternative testing may be available on a very limited basis. To apply online go to: https://nbpcb.org/members/login.php?r=/members/er.php?eid=41 For further information please contact Louise Walch, NCLB coordinator at braille at nbpcb.org or call 318-257-4554. Thanks, Louise Louise Walch NCLB Braille Exam Coordinator braille at nbpcb.org www.nbpcb.org Louise G. Walch NBPCB Coordinator braille at nbpcb.org www.nbpcb.org -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: NCLB General Announcement 2010.doc Type: application/msword Size: 25088 bytes Desc: not available URL: From dandrews at visi.com Mon May 31 23:12:32 2010 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 18:12:32 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] 2010 NFB Convention Agenda Now Available Message-ID: Below is the text of the agenda for the 2010 NFB national convention. You can also download a fully-formatted Word version from the link below. Dave http://www.nfb.org/nfb/National_Convention.asp THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF TEXAS WELCOME YOU TO THE 70th ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND Marc Maurer, President National Federation of the Blind 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place Baltimore, Maryland 21230 Mary Ellen Jernigan Executive Director for Operations and Chairwoman, Convention Organization and Activities Angela Wolf, President National Federation of the Blind of Texas 314 East Highland Mall Blvd., Suite 353 Austin, Texas 78752 Hilton Anatole Hotel 2201 Stemmons Freeway Dallas, Texas 75207 (214) 748-1200 The 70th annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind is being held in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. As usual, our hotel rates are very good: singles and doubles are $62; triples and quads are $67. In addition to the room rates, there is a fifteen percent occupancy tax. There is no charge for children under sixteen in the room with parents as long as no extra bed is required. Proof of convention registration is necessary, including the showing of an NFB registration badge if requested. Otherwise, regular hotel rates must be paid. The Hilton Anatole is a non-smoking hotel; smoking is permitted only on the Gossip patio and fifteen feet from any outside entrance. HILTON ANATOLE GEOGRAPHY The Hilton Anatole consists of two main sections?the Atrium and the Tower. The Atrium section is further divided into Atrium I and Atrium II. At the lobby and mezzanine levels Atrium I, Atrium II, and the Tower are connected so that you can walk from Atrium I at the far east end of the hotel through Atrium II into the Tower at the far west end of the hotel as if it were one building. During the time of our convention the entire central area of Atrium II at the lobby level will be undergoing substantial renovation. This renovation will not impact our convention operation in any significant way since there will be a well-defined passageway linking Atrium I with the Tower. This passageway will run east and west along the south side of Atrium II at the lobby level. At levels above the mezzanine, Atrium I and Atrium II are contiguous with each other but not with the Tower?that is, to reach the sleeping rooms, you must use either the Atrium elevators or the Tower elevators, depending on which section your room is located in. The Tower sleeping room elevators do not stop at the mezzanine level. The Atrium sleeping room elevators stop at the mezzanine level, and you can reach the mezzanine level meeting rooms above the Atrium I lobby, the Atrium II lobby, and the Tower lobby. However, a flight of six or eight steps links the Atrium II mezzanine and the Tower mezzanine. If these steps are a problem, you can take a separate, single elevator that goes from the Tower lobby to the Tower mezzanine level. This elevator is located just west of the business center in the Tower lobby. At the west end of the Tower mezzanine is a stairway that leads to the Tower lobby. When you come down this stairway, you are facing east, and the Chantilly Ballroom is slightly ahead and on your right. Atrium I is the farthest-east section of the hotel and sits slightly south of Atrium II. Think of the entire hotel as a high-top tennis shoe lying on its side with the sole running along the north side, the toe pointing west, and the open top to the south. The right angle formed where the back of the shoe meets the sole in the hotel?s architecture is actually cut on the diagonal so that, when entering the hotel on that diagonal, you are facing southwest. Atrium I is much shorter in its north-south dimension than are Atrium II and the Tower on the east-west axis. After you step into the main entrance, a left turn takes you towards the check-in desk and Atrium I. If you stand with your back to the check-in desk, you are facing west. Atrium I is on your left, and Atrium II is slightly to your right and straight ahead. The Atrium elevators and stairway and escalators to the mezzanine-level meeting rooms are located just across from the Atrium front desk and main entrance in the general area where the two Atria join. Access to the temporary passageway between Atrium I and the Tower will be located here also. The lobby level of Atrium I and the area south of the temporary Atrium II passageway contains several meeting rooms, a brand new restaurant called the Media Grill & Bar, and the Grand Ballroom, which is located on the south side of Atrium II. The Khmer Pavilion is located roughly above the Grand Ballroom. The point at which the Atrium II lobby joins the Tower lobby is located just beyond the west end of the Grand Ballroom foyer. The exact configuration of this juncture is unknown at the time of this writing because of the renovations in progress. If any steps still remain by the time we arrive, there will be a ramp in place for wheelchair access. HOTEL FOOD SERVICE Breakfast will be available from 6:00 to 11:00 am in three locations: Common Ground in Atrium 1, serving grab-and-go continental breakfasts and ala carte items including hot breakfast sandwiches; The Terrace in Atrium 1 serving full hot breakfasts; and Gossips (beginning at 6:30 am) in the Tower serving specialty coffees and ala carte items. Lunch will be available from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Common Ground serving soups, salads, deli and hot sandwiches, quick grab-and-go bag lunches, and other ala carte items; in The Terrace from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm serving a quick hot ?blue plate? special each day; in Gossips from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm serving deli sandwiches and ala carte items; and in the Media Grill & Bar (located on the south side of Atrium II between the Atrium escalators and the Grand Ballroom) from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm offering a full-scale lunch and dinner menu. Dinner will be available in the Media Grill & Bar until 10:00 pm, with ?deep-night? bar and selected food service continuing until 2:00 am; in the Rathskeller (accessed from the Tower lobby across from the potpourri shop), serving a typical sports bar menu; and in Nana, the five-star restaurant located on the twenty-seventh floor of the Tower, from 6:30 to 10:30 pm. In addition, sushi will be available in Gossips until 2:00 am; a variety of hot and cold lite fare will be available in the bar at Nana from 4:30 pm to 12:30 am; and room service is available on a twenty-four-hour basis. TEXAS-STYLE BARBEQUE AND LIVE MUSIC IN ANATOLE PARK Continue the excitement of convention opening day by enjoying a delicious Texas-style barbeque with family and friends under the stars in Anatole Park. Listen to the great acoustical sounds of one of Texas? top performing singers and songwriters, Brian Burns, with friends Tommy Alverson and Davin James, who bring Texas and American country music back to the heart of the matter. All hosted by the NFB of Texas and all happening on Tuesday, July 6, starting at 6:00 pm. Tickets (while they last) are $45 per person and can be purchased in the registration area. ROOKIE ROUNDUP All first-time convention attendees are cordially invited to attend a reception from 8:00 to 10:00 pm on Saturday, July 3, in the Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby. President Maurer and other Federation leaders will be on hand to welcome you to the convention and preview the week?s activities. Veteran conventioneers should urge all first-timers to attend this special event. Also, first-time rookies are invited to join an informal, fun gathering on Monday, July 5, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm in the Affiliate Action Suite 2372. REGISTRATION & PREREGISTRATION Registration activities take place in the upper Chantilly foyer, Tower lobby beginning at 9:00 am on Sunday, July 4; at 8:30 am on Monday, July 5; and at other times as listed throughout the week. The fee for registration at convention is $20 per person (if you preregistered before May 31, the fee was $15), and all those attending the convention (both local and outoftown people) are asked to register. Convention registration is a requirement for door prize eligibility and a number of other convention activities. We condition rates for hotel rooms on proof of registration, including the showing of an NFB registration badge if requested. Therefore, please register as soon as possible after arrival. EXHIBITS Exhibits (excluding the NFB Independence Market) are on display in the Khmer Pavilion, Atrium third level. Exhibit hall hours are: Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday Noon to 1:45 pm; Sponsors only from 7:00-10:00 pm Wednesday Noon to 1:45 pm and 7:00 to 10:00 pm There is a special event for sponsor-level exhibitors only on Tuesday, July 6, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm (see ?Special Attention? section and agenda listing for more information). Sign up for NFB-NEWSLINE? at the NEWSLINE table. Any alterations in the general session schedule which may occur during the convention will result in conforming shifts in the exhibit schedule and will be announced in the exhibit areas. A number of affiliated NFB divisions and committees have tables. INDEPENDENCE MARKET & SHOWROOM OF INNOVATION The Independence Market and the Showroom of Innovation will be located in the Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby. NFB publications, products, devices, canes, Louis Braille commemorative coins, jewelry, and other items will be available. Also in the Showroom of Innovation you can preview the nonvisual interface technology that might empower driving and other advanced applications. Put your hands on the wheel, touch the first generation blind driver challenge vehicle, and glimpse into the future. Be part of the revolution as we Race for Independence. Hours of operation for the Market and the Showroom are: Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday Noon to 1:45 pm Wednesday Noon to 1:45 pm?Note: Final time slot to visit Independence Market and Showroom of Innovation. MEETINGS General sessions of the convention convene at 9:00 am in the Chantilly Ballroom, Tower lobby on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The convention adjourns promptly at 5:00 pm on Thursday, July 8. Please note that all requests for announcements by Dr. Maurer during general sessions must be submitted in Braille. BANQUET AND BANQUET TICKET EXCHANGE The banquet is being held in the Chantilly Ballroom, Tower lobby at 7:00 pm, Thursday, July 8. Banquet tickets purchased at convention are $45.00 (the cost was $40 if purchased before May 31) and are on sale during registration on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Banquet tickets will not be available for purchase after Tuesday at 2:00 pm. It will be necessary to have your banquet ticket with you to attend the banquet; it will be collected at the banquet table. Arrangements should be made for reserved table assignments by taking the ticket(s) you purchase to the Banquet Exchange Table in the Chantilly lobby area, where you may exchange either an individual ticket or a group of tickets for reserved seating. Banquet tables seat ten people. RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND DEVOTIONS On Sunday, July 4, Fr. Gregory Paul, C.P., will celebrate a Roman Catholic Mass at 6:30 am in the Wedgwood Room, Tower lobby. Also on Sunday at 11:45 am services for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be held in the Wedgwood Room, Tower lobby. Devotional services will be held in the Sapphire Room, Tower lobby at 8:00 am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Services are nonsectarian and will end at least fifteen minutes prior to morning convention sessions. Coordinated by the National Association of the Blind in Communities of Faith Division; Tom Anderson, President. K-NFB?S BLIO READER MAKING BOOKS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE! Printed books are becoming digital and accessible. Blio is free e-reader software designed for presentation of digital media. Developed and distributed by K-NFB Reading Technology, Inc., shop at the online Blio bookstore with access to over one million free books. Read wherever you are by syncing your digital library to your mobile device. To learn more, visit the demonstration sessions listed in the agenda on Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS CALLED TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ? A Federation Information Desk will be in the registration area from Sunday morning, July 4, through Thursday, July 8, if you have questions or need assistance. The Texas affiliate will also maintain a table near the hotel checkin desk in the main lobby to provide assistance and hospitality during much of the convention. ? When you register, you will be given a name badge. Please wear it at all times during the convention. ? The room number for the Presidential Suite is 2572. Someone will be on hand in the Presidential Suite throughout most of the convention to greet you and make appointments for you with the President or anyone else you wish to see. The Presidential Suite will not be open during the business sessions of the convention, the Monday morning Board of Directors meeting, or the Thursday evening banquet. Come to the Presidential Suite. You will be most welcome. ? The room number for Mary Ellen Jernigan, Chairwoman of Convention Organization and Activities, is 2472. Questions concerning hotel rooms, meeting rooms, banquet, scheduling, registration, and other matters dealing with convention arrangements should be referred to the Chairwoman of Convention Organization and Activities. ? Individuals needing to conduct business with the NFB Treasurer may do so by going to the Opal Room, Tower lobby on Tuesday, July 6, between 5:30 and 7:30 pm, or on Wednesday, July 7, between 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm. ? The Texas Suite (Angela Wolf, President) is 2272. ? The Affiliate Action and Rookie Activities Suite (Joanne Wilson and Pam Allen, Coordinators) is 2372. ? Child-care services for children between the ages of six weeks and ten years are available during convention sessions, most meetings, and the banquet. Preregistration and payment by June 15 were required for child-care. Child-care is organized and supervised by Carla McQuillan, the executive director of Main Street Montessori Association. Alison McQuillan serves as the activities and staff coordinator. Please note that child-care provides morning and afternoon snacks, but parents are required to provide lunch for their child(ren) every day. Times listed are the opening and closing times for child-care. A late fee of $10 per quarter-hour per child will be assessed for all late pickups. Child-care hours are: Saturday, 7/3 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm Sunday, 7/4 Closed Monday, 7/5 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm Tuesday, 7/6 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm Wednesday, 7/7 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm Thursday, 7/8 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm Banquet 7/8 6:30 pm to 30 minutes after banquet ends ? A Special Evening for Sponsor-Level Exhibitors: Again this year, the exhibit hall will reopen from 7:00 to 10:00 pm on Tuesday, July 6, for a very special evening dedicated solely to Sponsor-Level Exhibitors. Come and bring a guest to say ?thank you? to our sponsors and to enjoy their interesting offers and demonstrations. ? The always popular Showcase of Talent is back again at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 7, presented by the Performing Arts Division. Admission price is $5.00. If you would like to participate in the Showcase, make sure to sign up early by contacting a Performing Arts Division board member at the convention. ? Raffle tickets will not be sold in the registration area, and no raffles or other such drawings will take place during convention sessions or at the banquet. The single exception to this rule will be that national divisions may (if they request it in advance) conduct such drawings during the convention or at the banquet. The Sapphire Room, Tower lobby will be set aside at 12:00 noon on Thursday, July 8, for all other drawings. Any group or affiliate wishing to conduct drawings at this time (or any person wishing to know the winners) may go at noon on Thursday to the Sapphire Room. AFFILIATED DIVISIONS, COMMITTEES, AND GROUPS The Federation carries on its business through divisions, committees, and groups. The meetings of some of these have been scheduled for particular times and are listed in the agenda. Others have not been formally scheduled but will meet at the call of their chairpersons or presidents. If you have matters that you would like to discuss with any of the following divisions, committees, or groups, you should contact: Divisions: ? Agriculture and Equestrian: Fred Chambers, President; ? Assistive Technology Trainers: Michael Barber, President; ? Classics, Antiques, and Rods or Special Interest Vehicles (CARS): Joseph B. Naulty, President; ? Deaf-Blind: Burnell Brown, President; ? Diabetes Action Network for the Blind: Michael Freeman, President; ? Human Services: David Stayer, President; ? National Association of the Blind in Communities of Faith: Tom Anderson, President; ? National Association of Blind Entrepreneurs: James R. Bonerbo, President; ? National Association of Blind Lawyers: Scott LaBarre, President; ? National Association of Blind Merchants: Kevan Worley, President; ? National Association of Blind Office Professionals: Lisa Hall, President; ? National Association of Blind Piano Technicians: Don Mitchell, President; ? National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals: Melody Lindsey, President; ? National Association of Blind Students: Arielle Silverman, President; ? National Association of Blind Veterans: Dwight Sayer, President; ? National Association of Guide Dog Users: Marion Gwizdala, President; ? National Association to Promote the Use of Braille (NAPUB): Nadine Jacobson, President; Divisions, Continued: ? National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science: Curtis Chong, President; ? National Federation of the Blind Krafters: Joyce Kane, President; ? National Federation of the Blind Seniors: Judy Sanders, President; ? National Organization of Blind Educators: Sheila Koenig, President; ? National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC): Carol Castellano, President; ? Performing Arts: Dennis H.R. Sumlin, President; ? Public Employees: Ivan Weich, President; ? Science and Engineering: John Miller, President; ? Sports and Recreation: Lisamaria Martinez, President; ? Travel and Tourism: Don Gillmore, President; ? Writers: Robert Leslie Newman, President. Committees: ? Ambassadors: Angela Wolf, Chairperson; ? Blind Educator of the Year Award: David Ticchi, Chairperson; ? Committee on Assistive Technology (COAT): Curtis Chong, Chairperson; ? Committee on Automobile and Pedestrian Safety (CAPS): Deborah Kent Stein, Chairperson; ? Committee to Empower Underserved Populations (CEUP): Ron Brown, Chairperson; ? Cultural Exchange and International Program: Diane McGeorge, Chairperson; ? Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award: Cathy Jackson, Chairperson; ? Employment: Buna Dahal, Chairperson; ? Genetic Education: Barbara Pierce, Chairperson; ? Imagination Fund: Parnell Diggs, Chairperson; ? Jacobus tenBroek Award: Ramona Walhof, Chairperson; ? Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund: Tami Jones, Chairperson; ? Kenneth Jernigan Fund: Allen Harris, Chairperson; ? Library Services: David Hyde, Chairperson; ? Loan Fund: Donald C. Capps, Chairperson; ? Membership: Ron Gardner, Chairperson; ? Newel Perry Award: Allen Harris, Chairperson; ? Newsletter Publications: Norma Crosby, Chairperson; ? NFB-NEWSLINE? Steering: David DeNotaris, Chairperson; ? PAC Plan: Scott LaBarre, Chairperson; ? Planned Giving: John Halverson, Chairperson; ? Promotion, Evaluation, and Advancement of Technology: Gary Wunder, Chairperson; Committees, Continued: ? Public Relations: Christopher Danielsen, Chairperson; ? Research and Development: Curtis Chong, Chairperson; ? Resolutions: Sharon Maneki, Chairperson; ? Scholarship: Anil Lewis, Chairperson; ? Shares Unlimited in NFB (SUN): Sandy Halverson, Chairperson; ? Spanish Translation: Norman Gardner, Chairperson; ? White Cane and Affiliate Finance: Alpidio Rol?n, Chairperson. Groups: ? Blind Musicians: Linda Mentink, Chairperson; ? Blind Parents: Deborah Kent Stein, Chairperson; ? Blind Professional Journalists: Elizabeth Campbell and Bryan Bashin, Co-Chairpersons; ? Educators of Blind Children: Gail Wagner, Chairperson; ? Geordi's Engineers: Lorraine Rovig, Chairperson; ? Legislative Initiatives Discussion: Don Burns, Coordinator; ? Living History: Michael Freholm, Chairperson; ? NFB Ham Radio: D. Curtis Willoughby, Chairperson; ? NFB in Judaism: David Stayer, Chairperson; ? NFB Lions: Ramona Walhof and Milton Ota, Co-Chairpersons; ? Orientation and Mobility: Edward C. Bell, Chairperson; ? Professionals in Blindness Education: Heather Field, Chairperson ? Webmasters: Gary Wunder, Chairperson. CONVENTION AGENDA SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2010 7:30 - 8:45 am?HAM RADIO GROUP EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Milan Room, Tower mezzanine Discuss convention frequencies, hotel architectural features, and distributing special FM receivers for the hearing-impaired and Spanish-speaking attendees. D. Curtis Willoughby (ka0vba), Chairperson 7:30 am - 6:30 pm?EDUCATION: TOP DOWN AND BOTTOM UP Parent, Teacher, Rehabilitation, and Orientation & Mobility Joint Conference for Families and Rehabilitation Professionals (7:30 to 8:45 am?Registration; 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm?NBPCB Awards Luncheon in Morocco Room) Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby NOPBC Fees: Adults $30; Youth (13-18) $20; Children (5-12) $10 NBPCB Fees (includes lunch): Students $75; Professionals $100 Note: Conference admission included with either registration above. Sponsors: National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC); National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB); National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals (NABRP); and the Professional Development & Research Institute on Blindness (PDRIB) at the Louisiana Tech University. Chairpersons: Carol Castellano and Edward Bell 8:30 am?CHILD-CARE (Preregistration by June 15 was required) Batik A & B and Cardinal A & B Rooms, Atrium Mezzanine Please see ?Special Attention? section of agenda for further information. 8:30 - 11:30 am?WHAT?S NEW IN JAWS 11 AND A FIRST LOOK AT JAWS 12?FREEDOM SCIENTIFIC, INC. Senators Lecture Hall, Tower lobby Join Eric Damery, JAWS Product Manager, for an exciting and informative session covering the new details surrounding JAWS development during the past year. In addition to many demonstrations of JAWS 11 with Research It, this will also be the first look at JAWS 12 scheduled for public beta in August 2010. 9:00 am - 12:00 noon?GW MICRO: SENSE NOTETAKER AND BOOKSENSE TRAINING (Registration: $10; refreshments provided) Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine The Braille Sense Plus and other Sense notetakers are exciting devices in Braille notetaker technology. Learn new features, including the GW Sense Navigation GPS. See the BookSense in action; play your books and audio files with ease. Raul Gallegos and Jeremy Curry. To register, call 260-489-3671. SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued 9:00 am - 5:00 pm?NFB JERNIGAN INSTITUTE?S ACCESS TECHNOLOGY SEMINARS Governors Lecture Hall, Tower lobby 9:00 - 11:30 am?Apple?s Mac system, iPod series, iPhone, and iPad 1:00 - 2:00 pm?Ebay?s accessibility improvements 2:15 - 3:30 pm?Blackboard Learn, the online platform for education 3:45 - 5:00 pm?Accessing e-Books rapidly expanding market 9:00 am - 5:00 pm?EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE SEMINAR Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine 9:00 am?Registration; 9:30 am?Seminar begins Staying on the cutting edge?what does it take? If you are seeking a job or focused on career advancement, don't miss this excellent opportunity to explore the building blocks of evolutionary employment. Buna Dahal, Chairperson 9:30 am - 2:30 pm?SENIORS SEMINAR: INTRO TO BLINDNESS SKILLS Sapphire Room, Tower lobby Please note?attendance is limited to around thirty-five people, so arrive promptly. Blind instructors introduce seniors to basic blindness skills: Braille, use of the long white cane, games, etc. Co-chaired by Ruth Sager and Ramona Walhof; Judy Sanders, President, NFB Seniors Division 10:30 am - 12:00 noon??WHERE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE COME TOGETHER??NFB YOUTH TRACK (AGES 11 TO 18) Wyeth Room, Atrium mezzanine Kick off this year?s Youth Track activities with fun icebreakers and meet new friends. This is also a time for youth to debate the age-old issues of blindness while putting a fresh new spin on them for today. All Youth Track activities are sponsored by the NFB Jernigan Institute; Mary Jo Hartle, Coordinator 12:45 - 1:45 pm?WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? NFB JERNIGAN INSTITUTE DISCUSSIONS?SESSION ONE (Session Two: Sunday at 5:30 pm; Session Three: Monday at 7:30 pm) Wyeth Room, Atrium mezzanine Session One covers research, history, and our literature. Moderated by Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued 1:00 - 3:00 pm?FREEDOM SCIENTIFIC; OPENBOOK 9 AND PEARL PORTABLE READING SOLUTION Senators Lecture Hall, Tower lobby Have lightning fast OCR with OpenBook in a portable solution that folds up. Connect via a USB port and scan documents. Have them read aloud using Eloquence voices or any of Real Speak Solo Direct human-sounding voices now available on OpenBook. Magnify work, write under the camera, and reformat text. 1:00 - 5:00 pm?HUMANWARE PRODUCT SHOWCASE AND USER GROUPS Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine Sessions: 1:00 Breeze; 2:00 Portable Devices; 3:00 Stream; 4:00 BrailleNote Join HumanWare to learn about recent updates and share product tips. Give us your suggestions or ask questions about your favorite HumanWare product. Door Prizes for every session! 1:00 - 6:00 pm?KRAFTERS DIVISION CRAFT SHOW Topaz Room, Tower lobby If you are interested in crafts and appreciate hand-made items, this is the place to be! Come and meet some very talented Federation crafters and purchase their beautiful items for sale. Joyce Kane, President 1:30 - 2:45 pm?EXPERIENCE THE BLIO READER: MAKING THE WORLD?S BOOKS ENJOYABLE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE! Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine Presented by James Gashel. 2:00 - 3:00 pm?NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS The Conquest of Independence Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine Helpful strategies for raising and working with a young blind child. Instructor: Carla McQuillan The Blind Student in Science Class Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine Tools and techniques to include blind students in all aspects of science. Instructors: Cary Supalo, Dr. Lillian Rankel, Marilyn Winograd, and Dr. Andrew Greenberg SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS, Cont?d. Braille Reading Rates Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine Your child can become a Braille-reading speed demon! Instructors: Jerry Whittle and Dr. Eric Vasiliauskas Let Your Child Grow Up! Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine When is the right time to begin stepping back as a parent? Instructors: Rosy Carranza and Andrea Beasley 2:00 - 5:00 pm?GOAL BALL; SPORTS & REC DIVISION Gym, Verandah area Lisamaria Martinez, President 2:00 - 5:00 pm?GW MICRO: WINDOW-EYES TRAINING (Registration: $10; refreshments provided) Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine Explore the power of Window-Eyes with advanced scripting support, Office 2010, Windows 7, and much more. Come to see support for the Internet and scripting provided by a screen reader. Presenters: Jeremy Curry and Raul Gallegos. To register, call 260-489-3671. 2:00 - 5:00 pm?YOUTH TRACK CONCURRENT WORKSHOP SESSIONS Preparing for the Future: Wyeth Room, Atrium mezzanine 2:00 - 3:30 pm?High School Readiness (ages 11-14) 3:30 - 5:00 pm?College Readiness (ages 14-18) Working Out Workouts: Travertine Room, Atrium mezzanine 2:00 - 3:30 pm?For ages 14-18 3:30 - 5:00 pm?For ages 11-14 Looking Good without Looking: Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine 2:00 - 3:30 pm?For ages 14-18 3:30 - 5:00 pm?For ages 11-14 SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued 3:00 - 4:30 pm?TEACHER RECRUITMENT INITIATIVE Affiliate Action Suite 2372 If you are interested in improving the education of blind students, please join us. Learn how to contact universities in your area, put on recruitment presentations, and spread the word about this rewarding career. Hosted by the NFB Affiliate Action Team 3:00 - 4:45 pm?EXPERIENCE THE BLIO READER: MAKING THE WORLD?S BOOKS ENJOYABLE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE! Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine Presented by James Gashel. 3:15 - 4:15 pm?NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS ABC and 1, 2, 3 Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine Early literacy and number understanding at home and at school. Instructors: Heather Field and Stephanie Kieszak-Holloway I Survived Math Class Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine Tips to ensure your child understands, keeps up with, and even learns to love math. Social Skills Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine Strategies for fostering the development of age-appropriate social skills. Instructors: Denise Mackenstadt and Angela Frederick Low Vision: Focus on Success Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine Prepare your low vision child for success in school, at home, and in social life. Instructors: Marla Palmer and Mark Riccobono 4:30 - 5:30 pm?NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS Get Your Child Going! Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine Enhance and promote independent movement in the young or delayed child. Instructor: Denise Mackenstadt SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS, Cont?d. Technology Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine Available technology; hear from students on how they employ it. Instructors: Richard Holloway and blind students Behavior: From Control to Support in Five Easy Lessons Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine Steps to turn problem behavior into positive behavior. Instructor: Dr. Jerry Petroff Is Your Child Job Ready? Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine Learn how your child can gain experience and skills. 5:00 - 7:00 pm?SPANISH SEMINAR Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine Blindness is blindness, no matter what the language. Meet new and old friends; learn about Federation philosophy and the truth about blindness?in Spanish. Moderator: Alpidio Rol?n 5:00 - 8:00 pm?MIX-AND-MINGLE RECEPTION FOR PARENTS AND REHABILITATION PROFESSIONALS Morocco Room, Tower mezzanine 6:00 - 10:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GUIDE DOG USERS (NAGDU) BUSINESS MEETING Emerald Room, Tower lobby 6:00 pm?Registration; 7:00 pm?Meeting begins Find out about legal cases that NAGDU and NFB are involved in; learn about the work and development of affiliate divisions; celebrate the launch of the NAGDU Education and Advocacy Hotline; elect your division leaders. Marion Gwizdala, President SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued 6:30 - 10:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND OFFICE PROFESSIONALS Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine 6:30 pm?Registration; 7:00 pm?Meeting begins Learn about new technology and how blind telephone operators, receptionists, customer service reps, Braille transcribers and proofreaders, and other office workers solve problems and challenges in the office setting. Lisa Hall, President 7:00 - 8:30 pm?LIVING HISTORY GROUP Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine Dedicated to recording, preserving, and appreciating Federation history. Michael Freholm, Chairperson 7:00 - 9:00 pm?NOPBC FAMILY HOSPITALITY NIGHT Miro Room, Tower mezzanine Relax and chat in an informal atmosphere. This is a great opportunity for new families to meet and connect with others. Veteran parents will be on hand to welcome and provide information. 7:00 - 10:00 pm?INDEPENDENCE SCIENCE, LLC FOCUS GROUP ONE Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine (Preregistration by May 15 was required to attend.) Independence Science LLC, in collaboration with Purdue University researchers, is collecting feedback on a new portable handheld data collection device for blind students to use in high school science laboratories. (Focus Group Two meets Monday at 7:00 pm) 7:30 - 9:00 pm?knfbReader MOBILE USERS MEETING Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine Conducted by Michael Hingson 7:30 - 11:00 pm?SALSA DANCE LESSIONS AND LATIN DANCE PARTY Metropolitan Ballroom, Tower mezzanine Get into the ?rhythm? of the convention?learn the salsa! Group and individual instructions provided at any level of proficiency. Fee of $5.00 benefits the NFB Spanish Translation Committee. Add salsa dancing to your repertoire; people will be impressed. SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued 8:00 - 9:00 pm?WHITE CANE AND AFFILIATE FINANCE COMMITTEE Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine Alpidio Rol?n, Chairperson 8:00 - 10:00 pm?NFB LIONS GROUP Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine NFB members who would like to join a Lions Club or are already Lions are urged to meet to share ideas and experiences. Please wear your shirts or vests for a photo. Co-Chairpersons: Ramona Walhof and Milton Ota 8:00 - 10:00 pm?ROOKIE ROUNDUP RECEPTION Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby First-time convention attendees?don?t miss this event! President Maurer and former rookies will be on hand to welcome you and answer questions about the week?s activities. Casual dress. Coordinator: Pam Allen, Director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind and President of the NFB of Louisiana 8:00 pm - midnight?KARAOKE NIGHT?? (Admission: $5.00) Peacock Terrace, West Wing Enjoy music, door prizes, and a cash bar; meet BLIND, Incorporated?s students and alumni and share their experiences from training. Here?s your chance to sing like a rock star; Braille song lists are available. Hosted by BLIND, Inc. 9:00 - 10:00 pm?NFB AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE MEETING Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine Angela Wolf, Chairperson SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2010 6:30 - 7:30 am?ROMAN CATHOLIC MASS Wedgwood Room, Tower lobby Father Gregory Paul, C.P., Celebrant 9:00 am - 5:00 pm?REGISTRATION ($20); BANQUET AND BARBEQUE TICKET SALES ($45 EACH); Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby 9:00 am - 5:00 pm?INDEPENDENCE MARKET AND SHOWROOM OF INNOVATION?Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby 9:00 am 5:00 pm?EXHIBITS?Khmer Pavilion, Atrium, third level 11:45 am - 1:15 pm?CHURCH SERVICES FOR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Wedgwood Room, Tower lobby 1:00 - 2:00 pm?BLIND MUSICIANS GROUP Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine Share ideas and tips and network with other blind musicians. Linda Mentink, Chairperson 1:00 - 5:00 pm?SELF-DEFENSE CLASS; SPORTS & REC DIVISION De Soto A & B Rooms, West Wing Lisamaria Martinez, President 1:00 - 5:00 pm?AUTO SHOW (CLASSICS, ANTIQUES, AND SPECIAL INTEREST VEHICLES) Clock Tower Parking Lot Presented by the NFB CARS Division; Joe Naulty, President 1:00 - 5:00 pm?NATIONAL CERTIFICATION IN LITERARY BRAILLE (NCLB) OFFICIAL EXAMINATION?SECTIONS ONE AND TWO Governors Lecture Hall, Tower lobby Participants must have preregistered. Exam sections three and four are on Monday at 1:00 pm. Sponsored by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board SUNDAY, JULY 4, Continued 1:00 - 6:30 pm?PROFESSIONALS IN BLINDNESS EDUCATION Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine Heather Field, Chairperson 1:30 pm?RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE Coronado Ballroom, West Wing Sharon Maneki, Chairperson 1:30 - 2:45 pm?EXPERIENCE THE BLIO READER: MAKING THE WORLD?S BOOKS ENJOYABLE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE! Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine Presented by James Gashel 2:00 - 4:30 pm?OPEN BRAILLE INITIATIVE Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine To make access to Braille easier, a group of prominent Braille device manufacturers have come together to develop and maintain an Open Standard for communications between screen readers and Braille displays. Do you want to know more? Join us for the OpenBraille initiative presentation. 2:30 - 5:30 pm?TRAVEL AND TOURISM DIVISION Milan Room, Tower mezzanine Don Gillmore, President 3:00 - 4:45 pm?EXPERIENCE THE BLIO READER: MAKING THE WORLD?S BOOKS ENJOYABLE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE! Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine Presented by James Gashel 3:00 - 5:00 pm?WHAT?S NEW WITH NFB-NEWSLINE? Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine Learn about the NFB?s free audible newspaper service for the blind and visually impaired. Topics cover Podable News, the new voices, the new on-demand article request feature, and more. Sign up for NFB-NEWSLINE? at its exhibit hall table. 4:00 - 5:30 pm?SLATE MATES?NFB YOUTH TRACK (Ages 11-18) Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine Pair up with members of the NFB Writers Division to learn the tricks of the trade to become a good writer. Bring your questions, and put your interests to work. SUNDAY, JULY 4, Continued 4:00 - 6:00 pm?FEDERATION REGENERATION Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine Learn how to develop quality programs for youth in your state while regenerating your Federation spirit. Presented by the NFB Jernigan Institute Education Team 4:30 - 6:00 pm?THIRTEENTH ANNUAL MOCK TRIAL?National Association of Blind Lawyers; Scott LaBarre, President Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby Admission: $5.00. Federation lawyers are pitted against each other reenacting an old Federation case with the audience serving as the jury. Although the subject matter is very serious, the courtroom portrayers are very entertaining. 5:30 - 6:30 pm?WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? NFB JERNIGAN INSTITUTE DISCUSSIONS?SESSION TWO (Session Three: Monday at 7:30) Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine Session Two covers access technology and product development. Moderated by Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute 5:30 - 8:00 pm?NEWSLETTER PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine Annual meeting and workshop for affiliate newsletter editors. Norma Crosby, Chairperson 6:00 - 8:00 pm?STORY TIME IDOL?NFB WRITERS DIVISION Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine Tell and/or listen to tall and scary stories. Cost is $5.00 at the door and $1.00 to tell a story. Idol winners share in the take! Robert Leslie Newman, President 6:00 - 10:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND STUDENTS (NABS) Wedgwood Room, Tower lobby 6:00 pm?Registration ($5.00); 7:00 pm?Meeting Students, young professionals, parents, teachers, and anyone interested in learning about issues affecting blind students are welcome to attend. Arielle Silverman, President SUNDAY, JULY 4, Continued 6:30 - 8:00 pm?NFB AFFILIATE PRESIDENTS AND TREASURERS SEMINAR Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine All affiliate presidents and treasurers are asked to attend this session. Topics include internal controls, state charitable registrations, end-of-year preparations, and discussing individual state issues with facilitators Charlie Brown, Ron Gardner, Bridgid Burke, and Nick Lambright 7:00 - 8:30 pm?MEET THE BLIND MONTH ACTIVITIES AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS SEMINAR: PLANS AND ACTION EQUAL SUCCESS Manchester Room, Tower mezzanine October is ?Meet the Blind Month.? Come and brainstorm with us as we look for fresh ideas for Meet the Blind Month! Learn new fundraising ideas, and get your chapter ready to change public perceptions of blindness. Karen Zakhnini, NFB Jernigan Institute 7:00 - 8:30 pm?PUBLIC EMPLOYEES DIVISION Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine Ivan Weich, President 7:00 - 10:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND VETERANS Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine Discussing plans to increase our division membership in the coming year and holding elections. Dwight Sayer, President 7:30 - 9:30 pm?MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: FINDING, ATTRACTING, AND KEEPING NEW MEMBERS IN OUR CHAPTERS AND AFFILIATES Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine Success only comes before work in the dictionary. Let?s discuss creative ideas to increase our membership. Ron Gardner, Chairperson 7:30 - 9:30 pm?LIBRARY SERVICES COMMITTEE Milan Room, Tower mezzanine David Hyde, Chairperson 7:30 - 9:30 pm?BLIND PARENTS GROUP Travertine Room, Atrium mezzanine Deborah Kent Stein, Chairperson SUNDAY, JULY 4, Continued 8:00 - 9:00 pm?JUDAISM MEETING Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine David Stayer, Chairperson, NFB in Judaism Group 8:00 - 9:30 pm?WEBMASTERS MEETING Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine A meeting for all NFB affiliate and division Webmasters to discuss the importance of an informative, accessible, and visually attractive Website. Gary Wunder, Chairperson, Webmasters Group 9:00 - 10:00 pm?SPANISH TRANSLATION COMMITTEE Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine Norman Gardner, Chairperson MONDAY, JULY 5, 2010 8:30 am - 5:00 pm?INDEPENDENCE MARKET AND SHOWCASE OF INNOVATION?Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby 8:30 am 5:00 pm?EXHIBITS?Khmer Pavilion, Atrium, third level 8:30 am - 5:00 pm?REGISTRATION ($20); BANQUET AND BARBEQUE TICKET SALES ($45 EACH); Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby 9:00 11:30 am?NFB BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (Open to all) Chantilly Ballroom, Tower lobby 12:00 noon - 1:15 pm?THE DIVISION FOR ME?NFB YOUTH TRACK Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine Meet-and-greet with division representatives to discover the NFB?s dynamic and diverse divisions. Chat with knowledgeable reps about what?s happening now in their divisions and what?s in the works for the future. Our divisions are progressive?join up and join in the fun. 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm?FIRST-TIME NFB CONVENTION ATTENDEES Affiliate Action Suite 2372 Is this your first National Federation of the Blind convention? If so, please bring your own lunch and participate in a fun gathering; meet some friendly people and have your convention questions answered by experienced Federationists. 12:30 - 5:00 pm?DIABETES ACTION NETWORK (DAN) SEMINAR Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine 12:30 pm?Registration; 1:00 pm?Meeting begins Learn about research updates on the use of insulin pens by Dr. Ann Williams, strategies to get medical insurance providers to cover diabetes management equipment accessible to the blind, and more. Mike Freeman, President 12:30 - 5:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND LAWYERS (NABL) L?Entrecote Room, Atrium lobby 12:30 pm - Registration; 1:00 pm - Meeting begins Examine laws affecting blind people and others with disabilities; address ongoing struggles to gain equal access to Web sites, employment, legal texts and exams. Scott LaBarre, President MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued 12:30 - 5:00 pm?NFB IN COMPUTER SCIENCE Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine 12:30 pm?Registration; 1:00 pm?Meeting begins Some of the topics include: the Macintosh as a productivity tool for the blind; Solona, a CAPTCHA-solving service; Association of Information Technology Professionals presentation; accessibility to Microsoft?s products by its director of accessibility, Rob Sinclair; elections; and much more. Curtis Chong, President 12:30 - 5:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND IN COMMUNITIES OF FAITH Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine 12:30 pm?Registration; 1:00 pm?Meeting begins The theme is ?Meeting Challenges: Gaining Opportunities.? Speakers tell how their faith has helped them face and overcome challenges; also hear representatives from various faith-based libraries and publishing houses describe what their organizations do. Tom Anderson, President 12:30 - 5:00 pm?SPORTS AND RECREATION DIVISION ANNUAL MEETING Coronado Ballroom, West Wing 12:30 pm?Registration; 1:00 pm?Meeting begins Wear your sweats and come ready for hands-on presentations, audible darts, and more! Lisamaria Martinez, President 1:00 3:00 pm?PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING & SEMINAR Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine Don't wait for the media to discover you?come and share ideas and strategies on how to harness the power of the media! Topics: crafting press releases, pitching stories, and giving informative interviews. Chris Danielsen, Chairperson 1:00 - 4:00 pm?PERFORMING ARTS DIVISION Travertine Room, Atrium mezzanine General meeting with elections, an introduction to our new state divisions, and speakers. Dennis H.R. Sumlin, President 1:00 - 4:15 pm?NOPBC DIVISION ANNUAL MEETING: ISSUES AND ADVANCES IN EDUCATION Sapphire Room, Tower lobby Carol Castellano, President MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued 1:00 - 4:30 pm?NOPBC ACTIVITIES FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLERS 1:00 - 2:30 pm?Diggin? Into Science (ages 11-14) Miro Room, Tower mezzanine Hands-on science fun with instant snow, magnets, volcanoes, etc. Instructors: Dr. Lillian A. Rankel and Marilyn Winograd, with assistance from chemists Cary Supalo and Dr. Andrew Greenberg 3:00 - 4:30 pm?Peer-to-Peer Technology (ages 11-18) Milan Room, Tower mezzanine Calling all geeks to expound on technology you love and love to hate. Moderators: Jeremiah Beasley and John Fritz 3:00 - 4:30 pm?The Future Is Here in Science (ages 14-18) Miro Room, Tower mezzanine Hands-on chemistry activities; understanding chemical phenomena. Instructors: Dr. Lillian A. Rankel, Marilyn Winograd, Cary Supalo, and Dr. Andrew Greenberg 1:00 - 4:30 pm?NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF BLIND EDUCATORS Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine 1:00 pm?Registration; 1:30 pm?Meeting begins Blind teachers discuss techniques they use in their classrooms; participants also meet in groups specific to grade level and content areas of interest to create a network of mentors. If you teach or are considering a career in teaching at any level, please join us. Sheila Koenig, President 1:00 5:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND MERCHANTS REVOLUTIONIZING RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD: CREATING NEW, ROBUST, AND DIVERSE SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLIND De La Salle Room, West Wing 1:00 pm?Registration; 1:30 pm?Meeting begins The title says it all. Let?s continue to protect and defend the Randolph-Sheppard Program. The need to expand business opportunities and to develop new business initiatives for the blind of America is pressing. At Your Service, Kevan Worley, President MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued 1:00 - 5:00 pm?NATIONAL CERTIFICATION IN LITERARY BRAILLE (NCLB) OFFICIAL EXAMINATION?SECTIONS THREE AND FOUR Governors Lecture Hall, Tower lobby Participants must have preregistered. Sponsored by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board 1:00 - 5:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND REHABILITATION PROFESSIONALS Madrid Room, Tower mezzanine 1:00 pm?Registration; 2:00 pm?Meeting begins Network, share mutual interests, find placement strategies, and examine and discuss concerns and current issues. Melody Lindsey, President 1:00 - 5:00 pm??SENIORS IN CHARGE??NFB SENIORS DIVISION MEETING AND (SOMEWHAT) SILENT AUCTION Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine Join us to hear enthusiastic seniors share ideas about what they are doing; find out ways to spread our message of hope to seniors who have recently become blind. And then, of course, we are also having our very popular not-so-silent auction. Judy Sanders, President 1:00 - 6:00 pm?HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine 1:00?Registration; 2:00?Meeting begins; 5:00?Mingle and network Psychologists; social workers; counselors; and music, art, or dance therapists meet to discuss topics and network. David Stayer, President 1:30 3:00 pm?CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine Diane McGeorge, Chairperson 1:30 - 4:30 pm?WRITERS DIVISION BUSINESS MEETING Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine Update members on division business, announce the 2010 winners of the youth and adult writing contests, visit with a published author and member of the NFB, and plan for the future. Robert Leslie Newman, President MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued 3:00 - 5:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND PIANO TECHNICIANS Wedgwood Room, Tower lobby Piano tuning has long been considered one of the stereotypical career choices for the blind. Is this true? What can we do about it? Don Mitchell, President 5:00 - 6:30 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND LAWYERS (NABL) RECEPTION L?Entrecote Room, Atrium lobby For NABL members and seminar participants only to promote networking and fellowship within our membership. Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar available. Scott LaBarre, President 5:00 - 7:00 pm?BRAILLE BOOK FLEA MARKET De Soto A & B Rooms, West Wing A book lover?s dream! Browse tables of new and used Braille and print/Braille books. UPS volunteers will ship the books to your home free of charge. Donations requested to support the Braille Readers are Leaders program. Cosponsored by NOPBC and NAPUB. Coordinator: Peggy Chong 5:30 - 7:00 pm?KURZWEIL 1000 USERS? CONTINGENT Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine Join the Kurzweil 1000 Users? Contingent! Meet with Steve Baum, Vice President of Engineering, and share some Kurzweil 1000 experiences. Kurzweil 1000 is our state-of-the-art, text-to-speech and life navigation software for blind and visually impaired readers. 6:00 - 9:00 pm?INDOOR ROWING; SPORTS & REC DIVISION Coronado Ballroom, West Wing Lisamaria Martinez, President 6:00 - 10:00 pm?BACK TO BASICS: FOUNDATIONS IN MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT Sapphire Room, Tower lobby Topics: running a purposeful chapter meeting, building membership, community projects and chapter fundraising, working with youth, and weaving Federation philosophy into local meetings. Presented by the NFB Affiliate Action Team MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued 6:00 - 10:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GUIDE DOG USERS (NAGDU) SILVER ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND SEMINAR Emerald Room, Tower lobby 6:00 pm?Registration; 7:00 pm?Seminar begins Join us in celebrating twenty-five years of education and advocacy on behalf of guide dog users, recognize our founders and past leaders, initiate future projects, and ?test drive? a guide dog! Marion Gwizdala, President 6:30 - 9:30 pm?SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DIVISION Wyeth Room, Atrium mezzanine 6:30 pm?Registration; 7:00 pm?Meeting begins John Miller, President 6:30 - 10:00 pm?ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINERS DIVISION Manchester Room, Tower mezzanine 6:30 pm?Registration; 7:00 pm?Meeting begins Topics: determining the right note taker for your student; plunging without fear into Windows 7 with Cathyanne Murtha of Access Technology Institute; Jsay Pro; and teaching the Mac. Michael Barber, President 7:00 - 8:30 pm??BROKEN-HEARTED RIVER TO FREEDOM? a play by Jerry Whittle (Admission: $5.00; Second Performance is at 9:00 pm) Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby A man loses his sight during the Civil War, returns home, and learns to deal with his blindness and family. The play is performed by the Louisiana Center for the Blind Players; proceeds go to the Louisiana Center for the Blind?s summer training program for blind children. 7:00 - 9:00 pm?CLASSICS, ANTIQUES, AND RODS (CARS) DIVISION SEMINAR AND BUSINESS MEETING Obelisk B Room, Atrium mezzanine Come and hear speakers from automobile clubs talk about their activities and participate in the division business meeting. Joseph B. Naulty, President 7:00 - 9:00 pm?COMMITTEE TO EMPOWER UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine Ron Brown, Chairperson MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued 7:00 - 9:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE THE USE OF BRAILLE (NAPUB) SEMINAR Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine Hear about the remaining commemorative Louis Braille silver dollars and how to get one, NFB Share Braille Website, and more. Nadine Jacobson, President 7:00 - 10:00 pm?INDEPENDENCE SCIENCE FOCUS GROUP TWO Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine (Preregistration by May 15 was required to attend.) Independence Science LLC, in collaboration with Purdue University researchers, is collecting feedback on a new portable handheld data collection device for blind students to use in high school science laboratories. 7:30 - 8:30 pm?ME AND THE GOSSIP GIRLS?NFB YOUTH TRACK Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine?Ages 11-14 Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine?Ages 14-18 Girls?bring your questions and thoughts about makeup, dating, or how to get more involved in your school. Discussions will be led by blind mentors. Parents, please respect this is for teens only! 7:30 - 8:30 pm? ME AND THE GUYS?NFB YOUTH TRACK Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine?Ages 11-14 Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine?Ages 14-18 Guys?talk about cars, dating, school, or how to nail that perfect job to make a little extra money. Discussions will be led by blind mentors. Parents, please respect this is for teens only! 7:30 - 8:45 pm?WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? NFB JERNIGAN INSTITUTE DISCUSSIONS?SESSION THREE Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine Session Three covers education programs. Moderated by Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute 7:30 - 10:00 pm?COMMITTEE FOR THE PROMOTION, EVALUATION, AND ADVANCEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY Travertine Room, Atrium mezzanine Hear exhibitors explain briefly what they are exhibiting and where they are located in the exhibit hall. We will also evaluate the effectiveness of what our Committee is doing now and consider programs for the coming year. Gary Wunder, Chairperson MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued 8:00 - 9:00 pm?FRIENDS OF RECOVERY MEETING Library Room, Tower mezzanine All convention delegates involved in or interested in twelve-step recovery programs are invited to attend. A second Friends of Recovery meeting will be on Wednesday at 8:00 pm. Coordinator: Gary Ray 9:00 - 10:30 pm??BROKEN-HEARTED RIVER TO FREEDOM? a play by Jerry Whittle (Admission: $5.00) Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby A man loses his sight during the Civil War, returns home, and learns to deal with his blindness and family. The play is performed by the Louisiana Center for the Blind Players; proceeds go to the Louisiana Center for the Blind?s summer training program for blind children. TUESDAY, JULY 6, 2010 8:00 - 8:45 am?DEVOTIONS Sapphire Room, Tower lobby 8:15 8:45 am?REGISTRATION ($20); BANQUET AND BARBEQUE TICKET SALES ($45 EACH)?Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby OPENING GENERAL SESSION 9:00 am INVOCATION 9:35 am WELCOMING CEREMONIES 9:55 am CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM: VETERANS RECOGNIZED Dwight Sayer, President, National Association of Blind Veterans, National Federation of the Blind; Winter Gardens, Florida 10:05 am A DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PRIORITY FOR BLIND WOUNDED WARRIORS Colonel Donald Gagliano, M.D., Executive Director, Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs Vision Center of Excellence; Washington, D.C. 10:20 am ROLL CALL OF STATES AND APPOINTMENT OF NOMINATING COMMITTEE 11:45 am REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS 12:00 pm ADJOURN 12:00 noon 12:30 pm and 1:30 - 2:00 pm?REGISTRATION ($20); FINAL BANQUET TICKET SALES ($45)?Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby 12:00 noon - 1:45 pm?INDEPENDENCE MARKET AND SHOWROOM OF INNOVATION?Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby TUESDAY, JULY 6, Continued 12:00 noon 1:45 pm?EXHIBITS?Khmer Pavilion, Atrium, third level 12:15 - 1:45 pm?LOUISIANA CENTER FOR THE BLIND ALUMNI LUNCHEON; Pam Allen, Director Peacock Terrace, West Wing GENERAL SESSION 2:00 pm CALL TO ORDER 2:05 pm PRESIDENTIAL REPORT, Marc Maurer 3:00 pm THE FEDERATION IN THE WORLD FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE BLIND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER AND SENATOR IN THAILAND Monthian Buntan, Senator; Bangkok, Thailand 3:20 pm THE BLIND DRIVER OPERATING A VEHICLE AT SPEED: CREATING THE TECHNOLOGY THAT PUTS THE CONTROLS UNDER OUR HANDS Parnell Diggs, Esq., Coordinator, Race for Independence; President, National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina; Garden City, South Carolina 3:35 pm SWEP AND THE BARS OF OUR PRISON Scott LaBarre, Esq., LaBarre Law Offices; President, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado; Denver, Colorado 3:50 pm THE XAVIER SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND: SERVING THE BLIND SINCE 1900 Father John R. Sheehan, S.J., Chairman, Board of Directors, Xavier Society for the Blind; New York, New York 4:05 pm ONE MILLION BOOKS FOR THE PRINT DISABLED AND MORE TO COME Brewster Kahle, Digital Librarian; San Francisco, California TUESDAY, JULY 6, Continued 4:20 pm NOT JUST SURVIVING THE DISASTER OF SEPTEMBER 11 BUT PROVIDING LEADERSHIP IN A DEADLY EMERGENCY Michael Hingson, President, Michael Hingson Group; Novato, California 4:35 pm REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS 5:00 pm ADJOURN 5:30 - 6:30 pm?NOMINATING COMMITTEE De La Salle Room, West Wing 5:30 - 6:30 pm?NFB-LINK, OUR ONLINE MENTORING PROGRAM Affiliate Action Suite 2372 Come help us honor the over 250 mentors that are a part of NFB-LINK and learn how you can become a mentor, too. NFB-LINK is our online mentoring program, and by becoming a mentor, you will see how a little time on the computer can make a huge difference. Current and future mentors, please attend! 6:00 pm?NFB OF TEXAS BARBEQUE AND LIVE MUSIC Anatole Park Enjoy eating a delicious Texas-style barbeque with all of the trimmings while listening to the music of singer/songwriter/guitarist Brian Burns, with friends Tommy Alverson and Davin James. 6:00 - 8:00 pm?AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND INTRODUCES AccessWorld EVERY MONTH AND NEW ONLINE COMMUNITY RESOURCES Peacock Terrace, West Wing You are invited to our informational reception. Announcing AFB AccessWorld, every month?more authors, more information, more often. CareerConnect, FamilyConnect, and SeniorSite offer newly-expanded opportunities. Network with families, seniors, and successful mentors. We look forward to meeting you. TUESDAY, JULY 6, Continued 6:00 - 9:00 pm?DEAFBLIND DIVISION BUSINESS MEETING & ELECTIONS Obelisk B Room, Atrium mezzanine 6:00 pm?Registration; 7:00 pm?Meeting begins Burnell Brown, President 6:30 - 8:00 pm?MUSIC TECH WORKSHOP Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine Conducted by Cameron Strife; presented by the NFB Performing Arts Division 6:30 - 9:00 pm?COLORADO CENTER FOR THE BLIND OPEN HOUSE Topaz Room, Tower lobby Discover how good training can change your life. Julie Deden, Director 7:00 - 8:00 pm?ASTRONOMY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS (Ages 6-14) Morocco Room, Tower mezzanine Fun-filled astronomy-related activities in an out-of-this-world workshop! Instructor: Noreen Grice 7:00 - 8:30 pm?BOOKSHARE AT NFB MEMBER PARTY Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine Enjoy snacks and refreshments while meeting the Bookshare staff. This is your opportunity to talk with us and share your ideas; we?re here to listen. Plan to have fun with contests, drawings, and interacting with your fellow members. We look forward to seeing you. 7:00 - 8:30 pm?NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS IEP Workshop for Beginners Madrid Room, Tower mezzanine Focusing on evaluations, goals, strategies, and the law. Instructor: Carlton Walker Getting to Yes Manchester Room, Tower mezzanine Getting the team to work together so that it benefits your child. Instructor: Dan Frye Tactile Maps and the Development of Spatial Awareness Milan Room, Tower mezzanine Exploring ways to promote the development of spatial awareness. Instructor: Debbie Kent Stein TUESDAY, JULY 6, Continued 7:00 - 9:00 pm?NFB KRAFTERS DIVISION BUSINESS MEETING Fleur-de-lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine Unveiling new craft initiatives, including discussion on classes available via telephone conference and information on our Monday night nationwide chats. We are seeking teachers and students for crafting classes. Joyce Kane, President 7:00 - 9:00 pm?LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES SEMINAR: MOVING LEGISLATION ON THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine Each affiliate should send one representative. Learn the best methods of increasing support for our legislative priorities. Changing lives through laws is our business. Led by Jesse Hartle, Lauren McLarney, and Ronza Othman 7:00 - 10:00 pm?A SPECIAL EVENING FOR SPONSOR-LEVEL EXHIBITORS Khmer Pavilion, Atrium, Third Level The exhibit hall reopens for an evening dedicated solely to sponsor-level exhibitors. Come and bring a guest to say ?thank you? to our sponsors and to enjoy their interesting offers and demonstrations. Our convention sponsors are: Title: Deque Systems, Inc.; Platinum: HumanWare and UPS; Gold: Freedom Scientific and Oracle; Silver: Adobe; Bronze: National Industries for the Blind (NIB); and Exhibit Hall: En-Vision America, GW Micro, Inc., Independence Science, LLC, Independent Living Aids (ILA), Intel Corporation, Olympus, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D), Sendero Group, and Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 7:00 - 10:00 pm?THE BEST THROWBACK PARTY AND DANCE EVER! NFB YOUTH TRACK (Ages 14-18) Metropolitan Ballroom, Tower mezzanine Choose your favorite decade and come dressed in your best digs. Compete in hula hoop contests, learn the ?YMCA,? or show us your best moon walk while dressed as the late Michael Jackson in the 80?s. Prizes will be given to the best-dressed or most creative throwback participants. 8:00 - 9:00 pm?BEP: U.S. CURRENCY IDENTIFICATION FOCUS GROUP Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine Representatives of the U.S. Dept. of the Treasury?s Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) and the Office of Product Development provide an update on BEP?s progress to provide blind individuals with access to U.S. currency and discuss concepts it is currently testing. (Session Two: Wednesday at 7:00 pm.) TUESDAY, JULY 6, Continued 8:00 - 9:00 pm?PERFORMING ARTS DIVISION SEMINAR Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine A seminar on division development; discuss the future of the Performing Arts Division and ways to make it even better. Conducted by division board member, Jordy Stringer. Dennis H.R. Sumlin, President 8:30 - 9:30 pm?HOW TO HOLD A VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE IN SIX EASY STEPS Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine Learn how to plan and host a voter registration drive that will attract new members to your chapter and serve your local community. Coordinator: Lou Ann Blake, NFB Jernigan Institute 8:30 - 10:00 pm?NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS IEP Workshop for Veteran Parents Madrid Room, Tower mezzanine Instructor: Carlton Walker Testing and Accommodations Manchester Room, Tower mezzanine Instructors: Barbara Mathews and a representative of the College Board Adapting and Creating Useable Materials for Students Milan Room, Tower mezzanine Instructor: Pat Renfranz WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2010 8:00 - 8:45 am?DEVOTIONS Sapphire Room, Tower lobby 8:15 8:45 am?REGISTRATION ($20)?Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby GENERAL SESSION 9:00 am INVOCATION 9:05 am ELECTIONS 9:50 am THE APEX AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS AT HUMANWARE Gilles Pepin, Chief Executive Officer, HumanWare; Drummondville, Canada 10:10 am THE FAILURE OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE BLIND MARK RICCOBONO, Moderator; Executive Director, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute; Baltimore, Maryland SHEILA AMATO, Ed.D., University Teacher Trainer; Massapequa Park, New York NOREEN GRICE, Founder and President of You Can Do Astronomy, LLC; New Britain, Connecticut LAURA WEBBER, Secretary, National Organization of Parents of Blind Children; Houston, Texas ERIC VASILIAUSKAS, M.D., parent and advocate; Los Angeles, California 11:10 am ASSURING INTERNET ACCESSIBILITY Preety Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Deque Systems, Inc.; Reston, Virginia WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, Continued 11:30 am REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS 12:00 pm ADJOURN 12:00 noon 12:30 pm and 1:30 - 2:00 pm?REGISTRATION ($20) Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby 12:00 noon - 1:45 pm?INDEPENDENCE MARKET AND SHOWROOM OF INNOVATION (Final time period to be open)?Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby 12:00 noon 1:45 pm?EXHIBITS?Khmer Pavilion, Atrium, third level GENERAL SESSION 2:00 pm CALL TO ORDER 2:05 pm FINANCIAL REPORT 3:05 pm STRATEGIC INITIATIVES REPORT John Par?, Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland Jesse Hartle, Governmental Affairs Specialist, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland Lauren McLarney, Governmental Affairs Specialist, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland 3:35 pm REPORTS, RESOLUTIONS, AND OTHER BUSINESS 5:00 pm ADJOURN WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, Continued 7:00 - 8:00 pm?BEP: U.S. CURRENCY IDENTIFICATION FOCUS GROUP Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine Representatives of the U.S. Dept. of the Treasury?s Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) and the Office of Product Development provide an update on BEP?s progress to provide blind individuals with access to U.S. currency and discuss concepts it is currently testing. 7:00 - 8:15 pm?EXPERIENCE THE BLIO READER: MAKING THE WORLD?S BOOKS ENJOYABLE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE! Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine Presented by James Gashel 7:00 - 8:30 pm?NFB IMAGINATION FUND GRANT-WRITING SEMINAR Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine Each affiliate should send at least one representative to this seminar. Learn to plan, write, and submit a strong grant application; discover key points and strategies about how to identify appropriate funders and submit a winning proposal. Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute 7:00 - 9:00 pm?WHAT?S NEW WITH NFB-NEWSLINE? Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine Learn about the NFB?s free audible newspaper service for the blind and visually impaired. Topics cover Podable News, the new voices, the new on-demand article request feature, and more. Sign up for NFB-NEWSLINE? at its exhibit hall table. 7:00 9:00 pm??SOCIAL SECURITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME: WHAT APPLICANTS, ADVOCATES, AND RECIPIENTS SHOULD KNOW? SEMINAR Sapphire Room, Tower lobby Topics: Social Security and SSI benefits, including eligibility criteria, the application process, reporting obligations, and appeals process. Also get information on the Medicare prescription drug benefit income subsidy program. Presenter: Ronza Othman WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, Continued 7:00 10:00 pm?EXHIBITS?Khmer Pavilion, Atrium third level 7:00 - 11:00 pm?TENTH ANNUAL SHOWCASE OF TALENT?Fee: $5.00 Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby Register early by contacting Performing Arts Division leaders at the convention by Tuesday. Proceeds benefit the division?s scholarship program and other programs. Sponsored by the Performing Arts Division; Dennis H.R. Sumlin, President 7:00 - 11:00 pm?NON 24-HOUR SLEEP WAKE DISORDER SEMINAR Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine Circadian rhythm sleep disorders in totally blind people. Total loss of light perception prevents synchronization of circadian body clock rhythms to the 24-hour day, leading to cyclic insomnia and daytime napping. The causes of this sleep disorder and possible treatment options will be presented and discussed. 7:30 - 9:00 pm?INTRODUCTION TO ORACLE SIEBEL CALL CENTER Obelisk B Room, Atrium mezzanine Don Mauck, Accessibility Evangelist at Oracle, will demonstrate the accessibility features built into the Oracle Siebel Call Center. Oracle CRM products are used by more than 4,000 enterprises and more than 4.6 million business users; these enterprises represent potential employment opportunities for the blind. 8:00 - 9:00 pm?FRIENDS OF RECOVERY MEETING Library Room, Tower mezzanine All convention delegates involved in or interested in twelve-step recovery programs are invited to attend. Gary Ray, Coordinator 8:00 - 10:00 pm?COMMITTEE ON AUTOMOBILE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY (CAPS); Deborah Kent Stein, Chairperson Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine 8:00 - 10:00 pm?COMMITTEE ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine For the most part, technological developments tend to exclude blind people. Developers must change the ways future technologies are designed. Join us?perhaps you can suggest a technology or approach that nobody else has considered. Curtis Chong, Chairperson WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, Continued 8:00 - 11:30 pm?MONTE CARLO NIGHT Metropolitan Ballroom, Tower mezzanine Try your luck at any of the usual card games found on a casino floor. Sponsored by the National Association of Blind Students 8:30 - 9:45 pm?EXPERIENCE THE BLIO READER: MAKING THE WORLD?S BOOKS ENJOYABLE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE! Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine Presented by James Gashel THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2010 8:00 - 8:45 am?DEVOTIONS Sapphire Room, Tower lobby 8:15 8:45 am?REGISTRATION ($20)?Final opportunity to register. Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby GENERAL SESSION 9:00 am INVOCATION 9:05 am BUYING AND SELLING ONLINE: EBAY BUILDS ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE BLIND INTO ITS PLATFORM Dane Glasgow, Vice President, Buyer Experience Product Management, Ebay, Inc.; San Jose, California 9:20 am BRAILLE IS LITERACY Deane Blazie, Inventor; Hobe Sound, Florida 9:35 am EIGHTY-FOUR LANGUAGES AND GROWING Frank Kurt Cylke, Director, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress; Washington, D.C. David Fernandez-Barrial, Foreign Language Librarian, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress; Washington, D.C. 9:55 am QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION 10:00 am EDUCATING BLIND CHILDREN: CHANGING THE PARADIGM Fredric K. Schroeder, Ph.D.; Research Professor; San Diego State University; Vienna, Virginia 10:20 am TOWARD FULL EMPLOYMENT FOR BLIND AMERICANS Lynnae Ruttledge, Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, United States Department of Education; Washington, D.C. THURSDAY, JULY 8, Continued 10:35 am ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION FOR ALL, INCLUDING THE BLIND: MEETING THE STANDARD Jessica Finnefrock, Senior Vice President, Product Development, Blackboard; Washington, D.C. 10:50 am ACCESSIBLE DESIGN, A MODEL FOR THE FUTURE Steve Eastman, President, Target.com; Minneapolis, Minnesota 11:05 am LOCATION-BASED SERVICES USING BUS STOP AND GEOCODED MEDIA CONTENT Mike May, Chief Executive Officer, Sendero Group; Davis, California 11:20 am BLIND CAR BUILDER? WE?RE HERE TO TELL YOU! Marcus Simmons, Chief Executive Officer, Simmons BOSS CREATIONS; Southfield, Michigan 11:35 am REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS 12:00 pm ADJOURN 12:00 noon - 1:45 pm?HAM RADIO GROUP BUSINESS MEETING Milan Room, Tower mezzanine D. Curtis Willoughby (ka0vba), Chairperson 12:00 noon - 1:45 pm?RAFFLES AND DRAWINGS Sapphire Room, Tower lobby 12:15 - 1:45 pm?EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NLS Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine A question-and-answer session with Frank Kurt Cylke, Director, and staff of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress. THURSDAY, JULY 8, Continued GENERAL SESSION 2:00 pm CALL TO ORDER 2:05 pm COPYRIGHT AND THE RIGHT TO READ Marybeth Peters, Esq., Register of Copyrights, Library of Congress, Copyright Office; Washington, D.C. 2:20 pm THE FUTURE OF BOOKS AND BEYOND Ray Kurzweil, President and Chief Executive Officer, K-NFB Reading Technology, Inc.; Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 2:40 pm CALLING ALL DRIVERS: ADVANCING LEADERSHIP, COLLECTIVE ACTION, AND THE BOUNDARIES OF INDEPENDENCE Mark Riccobono, Executive Director, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute; Baltimore, Maryland 3:00 pm THE INTERFACE THAT TOUCHES THE MIND: ADVANCING BEYOND AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES Dennis Hong, Ph.D., Director, Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory, Virginia Polytechnic Institute; Blacksburg, Virginia 3:15 pm A PRACTICING BLIND PHYSICIAN Timothy Cordes M.D./Ph.D., Resident in Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics; Madison, Wisconsin 3:30 pm DR. JACOB BOLOTIN AWARD Gary Wunder, Chairperson, Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Committee, and Secretary, National Federation of the Blind; Columbia, Missouri 4:10 pm DISABILITY POLICY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President on Disability Policy; Washington, D.C. 4:25 pm REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS THURSDAY, JULY 8, Continued 5:00 pm ADJOURN 7:00 pm?BANQUET Chantilly Ballroom, Tower lobby INVOCATION MASTER OF CEREMONIES: Fredric K. Schroeder INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS BANQUET ADDRESS: Marc Maurer SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 11:00 pm?SCIENCE FICTION MEETING All persons interested in science fiction and fantasy are welcome to join in an open discussion. Please contact Ed Meskys for room location. Thank You... The National Federation of the Blind acknowledges with gratitude our Title, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Exhibit Hall Convention Sponsors below. Their messages follow. Title Sponsor: Deque Systems, Inc. Platinum Sponsors: HumanWare UPS Gold Sponsors: Freedom Scientific Oracle Silver Sponsor: Adobe Bronze Sponsor: National Industries for the Blind (NIB) Exhibit Hall Sponsors: En-Vision America GW Micro, Inc. Independence Science, LLC Independent Living Aids (ILA) Intel Corporation Olympus Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) Sendero Group Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. David Andrews: dandrews at visi.com Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920