From info at michaelhingson.com  Thu May  6 00:29:25 2010
From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson)
Date: Wed, 05 May 2010 19:29:25 -0500
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] KNFB Reader Mobile At NFB National Convention
Message-ID: <auto-000151177709@mailfront2.g2host.com>

Hello everyone,

Once again this year the NFB and The Michael Hingson Group, Inc. will 
be selling the KnfbReader Mobile at our National convention.  We want 
to help you with your purchase should you wish to buy a Reader at the 
convention.

First, we will have plenty of KnfbReader Mobile systems available 
with either the Nokia N82 or the N86 hardware.

Second, all systems will be configured and ready to activate.  We 
will be happy to activate software for you in the exhibit hall when 
you purchase your KnfbReader Mobile.

Third, once again we shall be utilizing the NFB %3 low interest 
technology loan as a way to help you buy a KnfbReader Mobile should 
you not wish to use cash or a credit card to make your purchase 
directly at the convention.  Unfortunately, it will be difficult to 
approve and fund loans at the convention.  The chair of the Loan Fund 
committee has told me that due to time constraints the committee will 
not be able to meet and approve loans during the convention.  If you 
may be planning on using the loan fund to purchase a KnfbReader at 
the convention I would like to urge you to complete an application 
now rather than waiting until July.  If your application is approved 
you can simply order the Reader from us for delivery at the 
convention which will save shipping charges.  A link to the online 
loan application is available at 
<http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com>http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com 
near the bottom of the page.  In the field asking for the name of 
your dealer simply enter the words "NFB convention" should you plan 
to pick up your Reader at the convention.  I cannot emphasize enough 
the importance of completing the application now should you wish to 
use the loan fund to purchase a KnfbReader Mobile.  Curtis Chong, 
chair of the Loan Fund Committee tells me that any applications 
completed by late May should be funded by the convention.  The sooner 
you complete the application the faster your loan will be 
completed.  We cannot provide Readers to anyone who has not gone 
through the entire loan process and had their loan funded.  We shall 
be ready to help anyone complete an application at the convention, 
but there will be a delay in you receiving your KnfbReader Mobile.

Fourth, we will again be ready to answer any support questions of 
current users as well as helping you with any issues you may 
have.  Representatives of KNFB Technologies will also be on hand to 
answer your questions.

Finally, we are presently working on having a Reader users meeting 
sometime early in the convention.  More details will follow on this 
when they become available.

If anyone has any questions or wishes more information about the 
Reader please call me at (415) 827-4084 or email me at 
<mailto:info at michaelhingson.com>info at michaelhingson.com.  Please tell 
your friends and anyone you know about how they can see this great 
technology at the NFB convention.

All of us on the KnfbReader team look forward to serving you.  Thank 
you for your support.


Best,


Michael Hingson



The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
      "Speaking with Vision"
                  Michael Hingson, President
                          (415) 827-4084
                    <mailto:info at michaelhingson.com>info at michaelhingson.com
                    www.michaelhingson.com


for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit:
<http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com/>http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com
<http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com/>
http://michaelhingson.com/images/knfbReader-michael_hingson.jpg






__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus 
signature database 5089 (20100505) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

<http://www.eset.com>http://www.eset.com




From NABlindVets at aol.com  Fri May 14 15:12:19 2010
From: NABlindVets at aol.com (NABlindVets at aol.com)
Date: Fri, 14 May 2010 11:12:19 EDT
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] National Association of Blind Veterans Meeting
	Announcement
Message-ID: <91199.124423be.391ec253@aol.com>


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT! 
ATTENTION ALL BLIND  VVETERANS AND INTERESTED VETERANS 
The National Association of  Blind Veterans/ A Division of the NFB will 
hold it?s annual national meeting  in Dallas, Texas during the NFB National 
Convention. All blind veterans and  interested veterans who may not be blind 
are invited to attend our annual  meeting. 
This meeting will be on  Sunday July 4th at 7:00 PM or 1900 Hours at the 
Dallas Anatole  Hotel. Exact room to be announced  in the agenda approximately 
the  first of June. We need your participation and support for this very  
important division activity. Dues for the next year will be collected and  
new members will be signed up at that time. Dues are $5.00 per year.   
Come join your fellow  veterans in this interesting and informative 
meeting. 
Thank you in advance for  your participation. 
Dwight








From Inthecar2 at aol.com  Fri May 14 17:25:18 2010
From: Inthecar2 at aol.com (Inthecar2 at aol.com)
Date: Fri, 14 May 2010 13:25:18 EDT
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] National Association of Blind Veterans Meeting
	Announcement
Message-ID: <a37e8.7b1ca0af.391ee17e@aol.com>

Dwight,
My family and I will just be returning from a cruise to Jamaica and I doubt 
 that I'll be able to attend the Dallas conference.
Lonnie
 
 
In a message dated 5/14/2010 8:13:03 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
NABlindVets at aol.com writes:










FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT!  
ATTENTION ALL BLIND  VVETERANS AND INTERESTED VETERANS 
The  National Association of  Blind Veterans/ A Division of the NFB will  
hold it?s annual national meeting  in Dallas, Texas during the NFB  
National 
Convention. All blind veterans and  interested veterans who  may not be 
blind 
are invited to attend our annual  meeting. 
This  meeting will be on  Sunday July 4th at 7:00 PM or 1900 Hours at the  
Dallas Anatole  Hotel. Exact room to be announced  in the agenda  
approximately 
the  first of June. We need your participation and  support for this very  
important division activity. Dues for the next  year will be collected and  
new members will be signed up at that  time. Dues are $5.00 per year.   
Come join your fellow   veterans in this interesting and informative 
meeting. 
Thank you in  advance for  your participation.  
Dwight







_______________________________________________
Blindvet-talk  mailing  list
Blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindvet-talk_nfbnet.org


From nfbnj at yahoo.com  Fri May 14 21:04:48 2010
From: nfbnj at yahoo.com (Joe Ruffalo)
Date: Fri, 14 May 2010 17:04:48 -0400
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] National Association of Blind Veterans
	MeetingAnnouncement
References: <91199.124423be.391ec253@aol.com>
Message-ID: <0AA447A2B0024CEB8DB82D6A56F52FEC@JoeRuffalo>

Thanks for the notice.  I'm planning to be there.
Joe ruffalo

Keep believing.  Keep dreaming.  Keep learning
Let's work together.  Let's make a difference!
Joseph J. Ruffalo
President, National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
Phone:  973-743-0075
Please visit our State and National Web Sites
http://www.nfbnj.org
http://www.thruoureyes.org
http://www.blindchildren.org
http://www.nfb.org
Email:
nfbnj at yahoo.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <NABlindVets at aol.com>
To: <blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, May 14, 2010 11:12 AM
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] National Association of Blind Veterans 
MeetingAnnouncement











FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT!
ATTENTION ALL BLIND  VVETERANS AND INTERESTED VETERANS
The National Association of  Blind Veterans/ A Division of the NFB will
hold it?s annual national meeting  in Dallas, Texas during the NFB National
Convention. All blind veterans and  interested veterans who may not be blind
are invited to attend our annual  meeting.
This meeting will be on  Sunday July 4th at 7:00 PM or 1900 Hours at the
Dallas Anatole  Hotel. Exact room to be announced  in the agenda 
approximately
the  first of June. We need your participation and support for this very
important division activity. Dues for the next year will be collected and
new members will be signed up at that time. Dues are $5.00 per year.
Come join your fellow  veterans in this interesting and informative
meeting.
Thank you in advance for  your participation.
Dwight










--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


> _______________________________________________
> Blindvet-talk mailing list
> Blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindvet-talk_nfbnet.org
> 




From NABlindVets at aol.com  Fri May 14 22:44:20 2010
From: NABlindVets at aol.com (NABlindVets at aol.com)
Date: Fri, 14 May 2010 18:44:20 EDT
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] Need your help finding mentors for National
	Convention!
Message-ID: <e0652.ceaa5c.391f2c44@aol.com>

Vets, 
Please see Joann Wilson's email below my  signature. She is seeking  
Mentors for Dallas.
Please contact her direct if you can help out.
Dwight


Dwight D. Sayer
National President,
The  National Association of Blind Veterans
A Division of the NFB
Email -  presidentnabv at aol.com
or president at nabv.org 
Web Site - _www.nabv.org_ (http://www.nabv.org/)   

 
 
 
 
From: Wilson, Joanne  [mailto:JWilson at nfb.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 11:26  AM
To: president at nabv.org
Subject: Need your help finding  mentors for National Convention! 

Dear Dwight,   
This year at the  2010 National Convention, we are setting up a mentoring 
program for winners of  the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship Convention Awards 
given to first time  convention attendees. I am looking for mentors who can 
help work with these  winners. These mentors should be members who have 
attended a National  Convention, who could give good advice, and who could build 
relationships with  new attendees.  
We will be meeting  with the winners in the Affiliate Action Suite from 
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on  Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the 
Convention. On Monday, we will  be meeting from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the 
Affiliate Action Suite. These are the  times we will need the mentors to be 
available to work with the winners. Do  you have anyone in your division who needs 
a job? Please let me know if you  have any volunteers from the National 
Association of Blind  Veterans that can help during any or all of these times.  
Your division may want to take just one of these times and supply three to 
10  mentors for that day. I appreciate everything you do; thanks for helping 
with  one more thing!  
Best,   
Joanne  Wilson 
Executive Director  of Affiliate Action 
National Federation  of the Blind 
200 East Wells  Street 
at Jernigan  Place 
Baltimore, MD  21230 
410.659.9314 x  2335 
(F)  410.659.6893 
_jwilson at nfb.org_ (mailto:jwilson at nfb.org)  
"Voice of the  Nation's Blind" 




From mex58 at hotmail.com  Tue May 18 22:11:31 2010
From: mex58 at hotmail.com (joseph gomez)
Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 22:11:31 +0000
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] need help
Message-ID: <BLU144-W7FC31479101940413F5A8B2E10@phx.gbl>


Hi
 
Hope you can help me or point me in the right direction please.
 
Well I need help with research or individuals that do research to help
me put a rebottle claim against VA.
 
I have already try all the VA organizations there is.
 
My problem is that I have to prove that I acquire a dieses in Iraq that
has cause me to go blind in one eye and lost of vision in the other .
 
I need to research the Dieses and connected it to where I was. 
 
The Dieses is POSH.
 
Comes from bird poop and from the ground and different areas of the
world.
 
This is not a easy task for me. 
 
Bottom line looking for someone that can help me with the research
and try to find out more about this dieses. 
 
I was in Iraq and all over the world to include in the jungles of
panama and Honduras building school and roads for the army.
 
I believe this is where I got this dieses now I have to prove it
myself.

 

VA disaprove my claim.

 

Any suggestion are sure welcome.
 
Thank You.
 
 
Joseph Gomez

 		 	   		  

From MisterAdvocate at aol.com  Tue May 18 22:46:36 2010
From: MisterAdvocate at aol.com (MisterAdvocate at aol.com)
Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 18:46:36 EDT
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] need help
Message-ID: <84756.57f87591.392472cc@aol.com>

Have you appealed their decision?
Dwight
 
 
In a message dated 5/18/2010 6:11:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
mex58 at hotmail.com writes:


Hi

Hope you can help me or point me in the right direction  please.

Well I need help with research or individuals that do research  to help
me put a rebottle claim against VA.

I have already try all  the VA organizations there is.

My problem is that I have to prove that  I acquire a dieses in Iraq that
has cause me to go blind in one eye and  lost of vision in the other .

I need to research the Dieses and  connected it to where I was. 

The Dieses is POSH.

Comes from  bird poop and from the ground and different areas of the
world.

This  is not a easy task for me. 

Bottom line looking for someone that can  help me with the research
and try to find out more about this dieses.  

I was in Iraq and all over the world to include in the jungles  of
panama and Honduras building school and roads for the army.

I  believe this is where I got this dieses now I have to prove  it
myself.



VA disaprove my claim.



Any  suggestion are sure welcome.

Thank You.


Joseph  Gomez


_______________________________________________
Blindvet-talk mailing  list
Blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindvet-talk_nfbnet.org



From watersk3 at yahoo.com  Wed May 19 03:27:12 2010
From: watersk3 at yahoo.com (Kirk Waters)
Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 20:27:12 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] REPLY:  Kirk Waters Re:  need help
In-Reply-To: <84756.57f87591.392472cc@aol.com>
Message-ID: <686573.97251.qm@web53601.mail.re2.yahoo.com>

?
Hello Dwight ~
?
A quick message this late hour - I am with the VA VISOR Team & we have a Low Vision Optomitrist on our team.? I have been here for over a year.? I understand the Comp. & Pension process & have a few suggestions for this gentlemen.? First - it the VA? that has to prove him wrong not the other way around.? I will follow up tomorrow from my office with more details.? You cannot email me personal info. such as social security #, etc.? I will speak with this gentlemen directly & then advise.
?
I will be at the NFB conference only that 1st Saturday for certification.? Good night.? Hope to hear from you soon.
?
Kirk Waters
?
?

--- On Tue, 5/18/10, MisterAdvocate at aol.com <MisterAdvocate at aol.com> wrote:


From: MisterAdvocate at aol.com <MisterAdvocate at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [Blindvet-talk] need help
To: blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org
Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 6:46 PM


Have you appealed their decision?
Dwight


In a message dated 5/18/2010 6:11:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,? 
mex58 at hotmail.com writes:


Hi

Hope you can help me or point me in the right direction? please.

Well I need help with research or individuals that do research? to help
me put a rebottle claim against VA.

I have already try all? the VA organizations there is.

My problem is that I have to prove that? I acquire a dieses in Iraq that
has cause me to go blind in one eye and? lost of vision in the other .

I need to research the Dieses and? connected it to where I was. 

The Dieses is POSH.

Comes from? bird poop and from the ground and different areas of the
world.

This? is not a easy task for me. 

Bottom line looking for someone that can? help me with the research
and try to find out more about this dieses.? 

I was in Iraq and all over the world to include in the jungles? of
panama and Honduras building school and roads for the army.

I? believe this is where I got this dieses now I have to prove? it
myself.



VA disaprove my claim.



Any? suggestion are sure welcome.

Thank You.


Joseph? Gomez


_______________________________________________
Blindvet-talk mailing? list
Blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindvet-talk_nfbnet.org

_______________________________________________
Blindvet-talk mailing list
Blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindvet-talk_nfbnet.org



      

From jdebus at clemson.edu  Thu May 20 15:29:44 2010
From: jdebus at clemson.edu (Jim Debus)
Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 11:29:44 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] REPLY:  Kirk Waters Re:  need help
In-Reply-To: <686573.97251.qm@web53601.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
References: <686573.97251.qm@web53601.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <18329.66.213.29.2.1274369384.squirrel@wm.clemson.edu>

Dear Blind vets of Columbus,

     We, on behalf of Blazesports Columbus, a non-profit organization that
supports and promotes sports and other recreational activities for
people with disabilities, are having a fund raising event this
Saturday, May 22, at the Applebee's at Graceland.  I have attached a
flier that you must bring with you in order for 10% of your bill to
go back to Blazesports Columbus.  Present this flier from 11 a.m. to
close, I believe midnight, and you'll be all set.  Also, if you
would, please feel free to forward this flier to anyone you feel
might be interested in helping us out!
PS I am waiting to hear back from the Kroger Comunity Rewards Program, but
we should have that up and running as well in the next week or so. 
Thanks, and I hope to see you this weekend!
Sincerely,

Jim Debus
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From MisterAdvocate at aol.com  Thu May 20 16:30:49 2010
From: MisterAdvocate at aol.com (MisterAdvocate at aol.com)
Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 12:30:49 EDT
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] HONOR  AND  RESPECT /  Memorial Day Is Upon Us!
Message-ID: <46e00.a2a4fb0.3926bdb9@aol.com>



 
  
____________________________________
 
 
  
____________________________________
 
Subject:  HONOR AND RESPECT
  
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
MAY GOD  BLESS THIS AIRLINE  CAPTAIN:

He  writes: My  lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We  have an 
H.R. on this flight." (H.R. stands for human  remains.) "Are they military?" I  
asked.  

'Yes',  she  said. 

'Is there an escort?' I  asked. 

'Yes, I already assigned him  a seat'.  

'Would you please tell  him to come to the flight deck. You can board  him 
early," I said..  

A short while later, a young  army sergeant entered the flight deck.  He 
was the  image of the perfectly  dressed soldier.  He  introduced himself and 
I asked him about  his soldier. The escorts of  these fallen  soldiers talk 
about them as if they are still  alive and still with us.  

'My soldier is on his  way back to Virginia,'  he said.  He proceeded to 
answer my questions,  but  offered no words.

I asked him if there was  anything I could do for him and he said no.  I 
told him that he had the toughest  job  in the military and that I appreciated 
the  work that he does for the families of our  fallen soldiers. The first 
officer and I got  up out of our seats to shake his hand.  He left  the 
flight deck to find his  seat. 

We completed our preflight  checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful 
 departure.  About  30 minutes into our flight  I received a call from the 
lead flight attendant  in the cabin. 'I  just found out  the family of  the 
soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said.  She then proceeded to tell 
me that  the father, mother, wife an d 2-year old  daughter were escorting 
their son, husband, and father  home.  The family was upset  because they  
were unable to see the container that the soldier  was in before we left.  We 
were on our way to a  major hub at which the family was going to wait four 
hours  for the connecting flight home to Virginia  . 

The father of the soldier told  the flight attendant that  knowing his son 
was below  him in the cargo compartment  and being unable to see  him was 
too much for him and the family to bear.  He had  asked the flight attendant 
if there  was anything that could be done to allow them to see him  upon our 
arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the  cargo door to watch the 
soldier being taken off  the airplane.. I could hear  the desperation in  the 
flight attendants voice when she  asked me if  there was anything I could 
do.. 'I'm on  it', I  said. I told her that I would get back to her.  

Airborne communication with my  company normally occurs in the  form of  
e-mail  like messages.  I decided to bypass this system  and contact my flight 
dispatcher directly on a  secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the 
 operations control center who connects you to the telephone  of the 
dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the  dispatcher..  I  explained the 
situation I had on  board with the family and what it was the family  wanted.  He 
said he understood and that he would  get back to me.   

Two hours  went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher.   We were going 
to get busy soon and I needed  to know what to tell the family.  I sent a  
text  message asking for an update.  I  saved  the return  message from the 
dispatcher and the  following  is the text: 

'Captain,  sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There  is policy 
on this now and I had to check on a few  things. Upon your arrival a 
dedicated escort team  will  meet the aircraft.  The team will  escort the family 
to the ramp and plane side.  A  van will be used to load the remains with a 
secondary van  for the family.  The family will be taken to their  departure 
area and escorted into the terminal where the  remains can be seen on the 
ramp.  It is a private area  for the family only.  When the connecting 
aircraft  arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane  side to 
watch the remains being loaded for the final leg  home.  Captain, most of us 
here in flight control  are veterans.    Please pass our condolences on to  
the family.  Thanks.' 

I sent a  message back telling flight control thanks for a good job.  I 
printed out the message and gave it to the  lead flight  attendant to pass on 
to the father.  The lead flight  attendant was very thankful  and told me, 
'You have no idea how much this will mean  to them.' 

Things started getting  busy for the descent, approach and  landing.    
After landing, we cleared the runway  and taxied to the  ramp area.  The ramp 
is huge with 15 gates on either  side of the alleyway.  It  is always a busy 
area  with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit.  When we 
entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp  controller,  we were told 
that  all traffic was  being held for us.  

'There is a  team in place to meet the  aircraft', we were told.  It looked 
like it was all coming  together, then  I  realized that once we turned the 
 seat belt  sign off,  everyone would stand up at  once and  delay the 
family from  getting off the airplane . As we  approached our gate, I asked the  
copilot to tell the  ramp controller we were going to stop  short of the  
gate to make an  announcement to the passengers.    He did that and  the ramp 
controller said, 'Take your  time.'   

I  stopped the  aircraft and set the parking brake.   I pushed the  public 
address button and said,  'Ladies and  gentleman, this is  your Captain 
speaking I  have  stopped short of our gate to make a  special  announcement.  
We have a passenger on board who  deserves our honor and respect.  His Name 
is  Private XXXXXX,  a soldier who recently lost his  life.   Private XXXXXX 
is  under your feet in the  cargo hold.  Escorting him today is  Army 
Sergeant  XXXXXXX.  Also, on board are his father,  mother,  wife, and daughter.  
Your entire  flight crew is  asking for all passengers to  remain in their 
seats to allow the family to exit the  aircraft first. Thank you.'  

We  continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and  started our  
shutdown procedures.  A couple  of  minutes later I opened the cockpit door.  I  
found the two forward flight  attendants crying,  something you just do not 
see.  I was told  that  after we came to a stop, every passenger on  the 
aircraft  stayed in their seats, waiting for the  family to exit  the  aircraft. 

When the family got  up and gathered their things, a  passenger slowly  
started to clap his hands.   Moments later more  passengers  joined in and soon 
 the entire  aircraft was clapping.  Words  of 'God  Bless  You', I'm 
sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind    words were uttered to the family as 
they made their  way down the  aisle and out of the airplane.  They  were 
escorted down to  the ramp to  finally be with  their loved one.  

Many of the passengers  disembarking thanked me for the  announcement I  
had made.  They were just words, I  told  them,  I could  say them over and 
over again,  but nothing I say will bring back  that brave  soldier.  

I respectfully ask that  all of you reflect on this event  and the  
sacrifices that millions of our men and women  have made to ensure  our freedom and 
safety in  these  United  States of AMERICA .  

Foot note: 
As a Viet Nam Veteran  I can only think of all the veterans  including the  
ones that rode below the deck on their way home and how they  were treated. 
When I read things like this I am proud  that our country has not turned 
their backs on our  soldiers returning from the various war zones today and  
giving them the respect they  so deserve. 

I know  everyone who has served their country who reads this will  have 
tears in their eyes, including  me.  

Prayer chain for our  Military.  Please send this on after a short  prayer 
for our troops around the  world:  

'Lord,  hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they  protect 
us. Bless them and their   
 
 
 
families for  the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.  
Amen..' 

Of all the gifts you could give a  Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & 
others deployed in  harm's way, prayer is the very best one. 

GOD  BLESS THEM AND YOU!!! 



















There is nothing attached. Please just  send this to people in your address 
book --- I copied it in  lieu of forwarding.  You could do the same.   os 


From MisterAdvocate at aol.com  Sat May 22 16:30:12 2010
From: MisterAdvocate at aol.com (MisterAdvocate at aol.com)
Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 12:30:12 EDT
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] 05/21/2010 AP National Desk  Article, In blindness,
	soldiers find ne...
Message-ID: <917c7.38089a03.39296094@aol.com>

>From our friend David D.
Dwight
_www.nabv.org_ (http://www.nabv.org)  
 
 
Updated At 10 20 AM.. In blindness, soldiers find new niche in  military    
  By MICHAEL HILL  Associated Press  Writer     The Associated Press      
WEST POINT, N.Y.   . Since a car bomb blinded Capt. Scott Smiley in  Iraq, he 
has skied Vail, climbed Mount Rainier, earned his MBA, raised two  young 
boys with his wife, won an Espy award and pulled himself up from  
faith-shaking depths. 

Smiley, 30, has snagged attention for his big  accomplishments. But the 
daily ones are telling, too, including the recent  tour he gave of his staff's 
offices at the U.S. Military Academy at West  Point, where he plans to 
attend President Barack Obama's address of the Class  of 2010 on Saturday. 

Unable to see the path around the workers'  cubicles, Smiley stepped 
forward with a joke to the camouflage-clad officers  he was showing around: "I 
walk around, and when I hit things, I move," he  said. 

An aide trailing him said softly, "Turn right, sir," at a  doorway. Smiley 
turned. 

Smiley, of Pasco, Wash., is one of only a  handful of soldiers who chose to 
remain on active duty after being blinded by  fighting in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, a practice that's rare but one that military  officials say benefits 
both parties. 

Though unable to return to his  old infantry duties in Iraq, Smiley has 
thrived in stateside postings such as  his latest at West Point, from which he 
graduated in 2003. He now commands the  Warrior Transition Unit at West 
Point for ailing or wounded soldiers.  

Voice software allows Smiley to listen to e-mails, books and  pamphlets. 
Aides help him navigate and tell him what order he's signing. It's  a little 
like changing his son's diapers at home: He's fine as long as he  knows where 
everything is. 

His resiliency and energy helped him earn  the 2007 Soldier of the Year 
commendation from the publication Army Times, as  well as an ESPN Espy award in 
2008 for best outdoor athlete. 

He earned  his master's of business administration at Duke University and 
has spoken to  the Olympic and Duke teams coached by Mike Krzyzewski, a 
fellow West Point  alum. He has a memoir coming out this year titled "Hope 
Unseen. 

Smiley  said he's not trying to prove anything with his exploits. 

In terms of  getting an MBA, climbing Mount Rainier, it's what I always 
wanted to do," he  said. Why should I stop that? 

Smiley was injured April 6, 2005, six  months into a deployment to Iraq. He 
led patrols through Mosul, a dangerous  city where a too-high pile of 
garbage could be hiding explosives and the enemy  blended in with the populace. 

Sgt. 1st Class Mike Branham, who served  as a squad leader under Smiley, 
said his fellow serviceman was a topflight  officer, one who stood out for his 
deep Christian faith and detailed knowledge  of his soldiers. 

He knew their names, he knew their wives' names, he  knew their likes and 
dislikes," Branham said. 

Smiley was leading a  patrol in an armored Stryker vehicle when, from his 
perch in the forward  hatch, he spotted a silver Opel that matched 
intelligence descriptions of a  potential car bomb. The trunk appeared to be weighed 
down and the driver acted  as though he didn't understand Smiley, who fired 
warning shots at the ground  when it looked as if the driver was going to 
pull forward. 

The driver  raised his hands, and the car went up in a fireball. 

Shrapnel tore  through Smiley's left eye and lodged in his frontal brain 
lobe; another  fragment the size of a pencil lead pierced his right eye. 

Slumped  unconscious in the Stryker hatch, Smiley was rushed to a medical 
center, where  he briefly flatlined as friends prayed at his bedside. 

Branham  recalls, "I didn't think he was going to make it past that day at 
all.  

He was left permanently blinded and temporarily paralyzed on his right  
side. 

Stabilized and shipped stateside, Smiley struggled with his  fate. He had 
vowed at his wedding to take care of his wife, Tiffany, and there  she was, 
taking care of him. The exertion of wiggling his big toe required a  
three-hour nap. 

He received his Purple Heart on his hospital bed. A  video posted on 
YouTube of the ceremony shows his brother Neal struggling to  maintain composure 
as he reads the citation. Smiley, looking beaten and  uncomfortable in his 
bed, turns his head away. 

When I got to the  hospital and I finally realized what happened, what my 
life was going to be  like, I didn't believe in God. I questioned my faith. I 
questioned everything  that was ever said to me before," Smiley said. 
Because in my mind, why would  God allow something like this to happen to me? 

Smiley credits his  wife, family and faith for helping him accept his 
condition. Ultimately, he  decided he didn't want to be like the Lt. Dan 
character played by Gary Sinise  in "Forrest Gump," the officer who wants to be left 
to die when he loses his  legs in Vietnam. He would push on. And if his 
path kept him in the Army, that  was fine. 

I was totally prepared to get out," he said. But still in  the back of my 
mind, it was: 'I still have so much to give. I love serving my  country.' 

The Army says at least four other totally or partially blind  soldiers have 
remained on active duty since Iraq and Afghanistan.  

Capt. Ivan Castro lost his sight and suffered other serious injuries  in a 
2006 mortar attack in Iraq and is now stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., with  
the Special Operations Recruiting Battalion. Castro, a 42-year-old who runs  
marathons and 50-mile races, appears to share some personality traits with  
Smiley   and says he also felt he still had something to serve after  being 
injured. 

I've been doing this for over 18 years," Castro, who  was born in Hoboken, 
N.J., and grew up in Puerto Rico, said in a phone  interview. This is all I 
know. This is what I love. This is what I live for.  

Castro's commander, Lt. Col. Fredrick Dummar, said the continued  service 
by blind soldiers fits with the military philosophy that everyone has  unique 
abilities and that "there's always somebody on the team that can  
accomplish a mission. 

Smiley was at first posted at Accessions  Command, which oversees 
recruiting, and later earned his MBA. He returned to  West Point last year to teach 
and took command this year of the Warrior  Transition Unit here this year. He 
lives on post with Tiffany and their two  young boys. After the West Point 
graduation ceremony Saturday, he plans to pin  lieutenant bars on one of the 
roughly 1,000 cadets who will become new Army  officers. 

Smiley conceded that he might have a better understanding of  the ailing 
soldiers under his command but is quick to add that his overriding  concern is 
maintaining Army standards   for his soldiers and for  himself. 

I still want to be the person I always wanted to be," he  said. 





From kvharmon54 at gmail.com  Sat May 22 20:50:17 2010
From: kvharmon54 at gmail.com (Kirk)
Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 16:50:17 -0400
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] 05/21/2010 AP National Desk  Article,
	In blindness, soldiers find ne...
References: <917c7.38089a03.39296094@aol.com>
Message-ID: <AF62610854DC4900B03E8414FD154B71@B89HHH1>

Dwight, this man's journey seems to make our efforts seem non existent!
I find his strength beyond my comprehenshen compared to all that I have been 
through and have to Salute this inspirational   Soldier and all that he has 
endured and accomplished as well up to this point! What a tremendous 
inspirational for all!
 Kirk


Kirk Harmon
1031 Lenmore Court
Orlando, FL. 32812

Home Office: 407-380-3371
Cell: 407-473-2176

Founder-President
Florida Disabled Citizens for Progress
FDCP,Inc.

" FDCP turning HOPE into REALITY"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <MisterAdvocate at aol.com>
To: <blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 12:30 PM
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] 05/21/2010 AP National Desk Article, In 
blindness,soldiers find ne...


>From our friend David D.
Dwight
_www.nabv.org_ (http://www.nabv.org)


Updated At 10 20 AM.. In blindness, soldiers find new niche in  military
  By MICHAEL HILL  Associated Press  Writer     The Associated Press
WEST POINT, N.Y.   . Since a car bomb blinded Capt. Scott Smiley in  Iraq, 
he
has skied Vail, climbed Mount Rainier, earned his MBA, raised two  young
boys with his wife, won an Espy award and pulled himself up from
faith-shaking depths.

Smiley, 30, has snagged attention for his big  accomplishments. But the
daily ones are telling, too, including the recent  tour he gave of his 
staff's
offices at the U.S. Military Academy at West  Point, where he plans to
attend President Barack Obama's address of the Class  of 2010 on Saturday.

Unable to see the path around the workers'  cubicles, Smiley stepped
forward with a joke to the camouflage-clad officers  he was showing around: 
"I
walk around, and when I hit things, I move," he  said.

An aide trailing him said softly, "Turn right, sir," at a  doorway. Smiley
turned.

Smiley, of Pasco, Wash., is one of only a  handful of soldiers who chose to
remain on active duty after being blinded by  fighting in Iraq and
Afghanistan, a practice that's rare but one that military  officials say 
benefits
both parties.

Though unable to return to his  old infantry duties in Iraq, Smiley has
thrived in stateside postings such as  his latest at West Point, from which 
he
graduated in 2003. He now commands the  Warrior Transition Unit at West
Point for ailing or wounded soldiers.

Voice software allows Smiley to listen to e-mails, books and  pamphlets.
Aides help him navigate and tell him what order he's signing. It's  a little
like changing his son's diapers at home: He's fine as long as he  knows 
where
everything is.

His resiliency and energy helped him earn  the 2007 Soldier of the Year
commendation from the publication Army Times, as  well as an ESPN Espy award 
in
2008 for best outdoor athlete.

He earned  his master's of business administration at Duke University and
has spoken to  the Olympic and Duke teams coached by Mike Krzyzewski, a
fellow West Point  alum. He has a memoir coming out this year titled "Hope
Unseen.

Smiley  said he's not trying to prove anything with his exploits.

In terms of  getting an MBA, climbing Mount Rainier, it's what I always
wanted to do," he  said. Why should I stop that?

Smiley was injured April 6, 2005, six  months into a deployment to Iraq. He
led patrols through Mosul, a dangerous  city where a too-high pile of
garbage could be hiding explosives and the enemy  blended in with the 
populace.

Sgt. 1st Class Mike Branham, who served  as a squad leader under Smiley,
said his fellow serviceman was a topflight  officer, one who stood out for 
his
deep Christian faith and detailed knowledge  of his soldiers.

He knew their names, he knew their wives' names, he  knew their likes and
dislikes," Branham said.

Smiley was leading a  patrol in an armored Stryker vehicle when, from his
perch in the forward  hatch, he spotted a silver Opel that matched
intelligence descriptions of a  potential car bomb. The trunk appeared to be 
weighed
down and the driver acted  as though he didn't understand Smiley, who fired
warning shots at the ground  when it looked as if the driver was going to
pull forward.

The driver  raised his hands, and the car went up in a fireball.

Shrapnel tore  through Smiley's left eye and lodged in his frontal brain
lobe; another  fragment the size of a pencil lead pierced his right eye.

Slumped  unconscious in the Stryker hatch, Smiley was rushed to a medical
center, where  he briefly flatlined as friends prayed at his bedside.

Branham  recalls, "I didn't think he was going to make it past that day at
all.

He was left permanently blinded and temporarily paralyzed on his right
side.

Stabilized and shipped stateside, Smiley struggled with his  fate. He had
vowed at his wedding to take care of his wife, Tiffany, and there  she was,
taking care of him. The exertion of wiggling his big toe required a
three-hour nap.

He received his Purple Heart on his hospital bed. A  video posted on
YouTube of the ceremony shows his brother Neal struggling to  maintain 
composure
as he reads the citation. Smiley, looking beaten and  uncomfortable in his
bed, turns his head away.

When I got to the  hospital and I finally realized what happened, what my
life was going to be  like, I didn't believe in God. I questioned my faith. 
I
questioned everything  that was ever said to me before," Smiley said.
Because in my mind, why would  God allow something like this to happen to 
me?

Smiley credits his  wife, family and faith for helping him accept his
condition. Ultimately, he  decided he didn't want to be like the Lt. Dan
character played by Gary Sinise  in "Forrest Gump," the officer who wants to 
be left
to die when he loses his  legs in Vietnam. He would push on. And if his
path kept him in the Army, that  was fine.

I was totally prepared to get out," he said. But still in  the back of my
mind, it was: 'I still have so much to give. I love serving my  country.'

The Army says at least four other totally or partially blind  soldiers have
remained on active duty since Iraq and Afghanistan.

Capt. Ivan Castro lost his sight and suffered other serious injuries  in a
2006 mortar attack in Iraq and is now stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., with
the Special Operations Recruiting Battalion. Castro, a 42-year-old who runs
marathons and 50-mile races, appears to share some personality traits with
Smiley   and says he also felt he still had something to serve after  being
injured.

I've been doing this for over 18 years," Castro, who  was born in Hoboken,
N.J., and grew up in Puerto Rico, said in a phone  interview. This is all I
know. This is what I love. This is what I live for.

Castro's commander, Lt. Col. Fredrick Dummar, said the continued  service
by blind soldiers fits with the military philosophy that everyone has 
unique
abilities and that "there's always somebody on the team that can
accomplish a mission.

Smiley was at first posted at Accessions  Command, which oversees
recruiting, and later earned his MBA. He returned to  West Point last year 
to teach
and took command this year of the Warrior  Transition Unit here this year. 
He
lives on post with Tiffany and their two  young boys. After the West Point
graduation ceremony Saturday, he plans to pin  lieutenant bars on one of the
roughly 1,000 cadets who will become new Army  officers.

Smiley conceded that he might have a better understanding of  the ailing
soldiers under his command but is quick to add that his overriding  concern 
is
maintaining Army standards   for his soldiers and for  himself.

I still want to be the person I always wanted to be," he  said.



_______________________________________________
Blindvet-talk mailing list
Blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindvet-talk_nfbnet.org 




From emrene at earthlink.net  Sat May 22 22:28:56 2010
From: emrene at earthlink.net (Elizabeth Rene)
Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 15:28:56 -0700
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] Re Blinded Soldiers
Message-ID: <86F565A8D9964E9D8C9C8455ED672CF5@elizabethrene>

Congratulations and kudos to those blinded soldiers who have found a place 
to continue serving in the Army to live out their calling to serve our 
country.

And thank you to them and to all veterans who have served and are recovering 
from wounds incurred overseas.

You have all given a great deal, and you have my respect and gratitude for 
your sacrifice.

Blind from birth, I have never served in the military, and must say that I 
don't support war as a matter of principle.  But no person of feeling and 
intelligence can minimize the impact of military service and combat upon 
another human being, and no one should fail to honor someone who has risked 
and suffered injury to serve his or her country.  Those who carry on in 
spite of their wounds and reshape their lives in the face of lost faculties 
are an inspiration to me.

I have always liked my life as a blind person, having had the good fortune 
to be doing the work I've always wanted to do.  But to lose one's sight 
traumatically and then to find ways to live out one's dreams is a true 
grace.

It occurs to me, finally, that if the Army is finding success in placing 
blinded soldiers in Stateside posts, then why shouldn't blind and low-vision 
civilians who want to serve in the Army also join?

The men featured in the article are showing that they can perform 
competently in non-combat positions and command respect.  Skilled blind men 
and women with a lifetime of experience in living well without sight could 
do the same, and prove to the newly-blinded soldier that the future is worth 
living for.

Warm regards to all,

Elizabeth





From kvharmon54 at gmail.com  Sun May 23 00:37:10 2010
From: kvharmon54 at gmail.com (Kirk)
Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 20:37:10 -0400
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] Re Blinded Soldiers
References: <86F565A8D9964E9D8C9C8455ED672CF5@elizabethrene>
Message-ID: <C76DF3B32B6C44B9AC67547E91CDEC89@B89HHH1>

Elizabeth, i can only say AMEN to your praise to the injjured service men 
and women! I also am  a veteran and have always asked "why can't the 
disabled of our country that wished to serve be found a place to do so 
within our armed forces" I have a family of generations of men that have 
served as well as my Son is now and on his way to Aphganistan in a few 
months, but I have a Brother that was born deaf and always wanted to serve 
as well. He is a very intellegent man and would have been an asset to any 
one of our 5 services if he only could have been accepted! So, all I can say 
to all of our brave men and women that oare currently serving our great 
Country and those that are  and will be injured and in a permanent way, God 
bless all of you and May all of them find peace in what they do aftter they 
leave the services and move forward in their lives!  My  loyalty will always 
be with our Country and all these great people that have sacrificed more 
than  any of us to keep us free
! Your friend in the cause, Kirk




 Kirk Harmon
1031 Lenmore Court
Orlando, FL. 32812

Home Office: 407-380-3371
Cell: 407-473-2176

Founder-President
Florida Disabled Citizens for Progress
FDCP,Inc.

" FDCP turning HOPE into REALITY"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Elizabeth Rene" <emrene at earthlink.net>
To: <blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 6:28 PM
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] Re Blinded Soldiers


Congratulations and kudos to those blinded soldiers who have found a place
to continue serving in the Army to live out their calling to serve our
country.

And thank you to them and to all veterans who have served and are recovering
from wounds incurred overseas.

You have all given a great deal, and you have my respect and gratitude for
your sacrifice.

Blind from birth, I have never served in the military, and must say that I
don't support war as a matter of principle.  But no person of feeling and
intelligence can minimize the impact of military service and combat upon
another human being, and no one should fail to honor someone who has risked
and suffered injury to serve his or her country.  Those who carry on in
spite of their wounds and reshape their lives in the face of lost faculties
are an inspiration to me.

I have always liked my life as a blind person, having had the good fortune
to be doing the work I've always wanted to do.  But to lose one's sight
traumatically and then to find ways to live out one's dreams is a true
grace.

It occurs to me, finally, that if the Army is finding success in placing
blinded soldiers in Stateside posts, then why shouldn't blind and low-vision
civilians who want to serve in the Army also join?

The men featured in the article are showing that they can perform
competently in non-combat positions and command respect.  Skilled blind men
and women with a lifetime of experience in living well without sight could
do the same, and prove to the newly-blinded soldier that the future is worth
living for.

Warm regards to all,

Elizabeth



_______________________________________________
Blindvet-talk mailing list
Blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindvet-talk_nfbnet.org 




From dandrews at visi.com  Wed May 26 01:45:03 2010
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 20:45:03 -0500
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] C.A.R.S. Division Reaching Out to NFB. Membership
Message-ID: <auto-000155193926@mailfront1.g2host.com>

From: AmNaulty at aol.com [
mailto:AmNaulty at aol.com]
Subject: C.A.R.S. Division Reaching Out to N.F.B. Membership
This is a message from the C.A.R.S. Division of the National 
Federation of the Blind.
We are asking the N.F.B. membership, across the country, to consider 
joining the C.A.R.S.
Division.  While we are only five years old, we are energetic and 
committed to growth.  We are fast, fun
and focused.  Dues are only $5.00 each year.  Many of us have very 
fond, happy memories of cars we
once owned or family cars which took us to school, jobs and 
shopping.  Keep those fun memories alive
and join the C.A.R.S. Division of the National Federation of the Blind.
When we convene in Dallas, Texas, the Division needs assistance with 
the following activities:
    1.  Setting up the C.A.R.S. Division table in the exhibit hall, 
Saturday, July 3, Noon to 4 p.m.
    2.  Covering the C.A.R.S. table during exhibit hours
    3.  Helping with the Automobile Show, Sunday, July 4, 12 Noon to 4 p.m.
Monday evening, July 5, the C.A.R.S. Division will conduct a seminar 
with interesting guest speakers.
Our annual general meeting and election of officers will take place 
that evening after the seminar.  We
would welcome interested N.F.B. members to get involved and join our 
fun activities.
The C.A.R.S. Division will be offering affordable model cars, 
membership forms and agendas of C.A.R.S.
activities at the table in the exhibit hall.   We hope everyone will 
stop by and chat with our current
members.  It is always fun to meet new people and make new 
friends.  We all know of Dr. Maurer's
interest in driving a car; help us "drive" fun activities at the 
Convention and expand the work of the
C.A.R.S. Division in 2010.
If you have enjoyed the experience of seeing and touching the special 
interest cars and motorcycles at
previous National Conventions, please consider donating a few hours 
to help the C.A.R.S. Division
continue the tradition of fun and enjoyment for everyone.
We invite you to contact:
Joseph B. Naulty, President
e-mail      jnaulty at cfl.rr.com<
mailto:jnaulty at cfl.rr.com>
address:  996 South Fork Circle
               Melbourne, FL  32901
                 (321) 768-9500




                         David Andrews:  dandrews at visi.com
Follow me on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920




From NABlindVets at aol.com  Thu May 27 01:09:18 2010
From: NABlindVets at aol.com (NABlindVets at aol.com)
Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 21:09:18 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] National Association of Blind Veterans Annual Fund
	Raiser / $1, 000 Grand Prize
Message-ID: <85a7d.3930f539.392f203e@aol.com>

Wow, at this years National Federation of the Blind  Convention in  Dallas, 
Texas someone will win $1,000 as the grand prize  in the NABV'S  Super 
Raffle. 
There will only be 500 tickets sold, so the chances of winning are really  
excellent!
If you are interested in purchasing a ticket prior to the convention,  
please mail $5 per ticket wanted to 
Dwight Sayer, 259 Regal Downs Circle, Winter Garden, Florida  34787.  
Orders need to be received before
June 20, 2010 for the pre convention sales. Your  tickets will be  return 
mailed , so don't forget that return address. You don't have to be  present 
to win!
The remainder of the tickets will be sold at the NFB of Florida State  
Convention and the NFB National Convention.
Hurry they won't last long!
Dwight
 


Dwight D. Sayer
National President,
The  National Association of Blind Veterans
A Division of the NFB
Email -  presidentnabv at aol.com
or president at nabv.org 
Web Site - _www.nabv.org_ (http://www.nabv.org/)  

From MisterAdvocate at aol.com  Fri May 28 01:47:50 2010
From: MisterAdvocate at aol.com (by way of David Andrews <dandrews@visi.com>)
Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 20:47:50 -0500
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] National Association of Blind Veterans Meeting at
 National Convention
Message-ID: <auto-000155585186@mailfront1.g2host.com>


Attention All Blind Veterans and Interested Parties:
The National Association of Blind Veterans will hold it's annual 
meeting in Dallas, Texas at the Anatole Hilton Hotel  during the 
National Convention of the NFB on July 4th at 7PM or 1900 
hours.  This will be our time to reflect on last year , prepare for 
the coming year, discuss the national raffle going on, and what we 
will be doing for our annual  4th of July Celebration. Dues will be 
collected and new members signed up. I look forward to seeing all 
those interested veterans and the existing members there for a great 
meeting. The room has not been assigned as of yet, so watch your 
agenda that Mrs. Jernigan says will be out in June.
Best Regards,
Dwight Sayer
President,
The National Association of blind Veterans


From randolphc at kbti.org  Fri May 28 16:50:25 2010
From: randolphc at kbti.org (randolphc@kbti.org Cabral)
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 09:50:25 -0700
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] National Association of Blind Veterans Meeting
	at National Convention
Message-ID: <dc59cc9$3949b412$3c2c56a4$@com>

Dear Mister Advocate,

For the past few years our Institute has looked at developing ways to 
better serve and interact with members of the National Association of Blind 
Veterans.  A couple years ago we were invited to attend but were later 
contacted and advised it would not be necessary after all.

I came to be involved with the NABV by virtue of my father, now deceased, 
who was a blind WWII veteran.  Since 2005 I have been traveling around the 
United States attending veterans groups meeting and events, blind and 
sighted, and presenting the Braille American Flag to these men and women.

For those who are not familiar with the Braille American Flag, it is a 
tactile representation of the American flag, that denotes the location of 
the stars and stripes, as well as their individual color.  The Braille flag 
also bears the Pledge of Allegiance.  As of 2008, through the authorization 
of the United States Congress a bronze monument of the Braille American 
Flag has been installed at Arlington National Cemetery, as a tribute to 
blind veterans of all wars, and other blind Americans.  Similar bronze 
monuments, several sit in stone, have been erected at various locations in 
Kansas, and now one in Nebraska, compliments of the VFW.

I was pleased to read the other day the post regarding Captains Smiley, 
Ivan Castro, and the other blind veterans that sacrificed their sight in 
the protection of our nation's freedoms, and are still active in uniform.  
I did not have the pleasure of meeting Captain Smiley in person, but, I did 
speak with him by phone some time back, during the time we presented him 
with a Braille American Flag.  Captain Castro I have personally met more 
than once, and have on both occasions presented him with a Braille American 
Flag.

My reason for mentioning all of this is because realizing the impossibility 
of our Institute presenting a Braille American Flag to all our nation's 
blind veterans and civilians we reached out for help from the American 
Legion.  We had to follow protocol and draft a resolution which we did with 
the help of a local Post, and initially submitted it for vote at the 
American Legion's District Convention.  Once that passed, and it did, we 
submitted it for vote at the Legions' State Convention.  Last week at the 
convention it also passed.  Next and final stop is the National 
Convention.

In the event the resolution passes at the National level the American 
Legion can authorize one of two approaches to responding, one, they can do 
so administratively by "allowing any Post that wishes to participate in 
obtaining a Braille flag or flags to do so at their own accord".  Or, two, 
they can "mandate" that all Post accept the Braille American Flag as a 
project whereby each Post would obtain a certain number of Braille American 
Flags and include them in their American Flag Presentations at schools and 
other events, as well as taking them to VA hospitals, presenting them to 
our nation's service men and women who have given their sight in combat, or 
have lost their sight by other means, just as many law enforcement offices, 
firemen, and others have, as well as presenting them to elected officials 
who work on behalf of legislation for our disabled veterans, such as 
Sharrod Brown of Ohio, who was recently presented with a framed Braille 
American Flag by the Blinded Veterans Association.  Too the Braille 
American Flags can be provided to businesses that support the rights and 
needs of persons who are blind or have some degree of vision loss.  In 
short, they can include the Braille American Flag in any project they wish 
to develop.
  
Our Institute welcomes the support of the National Association of Blind 
Veterans with letting the American Legion Post in your areas as well as up 
at National Headquarters know that you too think this is a very worth while 
project, and you commend them on taking the initiative in this endeavor.

If any one reading this would like to present a framed Braille American 
Flag to the American Legion State Commander in your state please let us 
know, and we will personally frame it and prepare it for you, or send it in 
your name, at no cost to you.  It is our intent to send one to every State 
Commander throughout the United States.   We are also looking to send one 
to every U.S. Congressman and Congresswomen and U.S. Representative, asking 
them too to let the American Legion know what their sentiments are about 
the Legion taking a serious look at this project.

If you or someone you know would like to assist us or give us any 
suggestions we would be most indebted to you for your help.  In the event 
the National Headquarters votes favorably, this could mean that many blind 
veterans and blind civilians will have their own Braille American Flag at 
no cost.  The normal cost is $5.00 per Flag.  These flags are 7.5 by 9.5 
inches, in full color, and bear the Pledge of Allegiance in either grade 
one or grade two Braille.  The Braille American Flag follows all rules set 
out by the Braille Authority of North America.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you for your service 
to our country.  Your service and sacrifice made it possible be me to send 
this E-mail.

Very sincerely , 

Randolph Cabral, President
Kansas Braille Transcription Institute
P.O. Box 48091
Wichita, Kansas 67201-8091
316-265-9692  (Office)  9:00 AM - 5:00CST
316-265-0184  (Fax)
randolphc at kbti.org
 www.kbti.org

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." -- Helen Keller  

----------------------------------------

From: "MisterAdvocate at aol.com (by way of David Andrews" 
<dandrews at visi.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2010 8:53 PM
To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] National Association of Blind Veterans Meeting at 
National Convention 

Attention All Blind Veterans and Interested Parties:
The National Association of Blind Veterans will hold it's annual 
meeting in Dallas, Texas at the Anatole Hilton Hotel during the 
National Convention of the NFB on July 4th at 7PM or 1900 
hours. This will be our time to reflect on last year , prepare for 
the coming year, discuss the national raffle going on, and what we 
will be doing for our annual 4th of July Celebration. Dues will be 
collected and new members signed up. I look forward to seeing all 
those interested veterans and the existing members there for a great 
meeting. The room has not been assigned as of yet, so watch your 
agenda that Mrs. Jernigan says will be out in June.
Best Regards,
Dwight Sayer
President,
The National Association of blind Veterans
_______________________________________________
Blindvet-talk mailing list
Blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindvet-talk_nfbnet.org

 


From dandrews at visi.com  Mon May 31 23:12:32 2010
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 18:12:32 -0500
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] 2010 NFB Convention Agenda Now Available
Message-ID: <auto-000155945747@mailfront1.g2host.com>

Below is the text of the agenda for the 2010 NFB 
national convention.  You can also download a 
fully-formatted Word version from the link below.

Dave



http://www.nfb.org/nfb/National_Convention.asp


THE MEMBERS OF THE
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF TEXAS
WELCOME YOU TO THE
70th ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

Marc Maurer, President
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21230

Mary Ellen Jernigan
Executive Director for Operations and
Chairwoman, Convention Organization and Activities

Angela Wolf, President
National Federation of the Blind of Texas
314 East Highland Mall Blvd., Suite 353
Austin, Texas 78752

Hilton Anatole Hotel
2201 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75207
(214) 748-1200












      The 70th annual convention of the National 
Federation of the Blind is being held in Dallas 
at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.  As usual, our hotel 
rates are very good: singles and doubles are $62; 
triples and quads are $67. In addition to the 
room rates, there is a fifteen percent occupancy 
tax.  There is no charge for children under 
sixteen in the room with parents as long as no 
extra bed is required.  Proof of convention 
registration is necessary, including the showing 
of an NFB registration badge if 
requested.  Otherwise, regular hotel rates must 
be paid.  The Hilton Anatole is a non-smoking 
hotel; smoking is permitted only on the Gossip 
patio and fifteen feet from any outside entrance.

HILTON ANATOLE GEOGRAPHY
         The Hilton Anatole consists of two main 
sections?the Atrium and the Tower. The Atrium 
section is further divided into Atrium I and 
Atrium II. At the lobby and mezzanine levels 
Atrium I, Atrium II, and the Tower are connected 
so that you can walk from Atrium I at the far 
east end of the hotel through Atrium II into the 
Tower at the far west end of the hotel as if it 
were one building.  During the time of our 
convention the entire central area of Atrium II 
at the lobby level will be undergoing substantial 
renovation.  This renovation will not impact our 
convention operation in any significant way since 
there will be a well-defined passageway linking 
Atrium I with the Tower.  This passageway will 
run east and west along the south side of Atrium II at the lobby level.
      At levels above the mezzanine, Atrium I and 
Atrium II are contiguous with each other but not 
with the Tower?that is, to reach the sleeping 
rooms, you must use either the Atrium elevators 
or the Tower elevators, depending on which 
section your room is located in. The Tower 
sleeping room elevators do not stop at the 
mezzanine level. The Atrium sleeping room 
elevators stop at the mezzanine level, and you 
can reach the mezzanine level meeting rooms above 
the Atrium I lobby, the Atrium II lobby, and the 
Tower lobby. However, a flight of six or eight 
steps links the Atrium II mezzanine and the Tower 
mezzanine. If these steps are a problem, you can 
take a separate, single elevator that goes from 
the Tower lobby to the Tower mezzanine level. 
This elevator is located just west of the 
business center in the Tower lobby. At the west 
end of the Tower mezzanine is a stairway that 
leads to the Tower lobby. When you come down this 
stairway, you are facing east, and the Chantilly 
Ballroom is slightly ahead and on your right.
      Atrium I is the farthest-east section of 
the hotel and sits slightly south of Atrium II. 
Think of the entire hotel as a high-top tennis 
shoe lying on its side with the sole running 
along the north side, the toe pointing west, and 
the open top to the south. The right angle formed 
where the back of the shoe meets the sole in the 
hotel?s architecture is actually cut on the 
diagonal so that, when entering the hotel on that 
diagonal, you are facing southwest.  Atrium I is 
much shorter in its north-south dimension than 
are Atrium II and the Tower on the east-west 
axis. After you step into the main entrance, a 
left turn takes you towards the check-in desk and Atrium I.
      If you stand with your back to the check-in 
desk, you are facing west. Atrium I is on your 
left, and Atrium II is slightly to your right and 
straight ahead. The Atrium elevators and stairway 
and escalators to the mezzanine-level meeting 
rooms are located just across from the Atrium 
front desk and main entrance in the general area 
where the two Atria join.  Access to the 
temporary passageway between Atrium I and the 
Tower will be located here also.
      The lobby level of Atrium I and the area 
south of the temporary Atrium II passageway 
contains several meeting rooms, a brand new 
restaurant called the Media Grill & Bar, and the 
Grand Ballroom, which is located on the south 
side of Atrium II. The Khmer Pavilion is located 
roughly above the Grand Ballroom.
      The point at which the Atrium II lobby 
joins the Tower lobby is located just beyond the 
west end of the Grand Ballroom foyer.  The exact 
configuration of this juncture is unknown at the 
time of this writing because of the renovations 
in progress.  If any steps still remain by the 
time we arrive, there will be a ramp in place for wheelchair access.

      HOTEL FOOD SERVICE
      Breakfast will be available from 6:00 to 
11:00 am in three locations: Common Ground in 
Atrium 1, serving grab-and-go continental 
breakfasts and ala carte items including hot 
breakfast sandwiches; The Terrace in Atrium 1 
serving full hot breakfasts; and Gossips 
(beginning at 6:30 am) in the Tower serving 
specialty coffees and ala carte items.
      Lunch will be available from 11:00 am to 
2:00 pm in the Common Ground serving soups, 
salads, deli and hot sandwiches, quick 
grab-and-go bag lunches, and other ala carte 
items; in The Terrace from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm 
serving a quick hot ?blue plate? special each 
day; in Gossips from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm serving 
deli sandwiches and ala carte items; and in the 
Media Grill & Bar (located on the south side of 
Atrium II between the Atrium escalators and the 
Grand Ballroom) from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm 
offering a full-scale lunch and dinner menu.
      Dinner will be available in the Media Grill 
& Bar until 10:00 pm, with ?deep-night? bar and 
selected food service continuing until 2:00 am; 
in the Rathskeller (accessed from the Tower lobby 
across from the potpourri shop), serving a 
typical sports bar menu; and in Nana, the 
five-star restaurant located on the 
twenty-seventh floor of the Tower, from 6:30 to 
10:30 pm.  In addition, sushi will be available 
in Gossips until 2:00 am; a variety of hot and 
cold lite fare will be available in the bar at 
Nana from 4:30 pm to 12:30 am; and room service 
is available on a twenty-four-hour basis.



TEXAS-STYLE BARBEQUE AND LIVE MUSIC IN ANATOLE PARK
         Continue the excitement of convention 
opening day by enjoying a delicious Texas-style 
barbeque with family and friends under the stars in Anatole Park.
Listen to the great acoustical sounds of one of 
Texas? top performing singers and songwriters, 
Brian Burns, with friends Tommy Alverson and 
Davin James, who bring Texas and American country 
music back to the heart of the matter.  All 
hosted by the NFB of Texas and all happening on 
Tuesday, July 6, starting at 6:00 pm.  Tickets 
(while they last) are $45 per person and can be 
purchased in the registration area.

ROOKIE ROUNDUP
           All first-time convention attendees 
are cordially invited to attend a reception from 
8:00 to 10:00 pm on Saturday, July 3, in the 
Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby.  President 
Maurer and other Federation leaders will be on 
hand to welcome you to the convention and preview 
the week?s activities. Veteran conventioneers 
should urge all first-timers to attend this 
special event.  Also, first-time rookies are 
invited to join an informal, fun gathering on 
Monday, July 5, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm in the Affiliate Action Suite 2372.

         REGISTRATION & PREREGISTRATION
         Registration activities take place in 
the upper Chantilly foyer, Tower lobby beginning 
at 9:00 am on Sunday, July 4; at 8:30 am on 
Monday, July 5; and at other times as listed 
throughout the week.  The fee for registration at 
convention is $20 per person (if you 
preregistered before May 31, the fee was $15), 
and all those attending the convention (both 
local and outoftown people) are asked to 
register. Convention registration is a 
requirement for door prize eligibility and a 
number of other convention activities. We 
condition rates for hotel rooms on proof of 
registration, including the showing of an NFB 
registration badge if requested. Therefore, 
please register as soon as possible after arrival.

         EXHIBITS
Exhibits (excluding the NFB Independence Market) 
are on display in the Khmer Pavilion, Atrium 
third level.  Exhibit hall hours are:
         Sunday          9:00 am to 5:00 pm
         Monday          8:30 am to 5:00 pm
         Tuesday                 Noon to 1:45 pm; 
Sponsors only from 7:00-10:00 pm
         Wednesday       Noon to 1:45 pm and 7:00 to 10:00 pm
There is a special event for sponsor-level 
exhibitors only on Tuesday, July 6, from 7:00 to 
10:00 pm (see ?Special Attention? section and 
agenda listing for more information).  Sign up 
for NFB-NEWSLINE? at the NEWSLINE table.  Any 
alterations in the general session schedule which 
may occur during the convention will result in 
conforming shifts in the exhibit schedule and 
will be announced in the exhibit areas. A number 
of affiliated NFB divisions and committees have tables.

INDEPENDENCE MARKET & SHOWROOM OF INNOVATION
         The Independence Market and the Showroom 
of Innovation will be located in the Grand 
Ballroom, Atrium lobby.  NFB publications, 
products, devices, canes, Louis Braille 
commemorative coins, jewelry, and other items 
will be available. Also in the Showroom of 
Innovation you can preview the nonvisual 
interface technology that might empower driving 
and other advanced applications. Put your hands 
on the wheel, touch the first generation blind 
driver challenge vehicle, and glimpse into the 
future.  Be part of the revolution as we Race for 
Independence. Hours of operation for the Market and the Showroom are:
         Sunday          9:00 am to 5:00 pm
         Monday          8:30 am to 5:00 pm
         Tuesday                 Noon to 1:45 pm
         Wednesday       Noon to 1:45 pm?Note: Final time slot to visit
                                 Independence 
Market and Showroom of Innovation.

MEETINGS
         General sessions of the convention 
convene at 9:00 am in the Chantilly Ballroom, 
Tower lobby on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. 
The convention adjourns promptly at 5:00 pm on 
Thursday, July 8.  Please note that all requests 
for announcements by Dr. Maurer during general 
sessions must be submitted in Braille.

         BANQUET AND BANQUET TICKET EXCHANGE
         The banquet is being held in the 
Chantilly Ballroom, Tower lobby at 7:00 pm, 
Thursday, July 8.  Banquet tickets purchased at 
convention are $45.00 (the cost was $40 if 
purchased before May 31) and are on sale during 
registration on Sunday, Monday, and 
Tuesday.  Banquet tickets will not be available 
for purchase after Tuesday at 2:00 pm.
         It will be necessary to have your 
banquet ticket with you to attend the banquet; it 
will be collected at the banquet table. 
Arrangements should be made for reserved table 
assignments by taking the ticket(s) you purchase 
to the Banquet Exchange Table in the Chantilly 
lobby area, where you may exchange either an 
individual ticket or a group of tickets for 
reserved seating.  Banquet tables seat ten people.


RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND DEVOTIONS
         On Sunday, July 4, Fr. Gregory Paul, 
C.P., will celebrate a Roman Catholic Mass at 
6:30 am in the Wedgwood Room, Tower lobby.

         Also on Sunday at 11:45 am services for 
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 
will be held in the Wedgwood Room, Tower lobby.

         Devotional services will be held in the 
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby at 8:00 am on Tuesday, 
Wednesday, and Thursday.  Services are 
nonsectarian and will end at least fifteen 
minutes prior to morning convention 
sessions.  Coordinated by the National 
Association of the Blind in Communities of Faith 
Division; Tom Anderson, President.

K-NFB?S BLIO READER
MAKING BOOKS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE!
      Printed books are becoming digital and 
accessible.  Blio is free e-reader software 
designed for presentation of digital 
media.  Developed and distributed by K-NFB 
Reading Technology, Inc., shop at the online Blio 
bookstore with access to over one million free 
books.  Read wherever you are by syncing your 
digital library to your mobile device. To learn 
more, visit the demonstration sessions listed in 
the agenda on Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday.

SPECIAL ATTENTION IS CALLED
TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
? A Federation Information Desk will be in the 
registration area from Sunday morning, July 4, 
through Thursday, July 8, if you have questions 
or need assistance.  The Texas affiliate will 
also maintain a table near the hotel checkin desk 
in the main lobby to provide assistance and 
hospitality during much of the convention.

? When you register, you will be given a name 
badge. Please wear it at all times during the convention.

? The room number for the Presidential Suite is 
2572.  Someone will be on hand in the 
Presidential Suite throughout most of the 
convention to greet you and make appointments for 
you with the President or anyone else you wish to 
see.  The Presidential Suite will not be open 
during the business sessions of the convention, 
the Monday morning Board of Directors meeting, or 
the Thursday evening banquet. Come to the 
Presidential Suite. You will be most welcome.



? The room number for Mary Ellen Jernigan, 
Chairwoman of Convention Organization and 
Activities, is 2472. Questions concerning hotel 
rooms, meeting rooms, banquet, scheduling, 
registration, and other matters dealing with 
convention arrangements should be referred to the 
Chairwoman of Convention Organization and Activities.

? Individuals needing to conduct business with 
the NFB Treasurer may do so by going to the Opal 
Room, Tower lobby on Tuesday, July 6, between 
5:30 and 7:30 pm, or on Wednesday, July 7, between 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm.

? The Texas Suite (Angela Wolf, President) is 2272.

? The Affiliate Action and Rookie Activities 
Suite (Joanne Wilson and Pam Allen, Coordinators) is 2372.

? Child-care services for children between the 
ages of six weeks and ten years are available 
during convention sessions, most meetings, and 
the banquet.  Preregistration and payment by June 
15 were required for child-care.

         Child-care is organized and supervised 
by Carla McQuillan, the executive director of 
Main Street Montessori Association.  Alison 
McQuillan serves as the activities and staff 
coordinator.  Please note that child-care 
provides morning and afternoon snacks, but 
parents are required to provide lunch for their 
child(ren) every day. Times listed are the 
opening and closing times for child-care. A late 
fee of $10 per quarter-hour per child will be 
assessed for all late pickups.  Child-care hours are:
Saturday, 7/3           8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm
Sunday, 7/4             Closed
Monday, 7/5             8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm
Tuesday, 7/6            9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm
Wednesday, 7/7          8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm
Thursday, 7/8           8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5:30 pm
Banquet 7/8              6:30 pm to 30 minutes after banquet ends

? A Special Evening for Sponsor-Level 
Exhibitors:  Again this year, the exhibit hall 
will reopen from 7:00 to 10:00 pm on Tuesday, 
July 6, for a very special evening dedicated 
solely to Sponsor-Level Exhibitors. Come and 
bring a guest to say ?thank you? to our sponsors 
and to enjoy their interesting offers and demonstrations.

? The always popular Showcase of Talent is back 
again at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 7, presented 
by the Performing Arts Division.  Admission price 
is $5.00. If you would like to participate in the 
Showcase, make sure to sign up early by 
contacting a Performing Arts Division board member at the convention.

? Raffle tickets will not be sold in the 
registration area, and no raffles or other such 
drawings will take place during convention 
sessions or at the banquet. The single exception 
to this rule will be that national divisions may 
(if they request it in advance) conduct such 
drawings during the convention or at the 
banquet.  The Sapphire Room, Tower lobby will be 
set aside at 12:00 noon on Thursday, July 8, for 
all other drawings. Any group or affiliate 
wishing to conduct drawings at this time (or any 
person wishing to know the winners) may go at 
noon on Thursday to the Sapphire Room.

AFFILIATED DIVISIONS, COMMITTEES, AND GROUPS
         The Federation carries on its business 
through divisions, committees, and groups. The 
meetings of some of these have been scheduled for 
particular times and are listed in the agenda. 
Others have not been formally scheduled but will 
meet at the call of their chairpersons or 
presidents. If you have matters that you would 
like to discuss with any of the following 
divisions, committees, or groups, you should contact:

Divisions:
? Agriculture and Equestrian: Fred Chambers, President;
? Assistive Technology Trainers:  Michael Barber, President;
? Classics, Antiques, and Rods or Special Interest Vehicles (CARS):
         Joseph B. Naulty, President;
? Deaf-Blind: Burnell Brown, President;
? Diabetes Action Network for the Blind: Michael Freeman, President;
? Human Services: David Stayer, President;
? National Association of the Blind in Communities of Faith: Tom Anderson,
         President;
? National Association of Blind Entrepreneurs: James R. Bonerbo,
         President;
? National Association of Blind Lawyers: Scott LaBarre, President;
? National Association of Blind Merchants: Kevan Worley, President;
? National Association of Blind Office Professionals: Lisa Hall, President;
? National Association of Blind Piano Technicians: Don Mitchell, President;
? National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals: Melody
         Lindsey, President;
? National Association of Blind Students: Arielle Silverman, President;
? National Association of Blind Veterans: Dwight Sayer, President;
? National Association of Guide Dog Users: Marion Gwizdala, President;
? National Association to Promote the Use of 
Braille (NAPUB): Nadine Jacobson, President;
Divisions, Continued:
? National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science: Curtis Chong,
         President;
? National Federation of the Blind Krafters: Joyce Kane, President;
? National Federation of the Blind Seniors: Judy Sanders, President;
? National Organization of Blind Educators: Sheila Koenig, President;
? National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC): Carol
         Castellano, President;
? Performing Arts: Dennis H.R. Sumlin, President;
? Public Employees: Ivan Weich, President;
? Science and Engineering: John Miller, President;
? Sports and Recreation: Lisamaria Martinez, President;
? Travel and Tourism: Don Gillmore, President;
? Writers: Robert Leslie Newman, President.

Committees:
? Ambassadors: Angela Wolf, Chairperson;
? Blind Educator of the Year Award: David Ticchi, Chairperson;
? Committee on Assistive Technology (COAT): Curtis Chong, Chairperson;
? Committee on Automobile and Pedestrian Safety (CAPS): Deborah Kent
         Stein, Chairperson;
? Committee to Empower Underserved Populations (CEUP): Ron Brown,
         Chairperson;
? Cultural Exchange and International Program: Diane McGeorge,
         Chairperson;
? Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award: Cathy Jackson,
         Chairperson;
? Employment: Buna Dahal, Chairperson;
? Genetic Education: Barbara Pierce, Chairperson;
? Imagination Fund: Parnell Diggs, Chairperson;
? Jacobus tenBroek Award: Ramona Walhof, Chairperson;
? Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund: Tami Jones, Chairperson;
? Kenneth Jernigan Fund: Allen Harris, Chairperson;
? Library Services: David Hyde, Chairperson;
? Loan Fund: Donald C. Capps, Chairperson;
? Membership: Ron Gardner, Chairperson;
? Newel Perry Award: Allen Harris, Chairperson;
? Newsletter Publications: Norma Crosby, Chairperson;
? NFB-NEWSLINE? Steering: David DeNotaris, Chairperson;
? PAC Plan: Scott LaBarre, Chairperson;
? Planned Giving: John Halverson, Chairperson;
? Promotion, Evaluation, and Advancement of Technology: Gary Wunder,
         Chairperson;
Committees, Continued:
? Public Relations: Christopher Danielsen, Chairperson;
? Research and Development: Curtis Chong, Chairperson;
? Resolutions: Sharon Maneki, Chairperson;
? Scholarship: Anil Lewis, Chairperson;
? Shares Unlimited in NFB (SUN): Sandy Halverson, Chairperson;
? Spanish Translation: Norman Gardner, Chairperson;
? White Cane and Affiliate Finance: Alpidio Rol?n, Chairperson.

Groups:
? Blind Musicians: Linda Mentink, Chairperson;
? Blind Parents: Deborah Kent Stein, Chairperson;
? Blind Professional Journalists: Elizabeth Campbell and Bryan Bashin,
         Co-Chairpersons;
? Educators of Blind Children: Gail Wagner, Chairperson;
? Geordi's Engineers: Lorraine Rovig, Chairperson;
? Legislative Initiatives Discussion: Don Burns, Coordinator;
? Living History: Michael Freholm, Chairperson;
? NFB Ham Radio: D. Curtis Willoughby, Chairperson;
? NFB in Judaism: David Stayer, Chairperson;
? NFB Lions: Ramona Walhof and Milton Ota, Co-Chairpersons;
? Orientation and Mobility: Edward C. Bell, Chairperson;
? Professionals in Blindness Education: Heather Field, Chairperson
? Webmasters: Gary Wunder, Chairperson.


         CONVENTION AGENDA
  SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2010

7:30 - 8:45 am?HAM RADIO GROUP EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
Discuss convention frequencies, hotel 
architectural features, and distributing special 
FM receivers for the hearing-impaired and 
Spanish-speaking attendees. D. Curtis Willoughby (ka0vba), Chairperson

7:30 am - 6:30 pm?EDUCATION: TOP DOWN AND BOTTOM UP
Parent, Teacher, Rehabilitation, and Orientation 
& Mobility Joint Conference for Families and 
Rehabilitation Professionals (7:30 to 8:45 am?Registration;

12:00 noon - 2:00 pm?NBPCB Awards Luncheon in Morocco Room)
Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby
         NOPBC Fees: Adults $30; Youth (13-18) $20; Children (5-12) $10
         NBPCB Fees (includes lunch): Students $75; Professionals $100
         Note: Conference admission included with either registration above.
Sponsors: National Organization of Parents of 
Blind Children (NOPBC); National Blindness 
Professional Certification Board (NBPCB); 
National Association of Blind Rehabilitation 
Professionals (NABRP); and the Professional 
Development & Research Institute on Blindness 
(PDRIB) at the Louisiana Tech University. 
Chairpersons: Carol Castellano and Edward Bell

8:30 am?CHILD-CARE (Preregistration by June 15 was required)
Batik A & B and Cardinal A & B Rooms, Atrium Mezzanine
Please see ?Special Attention? section of agenda for further information.

8:30 - 11:30 am?WHAT?S NEW IN JAWS 11 AND A FIRST 
LOOK AT JAWS 12?FREEDOM SCIENTIFIC, INC.
Senators Lecture Hall, Tower lobby
Join Eric Damery, JAWS Product Manager, for an 
exciting and informative session covering the new 
details surrounding JAWS development during the 
past year.  In addition to many demonstrations of 
JAWS 11 with Research It, this will also be the 
first look at JAWS 12 scheduled for public beta in August 2010.

9:00 am - 12:00 noon?GW MICRO: SENSE NOTETAKER 
AND BOOKSENSE TRAINING (Registration: $10; refreshments provided)
Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
The Braille Sense Plus and other Sense notetakers 
are exciting devices in Braille notetaker 
technology.  Learn new features, including the GW 
Sense Navigation GPS.  See the BookSense in 
action; play your books and audio files with 
ease.  Raul Gallegos and Jeremy Curry. To register, call 260-489-3671.
  SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued

9:00 am - 5:00 pm?NFB JERNIGAN INSTITUTE?S ACCESS TECHNOLOGY SEMINARS
Governors Lecture Hall, Tower lobby

     9:00 - 11:30 am?Apple?s Mac system, iPod series, iPhone, and iPad
     1:00 - 2:00 pm?Ebay?s accessibility improvements
     2:15 - 3:30 pm?Blackboard Learn, the online platform for education
     3:45 - 5:00 pm?Accessing e-Books rapidly expanding market

9:00 am - 5:00 pm?EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE SEMINAR
Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine
     9:00 am?Registration; 9:30 am?Seminar begins
Staying on the cutting edge?what does it 
take?  If you are seeking a job or focused on 
career advancement, don't miss this excellent 
opportunity to explore the building blocks of 
evolutionary employment.  Buna Dahal, Chairperson

9:30 am - 2:30 pm?SENIORS SEMINAR: INTRO TO BLINDNESS SKILLS
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby
Please note?attendance is limited to around 
thirty-five people, so arrive promptly.  Blind 
instructors introduce seniors to basic blindness 
skills: Braille, use of the long white cane, 
games, etc.  Co-chaired by Ruth Sager and Ramona 
Walhof; Judy Sanders, President, NFB Seniors Division

10:30 am - 12:00 noon??WHERE PAST, PRESENT, AND 
FUTURE COME TOGETHER??NFB YOUTH TRACK (AGES 11 TO 18)
Wyeth Room, Atrium mezzanine
Kick off this year?s Youth Track activities with 
fun icebreakers and meet new friends.  This is 
also a time for youth to debate the age-old 
issues of blindness while putting a fresh new 
spin on them for today.  All Youth Track 
activities are sponsored by the NFB Jernigan 
Institute; Mary Jo Hartle, Coordinator

12:45 - 1:45 pm?WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?  NFB 
JERNIGAN INSTITUTE DISCUSSIONS?SESSION ONE 
(Session Two: Sunday at 5:30 pm; Session Three: Monday at 7:30 pm)
Wyeth Room, Atrium mezzanine
Session One covers research, history, and our literature.
Moderated by Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute


  SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued

1:00 - 3:00 pm?FREEDOM SCIENTIFIC; OPENBOOK 9 AND 
PEARL PORTABLE READING SOLUTION
Senators Lecture Hall, Tower lobby
Have lightning fast OCR with OpenBook in a 
portable solution that folds up.  Connect via a 
USB port and scan documents. Have them read aloud 
using Eloquence voices or any of Real Speak Solo 
Direct human-sounding voices now available on 
OpenBook. Magnify work, write under the camera, and reformat text.

1:00 - 5:00 pm?HUMANWARE PRODUCT SHOWCASE AND USER GROUPS
Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Sessions: 1:00 Breeze; 2:00 Portable Devices; 3:00 Stream; 4:00 BrailleNote
Join HumanWare to learn about recent updates and 
share product tips. Give us your suggestions or 
ask questions about your favorite HumanWare 
product. Door Prizes for every session!

1:00 - 6:00 pm?KRAFTERS DIVISION CRAFT SHOW
Topaz Room, Tower lobby
If you are interested in crafts and appreciate 
hand-made items, this is the place to be!  Come 
and meet some very talented Federation crafters 
and purchase their beautiful items for sale. Joyce Kane, President

1:30 - 2:45 pm?EXPERIENCE THE BLIO READER: MAKING 
THE WORLD?S BOOKS ENJOYABLE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE!
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
Presented by James Gashel.

2:00 - 3:00 pm?NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS
         The Conquest of Independence
         Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
         Helpful strategies for raising and working with a young blind child.
         Instructor: Carla McQuillan

         The Blind Student in Science Class
         Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
         Tools and techniques to include blind 
students in all aspects of science.
         Instructors: Cary Supalo, Dr. Lillian 
Rankel, Marilyn Winograd, and Dr.
         Andrew Greenberg

  SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued

NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS, Cont?d.
         Braille Reading Rates
         Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine
Your child can become a Braille-reading speed demon!
Instructors: Jerry Whittle and Dr. Eric Vasiliauskas

Let Your Child Grow Up!
Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
When is the right time to begin stepping back as a parent?
Instructors: Rosy Carranza and Andrea Beasley

2:00 - 5:00 pm?GOAL BALL; SPORTS & REC DIVISION
Gym, Verandah area
Lisamaria Martinez, President

2:00 - 5:00 pm?GW MICRO: WINDOW-EYES TRAINING 
(Registration: $10; refreshments provided)
Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Explore the power of Window-Eyes with advanced 
scripting support, Office 2010, Windows 7, and 
much more.  Come to see support for the Internet 
and scripting provided by a screen 
reader.  Presenters: Jeremy Curry and Raul 
Gallegos. To register, call 260-489-3671.

2:00 - 5:00 pm?YOUTH TRACK CONCURRENT WORKSHOP SESSIONS
         Preparing for the Future:
         Wyeth Room, Atrium mezzanine
         2:00 - 3:30 pm?High School Readiness (ages 11-14)
         3:30 - 5:00 pm?College Readiness (ages 14-18)

         Working Out Workouts:
         Travertine Room, Atrium mezzanine
         2:00 - 3:30 pm?For ages 14-18
         3:30 - 5:00 pm?For ages 11-14

         Looking Good without Looking:
         Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
         2:00 - 3:30 pm?For ages 14-18
         3:30 - 5:00 pm?For ages 11-14


  SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued

3:00 - 4:30 pm?TEACHER RECRUITMENT INITIATIVE
Affiliate Action Suite 2372
If you are interested in improving the education 
of blind students, please join us. Learn how to 
contact universities in your area, put on 
recruitment presentations, and spread the word about this rewarding career.
Hosted by the NFB Affiliate Action Team

3:00 - 4:45 pm?EXPERIENCE THE BLIO READER: MAKING 
THE WORLD?S BOOKS ENJOYABLE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE!
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
Presented by James Gashel.

3:15 - 4:15 pm?NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS

ABC and 1, 2, 3
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
Early literacy and number understanding at home and at school.
Instructors:  Heather Field and Stephanie Kieszak-Holloway

I Survived Math Class
Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
Tips to ensure your child understands, keeps up 
with, and even learns to love math.

         Social Skills
         Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine
         Strategies for fostering the development 
of age-appropriate social skills.
         Instructors: Denise Mackenstadt and Angela Frederick

         Low Vision: Focus on Success
         Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
         Prepare your low vision child for 
success in school, at home, and in social
         life.  Instructors: Marla Palmer and Mark Riccobono

4:30 - 5:30 pm?NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS
Get Your Child Going!
Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine
Enhance and promote independent movement in the 
young or delayed child.  Instructor: Denise Mackenstadt

  SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued

NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS, Cont?d.

Technology
Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
Available technology; hear from students on how 
they employ it.  Instructors: Richard Holloway and blind students

         Behavior: From Control to Support in Five Easy Lessons
         Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
         Steps to turn problem behavior into positive behavior.
         Instructor: Dr. Jerry Petroff

         Is Your Child Job Ready?
         Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
         Learn how your child can gain experience and skills.

5:00 - 7:00 pm?SPANISH SEMINAR
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
Blindness is blindness, no matter what the 
language.  Meet new and old friends; learn about 
Federation philosophy and the truth about 
blindness?in Spanish.  Moderator: Alpidio Rol?n

5:00 - 8:00 pm?MIX-AND-MINGLE RECEPTION FOR 
PARENTS AND REHABILITATION PROFESSIONALS
Morocco Room, Tower mezzanine

6:00 - 10:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GUIDE DOG 
USERS (NAGDU) BUSINESS MEETING
Emerald Room, Tower lobby
   6:00 pm?Registration; 7:00 pm?Meeting begins
Find out about legal cases that NAGDU and NFB are 
involved in; learn about the work and development 
of affiliate divisions; celebrate the launch of 
the NAGDU Education and Advocacy Hotline; elect 
your division leaders. Marion Gwizdala, President





  SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued

6:30 - 10:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND OFFICE PROFESSIONALS
Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
    6:30 pm?Registration; 7:00 pm?Meeting begins
Learn about new technology and how blind 
telephone operators, receptionists, customer 
service reps, Braille transcribers and 
proofreaders, and other office workers solve 
problems and challenges in the office setting.  Lisa Hall, President

7:00 - 8:30 pm?LIVING HISTORY GROUP
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
Dedicated to recording, preserving, and 
appreciating Federation history.  Michael Freholm, Chairperson

7:00 - 9:00 pm?NOPBC FAMILY HOSPITALITY NIGHT
Miro Room, Tower mezzanine
Relax and chat in an informal atmosphere.  This 
is a great opportunity for new families to meet 
and connect with others.  Veteran parents will be 
on hand to welcome and provide information.

7:00 - 10:00 pm?INDEPENDENCE SCIENCE, LLC FOCUS GROUP ONE
Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
(Preregistration by May 15 was required to 
attend.) Independence Science LLC, in 
collaboration with Purdue University researchers, 
is collecting feedback on a new portable handheld 
data collection device for blind students to use 
in high school science laboratories.  (Focus 
Group Two meets Monday at 7:00 pm)

7:30 - 9:00 pm?knfbReader MOBILE USERS MEETING
Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Conducted by Michael Hingson

7:30 - 11:00 pm?SALSA DANCE LESSIONS AND LATIN DANCE PARTY
Metropolitan Ballroom, Tower mezzanine
Get into the ?rhythm? of the convention?learn the 
salsa!  Group and individual instructions 
provided at any level of proficiency.  Fee of 
$5.00 benefits the NFB Spanish Translation 
Committee.  Add salsa dancing to your repertoire; people will be impressed.




  SATURDAY, JULY 3, Continued

8:00 - 9:00 pm?WHITE CANE AND AFFILIATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
Alpidio Rol?n, Chairperson

8:00 - 10:00 pm?NFB LIONS GROUP
Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine
NFB members who would like to join a Lions Club 
or are already Lions are urged to meet to share 
ideas and experiences.  Please wear your shirts 
or vests for a photo. Co-Chairpersons: Ramona Walhof and Milton Ota

8:00 - 10:00 pm?ROOKIE ROUNDUP RECEPTION
Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby
First-time convention attendees?don?t miss this 
event!  President Maurer and former rookies will 
be on hand to welcome you and answer questions 
about the week?s activities. Casual dress. 
Coordinator: Pam Allen, Director of the Louisiana 
Center for the Blind and President of the NFB of Louisiana

8:00 pm - midnight?KARAOKE NIGHT?? (Admission: $5.00)
Peacock Terrace, West Wing
Enjoy music, door prizes, and a cash bar; meet 
BLIND, Incorporated?s students and alumni and 
share their experiences from training.  Here?s 
your chance to sing like a rock star; Braille 
song lists are available.  Hosted by BLIND, Inc.

9:00 - 10:00 pm?NFB AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE MEETING
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
Angela Wolf, Chairperson













  SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2010

6:30 - 7:30 am?ROMAN CATHOLIC MASS
Wedgwood Room, Tower lobby
Father Gregory Paul, C.P., Celebrant

9:00 am - 5:00 pm?REGISTRATION ($20); BANQUET AND 
BARBEQUE TICKET SALES ($45 EACH); Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby

9:00 am - 5:00 pm?INDEPENDENCE MARKET AND 
SHOWROOM OF INNOVATION?Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby

9:00 am 5:00 pm?EXHIBITS?Khmer Pavilion, Atrium, third level

11:45 am - 1:15 pm?CHURCH SERVICES FOR THE CHURCH 
OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Wedgwood Room, Tower lobby

1:00 - 2:00 pm?BLIND MUSICIANS GROUP
Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
Share ideas and tips and network with other blind musicians.
Linda Mentink, Chairperson

1:00 - 5:00 pm?SELF-DEFENSE CLASS; SPORTS & REC DIVISION
De Soto A & B Rooms, West Wing
Lisamaria Martinez, President

1:00 - 5:00 pm?AUTO SHOW (CLASSICS, ANTIQUES, AND SPECIAL INTEREST VEHICLES)
Clock Tower Parking Lot
Presented by the NFB CARS Division; Joe Naulty, President

1:00 - 5:00 pm?NATIONAL CERTIFICATION IN LITERARY 
BRAILLE (NCLB) OFFICIAL EXAMINATION?SECTIONS ONE AND TWO
Governors Lecture Hall, Tower lobby
Participants must have preregistered.  Exam 
sections three and four are on Monday at 1:00 
pm.  Sponsored by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board



  SUNDAY, JULY 4, Continued

1:00 - 6:30 pm?PROFESSIONALS IN BLINDNESS EDUCATION
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
Heather Field, Chairperson

1:30 pm?RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
Coronado Ballroom, West Wing
Sharon Maneki, Chairperson

1:30 - 2:45 pm?EXPERIENCE THE BLIO READER: MAKING 
THE WORLD?S BOOKS ENJOYABLE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE!
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
Presented by James Gashel

2:00 - 4:30 pm?OPEN BRAILLE INITIATIVE
Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine
To make access to Braille easier, a group of 
prominent Braille device manufacturers have come 
together to develop and maintain an Open Standard 
for communications between screen readers and 
Braille displays.  Do you want to know more? Join 
us for the OpenBraille initiative presentation.

2:30 - 5:30 pm?TRAVEL AND TOURISM DIVISION
Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
Don Gillmore, President

3:00 - 4:45 pm?EXPERIENCE THE BLIO READER: MAKING 
THE WORLD?S BOOKS ENJOYABLE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE!
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
Presented by James Gashel

3:00 - 5:00 pm?WHAT?S NEW WITH NFB-NEWSLINE?
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
Learn about the NFB?s free audible newspaper 
service for the blind and visually 
impaired.  Topics cover Podable News, the new 
voices, the new on-demand article request 
feature, and more.  Sign up for NFB-NEWSLINE? at its exhibit hall table.

4:00 - 5:30 pm?SLATE MATES?NFB YOUTH TRACK (Ages 11-18)
Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
Pair up with members of the NFB Writers Division 
to learn the tricks of the trade to become a good 
writer.  Bring your questions, and put your interests to work.
  SUNDAY, JULY 4, Continued

4:00 - 6:00 pm?FEDERATION REGENERATION
Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Learn how to develop quality programs for youth 
in your state while regenerating your Federation 
spirit.  Presented by the NFB Jernigan Institute Education Team

4:30 - 6:00 pm?THIRTEENTH ANNUAL MOCK 
TRIAL?National Association of Blind Lawyers; Scott LaBarre, President
Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby
Admission: $5.00.  Federation lawyers are pitted 
against each other reenacting an old Federation 
case with the audience serving as the 
jury.  Although the subject matter is very 
serious, the courtroom portrayers are very entertaining.

5:30 - 6:30 pm?WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?  NFB 
JERNIGAN INSTITUTE DISCUSSIONS?SESSION TWO (Session Three: Monday at 7:30)
Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
Session Two covers access technology and product development.
Moderated by Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute

5:30 - 8:00 pm?NEWSLETTER PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine
Annual meeting and workshop for affiliate 
newsletter editors.  Norma Crosby, Chairperson

6:00 - 8:00 pm?STORY TIME IDOL?NFB WRITERS DIVISION
Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
Tell and/or listen to tall and scary 
stories.  Cost is $5.00 at the door and $1.00 to 
tell a story.  Idol winners share in the take!  Robert Leslie Newman, President

6:00 - 10:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND STUDENTS (NABS)
Wedgwood Room, Tower lobby
    6:00 pm?Registration ($5.00); 7:00 pm?Meeting
Students, young professionals, parents, teachers, 
and anyone interested in learning about issues 
affecting blind students are welcome to attend.
Arielle Silverman, President







  SUNDAY, JULY 4, Continued

6:30 - 8:00 pm?NFB AFFILIATE PRESIDENTS AND TREASURERS SEMINAR
Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine
All affiliate presidents and treasurers are asked 
to attend this session.  Topics include internal 
controls, state charitable registrations, 
end-of-year preparations, and discussing 
individual state issues with facilitators Charlie 
Brown, Ron Gardner, Bridgid Burke, and Nick Lambright

7:00 - 8:30 pm?MEET THE BLIND MONTH ACTIVITIES 
AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS SEMINAR: PLANS AND ACTION EQUAL SUCCESS
Manchester Room, Tower mezzanine
October is ?Meet the Blind Month.? Come and 
brainstorm with us as we look for fresh ideas for 
Meet the Blind Month!  Learn new fundraising 
ideas, and get your chapter ready to change 
public perceptions of blindness. Karen Zakhnini, NFB Jernigan Institute

7:00 - 8:30 pm?PUBLIC EMPLOYEES DIVISION
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
Ivan Weich, President

7:00 - 10:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND VETERANS
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Discussing plans to increase our division 
membership in the coming year and holding elections.  Dwight Sayer, President

7:30 - 9:30 pm?MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: FINDING, 
ATTRACTING, AND KEEPING NEW MEMBERS IN OUR CHAPTERS AND AFFILIATES
Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Success only comes before work in the 
dictionary.  Let?s discuss creative ideas to 
increase our membership. Ron Gardner, Chairperson

7:30 - 9:30 pm?LIBRARY SERVICES COMMITTEE
Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
David Hyde, Chairperson

7:30 - 9:30 pm?BLIND PARENTS GROUP
Travertine Room, Atrium mezzanine
Deborah Kent Stein, Chairperson



  SUNDAY, JULY 4, Continued

8:00 - 9:00 pm?JUDAISM MEETING
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
David Stayer, Chairperson, NFB in Judaism Group

8:00 - 9:30 pm?WEBMASTERS MEETING
Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
A meeting for all NFB affiliate and division 
Webmasters to discuss the importance of an 
informative, accessible, and visually attractive Website.
Gary Wunder, Chairperson, Webmasters Group

9:00 - 10:00 pm?SPANISH TRANSLATION COMMITTEE
Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
Norman Gardner, Chairperson



   MONDAY, JULY 5, 2010

8:30 am - 5:00 pm?INDEPENDENCE MARKET AND 
SHOWCASE OF INNOVATION?Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby

8:30 am 5:00 pm?EXHIBITS?Khmer Pavilion, Atrium, third level

8:30 am - 5:00 pm?REGISTRATION ($20); BANQUET AND 
BARBEQUE TICKET SALES ($45 EACH); Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby

9:00 11:30 am?NFB BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (Open to all)
Chantilly Ballroom, Tower lobby

12:00 noon - 1:15 pm?THE DIVISION FOR ME?NFB YOUTH TRACK
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
Meet-and-greet with division representatives to 
discover the NFB?s dynamic and diverse 
divisions.  Chat with knowledgeable reps about 
what?s happening now in their divisions and 
what?s in the works for the future.  Our 
divisions are progressive?join up and join in the fun.

12:00 noon - 2:00 pm?FIRST-TIME NFB CONVENTION ATTENDEES
Affiliate Action Suite 2372
Is this your first National Federation of the 
Blind convention? If so, please bring your own 
lunch and participate in a fun gathering; meet 
some friendly people and have your convention 
questions answered by experienced Federationists.

12:30 - 5:00 pm?DIABETES ACTION NETWORK (DAN) SEMINAR
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
    12:30 pm?Registration; 1:00 pm?Meeting begins
Learn about research updates on the use of 
insulin pens by Dr. Ann Williams, strategies to 
get medical insurance providers to cover diabetes 
management equipment accessible to the blind, and 
more.  Mike Freeman, President

12:30 - 5:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND LAWYERS (NABL)
L?Entrecote Room, Atrium lobby
    12:30 pm - Registration; 1:00 pm - Meeting begins
Examine laws affecting blind people and others 
with disabilities; address ongoing struggles to 
gain equal access to Web sites, employment, legal 
texts and exams. Scott LaBarre, President


   MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued

12:30 - 5:00 pm?NFB IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine
    12:30 pm?Registration; 1:00 pm?Meeting begins
Some of the topics include: the Macintosh as a 
productivity tool for the blind; Solona, a 
CAPTCHA-solving service; Association of 
Information Technology Professionals 
presentation; accessibility to Microsoft?s 
products by its director of accessibility, Rob 
Sinclair; elections; and much more.  Curtis Chong, President

12:30 - 5:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND IN COMMUNITIES OF FAITH
Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine
    12:30 pm?Registration; 1:00 pm?Meeting begins
The theme is ?Meeting Challenges: Gaining 
Opportunities.?  Speakers tell how their faith 
has helped them face and overcome challenges; 
also hear representatives from various 
faith-based libraries and publishing houses 
describe what their organizations do. Tom Anderson, President

12:30 - 5:00 pm?SPORTS AND RECREATION DIVISION ANNUAL MEETING
Coronado Ballroom, West Wing
    12:30 pm?Registration; 1:00 pm?Meeting begins
Wear your sweats and come ready for hands-on 
presentations, audible darts, and more!  Lisamaria Martinez, President

1:00 3:00 pm?PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING & SEMINAR
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Don't wait for the media to discover you?come and 
share ideas and strategies on how to harness the 
power of the media! Topics: crafting press 
releases, pitching stories, and giving 
informative interviews. Chris Danielsen, Chairperson

1:00 - 4:00 pm?PERFORMING ARTS DIVISION
Travertine Room, Atrium mezzanine
General meeting with elections, an introduction 
to our new state divisions, and speakers.  Dennis H.R. Sumlin, President

1:00 - 4:15 pm?NOPBC DIVISION ANNUAL MEETING: ISSUES AND ADVANCES IN EDUCATION
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby
Carol Castellano, President


  MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued

1:00 - 4:30 pm?NOPBC ACTIVITIES FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLERS

1:00 - 2:30 pm?Diggin? Into Science (ages 11-14)
Miro Room, Tower mezzanine
Hands-on science fun with instant snow, magnets, volcanoes, etc.
Instructors: Dr. Lillian A. Rankel and Marilyn 
Winograd, with assistance from chemists Cary Supalo and Dr. Andrew Greenberg

3:00 - 4:30 pm?Peer-to-Peer Technology (ages 11-18)
Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
Calling all geeks to expound on technology you love and love to hate.
Moderators: Jeremiah Beasley and John Fritz

3:00 - 4:30 pm?The Future Is Here in Science (ages 14-18)
         Miro Room, Tower mezzanine
         Hands-on chemistry activities; understanding chemical phenomena.
         Instructors: Dr. Lillian A. Rankel, 
Marilyn Winograd, Cary Supalo, and Dr.
         Andrew Greenberg

1:00 - 4:30 pm?NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF BLIND EDUCATORS
Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
    1:00 pm?Registration; 1:30 pm?Meeting begins
Blind teachers discuss techniques they use in 
their classrooms; participants also meet in 
groups specific to grade level and content areas 
of interest to create a network of mentors.  If 
you teach or are considering a career in teaching 
at any level, please join us. Sheila Koenig, President

1:00 5:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND 
MERCHANTS REVOLUTIONIZING RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD: 
CREATING NEW, ROBUST, AND DIVERSE SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLIND
De La Salle Room, West Wing
   1:00 pm?Registration; 1:30 pm?Meeting begins
The title says it all. Let?s continue to protect 
and defend the Randolph-Sheppard Program. The 
need to expand business opportunities and to 
develop new business initiatives for the blind of America is pressing.
At Your Service, Kevan Worley, President




  MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued

1:00 - 5:00 pm?NATIONAL CERTIFICATION IN LITERARY 
BRAILLE (NCLB) OFFICIAL EXAMINATION?SECTIONS THREE AND FOUR
Governors Lecture Hall, Tower lobby
Participants must have preregistered.  Sponsored 
by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board

1:00 - 5:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND REHABILITATION PROFESSIONALS
Madrid Room, Tower mezzanine
    1:00 pm?Registration; 2:00 pm?Meeting begins
Network, share mutual interests, find placement 
strategies, and examine and discuss concerns and 
current issues.  Melody Lindsey, President

1:00 - 5:00 pm??SENIORS IN CHARGE??NFB SENIORS 
DIVISION MEETING AND (SOMEWHAT) SILENT AUCTION
Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Join us to hear enthusiastic seniors share ideas 
about what they are doing; find out ways to 
spread our message of hope to seniors who have 
recently become blind.  And then, of course, we 
are also having our very popular not-so-silent auction. Judy Sanders, President

1:00 - 6:00 pm?HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION
Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine
    1:00?Registration; 2:00?Meeting begins; 5:00?Mingle and network
Psychologists; social workers; counselors; and 
music, art, or dance therapists meet to discuss 
topics and network.  David Stayer, President

1:30 3:00 pm?CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
Diane McGeorge, Chairperson

1:30 - 4:30 pm?WRITERS DIVISION BUSINESS MEETING
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
Update members on division business, announce the 
2010 winners of the youth and adult writing 
contests, visit with a published author and 
member of the NFB, and plan for the future. Robert Leslie Newman, President


   MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued

3:00 - 5:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND PIANO TECHNICIANS
Wedgwood Room, Tower lobby
Piano tuning has long been considered one of the 
stereotypical career choices for the blind.  Is 
this true? What can we do about it? Don Mitchell, President

5:00 - 6:30 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND LAWYERS (NABL) RECEPTION
L?Entrecote Room, Atrium lobby
For NABL members and seminar participants only to 
promote networking and fellowship within our 
membership. Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar available.
Scott LaBarre, President

5:00 - 7:00 pm?BRAILLE BOOK FLEA MARKET
De Soto A & B Rooms, West Wing
A book lover?s dream! Browse tables of new and 
used Braille and print/Braille books.  UPS 
volunteers will ship the books to your home free 
of charge.  Donations requested to support the 
Braille Readers are Leaders program.  Cosponsored 
by NOPBC and NAPUB.  Coordinator: Peggy Chong

5:30 - 7:00 pm?KURZWEIL 1000 USERS? CONTINGENT
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Join the Kurzweil 1000 Users? Contingent!  Meet 
with Steve Baum, Vice President of Engineering, 
and share some Kurzweil 1000 
experiences.  Kurzweil 1000 is our 
state-of-the-art, text-to-speech and life 
navigation software for blind and visually impaired readers.

6:00 - 9:00 pm?INDOOR ROWING; SPORTS & REC DIVISION
Coronado Ballroom, West Wing
Lisamaria Martinez, President

6:00 - 10:00 pm?BACK TO BASICS: FOUNDATIONS IN 
MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby
Topics: running a purposeful chapter meeting, 
building membership, community projects and 
chapter fundraising, working with youth, and 
weaving Federation philosophy into local 
meetings.  Presented by the NFB Affiliate Action Team




   MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued

6:00 - 10:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GUIDE DOG 
USERS (NAGDU) SILVER ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND SEMINAR
Emerald Room, Tower lobby
    6:00 pm?Registration; 7:00 pm?Seminar begins
Join us in celebrating twenty-five years of 
education and advocacy on behalf of guide dog 
users, recognize our founders and past leaders, 
initiate future projects, and ?test drive? a 
guide dog!  Marion Gwizdala, President

6:30 - 9:30 pm?SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DIVISION
Wyeth Room, Atrium mezzanine
   6:30 pm?Registration; 7:00 pm?Meeting begins
John Miller, President

6:30 - 10:00 pm?ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINERS DIVISION
Manchester Room, Tower mezzanine
   6:30 pm?Registration; 7:00 pm?Meeting begins
Topics: determining the right note taker for your 
student; plunging without fear into Windows 7 
with Cathyanne Murtha of Access Technology 
Institute; Jsay Pro; and teaching the Mac.  Michael Barber, President

7:00 - 8:30 pm??BROKEN-HEARTED RIVER TO FREEDOM? 
a play by Jerry Whittle (Admission: $5.00; Second 
Performance is at 9:00 pm)
Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby
A man loses his sight during the Civil War, 
returns home, and learns to deal with his 
blindness and family.  The play is performed by 
the Louisiana Center for the Blind Players; 
proceeds go to the Louisiana Center for the 
Blind?s summer training program for blind children.

7:00 - 9:00 pm?CLASSICS, ANTIQUES, AND RODS 
(CARS) DIVISION SEMINAR AND BUSINESS MEETING
Obelisk B Room, Atrium mezzanine
Come and hear speakers from automobile clubs talk 
about their activities and participate in the 
division business meeting. Joseph B. Naulty, President

7:00 - 9:00 pm?COMMITTEE TO EMPOWER UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Ron Brown, Chairperson

   MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued

7:00 - 9:00 pm?NATIONAL ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE 
THE USE OF BRAILLE (NAPUB) SEMINAR
Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Hear about the remaining commemorative Louis 
Braille silver dollars and how to get one, NFB 
Share Braille Website, and more.  Nadine Jacobson, President

7:00 - 10:00 pm?INDEPENDENCE SCIENCE FOCUS GROUP TWO
Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
(Preregistration by May 15 was required to 
attend.) Independence Science LLC, in 
collaboration with Purdue University researchers, 
is collecting feedback on a new portable handheld 
data collection device for blind students to use 
in high school science laboratories.

7:30 - 8:30 pm?ME AND THE GOSSIP GIRLS?NFB YOUTH TRACK
Dardenelles Room, Atrium mezzanine?Ages 11-14
Inverness Room, Atrium mezzanine?Ages 14-18
Girls?bring your questions and thoughts about 
makeup, dating, or how to get more involved in 
your school.  Discussions will be led by blind 
mentors.  Parents, please respect this is for teens only!

7:30 - 8:30 pm? ME AND THE GUYS?NFB YOUTH TRACK
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine?Ages 11-14
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine?Ages 14-18
Guys?talk about cars, dating, school, or how to 
nail that perfect job to make a little extra 
money.  Discussions will be led by blind mentors. 
Parents, please respect this is for teens only!

7:30 - 8:45 pm?WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?  NFB 
JERNIGAN INSTITUTE DISCUSSIONS?SESSION THREE
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Session Three covers education programs.
Moderated by Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute

7:30 - 10:00 pm?COMMITTEE FOR THE PROMOTION, 
EVALUATION, AND ADVANCEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY
Travertine Room, Atrium mezzanine
Hear exhibitors explain briefly what they are 
exhibiting and where they are located in the 
exhibit hall.  We will also evaluate the 
effectiveness of what our Committee is doing now 
and consider programs for the coming year. Gary Wunder, Chairperson
   MONDAY, JULY 5, Continued

8:00 - 9:00 pm?FRIENDS OF RECOVERY MEETING
Library Room, Tower mezzanine
All convention delegates involved in or 
interested in twelve-step recovery programs are 
invited to attend.  A second Friends of Recovery 
meeting will be on Wednesday at 8:00 pm.  Coordinator: Gary Ray

9:00 - 10:30 pm??BROKEN-HEARTED RIVER TO FREEDOM? 
a play by Jerry Whittle (Admission: $5.00)
Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby
A man loses his sight during the Civil War, 
returns home, and learns to deal with his 
blindness and family.  The play is performed by 
the Louisiana Center for the Blind Players; 
proceeds go to the Louisiana Center for the 
Blind?s summer training program for blind children.


























   TUESDAY, JULY 6, 2010

8:00 - 8:45 am?DEVOTIONS
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby

8:15 8:45 am?REGISTRATION ($20); BANQUET AND 
BARBEQUE TICKET SALES ($45 EACH)?Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby



         OPENING GENERAL SESSION

9:00 am INVOCATION

9:35 am WELCOMING CEREMONIES

9:55 am CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM: VETERANS RECOGNIZED
Dwight Sayer, President, National Association of 
Blind Veterans, National Federation of the Blind; Winter Gardens, Florida

10:05 am        A DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PRIORITY FOR BLIND WOUNDED WARRIORS
Colonel Donald Gagliano, M.D., Executive 
Director, Department of Defense/Department of 
Veterans Affairs Vision Center of Excellence; Washington, D.C.

10:20 am        ROLL CALL OF STATES AND APPOINTMENT OF NOMINATING COMMITTEE

11:45 am        REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS

12:00 pm        ADJOURN



12:00 noon 12:30 pm and 1:30 - 2:00 
pm?REGISTRATION ($20); FINAL BANQUET TICKET SALES 
($45)?Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby

12:00 noon - 1:45 pm?INDEPENDENCE MARKET AND 
SHOWROOM OF INNOVATION?Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby


   TUESDAY, JULY 6, Continued

12:00 noon 1:45 pm?EXHIBITS?Khmer Pavilion, Atrium, third level

12:15 - 1:45 pm?LOUISIANA CENTER FOR THE BLIND 
ALUMNI LUNCHEON; Pam Allen, Director
Peacock Terrace, West Wing



GENERAL SESSION

2:00 pm CALL TO ORDER

2:05 pm PRESIDENTIAL REPORT, Marc Maurer

3:00 pm THE FEDERATION IN THE WORLD FROM THE 
PERSPECTIVE OF THE BLIND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER AND SENATOR IN THAILAND
      Monthian Buntan, Senator; Bangkok, Thailand

3:20 pm THE BLIND DRIVER OPERATING A VEHICLE AT 
SPEED: CREATING THE TECHNOLOGY THAT PUTS THE CONTROLS UNDER OUR HANDS
Parnell Diggs, Esq., Coordinator, Race for 
Independence; President, National Federation of 
the Blind of South Carolina; Garden City, South Carolina

3:35 pm SWEP AND THE BARS OF OUR PRISON
Scott LaBarre, Esq., LaBarre Law Offices; 
President, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado; Denver, Colorado

3:50 pm THE XAVIER SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND: SERVING THE BLIND SINCE 1900
Father John R. Sheehan, S.J., Chairman, Board of 
Directors, Xavier Society for the Blind; New York, New York

4:05 pm ONE MILLION BOOKS FOR THE PRINT DISABLED AND MORE TO COME
Brewster Kahle, Digital Librarian; San Francisco, California



   TUESDAY, JULY 6, Continued

4:20 pm NOT JUST SURVIVING THE DISASTER OF 
SEPTEMBER 11 BUT PROVIDING LEADERSHIP IN A DEADLY EMERGENCY
Michael Hingson, President, Michael Hingson Group; Novato, California

4:35 pm REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS

5:00 pm ADJOURN



5:30 - 6:30 pm?NOMINATING COMMITTEE
De La Salle Room, West Wing

5:30 - 6:30 pm?NFB-LINK, OUR ONLINE MENTORING PROGRAM
Affiliate Action Suite 2372
Come help us honor the over 250 mentors that are 
a part of NFB-LINK and learn how you can become a 
mentor, too. NFB-LINK is our online mentoring 
program, and by becoming a mentor, you will see 
how a little time on the computer can make a huge 
difference. Current and future mentors, please attend!

6:00 pm?NFB OF TEXAS BARBEQUE AND LIVE MUSIC
Anatole Park
Enjoy eating a delicious Texas-style barbeque 
with all of the trimmings while listening to the 
music of singer/songwriter/guitarist Brian Burns, 
with friends Tommy Alverson and Davin James.

6:00 - 8:00 pm?AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND 
INTRODUCES AccessWorld  EVERY MONTH AND NEW ONLINE COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Peacock Terrace, West Wing
You are invited to our informational reception. 
Announcing AFB AccessWorld, every month?more 
authors, more information, more often. 
CareerConnect, FamilyConnect, and SeniorSite 
offer newly-expanded opportunities. Network with 
families, seniors, and successful mentors. We look forward to meeting you.





   TUESDAY, JULY 6, Continued

6:00 - 9:00 pm?DEAFBLIND DIVISION BUSINESS MEETING & ELECTIONS
Obelisk B Room, Atrium mezzanine
    6:00 pm?Registration; 7:00 pm?Meeting begins
Burnell Brown, President

6:30 - 8:00 pm?MUSIC TECH WORKSHOP
Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Conducted by Cameron Strife; presented by the NFB Performing Arts Division

6:30 - 9:00 pm?COLORADO CENTER FOR THE BLIND OPEN HOUSE
Topaz Room, Tower lobby
Discover how good training can change your life. Julie Deden, Director

7:00 - 8:00 pm?ASTRONOMY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS (Ages 6-14)
Morocco Room, Tower mezzanine
Fun-filled astronomy-related activities in an 
out-of-this-world workshop!  Instructor: Noreen Grice

7:00 - 8:30 pm?BOOKSHARE AT NFB MEMBER PARTY
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
Enjoy snacks and refreshments while meeting the 
Bookshare staff. This is your opportunity to talk 
with us and share your ideas; we?re here to 
listen.  Plan to have fun with contests, 
drawings, and interacting with your fellow 
members.  We look forward to seeing you.

7:00 - 8:30 pm?NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS
         IEP Workshop for Beginners
         Madrid Room, Tower mezzanine
         Focusing on evaluations, goals, strategies, and the law.
         Instructor: Carlton Walker

         Getting to Yes
         Manchester Room, Tower mezzanine
         Getting the team to work together so that it benefits your child.
         Instructor: Dan Frye

         Tactile Maps and the Development of Spatial Awareness
         Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
         Exploring ways to promote the development of spatial awareness.
         Instructor: Debbie Kent Stein
   TUESDAY, JULY 6, Continued

7:00 - 9:00 pm?NFB KRAFTERS DIVISION BUSINESS MEETING
Fleur-de-lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
Unveiling new craft initiatives, including 
discussion on classes available via telephone 
conference and information on our Monday night 
nationwide chats. We are seeking teachers and students for crafting classes.
Joyce Kane, President

7:00 - 9:00 pm?LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES SEMINAR: 
MOVING LEGISLATION ON THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL
Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Each affiliate should send one representative. 
Learn the best methods of increasing support for 
our legislative priorities.  Changing lives 
through laws is our business. Led by Jesse 
Hartle, Lauren McLarney, and Ronza Othman

7:00 - 10:00 pm?A SPECIAL EVENING FOR SPONSOR-LEVEL EXHIBITORS
Khmer Pavilion, Atrium, Third Level
The exhibit hall reopens for an evening dedicated 
solely to sponsor-level exhibitors. Come and 
bring a guest to say ?thank you? to our sponsors and to
enjoy their interesting offers and 
demonstrations. Our convention sponsors are: 
Title: Deque Systems, Inc.; Platinum: HumanWare 
and UPS; Gold: Freedom Scientific and Oracle; 
Silver: Adobe; Bronze: National Industries for 
the Blind (NIB); and Exhibit Hall: En-Vision 
America, GW Micro, Inc., Independence Science, 
LLC, Independent Living Aids (ILA), Intel 
Corporation, Olympus, Recording for the Blind & 
Dyslexic (RFB&D), Sendero Group, and Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

7:00 - 10:00 pm?THE BEST THROWBACK PARTY AND 
DANCE EVER!   NFB YOUTH TRACK (Ages 14-18)
Metropolitan Ballroom, Tower mezzanine
Choose your favorite decade and come dressed in 
your best digs.  Compete in hula hoop contests, 
learn the ?YMCA,? or show us your best moon walk 
while dressed as the late Michael Jackson in the 
80?s.  Prizes will be given to the best-dressed 
or most creative throwback participants.

8:00 - 9:00 pm?BEP: U.S. CURRENCY IDENTIFICATION 
FOCUS GROUP Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Representatives of the U.S. Dept. of the 
Treasury?s Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) 
and the Office of Product Development provide an 
update on BEP?s progress to provide blind 
individuals with access to U.S. currency and 
discuss concepts it is currently testing. 
(Session Two: Wednesday at 7:00 pm.)
   TUESDAY, JULY 6, Continued

8:00 - 9:00 pm?PERFORMING ARTS DIVISION SEMINAR
Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
A seminar on division development; discuss the 
future of the Performing Arts Division and ways 
to make it even better.  Conducted by division 
board member, Jordy Stringer.  Dennis H.R. Sumlin, President

8:30 - 9:30 pm?HOW TO HOLD A VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE IN SIX EASY STEPS
Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
Learn how to plan and host a voter registration 
drive that will attract new members to your 
chapter and serve your local community. 
Coordinator: Lou Ann Blake, NFB Jernigan Institute

8:30 - 10:00 pm?NOPBC CONCURRENT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS

         IEP Workshop for Veteran Parents
         Madrid Room, Tower mezzanine
         Instructor: Carlton Walker

         Testing and Accommodations
         Manchester Room, Tower mezzanine
         Instructors: Barbara Mathews and a representative of the College Board

         Adapting and Creating Useable Materials for Students
         Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
         Instructor: Pat Renfranz













   WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2010

8:00 - 8:45 am?DEVOTIONS
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby

8:15 8:45 am?REGISTRATION ($20)?Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby



         GENERAL SESSION

9:00 am INVOCATION

9:05 am ELECTIONS

9:50 am THE APEX AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS AT HUMANWARE
Gilles Pepin, Chief Executive Officer, HumanWare; Drummondville, Canada

10:10 am        THE FAILURE OF THE EDUCATIONAL 
SYSTEM IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE BLIND

MARK RICCOBONO, Moderator; Executive Director, 
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute; Baltimore, Maryland

SHEILA AMATO, Ed.D., University Teacher Trainer; Massapequa Park, New York

NOREEN GRICE, Founder and President of You Can Do 
Astronomy, LLC; New Britain, Connecticut

LAURA WEBBER, Secretary, National Organization of 
Parents of Blind Children; Houston, Texas

ERIC VASILIAUSKAS, M.D., parent and advocate; Los Angeles, California

11:10 am        ASSURING INTERNET ACCESSIBILITY
Preety Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Deque Systems, Inc.; Reston, Virginia


   WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, Continued

11:30 am        REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS

12:00 pm        ADJOURN



12:00 noon 12:30 pm and 1:30 - 2:00 pm?REGISTRATION ($20)
Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby

12:00 noon - 1:45 pm?INDEPENDENCE MARKET AND 
SHOWROOM OF INNOVATION (Final time period to be 
open)?Grand Ballroom, Atrium lobby

12:00 noon 1:45 pm?EXHIBITS?Khmer Pavilion, Atrium, third level



         GENERAL SESSION

2:00 pm CALL TO ORDER

2:05 pm FINANCIAL REPORT

3:05 pm STRATEGIC INITIATIVES REPORT
John Par?, Executive Director for Strategic 
Initiatives, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland

Jesse Hartle, Governmental Affairs Specialist, 
National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland

Lauren McLarney, Governmental Affairs Specialist, 
National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland

3:35 pm REPORTS, RESOLUTIONS, AND OTHER BUSINESS

5:00 pm ADJOURN




   WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, Continued

7:00 - 8:00 pm?BEP: U.S. CURRENCY IDENTIFICATION 
FOCUS GROUP Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Representatives of the U.S. Dept. of the 
Treasury?s Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) 
and the Office of Product Development provide an 
update on BEP?s progress to provide blind 
individuals with access to U.S. currency and 
discuss concepts it is currently testing.

7:00 - 8:15 pm?EXPERIENCE THE BLIO READER: MAKING 
THE WORLD?S BOOKS ENJOYABLE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE!
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
Presented by James Gashel

7:00 - 8:30 pm?NFB IMAGINATION FUND GRANT-WRITING SEMINAR
Fleur-de-Lis B Room, Atrium mezzanine
Each affiliate should send at least one 
representative to this seminar. Learn to plan, 
write, and submit a strong grant application; 
discover key points and strategies about how to 
identify appropriate funders and submit a winning 
proposal.  Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute

7:00 - 9:00 pm?WHAT?S NEW WITH NFB-NEWSLINE?
Lalique Room, Atrium mezzanine
Learn about the NFB?s free audible newspaper 
service for the blind and visually 
impaired.  Topics cover Podable News, the new 
voices, the new on-demand article request 
feature, and more.  Sign up for NFB-NEWSLINE? at its exhibit hall table.

7:00 9:00 pm??SOCIAL SECURITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL 
SECURITY INCOME: WHAT APPLICANTS, ADVOCATES, AND 
RECIPIENTS SHOULD KNOW? SEMINAR
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby
Topics: Social Security and SSI benefits, 
including eligibility criteria, the application 
process, reporting obligations, and appeals 
process.  Also get information on the Medicare 
prescription drug benefit income subsidy program.
Presenter: Ronza Othman





   WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, Continued

7:00 10:00 pm?EXHIBITS?Khmer Pavilion, Atrium third level

7:00 - 11:00 pm?TENTH ANNUAL SHOWCASE OF TALENT?Fee: $5.00
Stemmons Auditorium, Atrium lobby
Register early by contacting Performing Arts 
Division leaders at the convention by Tuesday. 
Proceeds benefit the division?s scholarship 
program and other programs. Sponsored by the 
Performing Arts Division; Dennis H.R. Sumlin, President

7:00 - 11:00 pm?NON 24-HOUR SLEEP WAKE DISORDER SEMINAR
Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Circadian rhythm sleep disorders in totally blind 
people. Total loss of light perception prevents 
synchronization of circadian body clock rhythms 
to the 24-hour day, leading to cyclic insomnia 
and daytime napping. The causes of this sleep 
disorder and possible treatment options will be presented and discussed.

7:30 - 9:00 pm?INTRODUCTION TO ORACLE SIEBEL CALL CENTER
Obelisk B Room, Atrium mezzanine
Don Mauck, Accessibility Evangelist at Oracle, 
will demonstrate the accessibility features built 
into the Oracle Siebel Call Center. Oracle CRM 
products are used by more than 4,000 enterprises 
and more than 4.6 million business users; these 
enterprises represent potential employment opportunities for the blind.

8:00 - 9:00 pm?FRIENDS OF RECOVERY MEETING
Library Room, Tower mezzanine
All convention delegates involved in or 
interested in twelve-step recovery programs are 
invited to attend.  Gary Ray, Coordinator

8:00 - 10:00 pm?COMMITTEE ON AUTOMOBILE AND 
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY (CAPS); Deborah Kent Stein, Chairperson
Fleur-de-Lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine

8:00 - 10:00 pm?COMMITTEE ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Rosetta Room, Atrium mezzanine
For the most part, technological developments 
tend to exclude blind people.  Developers must 
change the ways future technologies are 
designed.  Join us?perhaps you can suggest a 
technology or approach that nobody else has 
considered.  Curtis Chong, Chairperson


   WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, Continued

8:00 - 11:30 pm?MONTE CARLO NIGHT
Metropolitan Ballroom, Tower mezzanine
Try your luck at any of the usual card games found on a casino floor.
Sponsored by the National Association of Blind Students

8:30 - 9:45 pm?EXPERIENCE THE BLIO READER: MAKING 
THE WORLD?S BOOKS ENJOYABLE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE!
Peridot Room, Atrium mezzanine
Presented by James Gashel






























   THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2010

8:00 - 8:45 am?DEVOTIONS
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby

8:15 8:45 am?REGISTRATION ($20)?Final opportunity to register.
Chantilly Foyer Area, Tower lobby



GENERAL SESSION
9:00 am INVOCATION

9:05 am BUYING AND SELLING ONLINE: EBAY BUILDS 
ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE BLIND INTO ITS PLATFORM
Dane Glasgow, Vice President, Buyer Experience 
Product Management, Ebay, Inc.; San Jose, California

9:20 am BRAILLE IS LITERACY
Deane Blazie, Inventor; Hobe Sound, Florida

9:35 am EIGHTY-FOUR LANGUAGES AND GROWING
Frank Kurt Cylke, Director, National Library 
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 
Library of Congress; Washington, D.C.

David Fernandez-Barrial, Foreign Language 
Librarian, National Library Service for the Blind 
and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress; Washington, D.C.

9:55 am QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION

10:00 am        EDUCATING BLIND CHILDREN: CHANGING THE PARADIGM
Fredric K. Schroeder, Ph.D.; Research Professor; 
San Diego State University; Vienna, Virginia

10:20 am        TOWARD FULL EMPLOYMENT FOR BLIND AMERICANS
Lynnae Ruttledge, Commissioner, Rehabilitation 
Services Administration, United States Department 
of Education; Washington, D.C.



   THURSDAY, JULY 8, Continued

10:35 am        ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION FOR ALL, 
INCLUDING THE BLIND: MEETING THE STANDARD
Jessica Finnefrock, Senior Vice President, 
Product Development, Blackboard; Washington, D.C.

10:50 am        ACCESSIBLE DESIGN, A MODEL FOR THE FUTURE
Steve Eastman, President, Target.com; Minneapolis, Minnesota

11:05 am        LOCATION-BASED SERVICES USING BUS 
STOP AND GEOCODED MEDIA CONTENT
Mike May, Chief Executive Officer, Sendero Group; Davis, California

11:20 am        BLIND CAR BUILDER? WE?RE HERE TO TELL YOU!
Marcus Simmons, Chief Executive Officer, Simmons 
BOSS CREATIONS; Southfield, Michigan

11:35 am        REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS

12:00 pm        ADJOURN



12:00 noon - 1:45 pm?HAM RADIO GROUP BUSINESS MEETING
Milan Room, Tower mezzanine
D. Curtis Willoughby (ka0vba), Chairperson

12:00 noon - 1:45 pm?RAFFLES AND DRAWINGS
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby

12:15 - 1:45 pm?EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NLS
Obelisk A Room, Atrium mezzanine
A question-and-answer session with Frank Kurt Cylke, Director, and staff of the
National Library Service for the Blind and 
Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.




   THURSDAY, JULY 8, Continued



         GENERAL SESSION

2:00 pm CALL TO ORDER

2:05 pm COPYRIGHT AND THE RIGHT TO READ
Marybeth Peters, Esq., Register of Copyrights, 
Library of Congress, Copyright Office; Washington, D.C.

2:20 pm THE FUTURE OF BOOKS AND BEYOND
Ray Kurzweil, President and Chief Executive 
Officer, K-NFB Reading Technology, Inc.; Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts

2:40 pm CALLING ALL DRIVERS: ADVANCING 
LEADERSHIP, COLLECTIVE ACTION, AND THE BOUNDARIES OF INDEPENDENCE
Mark Riccobono, Executive Director, National 
Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute; Baltimore, Maryland

3:00 pm THE INTERFACE THAT TOUCHES THE MIND: 
ADVANCING BEYOND AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
Dennis Hong, Ph.D., Director, Robotics and 
Mechanisms Laboratory, Virginia Polytechnic Institute; Blacksburg, Virginia

3:15 pm A PRACTICING BLIND PHYSICIAN
Timothy Cordes M.D./Ph.D., Resident in 
Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics; Madison, Wisconsin

3:30 pm DR. JACOB BOLOTIN AWARD
Gary Wunder, Chairperson, Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award 
Committee, and Secretary, National Federation of the Blind; Columbia, Missouri

4:10 pm DISABILITY POLICY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE
Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President 
on Disability Policy; Washington, D.C.

4:25 pm REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS


   THURSDAY, JULY 8, Continued

5:00 pm ADJOURN



7:00 pm?BANQUET
Chantilly Ballroom, Tower lobby
INVOCATION
MASTER OF CEREMONIES:  Fredric K. Schroeder
INTRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
BANQUET ADDRESS: Marc Maurer
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

11:00 pm?SCIENCE FICTION MEETING
All persons interested in science fiction and 
fantasy are welcome to join in an open 
discussion.  Please contact Ed Meskys for room location.


  Thank You...

         The National Federation of the Blind 
acknowledges with gratitude our Title, Platinum, 
Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Exhibit Hall Convention 
Sponsors below. Their messages follow.

Title Sponsor:
Deque Systems, Inc.

Platinum Sponsors:
HumanWare
UPS

Gold Sponsors:
Freedom Scientific
Oracle

Silver Sponsor:
Adobe

Bronze Sponsor:
National Industries for the Blind (NIB)

Exhibit Hall Sponsors:
En-Vision America
GW Micro, Inc.
Independence Science, LLC
Independent Living Aids (ILA)
Intel Corporation
Olympus
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D)
Sendero Group
Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.



                         David Andrews:  dandrews at visi.com
Follow me on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920




