[nfbwatlk] Convention

[Jim Portillo]

All I can say is that this convention was memorable in many ways.
However, as memorable as the unvailing of the KNFB reader was, I think what 
made it more special for me had to do with the different people.

Although I went to the exhibit hall, I was more interested in the workshops 
and meetings this year.  I was hungry to really learn and get that shot in 
the arm that only the Federation convention and people can give me.

Listening to the speeches dealing with the importance of rehab got to me 
too, because they reminded me of how lucky some of us for getting that. 
Even the deal on Three wishes just got me in the gut.  To see my good friend 
Nick Schmittroth up there, after battling that cancer, just truly got at the 
old heart strings, and I couldn't help but let a tear or two fall.  To hear 
how everyone cheered for him and cheered for the blind mother who gained her 
independence was just wonderful.

We in the Federation may have our differences, but when it really comes down 
to it, we really want to see all of us be successful blind individuals!  I'm 
glad to be a part of the Federation!
It's done too much for me not to be appreciative and want to give back to 
it.

Jim



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)" <Bennett.Prows at HHS.GOV>
To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 2:01 PM
Subject: [nfbwatlk] Convention


I haven't seen any reports yet on the convention just finished.  I
thought, that despite some hotel glitches, that this was one fantastic
convention.  The feature of course was the release of the Kurzweil NFB
reading machine.  It seems to work very well with most printed or text
material for now.  I was impressed that it could be brought close to
signs, etc, and mostly read the material fine.  As it is upgraded, this
small, portable device will become invaluable for reading many things.
It was exciting to hear that the 30 NFB scholarship winners this year,
in addition to receiving at least $3000 in scholarships, (one winner
received $12,000), the winners received another $1000 from Kurzweil
company, and a copy of the Kurzweil 1000 scanning software, and as a
bonus got a Kurzweil NFB reader, valued at $3,500.  That's not to
mention their expenses to convention.  What a program.



We also had great convention sessions, and division meetings, etc.  The
visit from Kinky Freedman, the gubernatorial candidate in Texas, who is
a Jewish comedian, author and musician was fun and interesting.  He
entertained the thousands gathered at the opening plenary session on
Tuesday.  This came just before the ceremony honoring the blinded
veterans in attendance who are Federationists.  It was impressive to
hear how many leaders we have in the movement who have served in the
various branches of the military.  The ceremony was extremely moving to
all who were present.



The National Association of Blind Lawyers put on the ninth annual mock
trial this year, and we raised some money for the division as well.  I
heard there were about 305 people there, so we did pretty well this
year, and the folks who came were overwhelming appreciative of the
entertainment and education about the discrimination case which was
based on a real case the NFB was involved in concerning a large
automobile manufacturer who refused to hire back a foundry worker who
was laid off after becoming blind.



The highlight presentations again were Doctor Maurer's Presidential
Report and Banquet address, both of which will be available soon at our
web site at <www.NFB.org>



Of course, we had great social gatherings too, and met new friends, and
renewed old friendships.  There were indeed about 3000 people attending
again this year.  So, now recharged, we move on to the year in the NFB.



More stories from the convention I'm sure are coming up.



/s/

Bennett Prows, J.D.

Health Information Privacy Program

Office for Civil Rights

Seattle, Washington

(206) 615-2621

E-mail:  Bennett.Prows at hhs.gov






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