News & Upcoming Events

2019 NFB Washington Seminar

Monday, January 28, through Thursday, January 31, 2019

It is time again for us to take our concerns directly to our legislators in Washington, DC. For those that are not familiar with Washington Seminar, this is where 500 members of the NFB come together to present three to four issues important to the blind and disabled community to our federal Congressional representatives. In addition to meeting with members of Congress and Senators, Washington Seminar is the site of student seminars and meetings of many NFB groups and divisions.

To learn more about Washington Seminar, including the issues being presented and details for hotel room reservations, please visit www.nfb.org/washington-seminar.

Blind Women’s Empowerment Conference in Washington DC

Theme: “I Am Woman. Hear Me Roar!”

The National Federation of the Blind of the District of Columbia
2018 BLIND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE

The women of the NFBDC proudly present the 3rd Annual Blind Women’s Empowerment Conference with another awesome all blind panel & keynote speaker ready to inspire other women so they can rise to any occasion, reach their goals and live the life they want.

Women at this conference will be invigorated, uplifted, and empowered while enjoying a delectable lunch prepared by the Shiloh Baptist church catering staff. And, if you are looking for some bling bling or something to accessorize that new outfit, you can stop by one of our vendor tables that will be available after the conference. All women are welcome.

Keynote Speaker: Evelyn Valdez

Thursday, October 11, 2018; 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

The Shiloh Baptist Church
1510 9th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

$25

To register or for more information, please call Libra Robinson at (202) 427-3600 or email at leelibra342@gmail.com no later than Friday, October 5 , and bring your cash payment to the door on the day of the event. All sales are final, and no refunds will be provided.

“Live the Life You Want in the Nation’s Capital!”

Harrisburg Chapter meeting announcement

Greetings,

The NFB of Pennsylvania is excited to announce that the Harrisburg and surrounding areas chapter is being revitalized. A group of interested folks will be meeting on June 2 at 10 am at the Center for Independent Living of Central PA at 207 House Ave. Camp Hill PA 17011.

The following are some important instructions about the area and how to get into the building. Its at Senate Ave and House Ave. When giving directions to a driver, once on House ave, follow the loop around, once the street turns left. 207 is the second building on the right. Passengers and persons should park at the entrance that is closest to the street, the door that does not have a ramp. Drivers should turn right into the first driveway into the parking lot and an make an immediate left. This is also the door that can be used when using paratransit.

Once in the building, there is a hallway that is straight in front of you. As you walk down this hall, the restrooms are on the left. The Ladies is first. The button to open the door is on the left at the corner, it’s a square box. The door opens to the right. Second is the men’s room. On the right a hallway begins just past the men’s room. Turn right, the door to the conference room is on the left. Again, there is a big square button on the left to open the door. Once in that door, There is a small front room. The hallway to the conference room is on the right of that hallway and spreads in the same direction in which you came into the last door. The conference room door at the end of the hallway on the left. There are braille signs on all the doors.

We hope that you can join us. If you’re not able to join that day but are interested in learning more, please send an email to marsha.drenth@gmail.com

See you soon!

Thank you,

Marsha Drenth
email: marsha.drenth@gmail.com

Washington Seminar 2018

Monday, January 29, through Thursday, February 1, 2018

It is time again for us to take our concerns directly to our legislators in Washington, DC. For those that are not familiar with Washington Seminar, this is where 500 members of the NFB come together to present three to four issues important to the blind and disabled community to our federal Congressional representatives. This year we have four issues. In addition to meeting with members of Congress and Senators, Washington Seminar is the site of student seminars and meetings of many NFB groups and divisions.

To read the issues, and to view pictures from the 2018 Washington Seminar, please visit our Washington Seminar page. To read the fact sheets for the issues, please visit the [NFB Washington Seminar] page.

2018 NFB of PA State Convention

The NFB of Pennsylvania 2018 State Convention will be held Friday, November 2 through Sunday, November 4 at:
The Atherton Hotel
125 S. Atherton St.
State College, PA 16801

Make your reservations now by calling the hotel directly at 814-231-2100 or 800-832-0132. To receive the special room rate, you need to mention the NFB of Pennsylvania when making your hotel reservation. The room block expires on October 1st, so don’t delay.

For additional information regarding to the state convention and to register, please visit our Convention page.

Reading Print Material Has Never Been Easier

If you’re like most blind people, every day you encounter UPO’s (unidentified print objects), from mail to flyers to package labels. Now you can read virtually any printed material with the phone that you carry every day. KNFB Reader Mobile is recognized worldwide as the best reading app available, and you can now get it for your iPhone, Android phone, or other compatible Apple or Android devices. Click on the links below to learn more or buy it today! Learn more: http://www.knfbreader.com Buy from iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/knfbreader/id849732663?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 Buy from the Google Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sensotec.knfbreader

2015 Possibilities Fair

“Vision loss does not have to mean the loss of independence. Once an individual experiencing vision loss has access to information, transportation and inspiration, they can remain a contributing member of the community.”
– David J. DeNotaris, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Imagine Independence…
Possibilities Fair for Adults 55 and Older
October 9, 2015

Take hold of the opportunities with the National Federation of the Blind Possibilities Fair for Older Adults Who Are Losing Vision and for Their Families
Friday, October 9, 2015
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $5.00, includes lunch
Where: Surrey Services for Seniors
60 Surrey Way (formerly Chestnut Ave.)
Devon, PA 19333
610-647-6404

This Possibilities Fair will provide a hands-on opportunity for those 55 and older who are losing vision to learn how to improve their lives. The Fair will include demonstration areas featuring alternative techniques, equipment, services for older adults losing vision, and helpful hints about enjoying life.

To register, please call 215-988-0888 or download the following form in one of the two formats provided here and mail it to the address on the form:

Possibilities Fair Registration Form (Word document)

Possibilities Fair Registration Form (PDF document)

2016 Convention

The NFB of Pennsylvania 2016 Convention will be held Friday, November 11 through Sunday, November 13 at
Atherton Hotel in State College,  125 S Atherton St, State College, PA 16801.

Make your reservations now by calling the hotel directly   (814) 231-2100 or 800-832-0132.  To receive the special room rate, you need to mention the NFB of Pennsylvania when making your hotel reservation.

More information to follow.

NFB-Live Comes to Pennsylvania

Live the life you want with NFB-Live.org; this live “chat site,” works with the use of a microphone and headset, allowing participants to interact with others using nothing else but their own voices.

NFB-Live.org was created to improve communication, provide a forum for learning and offer a place for fun and relaxation. The National Federation of the Blind of New York President and NFB-Live.org host, Carl Jacobsen notes that the site is “a place to build programs which we have yet to create in our dreams.” NFBLive.org is open to members of the Federation and non-members alike. It is our belief that increased communication and opportunities to socialize can bring further understanding between people. Events hosted on NFBLive include: Personal interviews of a variety of individuals who have impacted the blind community, open discussions on a variety of topics and presentations from our members and our sponsors on topics affecting the blind community. NFBLive also hosts games that users can participate in as teams or individually including: Family Feud, Password, Jeopardy, Crossword and several other dice, board and card games.

You can join the site at no cost. All you need is a microphone and access to the internet. Visit nfblive.org and go to the Join Our Community link. You can register with the form at the bottom of the page. Once you have signed up, you will receive a username and password to begin interaction and communication with others from around the world; it’s all at your fingertips! For questions regarding NFB-Live.org contact: support@nfblive.org

 

 

Possibilities Fair – July 2014

On a sunny, bright Friday in July the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania and Surrey Services for Seniors hosted a Possibilities Fair for older adults dealing with vision loss. The fair, held at Surrey Senior Services in Berwyn, P.A, boasted a wealth of knowledge, demonstrations and resources for older adults in this community.

The fair provided a hands-on opportunity for those 55 and older, losing vision, to learn how to improve their lives. The event highlighted demonstration areas featuring alternative accessible techniques and equipment as well as, state services for older adults losing vision. This was a meaningful opportunity for older adults dealing with vision loss to gain and maintain independence. Information for spouses and families to gain understanding and to become supportive of their loved ones struggling with vision loss was also shown at the event.

The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the PA Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, CARIE- Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center and PA NewsLine (Free Telephone Newspaper Service) were all in attendance at the fair, providing direct support and hands-on demonstrations as well as quality of life tools and tips. Demonstration stations included speech output devices, mobility practice sessions, and techniques for the kitchen as well as a display of helpful aids and appliances available to make everyday tasks more accessible.

Breakfast refreshments and goody bags were provided as the day began. Attendees and family members were escorted to the various sessions and demonstration booths to explore their own possibilities. At the end of the remarkable event, a lunch wrap-up session with state president, Jim Antonacci and notable NFBP members gave attendees another insightful glimpse into the lives of older blind adults.

To learn more about vision loss and your own possibilities, contact the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania at 215-988-0888