Friday, October 24, 2025

Morning

6:30 AM to 8:00 AM—Pre-Purchased Breakfast Buffet

Room 200

Bring your convention pre-registration receipt with you to receive a wristband for breakfast. The band is only valid for one day. Breakfast buffet must have been pre-purchased per person for each day (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).

8:00 AM to 2 PM—Pre-Registration Pick-Up & On-Site Registration

Registration Desk

8:00 AM to Noon—Exhibit Hall

Room 203

Visit our array of exhibitors to view the many fine products and learn about services and resources available for those with blindness and low vision. Speak to representatives directly and have all your questions answered.

8:00 AM to 8:25 AM–Renew Annual Affiliate Membership

Metropolitan Ballroom

Our annual dues are $10; place your dues in an envelope with your name and best contact number.

9:00 AM–Know Your Rights Interactive Info Session Led by Melissa Lomax, NFB of NJ Board Member

Metropolitan Ballroom

Laws are powerful, but only when we understand them. Join this interactive workshop to explore key policies that shape access, opportunity, and equity in everyday life for blind individuals. Together, we’ll unpack critical legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Fair Housing Act, and other pivotal state and federal protections. This session isn’t about legal jargon—it’s about real people, real experiences, and real rights, and it is led by a passionate advocate who doesn’t claim to know it all.

10:00 AM– From Washington, DC to Trenton; Engaging with Our Elected Officials

Metropolitan Ballroom
John Paré, National Representative & Executive Director of Advocacy & Policy, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute

This breakout session will review our federal legislative priorities and how to better engage with the New Jersey federal delegation. We will then discuss strategies for engaging with state Assembly members and Senators.

11:00 AM Exhibit Hall

Room 203

Last chance to visit resources and vendors

Noon to 12:20 PM–Pre-Purchased Lunch Pick-Up

Room 200

Bring your convention pre-registration receipt with you to receive Friday lunch, which was pre-purchased; seating is available.

Opening Session

Metropolitan Ballroom

1:15 PM Music from our NFB Album “Rhythm of the Movement”

1:30 PM Welcome and Call to Order

Linda Melendez, President, NFB of NJ

1:35 PM–Opening Ceremonies

Jane Degenshein, NFB of NJ Board Member
Pledge of Allegiance
Music
NFB Pledge
Invocation, Rick Fox
In Memoriam
Honoring Veterans

1:50 PM Announcements

Linda Melendez, President, NFB of NJ

2:00 PM–National Representative’s Report: John Paré

Live the Life You Want: Becoming Champions

2:45 PM–In It to Win It; Updates & Achievements

Kaylee McGuire, Deputy Commissioner, Aging and Disability Services, NJ Department of Human Services; Dr. Bernice Davis, Executive Director, NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

3:15 PM–Fit Break

Martín García-Ripoll, NaviLens

3:25 PM– What’s New at the TBBC?

Adam Szczepaniak, Director NJ Talking Book and Braille Center

3:40 Messages from Senator Booker & Senator Kim

 

3:55 PM– Resolutions Session One

 

4:15 PM– What’s New with Access Link?

 

4:45 PM–Announcements

 

4:50 PM–Adjourn

 

Evening Program

5:15 PM–Federation Family Meal

Room 203

Bring your pre-purchased meal ticket to enjoy a meal together as we meet new members and reconnect with old friends. Everyone must have a pre-purchased ticket to attend and be served.

7:00 PM–Affiliate Auction & Cash Bar

Metropolitan Ballroom

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! Bring your cash, checkbook, or credit card to bid on items. With prizes of varying values, everyone, whether on a budget or not, is bound to find a treasure to take home! Donated auction items are welcome and can be dropped off at the Registration Desk during open hours. Please come and support our affiliate!

8:30 PM–Entertainment & Continued Cash Bar

Metropolitan Ballroom

Get ready for laughs, surprises, and some friendly competition at The NFB of NJ Match Game! You won’t want to miss! Participants will go head-to-head with a celebrity panel, trying to fill in the blank with the same word as many of the celebrity judges as possible. It’s fast-paced, funny, and full of unexpected twists! Audience participation is highly encouraged, so don’t be surprised if you’re suddenly called upon to fill in the blank yourself. Think you’ve got what it takes? Here’s a warm-up: Car ______. Would you say wash, seat, dealer, port, or something totally different? There’s only one way to find out—join us Friday night for The Match Show and test your word-matching skills! Also enjoy music entertainment!