55th Annual State Convention
National Federation
Of The Blind Tennessee
April 19-21, 2024
DoubleTree by Hilton Murfreesboro
1850 Old Fort Parkway
Murfreesboro, TN
Theme: Low Vision and Blindness: All in the Federation Family
National Federation of the Blind Pledge
“I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.”
Important notes:
• When coming off the elevators on the sleeping floors, you can potentially run straight into a stair well going down, so please make sure to use your cane correctly.
• For Guide dog users, when walking down the hallway towards the exhibit hall and meeting rooms, you will run into carpet. Immediately before hitting the carpet is a door on the right that leads outside to a courtyard. If you turn right out the door, you will soon run into the building and directly to the left will be some grass and a trashcan for your doggy doo.
• Registration will be held at the first table in the exhibit hall on Friday from 2:00-6:00 P.M and Saturday from 8:00-9:00 A.M.
• Come join us on Friday night at 8:00 P.M. for a fun-filled family movie night. Bring the kiddos! We will be showing Wonka with audio description. There will be no cover charge, but a $5 donation would be appreciated to help cover the cost of Wonka themed snacks. Watch for the golden ticket. You could leave with a fun prize!
• A respite room will be open on Saturday Morning and Afternoon during General Sessions for you or the kiddos to take a break from the convention hall. There will be caregivers there to watch the kids while you enjoy the offerings of the convention.
• Take advantage of all the free fun, food, and fellowship offered at the hospitality suite in Room 501 on the 5th floor. Take a right off the elevators, and it is the first door on the right.
• Affiliate president James Brown asks that you excuse him weaving his obsession with 80’s sitcoms into the theme of convention and to have fun and enjoy the weekend.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Friday, April 19, 2024
12:00-6:00 PM:
Exhibit Hall in hallway outside of meeting rooms
2:00-6:00 PM:
Registration near Exhibit Hall entrance
2:30-3:45 PM:
NFBTN Board of Directors Meeting
Taking Care of Family Business
Boardroom
Affiliate President: James Brown, NFBTN
Antioch, TN
3:00-4:00 PM:
Hospitality Room
Join us for food and fellowship!
Room 501
4:00-5:00 PM:
Financial Audit Committee
A Look at the Family’s Finances
Boardroom
Committee Chair: Melissa Smith, Member, Scenic City Chapter
Chattanooga, TN
4:00-5:00 PM:
Resolutions Committee
Making Important Decisions at the Federation Family Table\
Veterans Room
Committee Chair: Amanda Juetten
Cookeville, TN
5:00-6:15 PM:
TN Seniors’ Division
Come to find out how the seniors’ Silver Bells can call you home to independence!
Veterans Room
Division President: Yvonne Neubert
Knoxville, TN
5:00-6:15 PM:
TN Organization of Parents of Blind Children
Make plans to come to our Parents of Blind Children family Meeting and enjoy a time of networking with other Parents. We will have a conversation about the future of our Division and the role that Parents can have in helping to build our Affiliate.
Boardroom
Division President: Cassie McKinney
Jackson, TN
6:30-9:00 PM:
Hospitality Room is Open
Join us for more food and fellowship!
Room 501
6:00-8:00 PM:
TN Association of Guide Dog Users
Come Join the yearly family gathering of guide dogs and their humans where you’ll find a number of guide dog schools and handlers talking about the benefits and challenges of having a furry partner.
Heartland Ballroom
Division President: DeAnna Moore
Bristol, TN
6:15-7:30 PM:
At Large Chapter Meeting
Our At-Large Chapter is looking forward to being together at Convention where we can take full advantage of being in one place by sharing a meal together. People interested in taking part in our gathering should meet in the hotel Lobby at 6:15pm where we will organize going out Dutch for dinner. For questions please reach-out to Josh Harper, 629-236-2428.
Chapter President: Josh Harper
Nashville, TN
8:00-10:00 PM:
Here’s your chance to experience Wonka Audio Description Movie Night. Bring the whole family, and don’t forget to watch out for the golden ticket!
Heartland Ballroom
Saturday, April 20, 2024
7:30-8:30 AM:
Hospitality Room is Open
Join us for more food and fellowship!
Room 501
8:00-9:00 AM:
Registration in Exhibit Hall entrance.
10:00 AM-3:00 PM:
Exhibit Hall in hallway outside of meeting rooms.
9:00 A.M. -12:00 PM:
General Session
Heartland Ballroom
Theme: Low Vision and Blindness: All in the Federation Family
9:00 AM:
Call to Order!
James Brown, President, NFB of TN
Antioch, TN
Invocation, National Anthem and Federation Pledge:
Grace Day and Dr. Deborah Carter
Cookeville and Memphis, TN
Welcome to the Family: Greetings from Middle TN
Tracey Fields, President, Nashville Chapter
Smyrna, TN
9:20 AM:
Report from Our National Rep:
Who’s the Federation Boss?!!
Jessica Beecham, Board Member,
National Federation of the Blind
Colorado Springs, CO
9:50 AM:
2023 Tennessee Scholarship Class
Family Ties for a TN Scholarship
Terry Smith, Chair, Scholarship Committee
Chattanooga, TN
10:10 AM:
National Association of Blind Students Report
Saved by the Bell!
Manahil Jafri, NABS Board Member
New York City, NY
10:30 AM:
Learning to Drive with Vocational Rehabilitation
Growing Pains in TN
Quin Howard, VR Field Supervisor Middle TN, VR Sensory Unit
Murfreesboro, TN
11:00 AM:
Standing Up to Bullies without Looking!
STRIVE4You’s Greatest American Hero
Ricky Jones, Executive Director, STRIVE4You
Madison, TN
11:30 AM:
A Blind Mental Health Professional Talkingto a Panel About Growing up with Low Vision and Blindness!
Urkel Said Family Really Does Matter
Dr. Bobbie Davis LCSW
Adult and Child Adolescent Psychoanalytic Candidate
Board Member, Fort Campbell Chapter
Clarksville TN
12:00 P.M.
Adjourn for Morning Session
12:00 P.M. -1:45 PM:
Tennessee Association of Blind Merchants
Bringing the TBE Family Together for a Lunch Meeting
Heartland Ballroom
Division President: Troy Rogers
Ashland City, TN
12:00 P.M. -1:30 PM:
Hospitality Room is Open
Join us for more food and fellowship!
Room 501
2:00-5:00 PM:
General Session
Heartland Ballroom
Theme: Low Vision and Blindness: All in the Federation Family
2:00 PM:
The Intersection of Low Vision and Blindness!
It Takes Different Strokes to Rule the World
Jessica Beecham, Board Member,
National Federation of the Blind
Colorado Springs, CO
2:20 PM:
Raising a Blind/Low vision child as a Blind Parent
It’s a Federation Full House!
Cassie McKinney, President,
National Association of Blind Parents
Jackson, TN
2:40 PM:
Dating Blind in the Modern World
The 2024 Facts of Life
Manahil Jafri, NABS Board Member
New York City, NY
3:00 PM:
Healthy Dynamics in Marriage
Married with Children in Cookeville
Amanda Juetten, President, Upper Cumberland Chapter
Cookeville, TN
3:20 PM:
Teaching Sighted Family and Friends to do Audio Description
Home Improvement with the Meredith Clan
April, David, and Asher Meredith
Members, Nashville Chapter
Christiana, TN
3:35 PM:
Story of a Professional Live Audio Describer
Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
Beth Crabb, Tennessee Performing Arts Audio Describer
Nashville, TN
3:55 PM:
Why I’m a Federationist
How to be Like the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Dr. Deborah Carter, 1st. VP, National Federation of the Blind TN
Memphis, TN
4:10 PM:
More Accessible Elections in a City Near You
You’ve Got a Friend in the Federation!
Mark Goins, State Coordinator of Elections
Nashville, TN
4:40 PM:
Nominating Committee Report
Chair, Cassie McKinney
NFBTN Board Member
Jackson, TN
4:45 PM:
Elections
James Brown, President, NFB of TN
Antioch, TN
5:00 PM:
Adjourn
7:00-10:00 PM:
Banquet: Heartland Ballroom
Master of Ceremony: Amanda Juetten
Scholarship Presentation: Terry Smith
Keynote Address: Jessica Beecham, Board Member,
National Federation of the Blind
Sunday April 21, 2024
7:30-8:30 AM:
Nondenominational Service
Message by Nashville Chapter Member David Robertson
Veterans Room
9:00 AM:
General Session:
Veterans Room
Call to Order
James Brown, President, NFB of TN
Antioch, TN
9:05 AM:
Invocation
Faheem Bengazi, Member, Cleveland Chapter
Cleveland, TN
9:10 AM:
Chapter and Division Rollcall
9:40 AM:
Legislative Committee Report
Yvonne Neubert, Chair, Legislative Committee
Knoxville, TN
9:55 AM:
Audit Committee Report
Melissa Smith, Chair
Chattanooga, TN
10:10 AM:
Treasurer’s Report
Josh Harper, Treasurer, NFB of TN
Nashville, TN
10:25 AM:
Civic TN and NFBTN Accessible Elections Partnership
Steven Adelson, Civic TN Project Director
Middle TN
10:55 AM:
NFBTN Accessible Prescription Rules Go Live in TN
Yvonne Neubert, Chair, Legislative Committee
Knoxville, TN
11:05 AM:
4th Year of Educate and Equip to Empower Seminars
Tracey Fields, President, Nashville Chapter
Smyrna, TN
11:15 AM:
BELL Braille Camps are Back for the Kiddos
Michelle Quinn, BELL Coordinator
Clarksville, TN
11:25 AM:
Blindness Training Center Update
Amanda Juetten, President, Upper Cumberland Chapter
Cookeville, TN
11:35 AM:
Resolutions Report
Amanda Juetten, Chair, Resolutions Committee
Cookeville, TN
11:50 AM:
Customary Motions
Nominating an Alternate Delegate to National Convention
State Convention 2025
12:00 PM:
Adjourn
Thank you to all of our members!
We couldn’t do this without you.
President: James Aaron Brown
3073 Bluffhollow Gap
Antioch, TN 37013