pictured here are several Missouri federationists during their visit with Rep. Blunt in the Office of the Minority Whip in the U.S. Capitol. Pictured from left to right is Jeff Right, Shelia Wright, Congressman Roy Blunt, Tom Stevens, and John Pari.

NFB 2008 Washington Seminar

Place

Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C Street, S.W.; Washington, D.C.

Date

Monday, January 28 through Thursday, January 31, 2008

Great Gathering-In--Monday, January 28, 2008

CongressionalAppointments--January 29 through January 31, 2008

EXPECTED ATTENDANCE

Five hundred people from the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Most of those attending will be blind.>

MEETINGS

>The Opening Session will begin Monday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. in the Columbia Room on the first floor of the Holiday Inn Capitol and will adjourn promptly at 7:00 p.m. Legislative appointments should be made for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the Senate and House office buildings. Meetings to review the legislative progress and provide guidance will occur Monday and Tuesday evenings.

2008 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND FACT SHEETS

Legislative Agenda of Blind Americans: Priorities for the 110th Congress, Second Session

Legislative Agenda

Printable Legislative Agenda (Word version)

Issue 1:  Enhancing Pedestrian Safety: Ensuring the Blind Can Continue to Travel Safely and Independently (Quiet Cars)

Quiet Cars Fact Sheet

Printable Quiet Cars Fact Sheet (Word version)

Issue 2:  Preserving Talking Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (Full Funding for NLS Digital Conversion) 

Full Funding for NLS Digital Conversion Fact Sheet

Printable Full Funding for NLS Digital Conversion Fact Sheet (Word version)

Issue 3:  Increasing the Earnings Limit: A Common Sense Work Incentive for Blind Social Security Beneficiaries (Social Security)

Social Security Fact Sheet

Printable Social Security Fact Sheet (Word version)

PROGRAM

The Washington Seminar is an annual event of the National Federation of the Blind to introduce the agenda of blind Americans--the priority issues requiring congressional attention over the coming year. The issues are selected from official positions of the Federation and may address concerns in the following areas: Social Security and

Supplemental Security Income programs; relevant civil rights issues; educational programs and services; rehabilitation of the blind for competitive employment; the operation of vending facilities by blind persons on public property; specialized library services for the blind; the organization and funding of federal programs; and other timely topics. Approximately three legislative initiatives are chosen for priority attention during the Washington Seminar.

Highlights from Previous Years

Washington Seminar 2007 - Braille Monitor, March 2007

Washington Seminar 2006 - Braille Monitor, March 2006

Washington Seminar 2005 - Braille Monitor, March 2005

Washington Seminar 2004 - Braille Monitor, March 2004

Washington Seminar 2003 - Braille Monitor, March 2003

Washington Seminar 2002 - Braille Monitor, April 2002

RECEPTION

The National Association of Blind Students will sponsor a reception--more information coming soon.

ROOM RATES AND RESERVATIONS

Room rates are $144 for single, double, triple, or quad rooms.  All quoted rates are subject to a 14.5% tax per night.  Please call Diane McGeorge for reservations at (303) 778-1130, extension 219.  You may also email your reservation request to Diane McGeorge at rmcgeorge@comcast.net or Lisa Bonderson at lbonderson@cocenter.org.

MORE INFORMATION

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the National Federation of the Blind National Office at: