[Nfbf-l] Blind Driver Challenge coming to Daytona January 29

[Sherri]

To NFB members and friends,

As secretary of the NFB of Florida, I am writing to encourage all of you to 
read the below message and contact your chapter presidents or if you are not 
part of a chapter, contact me at flmom2006 at gmail.com by Monday December 20 
and let me know whether you would be interested in attending the Rolex 24 In 
Daytona on January 29, 2010. Our car which blind people will drive will be 
featured. The NFBF has agreed to purchase tickets for $30 per ticket, a 
substantial discount, for those "NFBF MEMBERS" who wish to attend, but 
because there is a substantial order fee associated, we want to make one 
large block order for the tickets.  We are also working with NFB on the 
feasibility of running buses from throughout the state to bring people to 
the event. The buses would pick people up on Friday January 28 at various 
points in the state and then return Sunday January 30. We are also trying to 
book rooms at the least expensive hotel. We are just formulating a proposal 
to bring to the National Office. Please read the information message below 
and if you can solidly commit to attending this event, contact your chapter 
president or send an e-mail to me preferably with the subject line Challenge 
Commitment. We want to make sure this is a well-attended event.
(Please see below)
----- Original Message ----- 

From: David Andrews

To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org

Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 5:42 PM

Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Start Your Engines at the Rolex 24 at 
Daytona!




  The National Federation of the Blind will soon hold the first public 
demonstration of work conducted under our Blind Driver Challenge initiative! 
In a few short months, we will debut our prototype nonvisual interface that 
will empower a blind person to drive a car without sighted assistance in 
front of tens of thousands of fans before the start of the Rolex 24 at 
Daytona!  We hope you'll join us at the Daytona International Speedway on 
January 29, 2011, for this historic occasion for the Federation!

  The Rolex weekend generates a lot of traffic in Daytona Beach.  In order 
to make it possible for our members to attend, we have negotiated special 
hotel rates and secured discounted ticket prices for the race.  Information 
regarding the hotel, event tickets, transportation, and more is below.

  Lodging:

  Discounted lodging has been negotiated at three adjacent hotel properties. 
A minimum stay of two nights for January 28-30, 2011 is required to take 
advantage of the discounted rate.  Prices listed are available as long as 
rooms are available under our block.

  1.     Plaza Ocean Club Hotel (640 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach): 
Rooms are available at a cost of $103 and $149 for ocean front rooms.  This 
will be the central location of activity; it is between the two hotels 
listed below, which are a quick walk away).  Meetings throughout the weekend 
will take place in the ballroom of this hotel.  To make a reservation, 
please call (386) 239-9800 and ask for the National Federation of the Blind 
pricing.

  2.     Plaza Resort and Spa (600 North Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach): 
Rooms are available at a cost of $129 and $169 for ocean front rooms.  This 
is an upscale hotel and there is an additional $12 resort fee for those who 
stay at this hotel.  To make a reservation, please call (386) 255-4471 and 
ask for the National Federation of the Blind pricing.

  3.     Conch House (700 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach):  Rooms are 
available at a cost of $49 and $59 for ocean front rooms.  We negotiated 
this less-expensive option for those who are working on a tight budget. 
Please note that there is an additional $3.00-plus-tax per-day parking fee 
on this property.  To make a reservation, please call (386) 255-3411 and ask 
for the National Federation of the Blind pricing.

  o         All rates are based on single/double/tri/quad occupancy.  The 
additional guest charge is $10.00 for the fifth guest.
  o         Rollaways are available for a fee of $10.00-plus-tax per night.
  o         Bellman gratuities are $2.00 per person or $4.00 per room. 
Guests must request this service at the time of reservation.
  o         In-room safes are available for use at $1.50 per night, plus 
tax.
  o         Local and 800 calls are $1.00.
  o         The present room tax rate is 12.5%.
  o         Reservations require an advance deposit equal to the first 
night's room and tax, and can be paid by check or credit card.  Please note 
that checks must include the individual's birth date, driver's 
license/identification state, and license/identification number.  Please 
note that personal checks may only be submitted as payment prior to December 
29, 2010, and will not be accepted at checkout.  American Express, 
MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, traveler's checks, and cash are 
accepted at checkout.
  o         Cancellations less than seven days prior to the arrival date, or 
those who do not check in before midnight on the first day, will forfeit 
their first night's room and tax, and the room will be released.
  o         Please make your reservations by December 29, 2010.

  Race Tickets:

  Race Rewards Package ($30 per person):
  Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP (1-800-748-7467) by 
January 23, 2011.
  Includes infield and general admission for January 29-30, Rolex Series 
garage access, and $10 in Daytona Dollars (which are redeemable at any 
Daytona International Speedway concession stand).  This does not include 
infield parking.  Transportation for our members from the hotel, to the 
track, and back will be provided for Saturday, January 29.

  Speed Insider Package ($119 per person):
  Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP (1-800-748-7467) by 
January 23, 2011.
  Includes single admission Pit Road Patio Access providing admission into 
the Speed Pit Road Patios overlooking Pit Road for January 29-30, general 
admission access throughout the infield grandstands, Rolex Series garage 
access, Rolex 24 at Daytona hat, and lunch on Saturday.  Infield parking is 
available (one pass for every four tickets purchased).

  Please note that a $14 processing fee will be added to your order, so 
attendees can reduce costs by ordering tickets in groups.  Also please be 
aware that, while there is a will-call option, race day will be quite busy, 
and since the price is the same to have tickets shipped, we urge attendees 
to have their tickets mailed to them.  Attendees can also purchase with 
their order a Daytona International Speedway Cap, a Daytona International 
Speedway Credential Holder, and the Café 24 Breakfast Garage tickets (note 
that we will not be providing transportation to this accommodate this 
option).

  Transportation:

  Airport:

  o         Those traveling out of the Daytona Beach International Airport 
have a number of taxi and shuttle services to choose from.  For more 
information, please go to www.flydaytonafirst.com/default.htm and search for 
taxis and/or shuttles.
  o         We recommend those traveling out of the Orlando International 
Airport use DoShuttle, which travels between the Daytona Beach and Orlando 
airports.  Rates are $32 one way and $59 round trip per person.  The extra 
fee for door-to-door service to our hotels is $10 each way per group. 
Shuttles depart the airport every two hours.  For more information and 
reservations, please call (866) 947-9947 or visit www.doshuttle.com.

  Race Day:

  Pick-up for attendees wanting transportation to Daytona International 
Speedway on Saturday, January 29, will be at the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel. 
Buses will arrive at the track two hours prior to the scheduled time of the 
demonstration (which is yet to be determined).  The buses will return to the 
hotel after the conclusion of the demonstration.  Some buses will leave the 
track two hours after the event and others will leave the track four hours 
after the event.

  Gatherings:

  On the evening before the race, members are invited to gather in the 
ballroom of the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel for an update on organizational 
matters.  Topics of discussion will be the logistics for the Blind Driver 
Challenge demonstration, the Imagination Fund campaign, and the Text2Give 
program.  The race environment will be quite thrilling, but very busy, so we 
encourage all race attendees to come to this session.

  A Member Activity Area at the Daytona Speedway will be open on Friday from 
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 
3 p.m.  The second Blind Driver Challenge vehicle will be on display in this 
area, as well as information on Text2Give, bumper sticker and keychain 
giveaways, and other fun surprises!

  A press conference will be held immediately after the track demonstration 
of the Blind Driver Challenge vehicle, which we would like for all members 
to attend.  More information regarding this part of the event will be 
distributed at the meeting on Friday evening.

  Finally, another gathering will take place on Saturday evening in the 
ballroom of the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel to celebrate the events of the day!


  Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the Rolex 24 at Daytona!  We 
hope to see you there in January!

  For more information on logistics for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, please 
contact Kristian Kuhnke at (410) 659-9314, extension 2219, or bdc at nfb.org.
  For more information about the NFB Blind Driver Challenge visit our 
website at blinddriverchallenge at nfb.org.

  Sincerely,

  John

  John G. Paré Jr.
  Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives
  NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
  200 East Wells Street
  Baltimore, Maryland  21230
  Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, ext. 2227
  Cell phone:  (410) 917-1965
  Fax:  (410) 685-5653
  Email:  jpare at nfb.org


                          Sherri Brun, NFBF Secretary and Newsline® 
Coordinator
Vice-president NFB Greater Orlando Chapter
E-mail: flmom2006 at gmail.com
www.nfbnewsline.org
http://www.nfbflorida.org
http://nfbfgoc.org


"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." John 
Lennon