National Federation of the Blind of Kansas

2009 State Convention, Salina KS

November 6, 7, and 8, 2009

This first-ever broadcast of our annual State Convention was dedicated to the memory of Dean Stanzel a long-time member of the NFB of Kansas and the husband of Susie Stanzel.

Dean was a dedicated Federationist who believed that, whenever possible, blind people should take charge of whatever needed to be done. Many of you will remember him from the registration line at our annual convention. Dean would greet you by saying, “I am Dean Stanzel. How may I help you?” Then he would take your money, give you your banquet ticket and pass your information down to Susie to be placed in your badge jacket. This was the Stanzel’s convention tradition for about 25 years. He envisioned a means by which to take the federation's message of hope to blind individuals, their families and blindness professionals in Kansas and beyond.

In 2002 construction of the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas Web Site began. "With assistance from Michael Hanson of Nebraska The two designed and constructed the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas Web Site. Dean assumed full responsibility for its upkeep after initial construction was finished in 2005.

At about this same time several State NFB Affiliates began broadcasting their annual state conventions. Dean's next dream was to take the proceedings of the NFB of Kansas State Convention to the World via the Internet. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. As his health gradually failed he was unable to keep up the affiliate's Web site. Dean passed away on June 21st 2007 his dream of broadcasting the affiliate's annual state convention unrealized. However, this flame would not be quenched with his passing.

History is full of examples of individuals who when faced with adversity and the possibility of never realizing their dreams in their life time called on relatives, friends, and others to carry on the work they began to see it to completion. Dean’s wife Susie, along with members of our Kansas Affiliate sought someone that would rise to the occasion to make Dean’s dream a reality. Peter Donahue of Texas answered the call and rose to the occasion. He is well-known for creating dynamic NFB Affiliate Web Sites and other information resources on the Internet. Thanks to his dedication to the movement and belief in the ability to reach large audiences via the Internet the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas announced its would broadcast its 2009 Annual Convention over the Internet. The attempted was unsuccessful due to inadequate hotel connections and the inability to reach designated listeners via cell phone to monitor the broadcast.

In case our first broadcast atempt failed Peter recorded our dconvention sessions for archiving on this web site to preserve the memories of this convention and for others unable to attend to hear the proceedings. It is also our hope that these recordings will reach and inspire other blind individuals, their families, and friends to become a part of our Kansas Affiliate or to other NFB affiliates around the country.

The files are in .MP3 Format and can be streamed to your computer, or downloaded for offline listening. Be sure to download a copy of the convention agenda to follow along. The agenda is available in ASCII Text, Rich Text, and in Microsoft Word File Formats. They can be downloaded by selecting the appropriate link below:

Download in ASCII Text Format, (TXT)

Download in Rich Text Format, (RTF)

Download in Microsoft Word Format, (DOC)

Friday, November 6, 2009

Friday afternoon was taken up by the meeting of the NFB of Kansas Board of Directors.

Registration began at 5:00 p.m. along with the sale of banquet tickets and the boxed lunch for Saturday afternoon Attendees were invited to gather at 6 p.m. for hospitallity and to drink a toast to a fallen comrad Richard Edlund.

Meetings of the Resolutions and Nominating Committees occured later that evening.The Resolutions Committee drafted three resolutions for consideration later in the convention. All three were brought before the full convention assembly and were passed. The Nominating Committee presented a slate of officers and board members for the coming year.

Saturday November 7, 2009

Opening General Session

President Wood called the convention to order at 9:00 A.M. following a memorable opener. As attendees filed in to the room they heard music from "Apollo Thirteen" with excerpts of speeches and presentations made by NFB leaders and members on the importance of Braille to the blind. The presentation concluded with the sounds of the launch of STS-125 as two Louis Braille Coins flew on this space shuttle mission.

Lucy Larson, Mayer of Salina welcomed everyone to the convention. She encouraged the affiliate by commending its work on behalf of blind Kansans and to consider returning to Salina for future state conventions.

Welcome to Salina, (Audio) 3.57 MB

President Wood then announced that for the first time in the affiliate's history the annual state convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas was being broadcast over the Internet. Second Vice-President Susan Stanzel told the convention that this was the fulfillment of her deceased husbandDean's dream of taking the message of the federation throughout Kansas and the World. but He was unable to fulfill this wish due to his death from Cancer in 2007. Sadly this year's attempt was unsuccessful due to inaddiquate connections at the convention hotel and the poor cell phone service in the Salina Area which prevented monitoring of the broadcast by the the broadcast engineer. It is hoped to broadcast future NFB of Kansas annual conventions.

In honor of Dean Stanzel and the fulfillment of his dream Mary Donahue of San Antonio Texas sang the Seline Dion Song, "The Power of the Dream." You can hear the opening ceremonies by listening to the complete recording of the Saturday Morning Session by selecting the "Saturday Morning Session (Complete)" link below.

Following the opening ceremonies, and announcements President Wood introduced Anil Lewis for the National Report. Anil brought greetings from Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind and highlighted activities on the national level. He also reminded convention attendees of the need to purchess and sell Louis Braille Coins, announced up-coming events such as the 2010 Washington Seminar and the 2010 National Convention to be held in Dallas Texas next summer.

National Report, (Audio) 39.4 MB

Following the National Report Donna Wood gave the 2009 NFB of Kansas Presidential Report. She highlighted the affiliate's accomplishments in the past year and inspired members with affiliate goals and objectives for 2010.

Presidential Report, (Audio) 37.2 MB

The Braille Crisis in America was presented by Tom Page, First Vice-President of the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas. Mr. Page described the factors that have contributed to the decline in Braille instruction and use in the United States and what the NFB through its Braille Initiative is doing to reverse this trend.

The Braille Crisis In America, (Audio) 19.8 MB

Toni Herrell, Director of the Kansas Talking Book Library described the new digital talking book players now being issued by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, (NLS), described the procedures for issuing these machines and how to request them. She went on to describe other initiatives of the Kansas Talking Book library and other NLS activities throughout the country.

Talking Books, (Audio) 37.2 MB

The Kansas Talking Book Library Presentation was followed by a reading of the remaining resolutions to be considered and acted upon during the annual business meeting. All three resolutions were adopted by the convention.

Reading of 2009 Convention Resolutions, (Audio) 3.30 MB

The morning session adjourned shortly after noon.

NFB of Kansas 2009 Saturday Morning Session Complete, (Audio) 170 MB

Saturday Afternoon

Following adjournment of the Saturday Morning Session convention attendees gathered for a box Lunch on site)

Saturday Afternoon General Session

The Saturday afternoon session began with a report from the Nominating Committee.

Braille, a Career Choice, was presented by Mary Donahue of San antonio Texas. Mary works as a Braille Proofreader for the Education Service Center Region Twenty. She briefly described how she became involved in Braille production, explained her job duties and gave the audience a demonstration of how documents are read to sighted copyholders in order to check material for translation and other errors. Conventioneers were impressed by her ability to read Braille profficiently that she was asked to read the convention resolutions during the Annual Business Meeting on Sunday Morning.

Braille, A Career Choice, (Audio) 10.9 MB

In honor of the 200th Anniversary of Louis Braille no discussion of the code that brought literacy and opportunity to so many blind individuals World-wide would be complete without a presentation from the inventor himself. Thanks to Jerry Whittle, Braille Teacher and theatre director at the Louisiana Center for the Blind in Ruston Louisiana Braille's 21st Century Medium, Louis Braille did not decline his invitation. Braille briefly described how he developed his code of raised dots and how he taught it to his fellow students at the school for the blind where he was enrolled at the time. Just like today there were those in Braille's time who would keep the blind down and out of society's mainstream by denying them basic literacy. He described how he and others fought to over-come these denials of education for the blind and encouraged us to kkeep up the good work to ensure that all blind children and adults who wish to learn Braille to become literate can do so.

A Message From Louis Braille, (Audio) 16.0 MB

President Wood updated the convention on the status of the Louis Braille Coin promotion. To those not ffamilliar with this project she explained what it is and how to get one.

Madelyn Burkendine Superintendent of The Kansas State School for the Blind in Kansas City Kansas , updated convention attendees on developments at the school for the blind and announced that one of the dormatories was named in honor of Richard Edlund. Considerable discussion took place concerning plans to combine the Kansas Schools for the Blind and Deaf.

The Kansas School For The Blind, (Audio) 36.3 MB

The latest developments at the Kansas Audio Reader Network, was presented by its Director Lori Kessinger

Kansas Audio Reader, (Audio) 15.6 MB

Bio TouchTM, What is it and how can it help was an item about an alternative healing therapy for relieving pain, stress, and other illnesses was presented by Maryse Figueroa of Wichita, Kansas. Maryse is a blind registered nurse who regularly uses the BiotouchTM Therapy when treating patients. She is one of its biggest ;promoters and is very enthusiastic about her work.

Bio TouchTM, How Can It Help? (Audio) 20.3 MB

Sharon Luka, NFBKS Secretary presented a delightful item entitled, "The Long White Cane." After reading an excerpt from an NFB publication she invited attendees to take walks around the hotel complex to practice using their cane skills.

The Long White Cane, (Audio) 18.7 MB

Raymond and Beth Graber are long-time members of the NFB of Kansas. Raymond is a blind senior citizen that along with Beth continues to remain active in their community. Both are active in the Community Emergency Response Team Program, (CERT.) Initially CERT Officials saw no way a blind person could assist that organization and would not allow Raymond to participate. The National Federation of the Blind of Kansas interveened on his behalf. Raymond is now a full participating CERT Team member along with Beth. He described his duties and encouraged other blind individuals to become CERT workers or workers in similar organizations:

Serving the Community, Creating Opportunities for the Blind, (Audio) 6.19 MB

Chikako Mochizuki of Lawrence, Kansas was a National Scholarship Winner. She discussed her plans to earn a Doctorate in History and shared her dream of being the first blind historian to go in to space.

Chikako Mochizuki, 2009 National Scholarship Winner, (Audio) 9.79 MB

Ashley Tilton recalled her experiences while attending the NFB Youth SLAM in 2007 and 2009.

Youth SLAM 2009, (Audio) 5.08 MB

Steve Fortine of Computer Consultents LLC answered the question of who are Computer Consultants, Who are They and What Can They Do for You?

Computer Consultants, Who Are They And What Can They Do for You, (Audio) 25.2 MB

The last item on the afternoon agenda was entitled, "I Am a Blind Webmaster" and was presented by Peter Donahue of San antonio Texas. Peter briefly told the group about his experiences at several New England schools for the blind during his childhood. He went on to explain how he became interested in becoming a Webmaster and shared how one can be successful as a blind Web developer. His enthusiasm for his career kep the crowd's attention throughout his presentation. No matter the time, place, or his condition if anyone wishes to talk Web design Peter is game for the discussion!

I Am A Blind Webmaster, (Audio) 23.1 MB

Following some brief housekeeping matters brought up by President Wood the afternoon session adjourned shortly after 5:00 p.m.

NFB of Kansas 2009 Saturday Afternoon Complete, (Audio) 208 MB

Saturday Evening

Following the afternoon session attendees scattered throughout the hotel complex to prepare for the Saturday evening banquet. At 6:00 p.m. a Happy Hour began in the lounge. This gave attendees another opportunity to meet and greet one/another and to discuss convention activities.

2009 NFB of Kansas Annual Banquet

At 7:00 p.m. the annual Banquet began. This year's Master of Ceremonies was First Vice-President Tom Page of Wichita.

The Keynote speaker was Anil Lewis this year's National Representative.

Keynote Banquet Speech, (Audio) 34.9 MB

Following Anil's moving address the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas awarded two Kenneth Tiede Memorial Scholarships in the amount of $1000.00 each. This year's recipients were Chikako Mochizuki of Lawrence, and Alosha Moore of Greater Wichita. Prior to the scholarship presentations Second Vice-President Susan Stanzel gave a brief presentation about the history of the Kenneth Tiede Memorial Scholarship. This presentation is a part of the scholarships presentation excerpt and the complete recording of the convention Banquet.

2009 NFB of Kansas Kenneth Tiede Memorial Scholarship Presentations, (Audio) 20.0 MB

Folowing the scholarship awards NFBKS Secretary Sharon Luka presented a tribute to Richard Edlund, a long-time and much beloved member of the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas and a past Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind.

A Tribute to Richard Edlund, (Audio) 5.63 MB

The banquet adjourned at about 8:50 p.m.

NFB of Kansas 2009 Banquet Complete, (Audio) 82.5 MB

The annual NFBKS talent show occurred following the banquet. This was a very informal and free-flowing event. You can listen to highlights by selecting the link below:

2009 NFB of Kansas Talent Show, (Audio) 54.3 MB

Sunday November 8, 2009

Prior to the start of the Sunday Morning Session an open worship service was held for those wishing to attend. Susan Tabor of Lawrence hosted this event. Attendees were invited to share praises, prayer requests, and musical offerings.

Sunday Worship Service, (Audio) 23.8 MB

Sunday Morning General Session

The Annual NFB of Kansas Business meeting began at 9:00 a.m. Among the items presented and matters for discussion were:

The 2009 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas adjourned at 12:00 p.m. All attendees left reenergised, and ready for the challenges awaiting blind Kansans in the year ahead. Despite all of the technical matters and the remoteness of the location everyone felt that this year's state convention was one of the best the Kansas Affiliate has ever hosted.

Convention Extras

To provide further background on some of the issues discussed during the convention we have included these "Convention extras" to give you further details on how through our programs and initiatives we are working to change what it means to be blind as well as give you further resources to encourage you to further explore and better understand the impact our work is making on the lives of the blind.

Braille Literacy

Braille Literacy was front and center during 2009 as we celebrated the 200 Anniversary of Louis Braille's Birth. A number of items presented during the 2009 NFB of Kansas State Convention delt with various aspects of Braille and its use by the blind. Braille, Unlocking the Code is a video that discusses the history and development of the Braille code, how Braille is used by today's blind, and addresses many of the mytyhs about Braille that still persist among the blind themselves, and blindness professionals. View or download this video byy selecting the link below:

Braille: Unlocking the Code, (WMV) 35 MB

For additional information about the NFB's Braille Literacy Campaign visit http://www.braille.org.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!

Employment on an equal basis with sighted persons is a major goal of the NFB. Over the years the NFB has produced material concerning employment of the blind and has operated various employment initiatives to help blind persons find meaningful jobs and to reduce the unemployment rate among the blind in the United States.

Where the Blind Work is a project jointly operated by the National Federation of the Blind Writers' Division and the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. The Where the Blind Work Web Site features brief descriptions of various jobs held by blind individuals along with details of how these jobs are performed nonvisually, and what requirements individuals must have to succeed in these particular occupation.

The Blind Driver Challenge

In his presentation Peter Donahue told convention attendees about his desire to drive a car when he grew up and the child care worker who said that one day it would be possible. Peter was one of a very few blind individuals who imagined this possibility in 1969. The worker also told him that for this to happen he would need to encourage other blind persons to believe that such a vehicle could be developed so a blind person could drive independently and safely. She told him that it would take a research facility operated by the blind to develop the technology needed to make such a vehicle possible.

In 2000 a Capital Campaign was begun by the National Federation of the Blind to construct the World's only research and training institute operated by the blind for the blind. One of the institute's major initiatives would be the development of a car drivable by a blind person. Construction of this facility was completed in late 2003. It opened its doors in 2004 and was named in honor of the late Kenneth Jernigan the immediate past-President of the National Federation of the Blind. Jernigan was a teacher of blind children, a former director of services for the blind in the state of Ioa and a leading authority on the education and rehabilitation of the blind.

Driving can be tedious if you can see. But for the blind driving is one of life’s most sorely missed conveniences. It means independence--the exhilarating possibility of simply going someplace without depending on friends, family, or public transportation schedules. The NFB'S Blind Driver Challenge is gaining momentum. The NFB Jernigan Institute sought colleges and universities to partner with it to develop the technology to make tdriving a car possible for the blind. A team of Virginia Tech students is trying to make this possible by helping blind drivers see with their hands and ears. The Virginia Tech Blind Driver Challenge project team consists of twelve mechanical engineering students working under Dr. Dennis Hong in his world-renowned Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa). The project is the school’s response to a challenge issued by the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, which is dedicated to helping the blind achieve independence. To date Virginia Tech is the only organization that has dared to tackle the challenge.

Straight Talk About Vision Loss is an audio and video series of interviews offered by the NFB Jernigan Institute that discusses various issues, initiatives, and projects of the NFB and the institute. In the Virginia Tech University, talks with Associate Professor Dr. Dennis Hong and the Blind Driver Challenge Team, about the technology and design of a vehicle that a blind person can drive.

Straight Talk About Vision Loss Episode 26, (WMV) 23.5 MB

Straight Talk About Vision Loss Episode 26 Audio Only, (MP3) 9 MB

National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam

The first National Federation of the Blind YOUTH SLAM was held in 2007. This past summer the most dynamic gathering of blind youth in the United States took pllace on the University of Maryland Campus in College Park. Youth SLAM participants built and launched rockets, learned about forensics, and tried their hand at being journalists. Even though science wasn't in the future of all participants, the possibilities were plentiful at the NFB Youth Slam!

Two hundred blind and low vision students from Kansas and all across the country attended these five-day academies that engaged, inspired, and encouraged the next generation of blind youth to consider careers falsely believed to be impossible for the blind. Visit the 2009 NFB Youth Slam page.