2006 NFB Convention Wrap-up

Dallas, TX

By Kevin Smalley

They say things are bigger in Texas. Having just returned from the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind in Dallas, I can vouch for that statement. Our Federation family was big in Texas. Our hotel was big in Texas. Our convention agenda was also big in Texas.

The Lone Star State, it seems, can also serve up some super-sized challenges, especially with regard to mobility. The Hilton Anatole Hotel is massive. There are over 1,600 guestrooms that are housed in one large 28-story tower and two smaller, open-air atrium buildings. The organization utilized the massive ballrooms and dozens of breakout meeting rooms for our conferences, parties and exhibits. The hotel also housed over a dozen restaurants, bars and clubs. All of these guest room towers, meeting rooms, restaurants and bars are connected by gigantic concourses, endless stairways, and overflowing escalators and elevators. If you studied hard, you might possibly be able to navigate through the hotel by the time you began packing your suitcase to leave.

Total attendance at this year’s convention topped out at over 2,850 attendees. There were at least 155 Californians in the mix. California assisted our Federationists from the golden state with 33, $400 grants and 6, $600 William Radcliff grants. Members in California are truly blessed to have the generous support of the affiliate for this purpose.

Our members caucused on Monday evening. President Burns introduced our three scholarship finalists: Tim Elder, a law student from Livermore, Anna Muaswes, a resident of Oakland who is pursuing a career as a genetics counselor, and Danny Solomon, from Ventura who is working to become a teacher of the blind and visually impaired. President Nancy Burns outlined details for the NFBC’s convention to be held in Irvine, October 12-15.

Announcements made in Texas are also not exempt from being labeled massive. President Burns discussed elections at the upcoming convention. She announced that in October, she and her husband Don would be retiring and moving to New Mexico. She therefore will not be seeking re-election as President. Nancy reassured Californians of her confidence in the fact that the amazing work being done in California will not cease but will continue to grow and thrive under the leadership of her recommendation for her successor, Robert Stigile. Robert is a dedicated, knowledgeable Federationist who has worked very closely with President Burns in the state office for years. He serves on the Board of the NFBC is currently president of the strong San Fernando Valley Chapter. As sad as we are to see Nancy and Don leave the state, we are equally happy for the new life and joys that retirement will undoubtedly bring to them.

The Board meeting of the NFB also brought many big announcements. Diane McGeorge, Carla McQuillan, Joyce Scanlon and Charlie Brown, all hard-working, dedicated Board members, stated that they would not be seeking re-election to their offices for various reasons. President Maurer thanked each for their unyielding support and dedication over the many years they served.

Change, it seems, is inevitable. Throughout the years there have been many changes in leadership in the NFB. New leaders bring new ideas and renewed passion to the membership. The transition into new leadership is time when we celebrate the accomplishments of former leaders and exhibit support and encouragement for the new. The announcement from our President, as well as those from the NFB Board, is bittersweet. It is with pride that we celebrate our accomplishments in this era, and with high expectations and excitement that we look toward the future.

The K-NFB Reader, it was announced, was officially on sale for the first time at the convention. The Reader is the long-awaited, hand-held, print to speech reading device that has been developed through a partnership with Ray Kurzweil, the inventor of the first reading device. A number of Federation members from each state were brought to the national center for training on the Reader. For the first time in Federation history, all in attendance were given only printed materials and handouts. Everyone was able to access the printed material without sighted assistance. The Reader was for sale in the exhibit hall for $3,195 which was a special price only offered during the convention. The Reader normally carries a price of just over $3,400.

Mariachis strolled into the general session Tuesday morning and opened the convention with musical ardor. Then, as Federationists stopped dancing and readied themselves, things got kinky—Kinky Friedman that is! Kinky is running a campaign for governor of Texas and he welcomed us with his own unique style. Our veterans were then honored with special ribbons and the combined delegations then joined in a chorus of “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Dr. Maurer’s presidential report summarized a year of milestones. He stressed the impact that the new Jernigan Institute has already made on the lives of blind people and its far-reaching influence. He was proud to share with us these big numbers that summarize some of our accomplishments:

· Our buildings now contain over 350,000 feet of floor space.

· The International Braille and Technology Center (IBTC) responded to over 2,500 phone calls and over 4,000 emails from the public this year.

· Over 4,900 visitors have come to the National Center this year.

· Over 400 seniors attended the Possibilities Fair.

· Over 50 blind students attended a Career Day event.

· Newsline is now providing telephone access to newspapers and periodicals in 40 states.

· Newsline now has 51,000 registered users.

· There are 225 newspapers provided through Newsline and 92 percent of the U.S. population now has access to them.

· Registered users of Newsline have access to over 2.1 million minutes of news per month.

· Over 250 Federationists from every affiliate attended seminars including the Presidents’ Seminars, the TOPS Seminars, and others.

· “Voice of the Diabetic” is distributed to over 350,000 individuals each quarter.

· The Materials Center has now circulated roughly two million items.

· The 30^th Kernel Book is being released.

· The Braille Monitor has a circulation of 35,000 per month.

· Future Reflections is distributed to over 10,000 people each quarter.

Dr. Maurer’s report also summarized the amount of work that is yet to be done. Blind people are still facing discrimination in the workplace. New technologies, especially the widespread installation of non-audible digital equipment and appliances are creating obstacles for the visually impaired. The public still holds many age-old myths about blindness as truth. Dr. Maurer stated that we are undertaking new efforts this year to inform the public about blindness and about the services and accomplishments of the NFB.

Stuart Wittenstein, Superintendent of the California School for the Blind in Fremont was welcomed in general session. He discussed the new Braille reading and math standards that have been officially approved and adopted in the state of California. The standards that California has established are now serving as the model for other states and many affiliates voiced their desire to push for the creation of Braille standards in their states.

As always, NFB conventions are not entirely business. A healthy amount of entertainment and social gatherings are interwoven with the lectures and meetings. The Texas affiliate planned a Fourth of July barbeque in the park; to begin just shortly after the general session was finished for the afternoon. The party was complete with a huge offering of southern-style barbeque dishes and a western-swing and country band. Just prior to adjournment, the general session hall was filled with the muffled rumblings of thunder. Rain began to fall, driven by the warm howling winds of a summer storm. The party was moved into the ballroom and with only a short delay, the band began to play and the food was served.

The NFB continues to work to improve the lives of the blind. The Jernigan Institute blazes trails into the future of technology. Our leaders, both nationally and locally, continue to inspire, dream, and work diligently to create a world where blind people are judged not by their level of eyesight, but by their true levels of worth and character. If you have never attended a national convention of the National Federation of the Blind, plan now to make the trip to Atlanta in 2007. The experience of convening with thousands of blind and visually impaired people from across our country and from other nations is invaluable. The benefit you will realize is intangible and can only be understood by attending the convention. It is an experience that truly changes lives. It is the purpose of the National Federation of the Blind.