National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota

10/22/2026

🎉 BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS! 🎉

💙 YOU’RE INVITED! 💙

The National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota is excited to welcome you to our 2026 State Convention!

📅 November 13–14, 2026

📍 Staybridge Suites, Grand Forks, North Dakota

🌟 Two Days of Learning, Leadership, Advocacy, and Connection! 🌟

Are you a blind or low-vision individual looking for new opportunities? A parent raising a blind child? A student preparing for college or a career? An educator, rehabilitation professional, or community member interested in making a difference?

Then this convention is for YOU!

Our theme, Building the Next Generation of Leaders, celebrates the belief that blindness does not define our limits and that, with opportunity, encouragement, and high expectations, blind people can live the lives they want!

✨ WHAT CAN YOU LOOK FORWARD TO?

📱 Accessible technology and innovative tools for independence.

📚 Braille, education, and resources for blind children and adults.

🎓 Student opportunities, career development, and employment resources.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Opportunities for parents to connect with blind adult role models and other families.

🤝 Leadership development, advocacy, community partnerships, and Federation fellowship.

💡 Inspiring conversations about building a stronger future for blind North Dakotans!

Whether you’re attending your first convention or have been part of the Federation for years, we look forward to welcoming you!

📅 CONVENTION SCHEDULE

Friday, November 13

1:30 PM – Registration and gathering

2:00–5:00 PM – Convention programming, leadership development, and networking

Saturday, November 14

9:00 AM – Breakfast and check-in

9:30 AM – Convention programming begins

5:00 PM – State Convention Banquet

Approximately 7:00 PM – Convention concludes

All times are Central Time.

💲 AFFORDABLE REGISTRATION!

General Registration: $10

Student Registration: $5

Virtual Attendance via Zoom: $5

Saturday Banquet: $40

Student Banquet: $20

Banquet tickets are purchased separately from convention registration.

💻 CAN’T MAKE IT TO GRAND FORKS?

Join us virtually through Zoom! Distance doesn’t have to keep you from connecting with our Federation family.

📝 REGISTER TODAY!

Reserve your place through our accessible online registration form:

https://pci.jotform.com/form/262746661239162⁠

💙 EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

You do not have to be a member of the National Federation of the Blind to attend!

We welcome blind and low-vision individuals, parents, families, students, educators, professionals, advocates, and anyone who believes in creating greater opportunities for blind people.

Come discover resources you may not have known existed, meet people who understand your experiences, build friendships, and become part of a community working toward a future of greater independence and opportunity.

📞 QUESTIONS OR NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Angelita Martinez President, National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota

Phone: 701-446-8097

Email: [email protected]

💙 TOGETHER, WE ARE BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS! 💙

We can’t wait to welcome you to Grand Forks on November 13 and 14!

📣 PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!

Share this post with your friends, family, schools, rehabilitation professionals, community organizations, and anyone who might benefit from attending. You never know whose life could be changed by discovering the National Federation of the Blind!

10/08/2026

Great news! We’ve been given TWO BONUS DAYS!

Our Double Good Popcorn fundraiser for the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota has officially been extended through Friday, October 9, 2026!

That means you have two extra days to purchase delicious popcorn while helping us raise money for our 2026 State Convention, taking place November 13 and 14 in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Double Good handles the ordering and shipping, and 50% of popcorn sales supports our fundraiser.

Shop our NFB of North Dakota Pop-Up Store here:

https://popup.doublegood.com/s/794wvfm0

Not interested in popcorn but still want to support our organization? We welcome direct donations of any amount through our website:

https://www.nfbnd.org/donate-now

Whether you purchase popcorn, make a donation, or share this post with friends and family, your support helps us continue our work in advocacy, education, leadership, and opportunities for blind North Dakotans.

Thank you for supporting the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota! Our bonus days end Friday, October 9, at 11:59 PM Central Time.

With your support the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota can continue to raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Your support helps the blind live the lives they want! Thank you for your generosity.

10/01/2026

Help support our Federation family in North Dakota and get some awesome popcorn!!!

With your support the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota can continue to raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Your support helps the blind live the lives they want! Thank you for your generosity.

10/01/2026

Hi! I’m doing a virtual fundraiser selling delicious Double Good popcorn from October 1 through October 7 to support the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota.

Love popcorn? Shop my Double Good Pop-Up Store here:

https://popup.doublegood.com/s/794wvfm0

Not a popcorn fan but still want to support us? You can make a donation directly to the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota in any amount you choose:

https://www.nfbnd.org/donate-now

Thank you for supporting the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota and helping us continue our work with blind North Dakotans!

With your support the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota can continue to raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Your support helps the blind live the lives they want! Thank you for your generosity.

12/05/2025

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/03/2025

10/02/2025

October is Blind Equality Achievement Month when we celebrate our accomplishments and the progress that we have made in advocating for equal rights and equal access for blind people.

09/28/2025

"Ask yourself whether you have discovered the full truth about living blind in America or whether you have settled for what is most comfortable," President Riccobono said in his banquet speech at . "Then I want you to ask yourself whether you are creating space to teach others about the understanding we share; not weaponizing the truth or shaming others into understanding but taking the careful, loving steps needed to invite people to experience the truth for themselves.

This is what happens daily in our affiliated training centers, in our chapter meetings, and in the small moments of members reaching out to members, people sharing their power with people. When you reflect, I hope that your understanding will be that a movement of blind people is critically important in your life and that we must reclaim the narrative within society. That is my commitment and reflection as I anticipate the next thirty years of our time exploring our truth together."

Read more of "Creativity, Persistence, and Hope: Reclaiming Our Stories through the Organized Blind Movement" in the August/September 2025 issue of the Braille Monitor: https://buff.ly/LprLh2B

09/26/2025

The National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota was proud to take part in The Longest Table in Grand Forks, joining nearly 50 tables of community members in conversations about education, industry, and our shared future.

At our table, we discussed wages and the cost of essential living equipment for blind North Dakotans; we explored transportation barriers — including local bus routes, paratransit, and rideshares like Lyft and Uber — and the urgent need for reliable, accessible options. We also addressed challenges faced by blind students in accessing course materials, the transition from education into the workforce, and barriers like inaccessible job application websites. Lastly, we highlighted building design and how inclusion must be built in from the start — not added later.

We’re thankful to have been part of that dialogue alongside partners and community leaders like Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region, City of Grand Forks - Government, Cities Area TransitCities Area Transit, University of North DakotaWe look forward to seeing the ideas shared grow into real change for a more inclusive North Dakota.

09/21/2025

💫 What an incredible day we shared at the 2025 NFB of North Dakota State Convention! 💫

From the very start — energy high, excitement building — we came together to learn, connect, and build a future together.

Here are some of the highlights:

⸻

🗣 National Updates & Inspiration
Danielle McCann’s luncheon keynote was especially moving. She reminded us that as part of NFB, we don’t stand alone. We are a network of support — just like advice given on airplanes: put on your oxygen mask first, so you are able to help others. She inspired us to keep that spirit alive.

Her opening address (pre‑lunch) covered what’s happening nationally with NFB: programs advocating for accessible medical devices; stronger advocacy around diabetes through the NFB Diabetes Action Network; and fundraising efforts and legislation that push for better access and equality for blind people everywhere.

⸻

📚 Programs That Empower
Here are some of the national NFB programs we discussed, and what we’re working toward in North Dakota:
• NFB‑NEWSLINE — a free service for those who are blind, low‑vision, deaf‑blind or print‑disabled. Includes newspapers, magazines, emergency weather alerts, job listings & more. Also offers a limited/child‑safe access option so younger people can enjoy age‑appropriate content.
• Diabetes Action Network — supports blind or low vision diabetics, sharing information, peer support, advocating for accessible glucose monitors, insulin pumps, and other medical devices.
• Accessible Medical Device Advocacy — working to promote laws such as the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, to ensure devices are usable without relying on vision.

⸻

🏫 North Dakota Vision Services & Education, Transition, & BELL
We heard from Vision Services (formerly the School for the Blind) about their STEM programs and the growing possibilities when we partner with NFB’s experience. We discussed helping students transitioning to college or careers; supporting parents early on; and collaborating to bring a BELL program (Braille Enrichment for Literacy & Learning) to North Dakota.

⸻

🔍 Other Inspiring Talks
• Shannon Bozovsky from ND Assistive showed us the many assistive tools & device‑loan programs available.
• Jesse Shirek described the benefits of NFB‑NEWSLINE in making reading & information accessible for people of all ages, and the safety features like child‑/age‑appropriate content options.
• Corb O’Connor (NFB of Minnesota) assured us of their support for our efforts—NEWSLINE expansion, parental rights, BELL, and more.

⸻

🥂 Community, Connection, & Gratitude
We voted in our leadership:
Angelita Martinez — President
Menuka Rai — Vice President (and full of energy running door prizes!)
Charlene Ota — Secretary
Jessica Sargent — Treasurer

We shared laughs, dinner, stories, and that wonderful feeling of building something together.

⸻

This convention reminded us what’s possible when we bring passion, unity, and clear mission together. I leave more determined than ever—because together, we can and will continue making positive change for blind people here in North Dakota and beyond.