Wednesday, July 8 - Final General Session and Banquet Day

Any agenda changes made after Braille and print production can be accessed on the NFB26 app or at nfb.org/convention. Changes will be marked with an asterisk (*).

8:00–8:45 a.m. Devotions

Room 305

8:15–8:45 a.m. On-Site Registration (30 dollars) and Online Registration Packet Pickup

Room 402

8:15–8:45 a.m. Banquet Exchange

JW Grand Ballroom Foyer (level 4)

General Session V (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.)

JW Grand Ballroom (level 4)

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1CapApp Event: ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb

Call to Order and Invocation

President Riccobono gavels the session to order; religious member offers an invocation.

"I Identify as Blind: A Brazen Celebration of Disability Culture, Identity, and Power"

Lachi, Author of I Identify as Blind, CEO of RAMPD, Recording Academy National Trustee, Producer of a Grammy-nominated Album; New York, New York

Keep Sparking Imagination: Federation Programs to Build the Future

Anil Lewis, Executive Director for Blindness Initiatives, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland

Mika Baugh, PhD, CSE, Research Fellow, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland

Fulfilling America’s Promise to the Blind: Advancing Equality from the United States Congress

The Honorable Greg Casar, United States House of Representatives, Thirty-Fifth Congressional District; Austin, Texas

Keep Elevating Creativity with Accessibility: Blind Wisdom in Marketing

Josh Loebner, Global Head of Inclusive Design, VML; New York, New York

The Nineteenth Annual Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards

Everette Bacon, Chairperson, Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Committee, and Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind; Salt Lake City, Utah;

Reports and Resolutions

President Riccobono delivers important information and convention business as time allows.;

12:15–1:00 p.m. Banquet Exchange

JW Grand Ballroom Foyer (level 4)

Final opportunity to exchange banquet tickets prior to banquet.

12:15–1:15 p.m. Raffles and Drawings

Room 403

12:15–2:15 p.m. Sports and Recreation Division Meeting

Room 301

Level up with NFB Sports & Rec! Join the squad, drop into the convo, soak up our keynote vibes, and vote in fresh leadership at our annual business meeting.

Richie Flores, President

12:30–1:30 p.m. Holding Uber and Lyft Accountable with Money Damages

Room 401

Rideshare denials violate your civil rights. Learn how blind riders are using small claims court to hold companies accountable without hiring an attorney. We’ll cover filing a claim, preparing for a hearing, documenting violations, and using free resources to pursue damages.

Tim Elder, TRE Legal Practice

1:00–2:00 p.m. Technology Accessibility Listening Session

Room 201

Meet the NFB’s Committee on Accessibility and User Innovation. We want to hear from our members about what really matters to them regarding their use of technology. What is working? What isn’t working? What does it mean when an item of technology is "accessible" to the blind?

Curtis Chong, Chair

1:30–3:00 p.m. Amateur "Ham" Radio Group Meeting

Room 304

Talking with people around the world, responding to emergencies, and tinkering with electronics are just some of the benefits of becoming a licensed ham radio operator. Join us in a discussion about the hobby and plans for a permanent ham radio station at the Jernigan Institute.

David Chan, Chair

1:30–3:30 p.m. Ask an Archivist Office Hours

Room 302

Do you manage your chapter or affiliate's records? Do you have historic items you want to donate? Do you want to discuss archival preservation methods? This drop-in event allows you to ask NFB Archives staff questions about how to best document, preserve, and store our history.

Nichole Chrissis, Archivist, National Federation of the Blind

2:00–3:30 p.m. SSI and SSDI 101: What You Need to Know

Room 204

Ever wonder what the difference is between blind work expenses and impairment-related work expenses? Afraid you might go over the SSDI earnings cliff? Hear from an expert on these programs and have all your questions answered.

Kristina Colcock, Achieving Access, and Jesse Shirek, Director of Advocacy, National Federation of the Blind

2:00–3:30 p.m. Chapter President Q&A

Room 202

Chapter presidents are welcome to join us to ask questions and share ideas they may have specific to carrying out the work of the Federation at the chapter level.

Denise Avant, Membership Committee Chair, and Danielle McCann, Membership Building Coordinator, National Federation of the Blind

6:30 p.m. Banquet