[NFB-Conventions] Time is Running Out

[Mike Robinson via New-York-News]

The 63rd annual convention of the National 
Federation of the Blind of New York State is fast 
approaching. Get your reservations in TODAY.

Join us on October 18 – 20, 2019 at the Holiday 
Inn Buffalo Airport for this fun and “motivating” event.


You Are Cordially Invited to Attend
The 63nd Convention of the National Federation of the Blind
Of New York State
“Be Motivated”
The National Federation of the Blind of New York 
State will hold its sixty-third annual convention 
in Buffalo, NY, from October 18-20, 2019.  Please 
join us as we strive to build a network of 
expertise and encouragement among blind New 
Yorkers and work together to make a positive 
difference in the lives of blind people across New York State.
Who Are We?
The NFB of NYS is an organization of blind and 
visually impaired New Yorkers who believe that, 
with the appropriate training, attitude, and 
opportunities, blind people can Live the Lives We 
Want.  NFB of NYS brings blind people together to 
support and learn from one another and to 
celebrate our achievements as we work together to 
improve the lives of the blind of New York.
Our Convention Agenda
It is our pleasure to welcome back, as our 
National Representative, Mr. Anil Lewis, 
Executive Director of Blindness Initiatives of 
the National Federation of the Blind.  We will be 
privileged to hear him share information about 
the ongoing work of the Federation nationwide.
The theme of this year’s convention will be “Be 
Motivated”.  Our speakers and panel discussions 
will highlight ideas and tools that will inspire 
us to grow, both as individuals and as 
Federationists.  We hope everyone will come away 
from convention feeling refreshed, rejuvenated 
and motivated to take the next steps on our 
personal journeys and to advance the work of the 
Federation in each of our communities.
On Friday, October 18, the day will be filled 
with break-out sessions and small group 
meetings.  Among these will be the annual 
seminars of the various divisions of the NFB of 
NYS.  These will include our Seniors Division, 
our Student Division, Guide Dog Division, Blind 
Parents Group, and our Parents of Blind Children 
Division.  There will also be seminars on Small 
Business and ABLE Accounts.  These meetings are 
interactive and open to all convention attendees, so please stop by!
Also, on Friday, we will host a town hall style 
meeting with Brian Daniels, Associate 
Commissioner of the New York State Commission for 
the Blind.  Everyone is welcome to attend our 
board meeting where, among other things, the 
winners of our 2019 NFB of NYS scholarships will 
introduce themselves.  Convention attendees are 
encouraged to explore our exhibit hall, where the 
latest technology will be on display and 
information pertinent to our community will be 
shared. In the evening, join us for our 
hospitality event!  Meet and mingle with other 
Federation members in a relaxed atmosphere of food and fellowship.
All day Saturday the general sessions of the 
convention will provide us with the opportunity 
to hear presentations on topics that are 
important to blind people across New York and across the nation.
The excitement will continue during Our Saturday 
evening banquet, with an address by our keynote 
speaker, Mr. Anil Lewis, auctions, and prize 
giveaways.   The banquet will come to a dramatic 
close with the presentation of our 2019 NFB of NYS scholarships.
Please see the “special notes” later in this letter.
On Sunday morning we will hold our annual 
business meeting to chart our course for the 
coming year. We will also consider the 
resolutions that the Convention deems vital for 
our future as we review and update our 
organization’s policy goals. We will hear Chapter 
and Division reports from around the state. We 
will then return home, revitalized and ready to 
Live the Lives We Want, and to share our 
experiences and our learning with other blind members of our communities.
Reservations, Room Rates and Registration
This year’s convention will be held in Buffalo, 
at the Holiday Inn, 4600 Genesee Street, 
Cheektowaga, NY 14225. Please make all hotel 
reservations through the NFB of NYS office, by 
visiting 
<http://www.nfbny.org/conventions/register>www.nfbny.org/conventions/register 
and completing our online registration form, or 
by filling out the attached registration form and 
returning it to the affiliate office.   Room 
rates this year are $104 per night, including doubles and quads.
Using the same registration form, you will also 
be able to purchase your banquet ticket ($30) and 
pay your $15 convention registration fee.  To 
make eating on the go easy during this fun and 
event-packed weekend, we also offer the option to 
purchase boxed lunches both Friday and Saturday, 
which can be ordered for $12 each when you 
register.  All payments including the hotel room 
must be made through the NFB of New York. A five 
percent discount will be given to anyone who registers by October 1, 2019.
Limited financial assistance may be available 
through NFB of NYS to attend the convention.  For 
information, please contact the President of NFB 
of NYS, Mike Robinson, (716-222-3632) for more information.
Free childcare will be provided during all our 
events. Pre-registration for this service is required by October 1.
Please call the office at 716-222-3632 with any 
questions regarding this year’s convention.
The convention is shaping up to be a tremendous 
event.  Come to Buffalo and share in the 
excitement.  I look forward to seeing everyone there.
                      Mike Robinson, President NFB of New York

SPECIAL NOTES
    * The Commission for the Blind Town Hall 
Meeting will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 am on Friday, October 18th.
    * The Board of Director’s Meeting will be 
held from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm on Friday October 18th.
    * Join us on the evening of Friday, October 
18th at 7:00 pm for our Autumn-Themed Hospitality 
event!  There will be Family Feud between 
Chapters, A talent showcase, and more. 
Refreshments will be served!  All are welcome.

    * Transportation from the Buffalo airport and 
the Depew Amtrak train station to the hotel is 
simple this year.  The Holiday Inn offers a 
shuttle to and from both these locations. If you 
will be traveling to Buffalo by bus, you can 
still take advantage of the hotel shuttle by 
purchasing a fare with the Buffalo airport as its 
destination, and then arranging to take the hotel 
shuttle from there.  The phone number for the 
hotel to arrange a shuttle is 716-634-6969.
    * Are you interested in working for 
yourself?  Perhaps you have considered 
self-employment as a career option, or perhaps 
you have considered owning your own business. but 
have faced obstacles to achieving your goal.  Or 
perhaps you have had difficulty finding 
employment in the traditional workplace and would 
like to find out if self-employment or business 
ownership is a viable option for you.  Or maybe 
you are already self-employed or are a business 
owner.  Whatever your interest in self-employment 
or business ownership, bring your lunch and join 
us to discuss the types of opportunities 
available, to share our experiences with 
self-employment and business ownership, to 
identify barriers to successful self-employment 
or business ownership opportunities for the 
Blind, and to explore the interest in having a 
group focusing on self-employment opportunities 
and/or the development of self-employment/business ownership training program.
    * Do you have an old, Unused or broken cane 
laying around?  We are collecting canes to be 
rehabbed and sent to third-world countries where 
they will be put in the hands of people who might 
not otherwise have access to a cane.
    * What is an ABLE account?  How can it help 
me? How do I start one? Why should I have 
one?  All these questions and more can be 
answered by attending a free seminar on Saturday 
October 19 from 12:15 until 1:45. Pick up your 
box or takeout lunch and check your agenda for 
the location.  Financial professionals from AXA 
Advisors will be presenting regarding ABLE 
Accounts and answering all your questions.
    * Are you a diabetic? Do you have questions 
about diabetes that you haven't been able to get 
answered? Come and join us on Friday afternoon as 
the Diabetic Action Network exchanges ideas and 
information. Let’s tackle the challenges of diabetes together!




Mike Robinson, President
National Federation of the Blind of New York State, Inc.
2175 Sheridan Drive
Buffalo, New York 14223

716-222-3632
716-222-3NFB

“The National Federation of the Blind knows that 
blindness is not the characteristic that defines 
you or your future. Every day we raise the 
expectations of blind people, because low 
expectations create obstacles between blind 
people and our dreams. You can live the life you 
want; blindness is not what holds you back.”