[NFBV-Announce] 2026 National Convention: Join us in Austin, Texas: Programs to support first timers

Thu Apr 2 00:30:40 UTC 2026

From: Mary Durbin

NFBV McDonald Fellowship Chair and Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship Liaison

The 20 26 NFB National Convention is an experience you do not want to miss.
Many of those who have attended our national NFB conventions are amazed at
how meeting and interacting with over 3000 other blind and low vision
attendees has positively changed their lives. They not only learn how the
problems of vision loss can be overcome, but also experience the confidence
that comes with solutions.

If you have never attended an in-person  convention, we offer two programs
to assist you in attending the convention and getting the most from the
experience.

A) Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship run by the National Federation of the Blind

B) McDonald Fellowship organized by the National Federation of the Blind of
Virginia 

You are strongly encouraged to apply for both. This message provides details
on both programs.
A separate message will be distributed from Tracy Soforenko for assistance
requests from individuals who   have attended previous in-person
conventions.
A) Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship 

All the details on this national program can be found at:

https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention
-scholarship

Please note that the essay questions and the deadlines for both the national
program and our Virginia specific program are consistent to encourage you to
apply for both.

B) McDonald Fellowship

Robert and Marian McDonald selflessly contributed to our Virginia affiliate
to further the progress and better the lives of those who are blind,
visually impaired, and low vision in Virginia. In their honor, we recognize
the personal benefits that come to people who attend a national convention
for the first time. In their memory, the National Federation of the Blind of
Virginia (NFBV) continues their legacy of education and empowerment to
Virginia's blind citizens.

We anticipate awarding fellowships to assist each recipient with costs of
attending our 2026 NFB National Convention to be held in Austin, Texas, from
July 3-8. Please note: The banquet ends late in the evening of Wednesday,
July 8 and fellowship winners are expected to attend the banquet so return
travel must occur on Thursday, July 9 or later. This event will take place
at the JW Marriott Austin Hotel in Austin, Texas.

The  McDonald Fellowship program was established in 1998 to assist those who
have never attended an in-person  convention of the National Federation of
the Blind (NFB) and wish to come to a convention this year.

Federationists are welcome and encouraged to apply for both the Virginia
specific McDonald Fellowship and a National Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship.

We will link each of our Fellowship winners with mentors who will assist
them in getting the most out of their national convention experience.
McDonald Fellowship winners are expected to attend the entire NFB convention
and share their experiences by addressing our 2026 NFB of Virginia state
convention.

Deadline for applications for the McDonald Fellowship is Monday, April 15,
2026. 

Apply online at:

https://nfbv.org/mcdonald

Winners will be announced May 15, 2026.

Your application should be submitted online. Our application form does not
allow you to save your responses and come back so we recommend preparing
your answers in advance and pasting the answers to the questions into the
web form. The web form does not support complex formatting such as bullet
points and fonts so you should avoid this complex formatting.

Your online application materials should outline reasons why you should be
considered for a Fellowship. The online application requests the following:

A)      Name, Address, phone and email contact information
B)      Chapter or other connection  With the affiliate
C)      How you will benefit from the experience
D)     How you have participated with your chapter or the
         affiliate in the past year
E)      Any other pertinent details

In addition, you are required to contact your Chapter President or an
affiliate Board Member for a letter of recommendation. Letters of
recommendation are due by Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Recommendation letters
should be sent to Mary Durbin.

Recommendation letters or questions about the Fellowship program should be
sent to Mary Durbin, Chairperson, McDonald Fellowship Committee, email at
Mary Durbin (mrdurbin at cox.net <mailto:mrdurbin at cox.net> ) and questions can
be asked by phone at 757-472-2495.

Our committee wants to help you make 2026 the year you attend our national
convention.  The convention will be even better because you were there.

Peace,

Jacki Bruce

mailto:jackibruce6 at gmail.com or membership at nfbv.org
<mailto:membership at nfbv.org>  

tel:(757)291-1789

Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia

Find us on Instragram @nfbofvirginia

Subscribe to our Youtube: NFB Virginia

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

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