The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future.
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 2023-2024 State Convention
The State Convention is Coming!
Expect Much - Give Much - Get Much!
Get ready for a weekend of fun and fellowship. Come and be part of celebrating our accomplishments and planning for the future!
- Date: February 16 - 18, 2024
- Place: Sheraton Baltimore North, 903 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, MD 21204
- Come and meet our keynote speaker and National Representative .
- Explore opportunities through special workshops for parents and teachers of blind children, blind merchants and entrepreneurs, and students. Check out our workshops and more.
- Examine new products at the exhibit hall on Friday.
- Help us raise expectations for ourselves and for officials who manage services for the blind.
Can a blind person work in STEM? How do blind students excel in school? What are NFB training centers, and why should you get training? Can blind people be proficient at horseback riding and other sports? At last year’s convention, we met and heard from blind persons who are experts in these areas and more. What interesting stories from blind people will we hear at the 2023/2024 Convention?
Do you want to meet seniors who are living the lives they want despite losing their vision later in life? Do you want to meet blind people who are successfully employed in everything from electrical engineering to clerical work? Do you want to meet blind people who own and operate their own businesses? By networking at the convention, you will meet all these types of people and more.
The banquet on Saturday evening is the highlight of every convention. Our keynote speaker has been actively involved in the National Federation of the Blind for many years. You will not want to miss this inspirational address. We will also award scholarships, and recognize a variety of achievements at the banquet.
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Come to the convention to find out how you can make sure that blindness does not hold you back.
NFB Maryland State Convention Pricing
- Registration: $25 on or before December 31, 2023; $35 after - Kids age 16 and under are free
- Transportation from Baltimore and New Carrollton: $50 on or before December 31, 2023; $60 after
- Banquet: $55 on or before December 31, 2023; $65 after
- Friday Boxed Lunch: $TBD on or before December 31, 2023 (Note, a fish option has been added for those observing Lent)
- Friday Dinner & a Play: $30 on or before December 31, 2023; $TBD after
- Saturday Luncheons (Seniors, Parents, and Students): $35 on or before December 31, 2023; $TBD after
Registration
Registration is available via the link below and will be open with pre-registration rates through January 25, 2024.
Click Here to Register Online!
NFB of Maryland 2024 Career Fair
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (NFBMD), the state’s oldest and largest advocacy organization of and for blind and low vision Marylanders, will be hosting an in-person career fair on Friday, February 16, 2024 in connection with our NFBMD State Convention. The Career Fair will take place from 1:00 – 4:00PM at the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel, 903 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, 21204. Job seekers and employers that want to participate in the NFB of Maryland 2024 Job Fair need to register by January 31, 2024.
Financial Assistance Application - Deadline Passed!
The deadline for requesting financial assistance was November 15, 2023. Those who previously submitted a financial assistance application prior to the change in convention date need not submit a new application. Funds are limited, and only those who provide proof of Convention Preregistration and a letter of support from their chapter president will be considered. Applicants will be notified of decisions in December.
Special Information for First-Time Attendees
All first-time convention attendees are cordially invited to attend a First-Timers Orientation from 8 to 9:30 p.m., on Thursday, February 8. The Ambassadors Committee will walk you through the events that will take place throughout the weekend, explain processes such as door prizes and voting, as well as make sure every first-time convention attendee is matched with a mentor.
Connection information is as follows:
Zoom Meeting ID: 624 813 8327
One-Number Conference Call: 339-209-4083
Convention virtual viewing Options
- There are several virtual viewing options this year using streaming, zoom, and smart devices.
Convention Agendas
NFB of Maryland State Convention Agenda
- NFBMD 2023/2024 Convention agenda - MS Word
- NFBMD 2023/2024 Convention agenda - PDF
- NFBMD 2023/2024 Convention agenda - BRF
Maryland Parents of Blind Children Annual Conference Agenda - Coming Soon!
- MDPOBC Annual Seminar agenda - MS Word - Coming Soon!
- MDPOBC Annual Seminar agenda - PDF - Coming Soon!
Maryland Association of Blind Students Annual Business Meeting Agenda - Coming Soon!
- MDABS business meeting agenda - MS word - Coming Soon!
- MDABS business meeting agenda - PDF - Coming Soon!
- MDABS agenda - BRF - Coming Soon!
Maryland Association of Blind Students Annual Seminar Agenda - Coming Soon!
- MDABS seminar agenda - MS Word - Coming Soon!
- MDABS seminar agenda - PDF - Coming Soon!
- MDABS agenda - BRF - Coming Soon!
Annual Maryland Senior Issues Division Seminar
Information coming soon
Convention Child Care and Youth Activities
During the convention we will be providing childcare for children ages six weeks to nine years old. We will be offering opportunities for our teens and tweens to participate in the convention, such as serving as mentors to our younger children for certain activities and opportunities to meet our other members within the affiliate. Childcare will be offered on Friday, Saturday, and the banquet Saturday night. Please register your child, including teens and tweens.
We ask that families donate $30 a day to cover the cost of childcare. However, if you are not able to make a donation please do not feel obligated. We will not let the cost of child care prevent families from attending the convention.
Seeking nominations for the Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award - Nomination Period Closed!
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland was seeking nominations for the Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award, but the nomination window is now closed. Please tell us how your child’s teacher works to help their students live the life they want with high expectations and strong skill development. Nominations can be sent to Committee Chairperson Teresa Graham. Download and fill out this distinguished educator nomination form and send it to the email address teresagraham3@gmail.com. if you need assistance completing the form, please call Teresa Graham at (443) 557-8696.
Read more about this award and the application process here.
Seeking Resolutions for the State Convention
The Convention is the supreme authority of the National Federation of the Blind, and this too is true of the affiliates. One of the most important charges of the Convention is to consider and vote on resolutions that come before it; those resolutions become the policy of the organization. To that end, individuals interested in submitting resolutions should send them to NFBMD Resolutions Chairperson Chris Danielsen by email at cdanielsen@nfb.org by January 31, 2024.
NFBMD Cane Walk
We will have a cane walk with individualized cane travel instruction by an NOMC on Friday at 5 p.m. To reserve a slot for your child or for yourself, please contact Garret Mooney.
Crab Idol
This American Idol-style evening promises to be fun for all ages. Those wishing to perform songs can do so for $5 per person per performance. Chapters and Divisions will battle it out to determine which has the most talent. Enjoy snacks and fellowship thanks to the Maryland Association of Blind Students and Maryland Parents of Blind Children. Proceeds support NFBMD, MDABS, and MDPBC. To sign up to perform, contact Qualik Ford or Garret Mooney.
Convention Sponsors
We are tremendously grateful to our 2023 - 2024 Convention Sponsors:
- Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) - Title Sponsor
- Vanda Pharmaceuticals - Independence Level Sponsor
- AdNet/AccountNet, Inc - Equality Level Sponsor
- Maryland Telecommunications Access of Maryland - Equality Level Sponsor
- Brown Goldstein & Levy - Opportunity Level Sponsor
- Friends of the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled - Opportunity Level Sponsor
- Democracy Live - Freedom Level Sponsor
- 3D PhotoWorks - Freedom Level Sponsor
Convention Exhibitors
We are looking forward to the NFBMD Exhibit Hall on Friday, February 16 from 11AM - 6PM.
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4 |
Maryland Accessible Communications / Communications Facilitator |
The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications program provides Maryland residents with an opportunity to apply for a no cost loan of telecommunications equipment to independently make or receive calls. |
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5 |
The Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled provides materials in Braille, large print, and audio formats for those who reside in Maryland. |
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Not provided |
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7 |
All-in-one accessible cell phone – BlindShell Classic 2 |
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8 |
CMS OMH leads the advancement and integration of health equity in the development, evaluation, and implementations of CMS’s policies, programs, and partnerships while OHI serves as the CMS executive agent for developing and directing certain Exchange-based (Marketplace) health insurance eligibility appeals functions and processes in support of statues and regulations. |
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9 |
Since 1900 Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind has been dedicated to helping the blind or visually impaired population of the greater Washington region overcome |
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10 |
Crafted Items by Terry Powers and Yasmin Reyazuddin |
Hand crafted items, plastic canvas, beaded and loom knitted. Decorations, hair items, hats and more. |
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Not provided |
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12 |
Author of two books: God Ain’t Done with me Yet: Uniquely Blessed is a memoir about a miracle bably who became blind at birth due to ROP. This story is one where you will not only laugh, and cry; but be motivated, encouraged, and inspired! I decided to Make Jesus my Choice: Praise and Devotion is a book of prayers and devotions that will carry you through the week, day and year. |
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Blindness and Low Vision Hardware, Software, and Training. |
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Johns Hopkins University – Neuroplasticity and Development Lab |
The Neuroplasticity and Development Lab at Johns Hopkins University conducts research on brain plasticity, Braille reading and how the brain adapts to blindness. At the NFBMD convention we will be providing information about neuroscience, braille learning and research on brain development and blindness. |
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Not provided |
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16 |
Information about HUD 811 Project Rental Assistance program and other housing initiatives for individuals with disabilities. |
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17 |
The Office of Blindness and Vision Service within the Maryland Department of Rehabilitation provides employment and rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind and low vision. |
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18 |
The Maryland School for the Blind educates students who are blind and low vision from throughout the state both through residential programs and through outreach to Local Education Agencies. |
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The Aquarium is committed to welcoming all guests to experience the wonders of the world's aquatic treasures, and a variety of services are available for guests with disabilities. Some of our services for guests that are blind or low vision are our audio wireless tour, braille tour, touch bags of tactile items representing Aquarium animals and guides that are available upon request with advanced notice. |
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20 |
National Harbor Chapter, NFBMD |
Not Provided |
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21 |
NFB-NEWSLINE® is a free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled that offers access to more than 500 publications, emergency weather alerts, job listings, and more. |
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Penny Forward is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization founded and led by blind people. Through education, mentoring, and mutual support, we help each other learn to confidently navigate the complicated landscape of personal finance. |
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PS You Are Fabulous |
Personal Fashion stylist for the blind, visually impaired and handicapped. We address all your fashion needs, from simple consultation to regular weekly wardrobe care to organizing your closet and so much more. |
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Soundpro |
Digital products such as recorders and headphones, Bluetooth speakers; Amazon products such as Echo Show, electronic video doorbells |
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The IMAGE Center of Maryland’s goal is for anyone with a disability to feel empowered in their life and to see disability as a normal part of it - challenging, manageable, possible. |
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The Wellness DJ, LLC |
Health Coaching Services |
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Vispero® is the world’s leading assistive technology provider for the visually impaired. We have a long history of developing and providing innovative solutions for blind and low-vision individuals that help them reach their full potential. |
On site dining options
To assist you identifying options for where to eat during the convention the following menus were obtained for your review.