State Convention
The National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut State Convention is the largest gathering of blind people in the state. It is the premier event for training, support, and information for the blind community. It also serves as a governing body, democratically electing our leadership and establishing each year’s organizational priorities.
National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut 52nd Annual STATE CONVENTION
Register and make a difference in the lives of blind Nutmeggers!
The 52nd Annual NFB of Connecticut State Convention will be held at the Holiday Inn in New London, CT.
Note: The agenda will be finalized, distributed, and posted on the state website in mid to late October. Yes, the agenda will be available on NEWSLINE® too!
Here is your chance to participate and learn more about the NFB’s programs and goals on the state and national level. Hear from Gary Wunder the NFB national representative. Also, hear from speakers on topics of national and state importance, membership, seniors, technology, Braille, students, guide dog users, merchants, deafblind, and parents’ concerns, meet the scholarship class of 2023 and much more!
Mark your calendars and make every effort to attend the 52nd Annual State Convention of the NFB of Connecticut. Get involved. Make a difference! Please share with others, everyone is welcome!
Hotel Information
Group Code: FTB
Direct Link Federation of The Blind
Check-in starts at 4:00pm Friday November 3 rd and late check-out on Sunday November 5 th is 12:00pm. The hotel will hold your bags for you if you arrive early or need to leave later than 12:00pm on Sunday. Each room has a coffee maker, refrigerator, and microwave. There are only three handicapped rooms in the hotel. Please book early if you need one of these rooms. Friday night’s dinner will be on your own this year at the hotel restaurant which is called LaLuna Ristorante Italiano. Jim Cronin and Allison Arbuckle ate there and said the food was exceptionally good. By the time we get there they will have an outside patio finished with firepits. There are plenty of grassy areas for guide dog relief. More information on that will be coming. This hotel is not pet friendly; it is a service animal only hotel (Smiley face.) People traveling to the Holiday Inn can take the Amtrak NE Regional from Union Station in New Haven and then the Shore Line East train to New London. Shore Line East phone number 1-877-287- 4337. Riders who need assistance can request Red Cap service on Amtrak trains only. This must be done prior to boarding the train. Metro North is also available for those who live as far away as New York. They do help you board and de-board the train. Please make sure you call them one hour before you arrive. Metro North phone number 877-690-5114. Amtrak is also available from Hartford, and further north, making stops along the way. The Red Cap service is only offered at Springfield and Hartford. We did not check further North but did check the smaller stations heading South. If you call for a reservation you will get a recording. Please be patient and keep saying representative. They may need to call you back. They will. Jim Cronin went through this, and his train is already booked. The phone number for Amtrak is 1-800-872-7245, TTY 1-800-523-6590. Once you arrive at the New London train station there are three taxicab choices and of course Uber and Lyft. The Hotel is not far away but Jim recommends taking a ride rather than trying to walk there.
Code of Conduct
As an attendee at our convention, you not only represent yourself but also represent our greater organization. We want you to enjoy our time together and to make new friends and renew old acquaintances. Although we encourage members to socialize and have fun, the convention also provides a valuable opportunity to come together to continue the work of our organization, to learn about the important initiatives that we are involved with on local and national levels, and to plan our work for the future.
The National Federation of the Blind seeks to provide a convention environment in which diverse participants, including members, speakers, exhibitors, staff, and volunteers, may learn, network, and enjoy the company of friends and colleagues in an environment of mutual respect and professionalism. We recognize a shared responsibility to create and uphold that atmosphere for the benefit of all. Some behaviors are therefore specifically prohibited:
- harassment or intimidation based on race, religion, ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, physical appearance, or other group identity
- harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking (physical or virtual), or unsolicited physical contact
- public drunkenness and associated behaviors (e.g., belligerence, yelling, hostility, destruction of property)
Participants are expected to abide by these rules and behaviors in all convention venues, including online arenas, social media, and social events. Participants who are asked to stop a behavior that the recipient considers hostile or harassing are expected to comply immediately. We are committed to diversity, equity, and the free expression of ideas. Please visit https://nfb.org/code-conduct for more information.
Student Division Activity
Join us at the CTABS State Convention Welcome & Pizza Party taking place on Fri Nov 03 at 6PM for an exciting in-person event filled with fun, networking, and of course, delicious pizza!
Whether you're a seasoned attendee or a first timer, this social is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow students within the state. expect a warm welcome from our friendly board and a chance to connect with other students. We'll provide a variety of pizzas to satisfy your taste buds and keep the energy high throughout the evening. Please RSVP to President Isabel Rosario at 203-993-3045, and please be sure to list any dietary restrictions or allergies. We hope to see you there!
Additional Information
Additional information will be posted as soon as it becomes available. Please check back often.
For more information about this event, please contact the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut outreach coordinator Lucia Lee at 860-289-1971 or info@nfbct.org, or contact our affiliate president, Maryanne Melley at 860-212-5549 or maryanne.melley@gmail.com.