[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2023

Mon May 19 01:47:29 UTC 2025

May 18, 2025

Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents &
Others

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

843-939-8091  president at nfbofsc.org <mailto:president at nfbofsc.org> 

Positive Note 2023

Dear Federation Family,

Thursday, May 15th, 2025 was  Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD).
GAAD is observed each year on the third Thursday of May and highlights the
need for digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities. This day
raises awareness about the importance of creating technology-such as
websites, apps, and devices-that everyone can use. This includes people who
are blind, deaf, or have physical or learning disabilities. GAAD encourages
designers, developers, and companies to think about accessibility when
building digital tools. By improving access, we create a more inclusive
world.

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Board of Directors
met at the Federation Center on Saturday, May 17, 2025 to take up the agenda
for the second quarter. Information was shared about the upcoming state
convention, reports were provided by the secretary and treasurer as well as
from Successful Transitions and others. There was significant discussion
about the Texas vs. Kennedy lawsuit and Janice bright updated the board on
the most recent happenings. It was a meeting that covered a lot of ground
and I appreciate all who attended including guests. A special thanks to
Isaiah Nelson and his helpers, Glenda Culick and Gerald McMurray, for
preparing sandwiches for those in attendance.

>From Steve Cook

The registration link for the NFB of SC 2025 State Convention is now
available! All you need to do is go to www.nfbofsc.org
<http://www.nfbofsc.org>  and look for the heading "2025 National Federation
of the Blind of South Carolina State Convention Registration." Read all of
the information before you click on the link to access the registration
form. Let me know if you have any questions about filling out the form. I
will be glad to assist people in filling out the form if you contact me at
803-260-1292. Even if you do not plan to pay with PayPal, you can still fill
out your registration information using the online form.

Palmetto Convention Grants

The 2025 Palmetto Convention Grant offers three $200 awards to help
first-time in-person members attend the National Federation of the Blind of
South Carolina state convention. To qualify, applicants must be dues-paying
members in good standing, registered for the convention and hotel, and must
submit a completed application packet by 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2025. The
application must include a personal letter explaining the applicant's goals
and background with the NFB, and a letter of recommendation from an NFB of
SC chapter or division president. All materials should be emailed as
attachments to secretary at nfbofsc.org <mailto:secretary at nfbofsc.org>  and
preferably typed for accessibility. Contact Shannon Cook via e-mail or via
telephone at 803-605-4250 with questions or for additional information.

>From Andrew Adams, President of the Columbia Chapter

The Columbia Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South
Carolina is hosting a Car Wash and Hot Dog Plate fundraiser on Saturday, May
31, 2025, from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Federation Center of the Blind in
Columbia. A hot dog plate with sides and a drink costs $15, and a car wash
is also $15. Get both for just $25. All proceeds support the chapter's work.
For details, contact Andrew Adams at 803-269-3803 or Tiffany Mitchell at
803-603-2098.

National Convention Hotel Reservations

The National Convention will take place July 8-13, 2025 in New Orleans,
Louisiana. The last day to make a reservation in the convention hotel with
discounted rate is May 31, 2025. Currently, there are no rooms in the New
Orleans Marriott. If you plan to attend and have not booked your room,
please do so as soon as possible. The overflow hotel is the Sheraton New
Orleans and you can reserve a room there by calling 855-516-1090. This year,
Janice Bright will assist NFB of SC members who are seeking a roommate to
defray expenses. Please reach out to her at 803-760-3717 or via e-mail at
ms.jlbright at gmail.com <mailto:ms.jlbright at gmail.com> . We appreciate
Janice's assistance with this convention item.

Register Today

Registration is open for the National Federation of the Blind National
Convention. The registration fee is $25. Get access to the latest
information as it is made available. Register for the 2025 National
Convention now! The registration link is
https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37855
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37855&qid=11045175> &qid=11045175.

NFB25 Virtual Experience

We are excited to offer opportunities for engagement and connection to
participants who are unable to attend the convention in-person. The Virtual
Experience registration fee is $10. Register for the 2025 National
Convention Virtual Experience at https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37857
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37857&qid=11045175> &qid=11045175.

NFB of SC Scholarship Application Open

Blind high school seniors, college, or graduate students enrolled full-time
can apply for the NFB of SC Scholarship. Applicants must be legally blind,
have good grades, show involvement in community or NFB activities, and plan
to attend college. Three winners are chosen each year and must attend the
state convention in Columbia, SC from August 14-17, 2025. Hotel and
registration costs are covered. Winners are announced at the Saturday
banquet. The deadline to apply is June 20, 2025. Apply online at
http://www.nfbofsc.org, where you'll find detailed instructions.

Call for Volunteers

We are seeking volunteers for the Independence Market at the 2025 National
Convention. Volunteers are needed for the following roles:

*	Demonstrators
*	Storekeepers
*	Line Marshals
*	Cashiers

Each volunteer will work a six-hour shift, split between a four-hour shift
(morning or afternoon) and a two-hour lunch shift. Storekeeper and cashier
shifts are longer to accommodate shift overlaps and the count-out procedure
at the end of each day.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact me at
president at nfbofsc.org <mailto:president at nfbofsc.org>  or by phone at
843-939-8091.

NFB of SC State Convention

I am excited to inform our affiliate that members wishing to make hotel
reservations for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
State Convention can now do so. The Doubletree by Hilton located at 2100
Bush River Road in Columbia, SC is the convention hotel for 2025. Singles
and doubles are $129 per night, triples are $139 per night and quads are
$149 per night, all plus applicable taxes. These rates include breakfast
coupons for the number of people in your room up to four individuals.
Reservations must be made by July 23, 2025. You may book online at
https://hil.tn/00qbnn or by calling Central Reservations at 866-247-3572.
When calling, ask for the National Federation of the Blind of SC Attendee
Block. Rooms are available between August 12 and 19, 2025 at these rates. We
will let you know when registration for the State Convention is available.

Children's camp

Rocky Bottom Children's Camp will take place from June 15 through June 21,
2025 for blind or low vision children ages 6 to 12. If you would like to
apply or get more information, please call Thom Spittle at 803-331-3344 or
email rockybottominfo at gmail.com <mailto:rockybottominfo at gmail.com> .

Things to remember

*	National Convention room reservations due by May 31, 2025
*	National Convention early registration due by May 31, 2025
*	NFB of SC Scholarship applications due by June 20, 2025
*	Palmetto Grant Scholarship applications due by June 30, 2025
*	NFB of SC hotel reservations and registration due by July 23, 2025

Marty

Marty R. McKenzie, President

National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina

119 S. Kilbourne Road

Columbia, SC 29205

Phone: 803-254-3777

Mobile: 843-939-8091

Website: www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org/>  

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