[NFBV-Announce] NFBV23 Why You Should Chart Your Course to Williamsburg for November 2-5

Sun Oct 8 02:09:53 UTC 2023

We want to raise your expectations for yourself and for what you can get
from investing a weekend with a community committed to helping us thrive.

We offer:

*	Inspiring presentations
*	Self-advocacy and debate
*	self defense classes by the blind for the blind
*	first aid Class taught by blind people for blind people.
*	Advocating for yourself as a parent and caregiver to others
*	Providing a community for sighted partners to connect with each
other.
*	Hands on techniques you can bring home with you to be independent
and successful.
*	The latest technology you can touch.
*	Networking opportunities that might help you land that next job. 
*	Techniques to advance your career.
*	A warm and welcoming community
*	New friends

Invest in yourself and join us in Williamsburg.

Thursday, November 2

*	Welcome Dinner - Please join us to kick off the convention in this
first networking opportunity.
*	Immersive History: A Celebration of Our Rich History and Culture -
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee welcomes you to an evening
program of interactive dance, music, and storytelling from the colonial
error to the present. Learn dance and music from across the centuries and
hear dynamic stories from guests and members alike. Dress comfortably
because we will be moving, grooving, and laughing. 

Friday, November 3

*	General Session starts at 9:00 AM, and our opening ceremonies will
officially kick off this year's convention. Claim your seat early in case
you're among the first to claim a door prize!
*	What We accomplish as a national organization Together - We're doing
remarkable things in Virginia, but did you also know we're making a
tremendous impact across the country? Learn about our national
accomplishments from our national representative, Donald Porterfield,
President. National Federation of the Blind of Arizona.

Friday afternoon Seminars or tours: We are providing tempting choices on
Friday afternoon including:

*	An accessible tour of Colonial Williamsburg
*	Getting to your Destination: How Orientation & Mobility Techniques
and new Assistive Technology can help you along your journey.
*	Learn First Aid - Our first aid class taught by blind instructors
who are certified to teach first aid. Learn the skills to protect your
family and your community. This class is limited to the first 20 class
registrants who write to Christine Grassman cfgrassman at icloud.com
<mailto:cfgrassman at icloud.com> .
*	Exhibit Hall and Low Vision Resource Fair - Discover the latest in
emerging assistive technology! - Why read about interesting gadgets when you
could experience them? Why take our word for excellent services across
Virginia when you could talk directly to the people who offer them? This and
a lot more at our exhibit hall/Low Vision Resource Fair.

*	Friday Night Williamsburg Hospitality - Immerse yourself in our
evening celebration organized by our host chapter. Let down your hair and
join us for this energetic celebration!
*	Public Meeting on DBVI Divisions, Programs and Services - As one of
our key partners, it's always a pleasure to hear from senior members of the
Virginia DBVI leadership. Bring your questions and comments. Let your voice
be heard!

Saturday, November 4

*	Learn what is possible from various success stories as part of our
morning general session.
*	Meet DBVI Commissioner Mitchell - Come hear all about his plans for
blind Virginians.
*	Careers in the Legal Field workshop - Meet successful blind and low
vision attorneys and others in the legal field as we discover ways to help
each other.
*	Succeeding In the Job - A Self Advocacy Toolkit - This Saturday
afternoon interactive seminar will address techniques to get hired and
succeed and even thrive in your workplace. Each of these transitions require
that you are an advocate for your needs without becoming "that person."
Learn from your peers and practice techniques that will help you take that
next step on your journey. 
*	Attend one of two accessible self-defense classes but sign up in
advance by emailing Nathan Green at 

 <mailto:ngreenseed at gmail.com> ngreenseed at gmail.com

*	First Time convention reception - if this is your first convention,
we want to Meet you and address your questions. President Soforenko and a
select set of leaders will hold a reception exclusively for first time
attendees. Learn about the Federation and our positive philosophy on
blindness, understand how you can better tap the broad Federation network,
and simply get to know some of our leaders and other first timers.
*	Blind Parents meet Up - Blind Parents, grandparents, or really
anyone who likes kids enough to ever take care of them at all, this truly is
your year at convention. Unchartered territory! Attacking the elephant in
the room! How do we as blind child Caregivers effectively demonstrate and
explain to naysayers how we perform everyday childcare tasks, while keeping
the kids, enriched, and most importantly, safe. as grandparents, aunts and
uncles, babysitters, and even blind spouses, how do we effectively,
concisely explain the alternative techniques we use? Just as two parents
utilize different strategies to accomplish the same childcare task, blind
parents use equally effective, alternative techniques.  

This year, the Virginia blind parents group will be addressing these issues
throughout the weekend in a program we are calling Building Confidence
Through Parenting Partnerships. This promises to be an informative,
productive, and empowering weekend!  don't miss it.

*	Sighted Spouse/Partner Meet Up - Share and learn techniques and
strategies to support your loved one while ensuring their independence and
your own sanity.

*	Banquet - The Saturday Evening Banquet is a highlight of the
convention featuring an inspiring address from Donald Porterfield, President
of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona, 

Sunday, November 5

*	Federation Town Hall with Donald Porterfield and Tracy Soforenko
*	Participate in the work of our movement by helping us set policy.

The National Federation of the Blind of Virginia Convention combines
excellent networking with positive blind role models, fellowship with old
and new friends across the Commonwealth, and some of the best presentations
on topics important to the blind of Virginia.

You will want to act before October 12 to book your hotel reservation and
register for our convention registration and meals.

Details on convention registration and hotel reservations can be found at:

https://nfbv.org/convention

Have questions? Email help at nfbv.org <mailto:help at nfbv.org>  and we will get
your questions answered.

We look forward to seeing you in Williamsburg.

Tracy Soforenko

President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

202 285-4595

 <mailto:Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com> Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com

 <http://www.nfb.org> www.nfb.org

 <http://www.nfbv.org> www.nfbv.org

National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want

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

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20231007/de569696/attachment.html>