Future Reflections Volume 34 Number 2

Two kids stand in a farmyard with pens of ducks and turkeys. See article entitled Youth Challenge

ISSN-0883-3419

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]

Orlando Site of 2015 NFB Convention

The 2015 convention of the National Federation of the Blind will take place in Orlando, Florida, July 5-10, at the Rosen Centre Hotel at 9840 International Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819. Make your room reservation as soon as possible with the Rosen Centre staff only. Call (800) 204-7234.

The 2015 room rates are singles, doubles, and twins, $82; and triples and quads, $89. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 13.5 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 $95-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, 2015. 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, 2015, 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.

Guest-room amenities include cable television; in-room safe; coffeemaker; hairdryer; and, for a fee, high-speed Internet access. Guests can also enjoy a swimming pool, fitness center, and on-site spa. The Rosen Centre Hotel offers fine dining at Executive Chef Michael Rumplik’s award-winning Everglades Restaurant. In addition, there is an array of dining options from sushi to tapas to a 24-hour deli. The hotel has first-rate amenities and shuttle service to the Orlando airport.

The schedule for the 2015 convention is:

Sunday, July 5            Seminar Day
Monday, July 6           Registration Day
Tuesday, July 7           Board Meeting and Division Day
Wednesday, July 8      Opening Session
Thursday, July 9          Business Session
Friday, July 10            Banquet Day and Adjournment

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Life, Be in It!Listen Now (MP3)
by Deborah Kent Stein

STRETCHING THE LIMITS

Shared PassionsListen Now (MP3)
by Christina Kuckie-Roberts

Judo GirlListen Now (MP3)
by Sara Luna

Finding My NicheListen Now (MP3)
by Chris Nusbaum

PROBLEM SOLVING

Blind Kids Can't March! Or Can They?Listen Now (MP3)
by Debby Brackett

Cheering BlindListen Now (MP3)
by Deja Powell

"So Dad, When Can I Go Surfing?"Listen Now (MP3)
by Eric Vasiliauskas

Up on My KneesListen Now (MP3)
by Serena Cucco

VOLUNTEERING

Community Service for Fun, Friendship, and FutureListen Now (MP3)
by Darian Smith

ADVOCACY

A Chance Like Everyone ElseListen Now (MP3)
by Nelly Gamino and Alex Gamino

PROGRAMS

ViStars: Empowering Blind StudentsListen Now (MP3)
by Precious Perez

The Voices of Birds, the Smell of the ForestListen Now (MP3)
by Przemyslaw Barszcz

Camp Abilities: A Sports Camp for Children with Visual ImpairmentsListen Now (MP3)
by Lauren J. Lieberman

Youth ChallengeListen Now (MP3)
by Mackenzie Maglic

FAMILY FUN

Experience the MagicListen Now (MP3)
by Pam and Roland Allen

NFB NATIONAL CONVENTION 2015

Crafting Your DiamondListen Now (MP3)
by Carlton Walker

Schedule of Events for Adults, Children, and YouthListen Now (MP3)

Child Care in OrlandoListen Now (MP3)
by Carla McQuillan

ANNOUNCEMENTSListen Now (MP3)

ODDS AND ENDSListen Now (MP3)

Complete Future Reflections

Complete Future Reflections Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version)

Complete DAISY Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version)

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 fifty states plus Washington, DC, 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, and resources of the NOPBC?

National and State Parent Seminars and Conferences
Future Reflections Magazine
NOPBC Website
Books and Videos
Blindkid & Other Listservs
Early Childhood Conferences
Pop-Up IEP Website
Slate Pals Pen Pal Program
AAF Free Braille Books Program
Share Braille Book Exchange
Writing Contests
Junior Science Academy
Youth Slam High School Science Academy
National Center for Blind Youth in Science Website
NFB-NEWSLINE® Newspaper Service
Where the Blind Work Website
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)

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