[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2070

Sun Apr 12 20:30:18 UTC 2026

April 12, 2026

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: 2070

Dear Federation Family,

I returned Thursday evening from the American Printing House (APH) where I
completed my third year serving on the Trustee Advisory Committee (TAC) to
APH. The Act to Promote the Education of the Blind of 1879, most often
referred to as "The Act" requires an advisory committee made up of ex
officio trustees. This committee has taken several forms over the years,
once being three separate committees. Under Dr. Meador's leadership, the TAC
is one committee made up of ex officio trustee and APH scholars. The work is
important, intense and intentional. Senior Director of Outreach, Dr. Leanne
Grillot, is masterful at extracting the advice from the TAC needed to move
APH priorities forward in the way needed by the field of blind and low
vision education. I can report that the Monarch has many new apps that will
be available soon and this is exciting! I am glad to be back in South
Carolina!

The April Braille Monitor is out with inspiring stories from blind people in
our movement and important updates on national advocacy efforts. Here are
some articles that will benefit our members who read them.

*	The Continued Fight to Protect Section 504 and the Integration
Mandate - Very important update on where we are with this topic.
*	My Walk with Astronomy as a Blind Scientist - Promotes STEM for
blind students
*	Friendship in Action: Nyal McConoughey's Story - Highlights past
advocacy efforts and our Museum of the Blind People's Movement.
*	A Troubling Tragedy in Buffalo - Please read for your information.
It is a very sad story.
*	From the UK to the USA: Moving Forward Together - An inspirational
story of success.

There are other articles as well, but this is a flavor of this issue.

The Doubletree by Hilton is now accepting reservations for the National
Federation of the Blind of South Carolina State Convention being held August
13-16, 2026. The Cost of the rooms are as follows: singles and doubles -
$134; triples - $144 and quads - 154 plus applicable taxes and fees.
Breakfast is included with the cost of your room. You may book online at
<https://hil.tn/lkz9ef> https://hil.tn/lkz9ef. You may also call
800-445-8667 and give the code 917 to link to our room block. The cutoff for
these special rates is Thursday, July 22, 2026. Remember the following when
booking your room:

*	The first night's stay will be charged at time of booking.
*	When checking in, a hold will be placed on the card used for the
entire stay.
*	There is a $50 per night hold for incidentals.

It is strongly recommended that a credit card be used for this stay. Using a
debit card means that the funds in your checking account will have these
holds placed on them as well.

National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Fundraiser

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is hosting a
fundraiser through the National Convention Sponsorship Fund to support
members needing assistance with their stay at the National Convention in
Austin, Texas in July 2026, offering participants a chance to win a $500
Marriott gift card to help cover hotel expenses. Tickets are available at
$20 for one ticket, $35 for two tickets, or $60 for three tickets plus two
additional free tickets for a total of five. The drawing will be held on
Sunday, June 21 at 7:00 PM on the NFB of South Carolina Zoom platform. This
is a digital ticket, and the winner does not need to be present to win;
participants must provide their name and phone number when purchasing
tickets so they can be contacted if selected, with all information submitted
to  <mailto:fundraising at nfbofsc.org> fundraising at nfbofsc.org. Payments
should be sent via PayPal to  <mailto:NFBSouthCarolina at gmail.com>
NFBSouthCarolina at gmail.com with "Marriott Gift Card" in the memo field.
Proceeds support efforts to help members offset lodging costs associated
with attending the National Convention.

Parents of Blind Children - This One's for You! - Sonia Timmons

We're thrilled to open applications for the 2026 NOPBC Duffy Fund, giving
selected families a free five-night hotel stay to attend the National
Federation of the Blind National Convention in Austin, TX! If you've ever
wanted to experience the power of NOPBC programming, connect with other
families, and be part of the largest gathering of blind people in the world.
this is your moment. Apply April 1-May 1, 2026 at
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6yBGEcro1UWuOQ6YeHPOqLFSIHQlgadU
Xujn_s1J1cKynfg/viewform>
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6yBGEcro1UWuOQ6YeHPOqLFSIHQlgadUX
ujn_s1J1cKynfg/viewform. July 2-7, Austin, TX. Learn more, apply today, and
join us in building confidence, community, and opportunity!

>From the Fundraising Committee

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina invites members to
advance their leadership journey through the National Convention Sponsorship
Fund, which provides financial support to help offset the cost of attending
the National Convention while promoting growth, leadership development, and
active participation in the organization. Selected recipients are expected
to represent the organization professionally, actively engage in convention
activities, contribute to fundraising efforts, attend General Sessions, and
work at least two assigned areas such as the NFB of South Carolina
Fundraising Table, the Independence Market, or Talking Signs, and later
share their experience at the NFB of SC Annual State Convention. Applicants
must submit a completed application, a written essay, and a letter of
recommendation from their Chapter President, with all materials sent to
<mailto:fundraising at nfbofsc.org> fundraising at nfbofsc.org by April 30, 2026,
at 11:59 PM EDT, with no exceptions.

2026 NFB of SC Student Scholarships

Spring Break is here, and the 2026 NFB of SC Scholarship Program is now
open. The state convention will be held August 13-16, 2026, and all
application materials must be submitted by 11:59 PM EDT on June 20, 2026. As
in recent years, the committee will select the top three applicants, who
will be notified about one month before the convention. The updated
application is available online at  <http://www.nfbofsc.org>
www.nfbofsc.org.

Please remember that the scholarship program is funded entirely by
donations. If you or your chapter would like to sponsor a scholarship or
contribute to the Dorothy C. Barksdale Metro Fund, contact Shannon Cook at
803-605-4250 or via e-mail at  <mailto:scholarships at nfbofsc.org>
scholarships at nfbofsc.org. Finally, help us spread the word-if you or someone
you know is enrolled full time in school, encourage them to apply.

National Convention Registration Now Open

Early bird registration for the National Convention is now open. Go to
<https://www.nfb.org/convention> https://www.nfb.org/convention to register.
The cost is $25 and banquet tickets are $85 for those who plan to attend the
banquet.

Things to Remember:

*        NFB of SC National Convention Fund applications close on April 30,
2026.

*        POBC National Convention Family Scholarship applications due by May
1, 2026.

*        National Convention Early Bird Registration closes on May 31, 2026.

*        NFB of SC Student Scholarship applications due by 11:59 PM on June
20, 2026.

*        NFB of SC Fundraiser ends on June 21, 2026.

*        Hotel reservations and Early Bird Registration for the NFB of SC
State Convention ends on July 22, 2026.

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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