An Empowering Experience: APH Attends the 2024 NFB National Convention

“I think every blind person should attend at least one NFB Convention,” said Danielle Burton, APH’s Communications Accessibility Editor. “It is a great place to network with other blind people, learn from each other, and be a part of an organization who is constantly making changes for the better for blind and low vision people.” This year, over 2,500 individuals attended the 2024 National Federation of the Blind (NFB) National Convention in Orlando, Florida and felt the camaraderie and empowerment that comes with championing an organization by and for people who are blind.

About the NFB

Founded in 1940 by Dr. Jacobus TenBroek, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB believes blindness does not define you or your future. Given proper training and opportunities, blind people can live the lives they want. “The NFB’s goal is to empower blind people to be fully active members of society and also serves to ensure that the rights of blind people are protected,” said Danielle.

Every year, NFB holds a National Convention. This six-day event includes a variety of workshops and presentations on a myriad of blindness-related topics along with General Sessions, where the organization conducts their business, elections, and resolutions.

APH at the 2024 Convention

On Saturday, July 6, 2024, APH held a panel called Dreaming Big Together: The Monarch and the Butterfly Effect of Partnership during General Session II. After a brief introduction by Bruce Miles, General Manager, Professional Solutions, and Head of HumanWare; APH President, Dr. Craig Meador, asked panelists questions about the Monarch and why it’s important for students. Speakers included parent Katherine Carlock her daughter Kennedy, and Gina Fugate, Computer Science and Technology Teacher at the Maryland School for the Blind. “I believe this [the Monarch] is a true game changer for so many people,” said Gina. “A multi-line braille display makes a difference for coding…it is total access.” Kennedy was also enthusiastic about the Monarch as she wore a Monarch dress and matching earrings to the panel. She said her favorite part of the device is that it can read to you.

APH staff also showcased the Monarch in their booth in the NFB Exhibit Hall. Jason Martin, APH’s Technical Innovations Product Manager, demonstrated the upcoming Wing It app for Kennedy, which allows anyone to draw on an iPad and transfer that sketch directly to the Monarch. Jason drew a square, triangle, and star, which Kennedy was able to identify by feeling the shape with her fingers. Kennedy then asked Jason to draw her Grandma. Caitlin Stewart-Wilcox, APH’s Digital Media Specialist, commented on Kennedy’s reaction to the sketch: “While Jason’s drawing was just a stick figure, Kennedy was so happy to see her request come to life.” A rising 2nd grader, Kennedy is learning music braille. After Kennedy and her mom saw the Music Braille Wheel in-person at the APH booth, Kennedy’s mom said she is planning on ordering it for her daughter.

Throughout her three shifts at the booth, APH’s Danielle Burton, who is DeafBlind, communicated with customers directly if she could hear them or spoke to them with the help of her two interpreters. “I was also able to show the Monarch, Mantis Q40, and Chameleon 20 braille displays to a couple of DeafBlind attendees who relied on tactile ASL,” said Danielle. “We were able to communicate together without either of our interpreters, and I was able to show them what each device has to offer. That was a really fun challenge for me to increase my own ability to explain technology in ASL.”

Danielle is a proud supporter of the NFB. “The NFB is a strong organization that I feel has the power and determination to ensure that blind people are fully accepted in society,” said Danielle. “They have already secured many accessibility and legal battles that we benefit from every day, and I believe they will continue to do so in the future until it is hopefully no longer necessary.”

Find out more about the NFB by visiting their website, and learn more about the resolutions they passed at convention.