The 48th Annual State Convention
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey

 

 

 

 

 

DON’T STOP BELIEVING!

Thursday through Sunday
October 24, 25, 26, & 27, 2024

Crowne Plaza Edison
2055 Lincoln Highway
Edison, NJ 08817

Linda Melendez, President
908-590-1747
president@nfbnj.org
nfb.newjersey@gmail.com
www.nfbnj.org

 

Who We Are and What We Do

 

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), established in 1940, is the oldest and largest organization of and for the blind in the US and its territories. The NFB is made up of blind and low vision people of all ages, and their families and friends. We help blind people adjust to eyesight loss, assist parents and teachers of blind children, and promote the full participation and integration of blind people in our communities. Our activities include:

• Assisting blind persons in acquiring the skills of independence and developing confidence in themselves
• Supporting parents and teachers of blind children with information, mentoring, role modeling, and training
• Preparing blind students for careers and self-sufficiency through mentoring, training, and academic scholarships
• Encouraging blind seniors to continue to live active and meaningful lives
• Advocating for policies that eliminate discrimination, promote civil rights, and guarantee equal access to high quality educational and rehabilitation programs
• Sponsoring information campaigns and legislative action at the state and national levels
• Educating the public through community activities and publications

 

Spotlight on the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey (NFB of NJ)

 

Since 1976, the NFB of NJ, an affiliate of the NFB, has been providing invaluable information and resources to blind/low vision people throughout the state. Our members work together for a brighter tomorrow by raising expectations for blind people everywhere so that blind people can live the life they want. Our five chapters meet monthly; committees and groups meet at various times throughout the year. Please join us—we would welcome your participation and membership. For more information on the affiliate, chapters, committees, groups, programs, and projects, visit www.nfbnj.org.

 

Integrity and Respect

 

To allow all attendees the chance to benefit from all aspects of the convention, we are committed to providing a harassment-free environment for everyone. We appreciate your assistance in cultivating an atmosphere in which participants from diverse backgrounds can learn, network, and share with each other in an environment of mutual respect. Thank you for doing your part to contribute to our community and the high expectations we strive to maintain. To read the NFB Code of Conduct, visit www.nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct.

 

NFB Mission Statement

The NFB advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States and its territories. We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

 

NFB Pledge

 

I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.

 

Fragrance-Free Policy

 

The NFB of NJ's goal is to be sensitive to members with perfume and chemical sensitivities who, as a result, may suffer potentially serious health consequences. In order to address this concern, members and participants at conventions and other meetings should refrain from wearing scented products, including, but not limited to perfumes, colognes, aftershave lotions, or similar products. We want to ensure full participation in all of our statewide activities.

 

Accessibility Statement

 

The NFB of NJ holds itself to the highest standards of inclusion in all our work. This commitment encompasses our in-person events as well as our virtual communications. To make accessibility-related requests or report barriers, please contact Clarke King, 2nd VP, NFB of NJ at czking30@gmail.com.

 

Announcements

 

Exhibit Hall

Talmadge Ballroom

Visit our array of vendors and outreach resources on Friday, October 25 from 8 AM to Noon. Be sure to thank them for participating in our convention.

 

Become a Convention Sponsor

Companies and individuals can support the programs and projects of the NFB of NJ by becoming a convention sponsor. There are four levels of sponsorship. Get details by clicking the link below. You can use PayPal or a credit/debit card online or write a check to NFB of NJ and mail to Affiliate Treasurer at NFB of NJ, PO Box 2202 Vincentown, NJ 08088. Please write “Convention Sponsor” in the memo section.

https://nfbnj.org/state-convention/sponsor-registration

 

Affiliate Membership

Windsor Ballroom

Would you like to become a member of a committee, group, program, or project but are not yet a member of a chapter? Then come pay your dues and become a member of the affiliate on Friday, October 26 from 8:00 to 8:25 AM. Annual dues are $10. You can also join by clicking on the link below and use PayPal or a credit/debit card online or write a check to NFB of NJ and mail to Affiliate Treasurer at NFB of NJ, PO Box 2202 Vincentown, NJ 08088. Please write “NFB of NJ dues” in the memo section.

https://www.nfbnj.org/nfbnj-affiliate-membership-form

 

Affiliate Auction—New Day & Time!

Talmadge Ballroom

Our annual auction, which raises funds for the work we do as an affiliate, is set for a single time block on Friday, October 25 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, following our Federation Family Dinner. Bring your cash, checkbook, or credit card to bid on items of varying values. Everyone, budget-conscious or not, is bound to find a treasure to take home! Donated auction items are welcome and can be dropped off in the Studio Room when it is open for registration and packet pick-up (see below).

 

Affiliate 50/50 Raffle

Support the affiliate by purchasing 50/50 raffle tickets, 1 for $10; 3 for $20. Watch for opportunities to purchase during the convention or look for Linda DeBerardinis, Chair, Raffle Committee.

 

Door Prizes

Door prizes will be drawn for pre-registered conventioneers and announced throughout the technology seminar, general sessions, and banquet. You must be inside the room when your name is called in order to claim your prize. Donated door prizes are welcome and can be dropped off in the Studio Room when it is open for registration and packet pick-up (see below).

 

Host Chapter

We are pleased to announce this year’s host chapter is the Central Jersey Chapter whose members have aided with our Exhibit Hall and various convention activities. Only a host chapter is permitted to fundraise during the convention. Please support them.

 

Pre-Registration Pick-Up and On-Site Registration

Studio Room

• Wed., Oct. 23—7:30 to 8:00 PM Pre-Registration pick-up only
• Thursday, Oct. 24—10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
• Thursday, Oct. 24—6:30 to 7:00 PM
• Fri., Oct. 25—6:00-6:30 AM Pre-Registration pick-up only
• Friday, Oct. 25—8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Sat., Oct. 26—7:30 AM to 2:00 PM

 

Convention Meals

All convention meals must be pre-purchased during the pre-registration period. No meals will be sold onsite. Pre-purchased meals include Thursday through Sunday Breakfast Buffet, Friday and Saturday Boxed Lunches, Friday Federation Family Meal, and Saturday Banquet. Aides, PCAs, or SSPs may join you at meals; however, if they want to eat a meal, one must be pre-purchased for them. Lost tickets will not be replaced. For lost and found meal tickets, please see Annemarie Cooke, Chair, Convention Hotel Food Services.

 

Pre-Purchased Breakfast Buffet

You will receive your pre-purchased breakfast buffet tickets when you pick up your pre-registration packet. Tickets will display valid dates. Buffet will be served in convention space by hotel staff. Check the agenda for each day’s location. Bring the correct day’s ticket with you to exchange for a buffet bracelet. Service will be provided only to individuals wearing bracelets. Again, lost tickets will not be replaced. For lost and found meal tickets, please see Annemarie Cooke.

 

Pre-Purchased Boxed Lunch

Garden Ballroom

Your pre-purchased lunch tickets will be in your pre-registration packet. Lunch tickets will be marked for Friday or Saturday and will indicate which meal you ordered. Pre-purchased boxed lunches will be available beginning at noon in the Garden Room. Bring the correct day’s ticket with you to exchange for your meal. Lost tickets will not be replaced. For lost and found meal tickets, please see Annemarie Cooke.

 

Pre-Purchased Friday Federation Family Meal & Saturday Banquet

Talmadge Ballroom

Bring your pre-purchased ticket with you and enjoy these meals with our Federation family. You must have a pre-purchased ticket or be an aide, PCA, or SSP accompanying a person with a pre-purchased ticket to be seated. Aides, PCAs, SSPs who would like to eat will need a pre-purchased meal ticket.

 

Pre-Purchased Saturday Banquet Ticket Exchange

Windsor Ballroom

For a smooth seating process, we use a “Banquet Ticket Exchange.” Bring your pre-purchased ticket to the ticket exchange table, (see agenda for exchange hours) where you will trade it in for a ticket with a table number. If you would like to sit with friends, gather all tickets and exchange them together (you must have everyone’s ticket when you go to the exchange). Let them know at the exchange table if you are bringing an aide, PCA, or SSP, so seating can be arranged. If you do not exchange your ticket, you will be seated where space is available. Open seating will begin promptly at 7:45 PM, no holding of seats permitted!

 

Identifying Pre-Purchased Meal Tickets

Meal tickets will have Braille on them. This request can be done during the pre-registration or by sending an email with the subject line Braille My Meal Tickets to nfbnj.convention@gmail.com.

Breakfast Buffet Tickets will be 3 by 5 size and colored in the blue family. Lunch Tickets will be 4 by 6 size and colored in the green family. Family Federation Meal and Banquet tickets will be 5 by7 size and white. Friday meal tickets will have no hole punch, Saturday meal tickets will have one hole punched in the upper left-hand corner. Sunday breakfast buffet tickets will have two holes punched in the upper left-hand corner.

 

Membership Friendship Appreciation Pizza Party

Talmadge Ballroom

Registered conventioneers join us for an appreciation pizza party sponsored by the NFB of NJ on Thursday, October 24 at 5:00 PM.

 

American Printing House (“APH”) Abacus Bee

APH Abacus Bee is a fun and engaging competition designed to ignite a passion for mathematics in students who are blind or have low vision. By allowing the use of various formats like print, braille, UEB math, or Nemeth code, the competition ensures that participants can use methods that suit their individual learning styles. The Abacus Bee encourages the use of mental math and abacus skills, unlocking students’ full mathematical potential. The NFB of NJ is partnering with VISTAS Education Partners to provide this event, and it will be held on Sunday, October 27 as one of our 2024 community service programs.

 

Kustom Canes “You Cane Give” Program

Studio Room

Kustom Canes, founded and operated by a blind entrepreneur, uses spare cane parts to create new mobility canes for free distribution in countries where obtaining such a cane is difficult or impossible. You can help: drop off your old cane parts in the collection box in the Studio Room when you come in to pick up your pre-registration packet or register. This collection has become a regular part of our state convention and helps spread the gift of independent mobility outside the US.

 

Guide Dog Relief Instructions

The guide dog relief area can be found in the courtyard at the back of the hotel. Beginning from the front desk, face away from the desk and take a left to walk toward the double doors to get outside. You will be walking on tile; when you reach a carpeted texture again, you are at the outside doors.

Please note that if you tell your dog to target the door to the outside, there is another set of double doors directly across the lobby leading to the front exit that your dog may try to find. The front exit has a large covering over it, so if you see this covering or cars, you are on the wrong side of the hotel.

When exiting the hotel on the courtyard side, you will encounter two sets of doors to get outside. Both sets are double doors, so you do not have to switch sides with your dog unless you want to. When you are heading out of these doors to go outside, the elevators to get to your room are on your left side, while the entrance to the Exhibit Hall is on your right side. Once exiting the doors, one of three trash cans can be found immediately to your right. If you keep walking straight, you will feel a brick pathway under your feet. When you feel the brick change to a flat surface, it is time to take a left to find the grass. This is located approximately 40 steps away from the doors. If the flat concrete turns back into a brick texture, you missed your left and have gone too far.

After taking a left onto the sidewalk, take about 32 steps and you will reach a large grassy area. The courtyard is shaped like a diamond, and there are bushes around the perimeter. There will be a light post with a trash can on either end of this grassy courtyard.

Once you are finished relieving your dog, if you tell your dog to target the door inside, the double doors are the only option available. When heading back inside, if you did not locate either trash can by a light post, there will be a final trash can directly on your left before entering the hotel again.

 

Portrait Studio

5:30- to 7:00 PM
Lincoln Room

Come and have your picture taken in your Banquet finery.

 

Pictures and Recording

We will be taking pictures throughout the convention and recording convention segments, which will be available on the website.

Streaming

We will also be streaming the Thursday, October 24 Resolutions Committee Meeting at 7:00 PM, Friday, October 25 Afternoon General Session, Saturday Morning General Session and evening Banquet. Participation details are listed below.

https://zoom.us/j/6477660103?pwd=MUl1dnZQU1JxMkhUemdCSHZUM21H UT09

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,6477660103#,,,,*460994# US (New York)

Dial by your location

• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
• +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
• +1 386 347 5053 US
• +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 647 766 0103
Passcode: 460994