Future Reflections
A Magazine for Parents and Teachers of Blind Children published by
the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership
with the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children.
Volume 30 Number 2 Special Issue: The Teen Years
Deborah Kent Stein, Editor
ISSN-0883-3419
Copyright © 2011 American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
For more information
about blindness and children contact:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314
www.nfb.org/nopbc � [email protected] • [email protected]
Contents
Volume 30 Number 2 Special Issue: The Teen Years
A Letter from the Editor
by Deborah Kent Stein
RETROSPECTIVE
Incidents in the Life of a Blind Girl
The Memoirs of Mary L. Day
Slates, Readers, and Determination
by Grace D. Napier, MA, MA, EdD
Growing Up on the Wild Side
by Sue Tillett
It's Okay to Be Blind
by Parnell Diggs
PREPARING FOR THE WORLD
Kyra Prepares for High School
by Barbara Mathews
The Best Decision of My Life
by Michal Nowicki
The Transition Train
by Maureen Lamperis
When Blindness Is Seen as the Inability to Learn
by Joanne Laurent, MA, NOMC
Confidence and Trust: My Training at the Louisiana Center for the Blind
by Kayleigh Joiner
Getting and Keeping a Job
by Stacy Cervenka
STRETCHING THE LIMITS
Rated PG: Parental Guidance
by Rosina Foster
Strokes to the Finish Line
An Interview with Jason Polansky
I See London, I See France
by Rylie Robinson
Stepping Up and Out
by Mary Fernandez
TIPS AND TRICKS
Blind Teens and Technology
by Stephen Toth
Looking Good without Looking: A Guide to Personal Style for the Visually Impaired
by Linda Zani Thomas
The Top Ten Advantages of Dating Blind and Sighted People
by Priscilla McKinley
REVIEW
The Eyes of Me
A Film Review by Mary Ellen Gabias
NFB CONVENTION 2011
When I Grow Up: The 2011 NOPBC Conference
by Laura Weber
ODDS AND ENDS
Complete Future Reflections - Zip file (WORD)
NFB National Convention 2011
Palm-lined drive leading to front entrance to Rosen Shingle Creek ResortSunday, July 3-Friday, July 8, 2011
Rosen Shingle Creek Resort
9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819-9357
Reservations: Call (866) 996-6338 only, to make reservations as soon as possible
The 2011 room rates are singles, doubles, and twins, $63; and triples and quads, $67. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 12.5 percent. No charge will be made for children under seventeen in the room with parents as long as no extra bed is requested. The hotel is accepting reservations now. A $75-per-room deposit is required to make a reservation. Fifty percent of the deposit will be refunded if notice is given to the hotel of a reservation cancellation before June 1, 2011. The other 50 percent is not refundable.
Rooms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations may be made before June 1, 2011, assuming that rooms are still available. After that time the hotel will not hold our room block for the convention. In other words, you should get your reservation in soon. Guestroom amenities include thirty-two-inch flat screen television with NXTV; two telephones; laptop safe; coffeemaker; hairdryer; and, for a fee, high-speed Internet access. The Rosen Shingle Creek Resort has a number of restaurant options, including two award-winning restaurants, and twenty-four-hour-a-day room service. It has first-rate amenities and shuttle service to the Orlando Airport.
Schedule: The schedule for the 2011 convention will follow that of last year:
Sunday, July 3 Seminar Day
Monday, July 4 Registration Day
Tuesday, July 5 Board Meeting and Division Day
Wednesday, July 6 Opening Session
Thursday, July 7 Business Session
Friday, July 8 Banquet Day and Adjournment
First Timer's Guide to the NFB National Convention: Our beginner's guide to the NFB national convention is intended to give the first-time convention attendee some important information about national conventions of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). It is available at <www.nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/convent/firsttime.htm>
Why Join the NOPBC?
Are you the parent of a blind or visually impaired child? Don’t know where to turn?
Founded in 1983, the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) is a membership organization of parents, educators, and friends of blind children reaching out to give each other vital support, encouragement, and information. We have thousands of members in all 50 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
The NOPBC offers hope, encouragement, information, and resources for parents of blind or visually impaired children. NOPBC provides emotional support and a network of other families dealing with the same challenges you are facing. We also provide information, training, and resources to empower you to take an active role in guiding your child’s development and education. We can provide information on your child’s rights and on the laws and legislative issues that will enable you and your child to become strong and effective advocates.
Have you ever wondered what your blind or visually impaired child will be capable of when he or she grows up? The answer to that question is that blindness/visual impairment does not have to stop your child from doing anything he or she wants to do. We can connect you with other families and blind adults who can serve as positive mentors and role models. They can teach you the attitudes and techniques that will enable your child to become independent and to succeed in life.
What is different about the NOPBC?
Our status as a division of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the largest and most influential organization of blind people in the world, provides many benefits. Our members are well informed about the societal, legislative, and technological issues that affect blind people. We also enjoy the resources, support, and expertise of fifty thousand blind people who can serve as mentors and role models for us and our children. Finally, as our children grow up, they have the Federation to belong to.
No other organization for parents of blind/visually impaired children offers more programs, activities, and training to families, children, and youth. One of our most exciting activities is our annual conference. Every year since it was established, the NOPBC has conducted an annual conference for parents and teachers of blind children as part of the national convention of the NFB. The program has grown to include five exciting days of workshops, training sessions, activities for all family members, including sighted siblings, and countless opportunities to meet blind adults and other families and children from around the country.
What is the mission of the NOPBC?
The purpose of the NOPBC is to:
- create a climate of opportunity for blind children in home and society.
- provide information and support to parents of blind children.
- facilitate the sharing of experience and concerns among parents of blind children.
- develop and expand resources available to parents and their children.
- help parents of blind children gain understanding and perspective through partnership and contact with blind adults.
- function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind in its ongoing effort to achieve equality and opportunity for all blind persons.
Most states have an NOPBC affiliate chapter. You can find your state chapter at www.nopbc.org. If your state does not have a chapter and you would like to start one, please contact us. We may be able to offer training and other assistance to start a state NOPBC chapter.
What are the programs, activities, publications & resources of the NOPBC?
• National and State Parent Seminars and Conferences
• Future Reflections Magazine
• NOPBC Web site
• Books and Videos
• Blindkid & Other Listservs
• Early Childhood Conferences
• Pop-Up IEP Web site
• Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest
• Slate Pals Pen Pal Program
• AAF Free Books Program
• Share Braille Book Exchange
• Writing Contests
• Junior Science Academy
• Youth Slam High School Science Academy
• National Center for Blind Youth in Science Web site
• NFB-NEWSLINE® Newspaper Service
• Where the Blind Work Web site
• Free White Cane Program
• Blindness 411 Facebook Group for Teens
• NFB-LINK Mentoring Program
• Scholarship Program
• Straight Talk about Blindness Video Series
• Parent Leadership Program (PLP)
Contact Us:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
[email protected]
<www.nopbc.org>