2024 Indiana Affiliate State Convention
Unity, Power, Purpose
 

 

The National Federation Of The Blind
Thursday, Oct. 3 - Sunday, Oct. 6
THE EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON INDIANAPOLIS 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 celebrate the power that will show up in each of our lives as we act in a unified, purposeful fashion to take control of our lives, our resources, and our future direction.  

The Town Hall Meeting on Thursday and Board Meeting on Friday will be accessible via Zoom at the following links:
Town Hall:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82236754332   code: NFBI2024
Board Meeting:  nfb-org.zoom.us

 All times are expressed in Eastern Daylight Time.  

 

Thursday, October 3

7:00 PM:    
NFB-NEWSLINE® Indiana Town Hall 
Barcelona B and C. 
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 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 Pam Allen and her husband Roland.  Pam is Vice-President of the National Federation of the Blind, and president of the Louisiana affiliate.  Roland Allen is a long-time cane travel instructor.  Come and take advantage of learning about our Federation leaders!  Enjoy complimentary refreshments, door prizes,  and live musical entertainment, courtesy of the NFB-NEWSLINE® Indiana team. 

Friday, October 4

9:00 AM: 
Board of Directors Meeting 
Barcelona B& C.  
Attend live or take part via the Zoom platform as members of the 2023-2024 NFB of Indiana Board discuss the recent state of our affiliate and what may be on tap for the coming year. 

11:00 AM: 
Resolutions Committee 
Barcelona D.  
Listen and weigh in as we discuss public position statements our affiliate may choose to take to further our abiding agenda of equality, opportunity, and security for blind Hoosiers.  The wording of any proposed resolution this Committee passes will be voted upon by the Convention during Sunday morning’s Business Meeting. Feel free to come and make your voice heard. 

12:00-12:45 PM:
Registration & Door Prize Dropoff
Foyer outside Barcelona B.

General Session 1
Barcelona B & C

1:00 PM: 
Employment First.  
Join us as we welcome Sarah Level from the Center On Community Living And Careers, the University of Indiana at Bloomington.  Learn how state and federal benefits support employees with disabilities, and how to reject false myths about benefits while working.  Understand the difference between SSI & SSDI, and  which health care benefit (Medicaid and Medicare) goes with each.  Discover asset-building options to assist with benefits, and find out how to access benefits counseling in Indiana.

3:00 PM: 
Showcase Of Sponsors.  
Hear from reps from a variety of businesses which serve the blind in unique ways and who are donating their financial and promotional support to our State Convention in 2024. 

4:30 PM: 
Break 

4:30-5:00 PM: 
Registration & Door Prize Dropoff
Foyer outside Barcelona B. 

Special Interest Activities:  

5:00-5:45  PM: 
Blind Parents Breakout 
Barcelona A. 
Are you a new parent seeking advice on the most blind-friendly stroller to buy or on the newly released Braille LEGO bricks? Maybe you’re wondering where to turn when you feel shut off from the information and services you need because you are a blind parent. You are encouraged to ask or state anything you feel you should in a safe sharing environment. You are among friends. 

5:00-5:45 PM: 
Blind Seniors Breakout
Barcelona D. 
What unique challenges face blind people who also happen to be senior citizens? How can putting up a common front help us to live the life we want and to make the most of services available to us? 

5:50-6:35  PM: 
Blind Diabetics Breakout
Barcelona A. 
Nearly 900,000 American diabetics have retinopathy severe enough to qualify them as legally blind. Discuss ways in which we could benefit from an official Diabetes Action Network division in the NFB of Indiana. 

5:50-6:35  PM 
Blind Students Breakout
Barcelona D.
Are you attending college or university?  Do you want to make a difference in Indiana?  Come and discuss the chance for us to create a dedicated NFB division in our state that focuses on ensuring fair and appropriate accommodations for blind students in Indiana. 

7:00 PM 
Blind Merchants Breakout
Barcelona D. 
Discuss challenges and opportunities common to those who are involved in, or who want to apply for, the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program. 

7:00 PM: 
Cane Walk and nonvisual orientation 
Experience the Embassy Suites Indianapolis North,  courtesy of Daniel Belding.  Meet outside Barcelona D. 

8:00 PM: 
Trivia Challenge: 
Barcelona  B & C.  
Test your general knowledge and have fun with your brothers and sisters in the movement. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres provided by Michiana Chapter and Lafayette Chapter. Cash bar is available in the lobby. 
 

Saturday, October 5

8:00 AM: 
Cane Walk and nonvisual orientation 
Experience the Embassy Suites Indianapolis North,  courtesy of Daniel Belding.  Meet outside Barcelona D. 

8:00-8:45 AM:
Registration & Door Prize Dropoff 
Foyer outside Barcelona B.

General Session 2
Barcelona B & C 

9:00 AM: 
* Call To Order – Opening Ceremony; 
* Invocation; 
* Pledge Of Allegiance; 
* NFB Pledge & Statement Of Beliefs 
* Board Members Introduced 
* Host Chapters Recognized (Michiana and Lafayette)

9:15 AM:
The State Of The Federation
Pam Allen, National Rep to the 2024 Indiana State Convention.  From her position as 1st Vice President in the National Federation of the Blind, Pam shares the latest national priorities and suggests how we can find opportunities to advance the Organized Blind Movement effectively  in the Hoosier State. 

9:45 AM: 
Teaching Structured Discovery® In A Vision-Centered World. 
Daniel Belding has extensive experience as an orientation and mobility instructor, and currently teaches   at Bosma Industries.  He is   an active Federationist in the Indiana Affiliate. 

10:15 AM: 
Introducing Genevieve Barnes, 
a member of the 2024-2025 NFB Teacher Of Tomorrow program.  Genevieve has the unique calling to teach blind adults.  She recounts her journey to this point and her vision for what she wants to accomplish with the help of the Federation in the coming year. 

10:30 AM: 
Panel Discussion: Transforming Blindness Training Into Real-World Opportunity – Dr. Byron Alston and Michael Hardin.
In the organized blind movement, we hear a lot about raising expectations for ourselves through orientation programs and formal schooling.  
But how can we help one another to raise expectations through day-to-day contact? How can mentorship help? Listen as mentors and mentees share the wisdom they have given and received through walking out the guiding principles of  mentorship. 

11:00 AM: 
STEM2U: Bringing Space Science To Blind Youth in Indiana
Featuring Associate Professor Jeanette Shown.  Hear how Professor Shown, with a major assist from Tactile Engineering, helped Indiana blind youth  get a picture in their minds of what outer space is like and how scientists and engineers learn about the great beyond. 

11:20 AM: 
DEI: Access & Belonging. Facilitated by Dr. Evette Simmons-Reed.
It is of paramount importance that the National Federation of the Blind ensures that blind people of all backgrounds know that their voices are being heard and that we in the Federation are making best effort to make sure opportunity is extended to all. 

11:50 AM: 
Convention Housekeeping Notes 

12:00 PM: 
Lunch Break 

General Session 3 
Barcelona B & C 

2:00 PM: 
The State Of The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.  
James Michaels, newly appointed Superintendent of the Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired, unpacks recent developments and upcoming changes set to have a big impact on ISBVI stakeholders. 

3:00 PM: 
Election: Board Of Directors, the National Federation of the Blind of Indiana.  
All five officers, as well as two other Board positions, are up for election.  Be sure to participate actively.  Be prepared to ask questions, nominate candidates, and cast your vote.  Remember, you must be a dues-paying member of the NFB of Indiana in good standing if you wish to run for office or to vote in this election.   

4:00 PM: 
Technology Roundtable.  
Our panel of knowledgeable Federationists engage us in a discussion about tech products and services that have an impact on blind users.  What  does IOS 18 mean for blind Apple product users?     What are the latest developments at Google, Microsoft, and Freedom Scientific?   Which new indoor navigational systems work best for us,  and what about AI?  Engage in a lively discussion that could involve some or all of these topics. 

5:00 PM: 
Adjourn 

7:00 PM: 
Banquet
Barcelona B & C.  
Enjoy delicious food and great fellowship. Listen as Keynote Speaker National Federation of the Blind Representative  Pam Allen inspires us with stories of how she learned to raise expectations for herself and others. Meet our Scholarship Class of 2024.  Participate in our affiliate’s Progressive Auction, conducted by Jean Brown.   

 

Sunday, October 6

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 5 
Barcelona B & C
Business Meeting

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

9:10 AM: 
Resolutions Committee Report and vote on proposed resolutions.  
 
9:30 AM: 
Scholarship Awards Presentation. 
Qualified winners will receive a monetary award and address Convention participants about what value they will take away from the Convention experience. 

9:450 AM: 
President’s Report. 
President Brolin gives his observations about what has transpired in our Affiliate over the last 12 months and shares his vision for what priorities the Affiliate would do well to focus on in 2024-2025.  

10:10 AM: 
Treasurer’s Report. 
Misty Kienzynski shares insight into our finances. 

10:30 AM: 
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. 

10:45 AM: 
National Representative Feedback. 
Pam Allen gives impressions based on what she has observed during this 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. 

11:00 AM: 
The 2025 State Convention 
When And Where? 

11:05 AM: 
Final Words. 

11:30 AM: 
Adjournment. 
Thank you all for your untold personal sacrifice and dedication to the organized blind movement in Indiana.