NOPBC
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
A proud division of the National Federation of the Blind
Presents

Adult with cane, adult without cane, child with cane

 

Dreams, Creativity, & Skills:
The Recipe for Success

The 2024 National Seminar for Parents and Teachers
at the
National Convention
National Federation of the Blind
Wed., July 3 – Mon., July 8
The Rosen Centre
Orlando, FL

 

WELCOME TO THE 2024 NOPBC SEMINAR!

* Insider Information *

The NFB National Convention is a complicated week of events, so we’ve prepared these tips to help you stay organized & make the most of your convention experience.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—NOPBC GROUPME

Join the new NOPBC Announcements GroupMe for up-to-date announcements on Convention workshops, meetings, and events, and “be sure not to miss” presentations in the NFB General Sessions, all right on your smart phone. After convention stay connected to receive information on future NOPBC webinars, NFB programs, legislative actions, and so much more!

For more information and instructions on joining visit http://www.nopbc.org/GroupMe

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

The NOPBC Seminar, NFB Convention, & NFB Child Care each have separate registration and fees. For our special hotel rate, be sure to register for the NFB Convention in addition to registering for the NOPBC Seminar.

NOPBC Seminar Online Registration: https://nopbc.org/civicrm/event/register?id=3&reset=1
NOPBC Onsite Registration: Wednesday, July 3, 7:30 – 8:45 AM, outside Salon 12, The Rosen Centre, Orlando. Online NOPBC registration will remain open throughout the NFB Convention. Please register both adults and children (FREE for children 18 and under).

Youth Track Online Registration: https://nopbc.org/youth-track-registration
Youth Track Onsite Registration: Wed., July 3, 7:30 – 8:45 AM outside the NOPBC Seminar, Salon 12. Pick up a Youth Track agenda for times, places, and details of the week’s activities.

NFB Online Convention Registration: Now closed
NFB Onsite Convention Registration: Wed., July 3, 9 AM in the pre-function area outside of the Grand Ballroom, at Registration Desk 1, and at other times during the week. See the NFB agenda for further details.

NFB Child Care Registration:
NFB Child Care requires preregistration, but you can see if space is still available by visiting the Child Care room, Salon 21.

SEMINAR DAY INFORMATION—WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

On Seminar Day, Wednesday, July 3, get to Seminar registration early! There is usually a line.

Would your child like to talk to NFB President Mark Riccobono? If yes, check your child in at Child Care early on Seminar Day & then bring him/her with you to the Seminar.

Adults and children are invited to start the morning together at 9 AM at the Dreams, Creativity, & Skills: The Recipe for Success Seminar, where children will have the opportunity to chat with NFB President Mark Riccobono. At the end of this session (10:30 AM), children who are preregistered & checked in with NFB Child Care will be escorted to the Child Care rooms. If your child is not checked in, check in at Child Care after our session and then return for workshops.

At the lunch break after Workshop Session I, pick up your child from child care and meet up with your teen for lunch on your own.

After lunch—drop kids off at Child Care & Youth Track. More workshops for adults. In the evening, join us for Family Game Night.

CHILD CARE INFORMATION & ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH

NFB Child Care (aka NFB Camp) requires preregistration. You can try to register onsite, by going to NFB Child Care room, Salon 21, and seeing if any spaces are left.

NFB Child Care for children 6 weeks - 12 years old. Child Care is open each day except Thursday, July 4. Child Care is also open on Banquet night, Monday, July 8. Children must be registered with Child Care to attend. The Child Care schedule appears toward end of this agenda.

If your child is in Youth Track (ages 11 – 18), please pick up a Youth Track agenda at registration or at sessions. Pick up your teen promptly at the end of Youth Track sessions or plan to meet elsewhere.

In addition to Youth Track, children and youth might enjoy the Cane Walk and activities of the National Association of Blind Students (NABS). Schedules appear toward the end of this agenda.

SPECIAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES ALL WEEK LONG

Details for certain special NOPBC activities for parents, children, and youth are listed only in this agenda, so keep this agenda throughout the week.

Other activities that you & your child might enjoy are listed in the NFB Convention agenda (this is a separate document). Pick it up at Convention registration or in advance at https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention. Read both agendas to be aware of all events!

A sampling of the week’s activities:

  • NOPBC parent & teacher events in this agenda, including the Seminar, Cane Walks, and IEP Night, Sat., July 6
  • NFB Convention sessions: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, July 6 – 8
  • Tactile art, talent show, audio-described movie, tech demos, digital maps & apps , AI, training center info, cooking, career fair, Braille, legislation & advocacy updates, mock trial, personal finances, social security info, inclusive sports & rec, state caucuses, & more!
  • NFB Division, Group, & Committee activities: Blind Students, Deaf-Blind, Blind Parents, Sports and Rec, Crafts, Performing Arts, Multiple Disabilities, Guide Dog Users, Employment Committee, Educators, Lawyers, Journalists, Scientists, Engineers, Technology Evaluation, Computer Scientists, AT Trainers, Writers, culture & religious groups, and more. Open to all!
  • The Independence Market & our incomparable Exhibit Hall: the latest technology & more!
  • The Banquet and scholarship presentations Monday evening, July 8; ask your state NFB president about the ticket exchange

EXPRESSING OUR APPRECIATION

The NOPBC extends a special thank you to Amy Porterfield, Director of SAAVI Services for the Blind, for providing fun and creative activities for our youth at this year’s convention.

Of course, the NOPBC seminar would not be possible without the collective power of the NOPBC Board! These volunteers—Cassandra McKinney, Casey West Robertson, Carol Castellano, Sandra Oliver, Jackie Anderson, Emily Gindlesperger, Sarah Kassim, Tabby Mitchell, president emerita Barbara Cheadle, and our assistant Serena Cucco, along with former board members Kim Cunningham, Melissa Riccobono, and Carlton Walker who came out of retirement to help us—have spent hundreds of hours planning this seminar, all while still caring for their families and working at their jobs. They truly live their commitment to helping other families, changing what it means to be blind, and enabling our children to live the lives they want!