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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>This convention highlight message focuses on topics for students and parents.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Please note that October 8 is the deadline for our hotel room block and for discounted pre-registration pricing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Friday Night Student Dinner Party- Join the Virginia student division leaders and members for fellowship with old and new friends to kick off the convention weekend. Open and free to all students over the age of 14.<span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Student Meet & Greet- If you are a student of any age, this evening item is for you! Think interactive icebreakers, engaging discussion, and high energy programming all in one session! Join students across the Commonwealth to share, learn, and grow until late hours of the evening.<span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Friday evening Cookie Social for Families of Blind Children- Calling all blind kids ages 0-13, siblings and parents! Join us for cookies and drinks and a chance to meet other families from across the state. Bring any Braille or large print books your child no longer needs and pick up some free books from our free Braille book exchange table. (Email bsellers31@gmail.com with questions and any food allergies we need to be aware of.)<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>Saturday Morning General Session Presentation <a name="_Hlk493365836">- </a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk493365836'>Advocating for Our Children: Addressing Our Kid’s Needs. Beth Sellers, President, Virginia Organization of Parents of Blind Children</span>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Saturday Virginia Parents of Blind Children Luncheon and Business Meeting- <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Grab the boxed lunch or bring your own, but please join us for our business meeting and parents lunch. Our lunch hour is an informal roundtable conversation for parents of children of all ages with low vision, blindness, deaf-blindness, and multiple disabilities. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Saturday Student Luncheon and Virginia Association of Blind Students Business Meeting- Students are the leaders of tomorrow. During our annual luncheon, our members will elect the officers and board members for the upcoming year, as well as reflect and brainstorm on the work of our statewide division. Preregister online for the $8 lunch by October 25.<span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Saturday Afternoon Student Seminar: Surpassing Our Limitations - Every blind student faces barriers; and every blind student overcomes obstacles. But not every blind student has a nationwide network of role models who conquered greatness given society’s limitations. During this seminar, you will be introduced to successful and ambitious blind professionals and students, confident and independent throughout their lives. This afternoon will afford all students with an opportunity to ask questions, learn from others, and engage in hands-on activities to learn how to excel in and out of the classroom.<span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><a name="_Hlk494865073">Saturday Afternoon Parent Track: Encouraging Success in All Ages and Stages </a>- Join us as we dig into resources that are available in Virginia to promote success for blind children and young adults in all stages of development. Topics discussed will include IEPs, Transition, and Community Based Services through DD Waiver.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><o:p> </o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Project RISE Open House for Virginia students and parents - Learn more about Project RISE, meet our team and ask your questions. <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'> <span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The Saturday Evening Banquet is a highlight of the convention featuring an inspiring address from National Federation of the Blind Second Vice President, Ron Brown. <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>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<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>You will want to act today to book your hotel reservation and pre-register for the lowest prices.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Details on convention registration and hotel reservations can be found at:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="http://www.nfbv.org/convention/">http://www.nfbv.org/convention/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy Soforenko<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>202 285-4595<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfb.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfb.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbv.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbv.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>