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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>2023 National Convention Agenda | National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>document<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Skip to main content<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>banner<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind. Click to return to Homepage.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>navigation region<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list of 1 items<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Log In<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list end<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>navigation region end<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>navigation region<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list of 2 items<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Donate<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Join Us<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list end<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>navigation region end<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list of 2 items<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Search<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Menu<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list end<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>banner end<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>main region<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2023 National Convention Agenda<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>article<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Welcome to the 83rd Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Mark A. Riccobono, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Baltimore, Maryland 21230<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>John Berggren, Chairman<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Convention Organization and Activities<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Norma Crosby, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Texas<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Hilton Americas-Houston<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1600 Lamar Street<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Houston, Texas 77010<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(713) 739-8000<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Welcome!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Welcome to the world’s largest gathering of the organized blind, the National Federation of the Blind’s annual convention, where expectations are raised<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and lives literally transformed. This is our second attempt at returning to Houston after what has now been more than fifty years. Our plans were thwarted<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>by the pandemic in 2020, but I can assure you that our eighty-third convention will be well worth the wait.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Once again, Federationists will come together to showcase the power and strength of our movement, to celebrate, to inspire, and to be inspired. More than<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>just a list of the myriad of sessions you can attend, the agenda contains a wealth of information about the week including our community expectations of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>one another; a description of the hotel layout; and hours for the presidential and host affiliate suites, the exhibit hall, and the Independence Market.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Read thoroughly and plan your week. Take every opportunity to explore, make new friends, and live the life you want at #NFB23.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Rookie Roundup<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>All first-time convention attendees are cordially invited to attend an event from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 1, in Lanier Grand Ballroom A and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>D. President Riccobono and other Federation leaders will be on hand to welcome you to the convention and preview the week’s activities. Veteran conventioneers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>should encourage all first-timers to attend this special event. We cannot wait to welcome you! In anticipation, check out our First Timer’s Guide at <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guide.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Inclusivity, Diversity, and Code of Conduct<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are committed to providing a welcoming, safe, and healthy environment for everyone. Thank you for cultivating an atmosphere of mutual respect in which<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>participants from diverse backgrounds can learn, network, and share with each other. We are committed to diversity, equity, and the free expression of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>ideas. These principles have been outlined in our Code of Conduct found at <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>https://nfb.org/codeofconduct.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We recognize a shared responsibility to create and uphold that atmosphere for the benefit of all. Prohibited behaviors include harassment, retaliation,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and sexual misconduct. Prohibited behavior will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the convention and/or other consequences. To report an<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>incident at the convention, please call 410-659-9314, extension 2475, or email <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>code@nfb.org.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Formal reports can be submitted at <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>https://nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct/report-form.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>All formal reports will be fully investigated according to the steps in our Code of Conduct. For support or guidance, connect with our Survivors Group<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>at <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>survivors@nfb.org<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> or extension 2238 during the convention hours listed in this agenda. Thank you for your commitment to the safety and support of the blind community.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Convention Registration<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Registration activities take place on Level 4 of the Hilton in the pre-function area outside the Lanier Grand Ballroom beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At 9:00 a.m. on Sunday and at other times as listed throughout the week, registration activities will be located at the Level 4 registration desk by the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>elevators nearest the convention center. All convention attendees (both local and from out of town) are asked to register. Those who registered for convention<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>online may pick up their registration packets in the area designated “Preregistration.” Those who did not register online can do so at the area designated<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Registration.” Please have your payment method ready as you approach the cashier. Convention registration is a requirement for door prize eligibility<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and a number of other convention activities. We condition rates for hotel rooms on proof of registration, including the showing of an NFB registration<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>badge, if requested.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Exhibit Hall and Independence Market<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Exhibit Hall and the NFB Independence Market are located in the Ballroom of the Americas on Level 2.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Exhibit Hall hours of operation are:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list of 4 items<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Monday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Tuesday Noon to 1:45 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Wednesday Noon to 1:45 p.m. (final opportunity to visit the Exhibit Hall)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list end<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Independence Market hours of operation are:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list of 4 items<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Monday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Tuesday Noon to 1:45 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Wednesday Noon to 1:45 p.m. (final opportunity to visit the Market)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list end<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Presidential and Host Affiliate Suites<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Presidential Suite and the Host Affiliate’s Suite are open during much of the convention. All are welcome to come to these suites to visit. Appointments<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to meet with President Riccobono may be made at the Presidential Suite. The Presidential and Host Affiliate Suites will be open during the following times:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list of 7 items<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Friday 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Monday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Tuesday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Noon to 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Wednesday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Noon to 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and Noon to 2:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list end<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Suite numbers will be shared via social media, posted in the convention mobile app, announced at the board meeting, and publicized in a number of other<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>ways.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Survivor Safe Space<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As a part of our ongoing efforts to provide safety, support, and inclusion within the National Federation of the Blind, the Blind Survivors Group is providing<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>a safe space for survivors and individuals who have been impacted or harmed by sexual misconduct and other forms of abuse within the NFB and affiliated<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>programs/events. We welcome you to drop in for confidential peer support, to discuss questions/concerns about ongoing safety and support measures within<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the NFB, and to access resources for additional support. The safe space, in meeting room 331 on Level 3, will be available Saturday through Thursday from<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>5:00 to 6:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you are not able to participate in the survivors’ safe space and need additional support or have further questions during the convention, you may email<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>survivors@nfb.org<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> or call 410-659-9314, extension 2238. A member of the Blind Survivors Group will respond to calls within four hours of the time of your message between<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. during the week of convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>