2026 Annual Convention #NFBMN
October 30 – November 1, 2026
Combining Our Organizational Knowledge 
for Independence and Employment Success

DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East
2201 Burns Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55119

Corbb O’Connor, President
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
2801 Hennepin Avenue South #126, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 872-9363, [email protected], www.nfbmn.org

National Representative
Anil Lewis
CEO, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Former Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute
San Francisco, California

Welcome to Saint Paul!

Welcome to our 2026 convention! This weekend, we’ll learn from one another, discuss the issues affecting blind Minnesotans, and strengthen the relationships that move our work forward. Whether this is your first convention or you’ve joined us for years, we’re glad you’re here.

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

Registration

Registration is required to attend and take part in convention activities. Advance registration is $30; on-site registration is $45. Both include Sunday breakfast. The registration desk will be open in the McKnight Foyer:

• Friday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
• Saturday from 6:45 AM to 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM to Noon
• Registration packet pickup resumes at 2:00 PM Saturday at the treasurer’s table at the back of McKnight 2. Visit Jennifer Dunnam there for assistance.

A limited number of extra meals may be available for purchase. Those who plan to register on-site should reserve meals in advance by contacting Judy Sanders at (612) 872-9363.

• Friday dinner: $27
• Saturday Senior Division breakfast: $22
• Saturday lunch: $25
• Saturday banquet: $53
• Sunday lunch: $25

Please also ensure we have your current contact information, including your e-mail address. If you do not currently receive The Braille Monitor, our national monthly magazine, please let us know, and we will sign you up.

Convention Participation and Our Code of Conduct

Help make convention welcoming and respectful for everyone. All participants are expected to follow the NFB Code of Conduct. Treat others with respect, honor personal boundaries, and help keep convention free from harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct. If you experience a violation, please report it to a member of the Board of Directors. Please review the Code before taking part in convention activities.

Accessibility and Accommodations

Materials are available in Braille, large print, and electronically. Human talking signs help with wayfinding. Please respect our fragrance-free environment. Assistive listening devices are available in general sessions and, upon request, breakout spaces.

Assistive listening receivers connect directly to the meeting room’s sound system. Bring your own headphones or borrow a pair; neck loops are also available for hearing aids with T-coils. To borrow a receiver, contact Steve Decker at (612) 655-1372 or Rocky Hart at (218) 839-4544.

Support Service Providers and Interpreters

Some DeafBlind attendees will be working with support service providers (SSPs) or American Sign Language interpreters. These professionals provide communication, environmental information, and orientation support directed by the attendee. Please allow providers to focus on that work, and don’t ask them to introduce themselves or participate in convention activities.

Gender-Neutral Restroom

A gender-neutral restroom is available in a guest room on the same level as our meeting spaces. Pick up a key at the auction table or registration desk and keep it for the weekend. We’ll tell you the room number when you pick up your key. Other attendees will also have keys to the guest room, so please lock the bathroom door while using the restroom. If you notice an untidy room, please contact the hotel front desk.

Auction

Our annual auction supports the work of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota. Donated themed baskets, crafts, baked goods (securely sealed in disposable containers), services, and other items will be auctioned throughout the convention. Coordinator Mike Colbrunn invites you to bring donations to the auction table in McKnight 2 before general session. Friday drop-off is preferred; items will also be accepted Saturday.

Chair Massages with Anne Naber

Enjoy a 20-minute chair massage for $20 with Anne Naber, a blind massage therapist and longtime NFBMN member. Purchase a massage card from Jennifer Dunnam at registration or the treasurer’s table, then give the card to Anne for your massage. Massages are available Friday and Saturday only during general sessions. Find Anne at the back of McKnight 2.

We’re grateful to Anne for donating her time to support our convention. We encourage you to visit her at Woodbury Spine Wellness Center for massage services after this weekend.

Win a Victor Reader Stream

Proceeds from this raffle support the work of NFBMN. Tickets are $10 for two or $6 for one. Purchase yours from Samantha Flax using PayPal, cash, or a credit card. We’ll announce the winner Sunday, November 1, around 2:00 PM. You don’t need to be present to win.

Door Prizes

Door prizes will be awarded throughout the convention. To be eligible, you must be registered and present in the room when your name is drawn. Coordinator Kallie Decker welcomes you to bring your donations starting on Friday afternoon to the table along the side of the general session room, McKnight 2.

The Convention Escape Room Challenge

After a fun night at convention, you fall asleep at breakfast. You wake with only 15 minutes to make it in time for the presidential report, but someone has been up to mischief! Solve the clues, pay your dues, and make it to the meeting before time runs out. Think fast and work together through a series of Federation-themed puzzles.

Reserve your time through the escape room signup form. Each session lasts 15 minutes and accommodates up to five people. Submit one signup per person or team. If no available time works, join the waiting list, and Debbie Hobson will text you when a suitable time opens (hopefully with more than 15 minutes’ notice!). The escape room will be held in a hospitality suite, with location details shared when you sign up.

Sexual Health Education Open House

Explore sexual health education at your own pace with Mika Baugh. Tactile 3D models, sex toys, a braille feelings wheel, and other materials offer opportunities to learn and ask questions. Everyone is welcome. Visit the tables in the McKnight Foyer Friday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Membership and Elections

Annual membership dues are $5. This year’s convention will elect our vice president, treasurer, and three board members. Members whose dues are current may participate in elections. Renew your membership for the year beginning January 1, 2027 by visiting the registration desk or treasurer’s table.

Live Streaming

General sessions in McKnight 2 will be streamed using Zoom. Streaming of the Resolutions Committee meeting may also be available, but is not guaranteed. You will not be able to participate or vote via Zoom.

Join Zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 920 0545 4784
Passcode: 556949

You may also join by phone by calling (301) 715-8592 and entering the meeting ID and passcode above.

Friday October 30

12:00 PM to 3:15 PM Minnesota Association of Blind Students Seminar: Sharing Our Voices and Lived Experiences (McKnight 1)

Join the Minnesota Association of Blind Students for an interactive afternoon of conversation and shared experiences. Whether you’re in high school, college, another postsecondary program, or somewhere in between, bring your perspectives and learn from your peers. Explore using AI in school and daily life, individual self-advocacy and collective action, belonging on campus and in the community, and mental health and well-being. Parents, educators, professionals, and blind students from surrounding states are welcome. 

Complimentary pizza begins at noon for those who registered, with seminar discussions beginning at 1:00 PM. Discussion and activity leaders include Ben Zheng, MNABS President; Mika Baugh; Maddy Major; Justin Salisbury; and Chantsaa Undrakhbayar. 

The student Division business meeting will be held immediately following the seminar in the same room. Students should pick up their convention registration packets at the McKnight Foyer registration desk after the seminar.

1:00 PM to 3:15 PM Escape Room Challenge (Hospitality Suite, Advance Registration Required)

Find more details in the introduction to this agenda. Debbie Hobson, Coordinator.

2:00 PM to 6:00 PM Pre-Registration Packet Pickup and On-site Registration (McKnight Foyer)

David Andrews, NFBMN Secretary; and Jennifer Dunnam, NFBMN Treasurer.

2:00 PM to 8:00 PM Exhibits (McKnight Foyer and Tartan Hallway)

• HumanWare
• Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library
• Minnesota State Services for the Blind
• Selvas BLV
• Sexual Health Education Open House (2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
• The Seeing Eye
• Twin Cities Blind Audio Darts League

3:15 PM to 3:45 PM MNABS Annual Business Meeting (McKnight 1)

Join the Minnesota Association of Blind Students to review the division’s accomplishments over the past year, discuss priorities for the coming year, and explore ways to get involved. The meeting will conclude with elections for the MNABS Board. Ben Zheng, President, Minnesota Association of Blind Students.

4:00 PM to 6:00 PM General Session 1 (McKnight 2)

Chair massages with Anne Naber are available at the back of the room during this session.

• 4:00 PM, Call to Order
• 4:05 PM, Welcome and Chapter Greetings—Jennifer Dunnam, NFBMN Metro Chapter President
• 4:15 PM, Our Health, Our Information: Access to Sexual Health Education—Mika Baugh, PhD, CSE, Research Fellow, National Federation of the Blind
• 4:30 PM, Launching a Tech Career Through Funded Training and Paid Apprenticeships—Joe Crespo, Director of Business Development, Blind Institute of Technology (BIT)
• 4:40 PM, Hands-On Careers: At Work in Retail and Entertainment—Stacy Fuehrer, Customer Care Representative, Beyond Vision; and Tom TeBockhorst, Concession Stand Assistant, Target Center and Target Field; interviewed by Steve Jacobson, NFBMN Board Member
• 4:55 PM, Vocational Rehabilitation in 2026: Meeting the Needs of Blind Minnesotans—Natasha Jerde, Director, Minnesota State Services for the Blind
• 5:15 PM, Skills We Can Count On: Blindness, Caregiving, and Learning Again—Steve Sawczyn, NFBMN Vice President
• 5:30 PM, Opening Doors to State Employment: Connect 700—Eric R. Falk, State Director for Equal Opportunity, ADA, Diversity, and Inclusion, Minnesota Management and Budget; and Silvia Vaccaro, State Affirmative Action Officer, Minnesota Management and Budget
• 5:45 PM, Creating Opportunity Together: Our Auction—Mike Colbrunn, Coordinator
• 5:50 PM, Reports and Announcements
• 6:00 PM, Adjourn

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday Dinner (McKnight 1)

7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Your Voice in the Rules: A Town Hall with Minnesota State Services for the Blind (McKnight 2)

SSB is amending Minnesota Rule 3325, which governs vocational rehabilitation and independent living services for blind people, people with low vision, and DeafBlind people. Learn about the proposed changes, share feedback, and suggest revisions. Your input will help inform the rulemaking process. Natasha Jerde, Director, Minnesota State Services for the Blind.

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Confidential Sexual Health Office Hours (Tartan 1)

Bring your sexual health questions to confidential, drop-in office hours with a blind researcher and Certified Sexuality Educator. If the door is closed, please wait outside until the current conversation concludes. Mika Baugh, PhD, CSE, Research Fellow, National Federation of the Blind.

8:00 PM to 11:00 PM Friday Night Hospitality (McKnight 1)

Spend Friday evening catching up with friends and meeting Federationists from around the state. Drop in for good company and light refreshments plus a cash bar. If you like, wear your Halloween costume and participate in our “costume contest with a twist.” You won’t want to miss our little variety show, either! Hosted by the Metro Chapter, Jennifer Dunnam, President.

Saturday October 31

6:45 AM to 7:00 AM Registration (McKnight Foyer)

David Andrews, NFBMN Secretary; and Jennifer Dunnam, NFBMN Treasurer.

7:00 AM to 8:30 AM Seniors Division Breakfast and Annual Meeting (McKnight 1)

Join us to help plan winter meetings around the interests and experiences of blind seniors. Share your ideas, connect with other members, and help shape the division’s work. We’ll also hear from Ed Lecher, Director of the Senior Services Unit at Minnesota State Services for the Blind, about services available for seniors. Judy Sanders, President, NFBMN Seniors Division.

7:00 AM to 2:00 PM Exhibits (McKnight Foyer and Tartan Hallway)

• HumanWare
• Minnesota State Services for the Blind
• Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library
• Selvas BLV
• The Seeing Eye
• Twin Cities Blind Audio Darts League

8:00 AM to 8:45 AM Escape Room Challenge (Hospitality Suite, Advance Registration Required)

Find more details in the introduction to this agenda. Debbie Hobson, Coordinator.

8:00 AM to Noon Registration (McKnight Foyer)

David Andrews, NFBMN Secretary; and Jennifer Dunnam, NFBMN Treasurer.

9:00 AM to 12:00 PM General Session 2 (McKnight 2)

Chair massages with Anne Naber are available at the back of the room during this session.

• 9:00 AM, Call to Order
• 9:05 AM, Report from Our National Office—Anil Lewis, National Representative, National Federation of the Blind and CEO, San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

• 9:35 AM, Learning, Ambition, and Opportunity: Mentoring the Next Generation—Samantha Flax, Chairperson, NFBMN Scholarship Committee; Arianna Hansen, 2026 Joyce and Tom Scanlan Scholarship Finalist; and Chantsaa Undrakhbayar, 2026 Joyce and Tom Scanlan Scholarship Finalist
• 9:55 AM, The Power of an Invitation—Zachary Ledford, First Vice President, National Association of Blind Students
• 10:05 AM, The Science Behind My Career in Massage Therapy—Anne Naber, Massage Therapist, Woodbury Spine Wellness Center
• 10:20 AM, Moving Literacy Forward: An Update from Our Library—Catherine A. Durivage, Library Program Director, Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library
• 10:35 AM, Find Your People, but Wipe Your Own Nose: Tips for Navigating Higher Education—Kathy McGillivray, Director, Disability Resources, Augsburg University
• 10:50 AM, Structured Discovery on the Warehouse Floor—Brent Otto, Package Handler, FedEx
• 11:00 AM, Training Others and Testing New Tools—Carey Otto, Customer Service Representative, Target Corporation
• 11:15 AM, Laying the Groundwork for Autonomous Vehicles in Minnesota—Jennifer Dunnam, Chairperson, NFBMN Government Affairs Committee
• 11:30 AM, Minutes from Our 2025 State Convention—Dale Heltzer, NFBMN Board Member
• 11:40 AM, The Federation on External Committees and Boards
• 11:50 AM, Auction, Reports, and Announcements
• 12:00 PM, Adjourn

12:00 PM to 1:15 PM Saturday Lunch (McKnight 1)

Join Minnesota State Services for the Blind for a 15-minute introduction to Evolve:Employment, its Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) grant program. Learn about the initiative and its work to support employment opportunities for blind people. Presented from 12:45 PM to 1:00 PM by Alex Burgess and Tristan Ratliff, Career Navigators, Minnesota State Services for the Blind.

1:15 PM to 1:50 PM Resolutions Committee (McKnight 1)

All convention attendees are welcome as the committee considers proposed policy statements for the full convention. Jennifer Dunnam, Chairperson.

2:00 PM to 3:30 PM General Session 3 (McKnight 2)

Chair massages with Anne Naber are available at the back of the room during this session.

• 2:00 PM, Call to Order
• 2:05 PM, Putting Our Affairs in Order: Accessible Planning for the End of Life—Eli Effinger-Weintraub, Death Worker
• 2:25 PM, When Classroom Technology Leaves Students Behind: What We Can Do—Kyle Hanneman, Special Education Assistant in Minneapolis; interviewed by Briley O'Connor, Board Member, National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
• 2:45 PM, Making Connections: Finding Community in the Maker Space—Tristan Ratliff, Career Navigator, Evolve:Employment, Minnesota State Services for the Blind
• 3:00 PM, Presidential Report—Corbb O'Connor
• 3:20 PM, Auction, Reports, and Announcements
• 3:30 PM, Adjourn

3:30 PM to 5:00 PM Imagination in Motion: Drop-In Tactile Art Room (Tartan 1)

Explore origami, modeling clay, examples of 3D art, and other tactile activities in a relaxed space open to everyone. No experience is needed. Come for a few minutes or stay and create with us. Hosted by Kaiti Shelton, Midwest Regional Representative, Tactile Art Collective. Sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota.

3:30 PM to 5:00 PM Mentoring Conversations That Build Leadership (Tartan 2)

How can a mentoring conversation help someone recognize their abilities and take the next step? Anil will share lessons from mentoring blind youth, transition-age young people, and adults throughout his work as a chapter president, affiliate president, national board member, and NFB staff member. Join the discussion about how we can apply those lessons to welcome blind people across Minnesota, support their goals, and create opportunities to lead. Anil Lewis, National Representative, National Federation of the Blind.

3:30 PM to 5:00 PM Making Your Money Work for You (Tartan 3)

Whether you’re working toward a steadier budget or wondering how to begin investing, this interactive session offers practical ways to manage your money. Explore strategies for creating a budget you can stick with, building and maintaining healthy credit, and developing saving habits that support your goals. We will also introduce investing basics for beginners and those ready to build on what they already know. Bring your questions! Hosted by Chris Peterson, AFC®, Founder and CEO, Penny Forward.

6:00 PM to 6:45 PM Happy Hour (McKnight 1 and McKnight Foyer)

Join us before the banquet for friendly conversation and a cash bar. The cash bar will remain open until midnight.

7:00 PM to 9:30 PM Banquet (McKnight 2)

Hosted by Steve Sawczyn, NFBMN Vice President.

• Invocation: Kathy McGillivray, Member of the Leadership Team, Crosstown Covenant Church, Minneapolis
• Introduction of the Harvest Table: Meet the guests seated at the central table in the banquet room.
• Auctions, Raffles, and Drawings
• Keynote Address: Anil Lewis, National Representative; CEO, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
• Presentation of Joyce and Tom Scanlan Scholarships: Samantha Flax, Chairperson

9:30 PM to Midnight Post-Banquet Social (McKnight 1 and McKnight Foyer)

Not ready to call it a night? After the banquet, compare notes from the day’s sessions, continue a conversation over a drink, or simply enjoy a little more time together before Sunday’s final day.

Sunday November 1

Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 AM Sunday, November 1. We’d tell you to set your clocks back one hour, but when is the last time any of us did that to something other than an oven when we live with sighted people? Oh, except your braille display and Victor Reader Stream…hey wait, did you enter the raffle? 

All Sunday agenda times are Central Standard Time.

7:45 AM to 8:30 AM DeafBlind Meeting (Tartan 2)

Are you DeafBlind, or do you know someone who is? Join NFBMN’s DeafBlind Group for an informal discussion about issues affecting people with combined hearing and vision loss. Share your experiences, ask questions, and connect with others. Rocky Hart, President, National Federation of the Blind DeafBlind Division.

8:30 AM to 9:15 AM Sunday Breakfast (McKnight 1)

Included with convention registration.

9:30 AM to 10:45 AM Blind Flyer Endeavor: Exploring Flight Without Sight (McKnight Foyer)

What does flying an airplane involve, and how can blind people take part? Drop in to watch a video of a blind pilot controlling a Cessna just a few miles from our convention hotel using EarPilot, an iPhone app that provides tones and spoken guidance. Plus, brainstorm how to connect screen readers to another part of the Blind Flyer Endeavor: making flight simulators non-visually accessible. These immersive tools go beyond a joystick, incorporating cockpit controls such as switches, knobs, displays, a yoke, and rudder pedals. Join our mission to support the study of flight principles and piloting procedures. Mike Drake, Blind Airplane Enthusiast, Facilitator.

9:30 AM to 12:00 PM Imagination in Motion: Drop-In Tactile Art Room (Tartan 1)

Explore origami, modeling clay, examples of 3D art, and other tactile activities in a relaxed space open to everyone. No experience is needed. Come for a few minutes or stay and create with us. Hosted by Kaiti Shelton, Midwest Regional Representative, Tactile Art Collective. Sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota.

9:30 AM to 10:45 AM Independence and Interdependence in Everyday Life: A Philosophy Discussion (Tartan 2)

An event sounds interesting, but transportation is uncertain. We email the organizers, hear nothing, and decide we can’t go. What might change if we asked another attendee about a carpool? Why might we hesitate to use a human reader? Join us to explore how our ideas about independence shape our choices, and how working with others can expand our participation in community life. Cody Beardslee, Facilitator.

9:30 AM to 10:45 AM Senior Tech Roundtable: Phones, AI, and Everything In Between (Tartan 3)

Curious about technology, or already using it every day? Join a relaxed discussion about technology as a blind senior, including smartphones, artificial intelligence, screen readers, magnification software, and other tools that support independence. Try smartphones, smart glasses, and other technologies hands-on. Bring your questions, share what’s working or driving you a little crazy, and exchange ideas with fellow seniors. All experience levels are welcome. No equipment is required, but you’re welcome to bring a device or app to share. Steve Sawczyn, Coordinator.

9:45 AM to 11:15 AM Escape Room Challenge (Hospitality Suite, Advance Registration Required)

Find more details in the introduction to this agenda. Debbie Hobson, Coordinator.

11:00 AM to 11:45 AM The Great Convention Card Showdown: Spades and Uno (McKnight Foyer)

Convention bragging rights are on the line! Choose your game: team up for partner spades or join a group for Uno. Bring a friend or find a new one when you arrive! New to either game? We’ll happily teach you using print/Braille cards for both games. Join us for fast-paced rounds, friendly competition, and a few laughs before lunch. Samantha Flax and Judy Sanders, Co-facilitators.

11:15 AM to 12:00 PM In-Person Meeting of the At-Large Chapter (Tartan 3)

The At-Large Chapter meets virtually to bring together Federationists from across Minnesota, especially those who live far from a city-based chapter or face other barriers to attending local meetings. Members connect, share experiences, and contribute to the work of the National Federation of the Blind. Join us in person at convention to meet chapter members and learn how you can get involved. Newcomers are welcome. David Andrews, President.

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Sunday Lunch (McKnight 1)

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM General Session 4 (McKnight 2)

• 1:00 PM, Call to Order and In Memoriam
• 1:10 PM, Beyond the Price Tag: Who Decides Which Screen Reader Is Right for You?—Steve Jacobson, NFBMN Board Member and Immediate Past President
• 1:25 PM, Coming to the Federation: How My Own Strengths and the Mentorship of Others Led Me to Love the NFB—Charlotte Czarnecki, Charge Receipt Supervisor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• 1:40 PM, Treasurer's Report—Jennifer Dunnam
• 1:50 PM, Elections
• 2:10 PM, Election of Delegate and Alternate Delegate to the 2027 National Convention
• 2:15 PM, Resolutions—Jennifer Dunnam, Committee Chairperson
• 2:35 PM, Brag and Steal: Chapter Reports. Share your chapter’s accomplishments and borrow ideas to try at home.
• 2:50 PM, Other Business, Reports, and Announcements
• 2:55 PM, Concluding Remarks from Our National Representative—Anil Lewis
• 3:00 PM, Adjourn

Special Thanks

Thank you to the Federationists and other volunteers whose work makes our convention possible.

NFBMN Board of Directors

• Corbb O’Connor, Saint Paul (President)
• Steve Sawczyn, Richfield (Vice President)
• Jennifer Dunnam, Saint Louis Park (Treasurer)
• David Andrews, Stillwater (Secretary)
• Jan Bailey, Rochester
• Michael Colbrunn, Mankato
• Dale Heltzer, Rochester
• Steve Jacobson, Edina
• Kotumu Kamara, Saint Anthony

NFBMN Chapters

• At-Large: David Andrews, President
• Metro: Jennifer Dunnam, President
• Rochester: Jan Bailey, President

Divisions, Committees, and Task Forces

• Convention Auction: Mike Colbrunn, Coordinator
• Convention Door Prizes: Kallie Decker, Chairperson
• Caring Circle: Steve Sawczyn, Chairperson
• DeafBlind Group, Rocky Hart, Chairperson
• Government Affairs Committee: Jennifer Dunnam, Chairperson
• Minnesota Association of Blind Students: Ben Zheng, President
• Minnesota Bulletin Editorial Team: Jennifer Dunnam and Kayde Rieken
• NFBMN Seniors’ Division: Judy Sanders, President
• Resolutions Committee: Jennifer Dunnam, Chairperson
• Scholarship Committee: Samantha Flax, Chairperson

Our Federation 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.