2026 NFB of Indiana State Convention

Carry the Flame: Ignite the Passion

The National Federation Of The Blind of Indiana

Thursday, Oct. 8 - Sunday, Oct. 11

The Embassy Suites North

3912 Vincennes Road

Indianapolis, Indiana 46268

Phone: +1 317-872-7700

Come and take part as we in the National Federation of the Blind of Indiana gather to reflect on the history that sparked our movement, celebrate the power of collective action, and ignite the passion, key to fueling our continued momentum. 

Please Note:  Both the Town hall meeting on Thursday evening, and the NFBI Board of Directors meeting on Friday morning can be accessed via the Zoom platform at the links below:

Town Hall Meeting:  https://nfb-org.zoom.us/launch/jc/97164771690

Meeting ID: 971 6477 1690

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+13017158592,,97164771690# US (Washington DC)

+13052241968,,97164771690# US

NFBI Board Meeting:  https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/99506310287

Meeting ID: 995 0631 0287

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+13052241968,,99506310287# US

+13092053325,,99506310287# US

The agenda is set to reflect the Eastern Daylight Time zone. 

Thursday, October 8

7:00 PM:     

NFB-NEWSLINE® Indiana T0own Hall 

Barcelona B and C. 

Doors open at 6:30 pm. No one admitted after 7:00 PM. 

Our own Lee Martin and Florence Myers-McSwine kick off the convention by hosting a televised interview with our National Representative Anil Lewis.  Come and take advantage of the opportunity to learn more from a longtime Federation leader! Enjoy complimentary refreshments and live musical entertainment, courtesy of the NFB-NEWSLINE® Indiana team. 

Friday, October 9

9:00 AM: 

Board of Directors Meeting 

Barcelona B & C. 

Attend in-person or take part via the Zoom platform as members of the 2025-2026 NFB of Indiana Board discuss the current state of our affiliate and what may be on tap for the coming year.  

11:00 AM: 

Resolutions Committee 

Barcelona A. 

Listen and weigh in as we consider public position statements our affiliate may elect to adopt to further our mission of equality, opportunity, and security for blind Hoosiers. 

12:00-12:50 PM:

Break for lunch.

Reserved boxed lunches will be available in Barcelona D.

General Session 1

Barcelona B & C

1:00 PM: 

Maximizing Our Resources.

Come explore the array of resources available to assist in maximizing our growth and independence in Indiana. Some may surprise you.

• NFB Newsline
• Indiana State Library
• Leader Dogs
• Bosma Enterprises
• Smart 911
• Accessibilities
• Chat GPT 

3:00-5:00 PM:

Registration & Door Prize Dropoff. 

Foyer outside Barcelona B.

3:00 PM

Drop-in Information Stations.

• The freedom of Meta: Barcelona D.

Drop in to chat and explore the power of the meta glasses. Get hands-on experience and draw on the experience of current users.

• When your smart phone seems dumb:  Barcelona B & C.

Drop in and chat with experienced smart phone users. Bring your questions, perplexities, or just request instruction on a new skill.

4:00 PM:

Breakouts.

• Roundtable discussion for the newly blind. Barcelona A.

Have you experienced vision loss in recent years? Are you the spouse or family member of a newly blind individual and unsure how to help? Maybe the world of blindness is not so new, but you haven’t been able to adjust, or don’t fully comprehend how you might enjoy a rich, full life as a blind person.  Come join Brian Clark and Barbar Dosch as they facilitate a candid discussion about the seemingly traumatic experiences of vision loss, and how you can discover the confidence needed to achieve your dreams.

• Round table discussion on community outreach in Indiana. Barcelona D.

Come join in a lively discussion of the importance of establishing a visible presence in our state, reaching out to parents of blind children, students, educators and seniors with the resources and hope the federation has to offer.

 5:00 PM: 

Manager’s Reception, 

Atrium

Come network with your Fellow Federationists, and enjoy some Embassy Suites hospitality.

7:00 PM 

Divisions and Groups:

• Student Group. Barcelona A.

Are you attending school, working towards an educational goal, or a candidate for an NFBI scholarship? Are you looking to become part of a network of blind students? Join the Indiana blind students group as they work to establish themselves as a division of the affiliate.

• Seniors Group. Barcelona B & C.

Are you age 55 or older? Come network with seasoned federationists about the best ways to support the senior community, and explore the avenues for reaching out to the senior population experiencing vision loss.

• Merchants’ Division. Barcelona D.

Are you a blind entrepreneur, a Randolph Sheperd vendor or an aspiring business owner? Come join the merchants as they discuss business practices and managing techniques employed by successful blind business owners.

8:00 PM:

Federation Fun:

Barcelona B & C.

Relax, unwind and enjoy some fun and games, courtesy of our Michiana chapter! 

Saturday, October 10

8:00-8:45 AM:

Registration & Door Prize Dropoff 

Foyer outside Barcelona B.

General Session 3

Barcelona B & C 

9:00 AM: 

• Call to Order
• Invocation
• Pledge of Allegiance
• NFB Pledge

9:15 AM:

The State Of The Federation

Anil Lewis, National Representative. 

From his perspective as Executive Director of Blindness Initiatives, Anil shares the latest national priorities and inspires us to find opportunities to advance the Organized Blind Movement in the Hoosier State. 

9:50 AM: 

The art and Benefits of structured discovery.

Daniel Belding and his panelists offer insight into the world of structured discovery, and explore its impact on the success of our training centers.

10:50 AM:

A piece of our Federation History: A house divided.

Listen as national Representative Anil Lewis outlines the history behind the establishment of two blindness organizations, and the reason behind the continuation of their separate identities.

11:05 AM:

Breaking down barriers: One victory at a time.

Listen as our panelists share their experiences with the fight towards first-class citizenship.

11:30 AM: 

What’s In It for Me?

Join in an interactive discussion of the personal benefits associated with the investment of your time, talent and resources in the federation.

12:00 – 1:20 PM

Break for lunch.

Reserved boxed lunches will be available in Barcelona D.

12:45-1:15 PM:

Registration & Door Prize Dropoff 

Foyer outside Barcelona B.

General Session 3 

Barcelona B & C 

1:30 PM: 

Let’s Make a Difference.

Join in an interactive session with Legislative Chair Misty Kienzynski as she emphasizes the importance of collective and self-advocacy and provides practical hands-on experience. 

2:45 PM: 

The art of leadership.

Listen as our panelists discuss the importance of solid leadership in the organization, and the commitment involved in serving in a leadership role.

3:15 PM: 

Resources in your pocket.

Do you have a favorite app; for navigating, for visual access, for entertainment? Come prepared to share them and learn about others as we explore the independence at our fingertips and the power of the smart phones.

3:45 PM:

Reports.

• Chapter & Division Reports. 

Designated leaders share Federation highlights from different regions of the state and preview what they are working on over the coming year. 

• Resolutions Committee report.

5:00 PM: 

Adjourn

7:00 PM: 

Banquet

Barcelona B & C.

Mistress of ceremony Pam Schnurr 

Enjoy delicious food and great fellowship. Listen as our Keynote Speaker and National Representative Anil Lewis inspires us with stories of how he learned to raise expectations for himself and his fellow blind. Meet and congratulate our Scholarship Class of 2026, and Participate in the NFBI Progressive Auction.   

Sunday, October 11

8:00 AM:

Prayer and Praise Service

Barcelona D. 

Start your Sunday by honoring your Higher Power in fellowship with others through prayer, song, and reflection. 

General Session 4 

Barcelona B & C

NFBI Business Session

9:00 AM: 

Call To Order.

Last-minute housekeeping observations are welcome, along with a preview of what is to happen in this final morning session. 

9:05 AM: 

Moment of Tribute to Fallen Brothers & Sisters in the movement;

Honoring NFB members who have passed away since our previous convention. 

9:10 AM: 

Secretary’s report.

Secretary Abby Fleenor shares the minutes of our last business session.

9:25 AM: 

Treasurer’s Report. 

Treasurer Kane Brolin shares insight into our finances.

9:40 AM: 

 National Representative Feedback. 

Anil Lewis gives impressions based on what he has observed during the weekend’s Indiana Convention experience and shares constructive ideas as to what we could do to achieve sustained growth in our affiliate and better outcomes for the blind statewide. 

10:05-10:20 AM:

Break

10:20 AM

President’s Report. 

President Graves reflects on what has transpired in our Affiliate over the last 12 months and shares her vision for the organization as we step across the threshold into 2027. 

10:35 Am

Nominating Committee Report & Elections.

Join us in electing the slate of officers and board members who will lead us to the threshold of 2028.

11:45 AM: 

The 2027 State Convention 

When And Where? 

12:00 PM: 

Final words. 

12:10 PM:

Adjournment.

Thank you all for your untold personal sacrifice and dedication to the organized blind movement in Indiana.

Convention Notes

Guide Dog Relief Area

Hotel staff asks that you take your dog guides out in the grassy area in the back of the hotel. The exit door is located at the end of the hall in front of the Barcelona rooms, just past the restrooms. The hotel is happy to provide waste receptacles.