National Federation of the Blind
National Convention 2012 

Agenda:

2012 Convention Agenda (Word)

2012 Convention Agenda (Audio)

• Introduction and General Information (3.5 MB)
• Saturday, June 30 (9 MB)
• Sunday, July 1 (8 MB)
• Monday, July 2 (11 MB)
• Tuesday, July 3 (5 MB)
• Wednesday, July 4 (4 MB)
• Thursday, July 5 (3 MB)
• Notes (6 MB)
• Navigating the Hotel (3 MB)
• Thank You (1 MB)

Read the convention agenda through your Blio account. Stop back during convention week to download Dr. Maurer's Presidential Report and banquet speech to read in Blio.

The 2012 NFB National Convention agenda is also available in other formats converted by our affiliates and members:

2012 Convention Agenda (HTML) 

2012 Convention Agenda (iCal/Google Calendar)

When:

Saturday, June 30—Thursday, July 5, 2012

Where:

Hilton Anatole Hotel
2201 North Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75207
Reservations: Beginning January 1, 2012, write directly to the above address or call (214) 761-7500.

Registration:

Pre-registration is now closed, but you may register on site. On-site registration is $30, banquet tickets are $60, and barbecue tickets are $50.

Live Stream:

We will be once again streaming portions of the National Convention over the Internet. If you cannot be in Dallas, Texas, to catch the excitement in person, you can listen to portions of the convention via the Internet. For the streaming schedule and links to the different streams, please visit www.nfb.org/convention-streaming-schedule. 

Hotel Rates and Information:

This year we are returning to Dallas and the beautiful Hilton Anatole Hotel, site of the 2010 convention. Once again our hotel rates are the envy of all. For the 2012 convention they are singles and doubles, $63; for triples and quads, $68. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 15 percent. No charge will be made for children under sixteen in the room with parents as long as no extra bed is requested. Please note that the hotel is a no-smoking facility.

For 2012 convention room reservations you should write directly to the Hilton Anatole Hotel, 2201 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75207, or call (214) 761-7500. The hotel will want a deposit of $60 or a credit card number. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately, just as would be the case with a $60 check. If a reservation is cancelled before June 1, 2012, $30 of the $60 deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made.

Guest-room amenities include cable television; coffeepot; iron and ironing board; hair dryer; and, for a fee, high-speed Internet access. Guests can also enjoy one outdoor and two indoor pools as well as a fully equipped health club and tennis courts. The Hilton Anatole has several restaurants and bars, and even a disco. See later issues of the Monitor for specific details and information about other attractions in the Greater Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

The 2012 convention of the National Federation of the Blind will be a truly exciting and memorable event, with an unparalleled program and rededication to the goals and work of our movement. Make plans now to be a part of it. Preconvention seminars for parents of blind children and other groups and set-up of the exhibit hall will take place on Saturday, June 30, and adjournment will be Thursday, July 5, following the banquet. Convention registration and registration packet pick-up for those who registered online will begin on Sunday, July 1, and both Sunday and Monday will be filled with meetings of divisions and committees, including the Monday morning annual meeting, open to all, of the board of directors of the National Federation of the Blind.

General convention sessions will begin on Tuesday, July 3, and continue through the banquet on Thursday, July 5. Note that Wednesday, July 4, will include both morning and afternoon convention sessions. Friday, July 6, will be available for tours for those who enjoy getting to know something about our convention city. To assure yourself a room in the headquarters hotel at convention rates, you must make reservations early. The hotel will be ready to take your call or deal with your written request by January 1.

Schedule:

The schedule for the 2012 convention will follow that of last year:

Saturday, June 30             Seminar Day
Sunday, July 1                  Registration Day
Monday, July 2                 Board Meeting and Division Day
Tuesday, July 3                Opening Session
Wednesday, July 4            Business Session
Thursday, July 5               Banquet Day and Adjournment

Hotel Menus:

Below you will find the menus (available in both BRF and Word) for the Hilton Anatole Hotel's on-site restaurants.

• Counter Offer Breakfast Menu (BRF)
• Counter Offer Breakfast Menu (Word)
• Counter Offer Lunch-Dinner Menu (BRF)
• Counter Offer Lunch-Dinner Menu (Word)
• Counter Offer Sushi Menu (BRF)
• Counter Offer Sushi Menu (Word)
• Grab-and-Go Sack Lunch Menu (BRF)
• Grab-and-Go Sack Lunch Menu (Word)
• Media Lunch-Dinner Menu (BRF)
• Media Lunch-Dinner Menu (Word)
• Room Service Menu (BRF)
• Room Service Menu (Word)
• Terrace Breakfast Menu (BRF)
• Terrace Breakfast Menu (Word)
• Terrace Blue Plate Lunch Menu (BRF)
• Terrace Blue Plate Lunch Menu (Word)

Sponsor and Exhibitor Information:

Thank you to our Web Accessibility Champion Sponsor, Deque Systems and the rest of our 2012 sponsors!

View our 2012 National Convention Sponsors

Exhibitor Information:

• Exhibitor Information 
• Exhibitor Short List (Word)
• Exhibitor Short List (BRF)
• Exhibitor Long List (Word)
• Exhibitor Long List (BRF)
• Exhibit Hall Map Description (Word)
• Exhibit Hall Map Description (BRF)

Requests for Accommodations Based on Disability:

The convention of the National Federation of the Blind is designed and implemented to be accessible especially to blind people in that materials are offered in accessible formats and other nonvisual aids are provided. If you are an individual who requires specific accommodations based on your disability, other than the blindness related accommodations routinely provided by the Federation, so that you may participate fully and equally in the Convention, we urge you to let us know as soon as possible. Due to the size and complexity of this convention, as well as the need to appropriately plan for additional human and other resources, requests for specific accommodations must be submitted no later than May 31, 2012. In order to make a request please: 1) Pre-register for the convention by visiting www.nfb.org/registration; and 2) Send your specific request for accommodations in writing to the attention of Mark Riccobono via e-mail at mriccobono@nfb.org. Please include your name, the dates you plan to be at the convention, information on the best way to follow up with you, and your specific request.

NOPBC National Conference:

The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) will be holding its annual conference during national convention. For information about the conference, including how to preregister, please visit the NOPBC Programs and Events Web Page.

First Timer's Guide to the NFB National Convention:

View our beginner's guide to the NFB National Convention, intended to give the first-time convention attendee some important information about national conventions of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB).

• First Timer's Guide to the National Convention
• First-Timer's Guide to the National Convention (Audio)

Travel Survey:

The NFB is committed to removing barriers and promoting equality for blind travelers.  With travel providers’ increasing use of self-service kiosks, and the expansion of travel booking services available online, the NFB recognizes the immediate need to advocate for accessible information and services and appropriate treatment by airport and airline personnel.  Gathering information about your travel experiences will aid in our collective advocacy efforts.

We therefore encourage all 2012 National Convention attendees to complete a brief online travel survey.  Please take time to share your travel experiences, both positive and negative.  The results of this survey will guide the engagement of travel industry leaders to ensure accessible travel websites, travel services, airports, and bus and train stations. 

More Information:

Additional information as to meetings, schedule, hotel, etc., may be obtained as it becomes available by contacting the National Federation of the Blind at 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, Maryland 21230, telephone (410) 659-9314.