NFB 2010 Washington Seminar

PLACE

Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C Street, S.W.; Washington, D.C.

DATES

Monday, February 1 through Thursday, February 4, 2010
Great Gathering-In--Monday, February 1, 2010
Congressional Appointments--February 2 through February 4, 2010  

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 Monday 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 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the Senate and House office buildings. Meetings to review the legislative progress and provide guidance will occur Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

***The 2010 legislative agenda has not been set for the 111th Congress, second session. 
Please check here mid-December for the legislative Agenda and fact sheets.***

2009 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND FACT SHEETS

Legislative Agenda of Blind Americans: Priorities for the 111th Congress, First Session

Issue 1:  Enhancing Pedestrian Safety:  Ensuring the Blind can Continue to Travel Safely and Independently

Issue 2:  A Technology Bill of Rights for the Blind

Issue 3:  Removing the Earnings Penalty:  A Common Sense Work Incentive for Blind Social Security Beneficiaries

Open full text of issue 3 in Word

Open Legislative Agenda and facts sheets (All four documents combined in a single Word document)

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 2009 - Braille Monitor, April 2009

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 for the 2010 Washington Seminar have not been finalized.  Room rates for 2009 were $154 for single, double, triple, or quad rooms with a 14.5% tax per night.  Please check back for deadlines and how to make reservations.

MORE INFORMATION

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the National Federation of the Blind National Office at 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230, telephone (410) 659-9314.