NFB 2009 Washington Seminar
PLACE
Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C Street, S.W.; Washington, D.C.
DATES
Sunday, February 8 through Wednesday. February 11, 2009
Great Gathering-In--Sunday, February 8, 2009
Congressional Appointments--February 9 through February 11, 2009
EXPECTED ATTENDANCE
Five hundred people from the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Most of those attending will be blind.
MEETINGS
The Opening Session will begin Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. in the Columbia Room on the first floor of the Holiday Inn Capitol and will adjourn promptly at 7:00 p.m. Legislative appointments should be made for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in the Senate and House office buildings. Meetings to review the legislative progress and provide guidance will occur Monday and Tuesday evenings.
2009 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND FACT SHEETS--Coming Early January 2009
2008 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND FACT SHEETS
Legislative Agenda of Blind Americans: Priorities for the 110th Congress, Second Session
Legislative Agenda
Printable Legislative Agenda (Word version)
Issue 1: Enhancing Pedestrian Safety: Ensuring the Blind Can Continue to Travel Safely and Independently (Quiet Cars)
Quiet Cars Fact Sheet
Printable Quiet Cars Fact Sheet (Word version)
Issue 2: Preserving Talking Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (Full Funding for NLS Digital Conversion)
Full Funding for NLS Digital Conversion Fact Sheet
Printable Full Funding for NLS Digital Conversion Fact Sheet (Word version)
Issue 3: Increasing the Earnings Limit: A Common Sense Work Incentive for Blind Social Security Beneficiaries (Social Security)
Social Security Fact Sheet
Printable Social Security Fact Sheet (Word version)
PROGRAM
The Washington Seminar is an annual event of the National Federation of the Blind to introduce the agenda of blind Americans--the priority issues requiring congressional attention over the coming year. The issues are selected from official positions of the Federation and may address concerns in the following areas: Social Security and
Supplemental Security Income programs; relevant civil rights issues; educational programs and services; rehabilitation of the blind for competitive employment; the operation of vending facilities by blind persons on public property; specialized library services for the blind; the organization and funding of federal programs; and other timely topics. Approximately three legislative initiatives are chosen for priority attention during the Washington Seminar.
Highlights from Previous Years
Washington Seminar 2008 - Braille Monitor, March 2008
Washington Seminar 2007 - Braille Monitor, March 2007
Washington Seminar 2006 - Braille Monitor, March 2006
Washington Seminar 2005 - Braille Monitor, March 2005
Washington Seminar 2004 - Braille Monitor, March 2004
Washington Seminar 2003 - Braille Monitor, March 2003
Washington Seminar 2002 - Braille Monitor, April 2002
RECEPTION
The National Association of Blind Students will sponsor a reception--more information coming soon.
ROOM RATES AND RESERVATIONS
Room rates are $154 for single, double, triple, or quad rooms. All quoted rates are subject to a 14.5% tax per night. Please call Diane McGeorge for reservations at (303) 778-1130, extension 219. You may also e-mail your reservation request to Lisa Bonderson at lbonderson@cocenter.org.
MORE INFORMATION
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the National Federation of the Blind National Office at 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230, telephone (410) 659-9314.
