[NABS-L] Don't delay! Last day to register for the Midwest Student Seminar is today!

[Ammar Tarin]

Hey Students!



It is officially the last day to register for the 2025 National Federation
of the Blind Midwest Student Seminar, hosted by the National Association of
Blind Students! Here is some information about 2 of our professional
Volunteers Jessica Beecham and QuestionATL!

Jessica’s favorite song is I’m a Problem by Gramatic and Red Man!

Jessica Beecham is a blind entrepreneur in the beautiful Mile High city of
Denver, Colorado. Originally from Tennessee,  she developed her
entrepreneurial skills as a teenager because it was difficult to find a
traditional job that was willing to make accommodations for a blind person
seeking part time employment. She made her spending money listing and
selling items on EBay for commission, babysitting, and doing other odd
jobs. Jessica received her B.S, in therapeutic recreation and her M.S. in
exercise Science from Middle Tn State University. She has worked as a
recreational therapist, a community organizer, director of a health and
wellness company, and she now operates a cafeteria, coffee shop, and high
volume vending through the Business Enterprise Program on Buckley Space
Force Base. She also provides Pre Employment Transition Services and
marketing and fundraising services as a contractor.  In her free time she
enjoys the beautiful Colorado outdoors, yoga, running, reading, and making
memories with friends and family. Jessica is passionate about giving back
to the blind community and serves as president of the National Federation
of the Blind of Colorado and as a member of the board of directors of the
National Federation of the Blind.

QuestionATL is a blind Rap Artist & Producer. He is self-taught on several
instruments, began freestyling at 5 and making beats at 11. He has won over
20 beat battles and produced for several artists. QuestionATL released his
debut project, The Dream, on all streaming platforms as well as collab
projects with other Artists & Producers. He is a member of the Recording
Academy Atlanta Chapter and was featured in an article by the Recording
Academy on Grammy.com. QuestionATL is a founding member of the musical
professionals coalition RAMP’D, Recording Artists and Music Professionals
with Disabilities and is a member of the non-profit Soulfood Cypher that
teaches youth communication through the art of freestyle rap. He leads a
collective of other blind Artists & Producers from the US, Canada & UK
named Blind and Famous who collaborate often and have released several
projects together.

If you want to hear more from Jessica, QuestionATL, or any of our other
amazing professional volunteers, don’t delay, and register for the Midwest
Student Seminar today by 11:59 PM! Here is the Registration link:

https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=5.

You can find more info about the seminar below!

As blind students, we are encountering unique daily realities that often
remain unrecognized or misunderstood by the people around us. The National
Association of Blind Students is thrilled to invite you to Beyond the
Handshake: Networking in the Windy City, where we will explore these shared
experiences with students from across the region. It will be an engaging
weekend packed with opportunities to challenge your perceptions and network
with blind peers and mentors alike.

Have you ever wondered how to navigate non-traditional career paths or
build a professional network that truly understands your journey? This
year’s theme focuses on career exploration and planning, offering practical
insights and strategies to help you thrive. Together, we’ll dive into how
to forge meaningful connections, open new doors, and envision possibilities
beyond the expected.

You can expect a mix of interactive activities, thought-provoking
conversations, and riveting presentations—with topics covering everything
from securing accommodations to finding identity as a blind person. This
journey promises to empower you to identify new ways of living the life you
want. Regardless of where you are in your education, we hope you will join
us for a weekend of growth and fun from March 7 – March 9, 2025, at the
Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare Area:

Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare Area

5615 N. Cumberland Ave. Chicago, IL 60631

You can register at the following link:
https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=5. Registration
closes on February 28, 2025, so don’t delay!

Rooms can be booked at the following website using the code “NFB”.
www.hiohare.com. Alternatively, you can call (800-465-4329) or
(773-693-5800) to reserve a room by phone using the group name “National
Federation of the Blind Student”. Room rates for a room with two queen beds
are $119.00 per night, and rooms must be booked by February 28, 2025.

The National Association of Blind Students prioritizes its members' health
and safety in all its events. For the safety of all participants, we ask
that if you are feeling ill, please remain home. These policies are
consistent with the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois’s policies
on in-person gatherings.

We are also committed to keeping all members safe. As such, we follow The
Code of Conduct, which you can find here:
https://nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct, as well as
the Youth Program protection Policy, which can be found here:
https://nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct/youth-program-participant-protection-policy,
which is upheld  by the National Federation of the Blind.

Alternative Payment Options: We in no way want the $100 registration fee to
prevent any student from attending. If the fee poses a challenge, please
contact Joshua Olukanni at 678-313-1543 or joshuaolukanni2002 at gmail.com.

Please note that both the $100 registration fee and a completed
registration form must be submitted by February 28, 2025, to secure your
spot for this transformative weekend.

If you have any questions regarding hotel logistics, registration, or
anything else about the Midwest Seminar, feel free to reach out to Joshua
Olukanni at 678-313-1543 or joshuaolukanni2002 at gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing all of you in Chicago!

-- 
Respectfully,
Ammar Ahmed Tarin
Board Member, National Association of Blind Students
Board Member, National Federation of the Blind of Arizona
President, Arizona Association of Blind Students
Ammar.tarin at gmail.com
480-580-7874
Live the life you want.