The Vigilant Blog

How often have you had a question you felt too shy to ask? Sometimes you work up the courage and just ask. At other times, it’s better to read about someone else’s experience at your own speed and in the privacy of your own space.

Our blog is a collection of posts aimed at stimulating discussion about assistive technology, independent living, and blindness philosophy. Please comment freely to keep the discussion moving, and please share content you find thought-provoking with your social networks to help spread the discussion to people we might otherwise not reach.

And, please don’t forget to check out the publications from our parent organization. The Braille Monitor, our general magazine, and Future Reflections, our publication for parents, are just two examples of the excellent resources you’ll find in our NFB library.

Do you want to write a guest post? Send us a note, and tell us about your idea!

My First National Convention By Ixchell Laraurri

Submitted by John on August 10, 2024 - 11:53am

My First National Convention By Ixchell Laraurri

Origionally published in the Spring 2009 edition of the Vigilant

I had a wonderful time at my first convention. I learned how to deal with my blindness a lot better. I saw other children who were blind and how they were dealing with it, this helped me with my feelings.

I saw children and adults using their canes and now I don’t feel bad about using mine.

I no longer feel alone. I used to feel like I was all alone, the only one who was blind, now I don’t.

NFB of Virginia Legislative Director for Washington Seminar

Submitted by Wayne on November 30, 2023 - 6:36pm

From Deepa Goraya

Hello Virginia Federationists,

I hope you all had a wonderful 2023 NFB of Virginia Convention and Thanksgiving holiday. Washington Seminar is fast approaching in less than 2 months, in person from Monday, January 29 through Thursday, February 1, 2024. Please note, we strive to make all appointments to be completed by late afternoon on January 31.

I wanted to send out some info to help you begin thinking about reserving your room and making arrangements in your schedule to attend.

Tags: 
Richmond Seminar

NFBV 2024 Richmond Seminar Important Dates

Submitted by Wayne on November 30, 2023 - 4:08pm

Please join us for our Richmond Seminar to ensure our voice is heard in the Virginia General Assembly.

Dates to Remember

Tags: 
Richmond Seminar

NFBV 2023 State Convention

Submitted by Wayne on October 4, 2023 - 12:58pm

Hey NFB Family and Friends,

Minutes from the May 13 2023 NFB of Virginia Board of Directors meeting

Submitted by Wayne on August 7, 2023 - 6:26pm

Sandy Halverson agreed to take the notes from our May 13, 2023 Board of Directors meeting. Here are the notes from Sandy.

National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

Board of Directors Meeting

May 13, 2023


Call to order and introduction of guests: The board of directors meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia was called to order by President Soforenko at 1 p.m. and after introductions, it was determined that 16 voting delegates and several members and guests were present.


Launch of the 2023 NFB of Virginia Scholarship

Submitted by Wayne on July 20, 2023 - 9:06am

To all my NFB family and Friends,

We are pleased to launch this year’s 2023-2024 NFB of Virginia Scholarship program. The scholarship committee would love to request your help in distributing the information below to everyone you know who is attending a college or university this upcoming year. Your participation and help are appreciated and are a huge part of our success. Please see all the details below. Thanks again for your help and support in making this a fantastic opportunity for our blind students across Virginia.


Tags: 
Scholarships
Students

RESOLUTION 2022-3: REGARDING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF WEBSITES SPONSERED AND/OR OPERATED THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

Submitted by Wayne on July 19, 2023 - 6:22pm

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia offers a great deal of valuable information to the public
through internet websites; and


WHEREAS, persons who are blind, visually impaired, or have other disabilities should have the same
opportunity to benefit from contents of websites developed or operated by entities of the
Commonwealth of Virginia as persons who are not disabled; and


WHEREAS, for example, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) offers an extensive website containing

Tags: 
State Convention
Resolutions

RESOLUTION 2022-2: REGARDING COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE II OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Submitted by Wayne on July 19, 2023 - 6:20pm

WHEREAS, all Commonwealth of Virginia entities such as departments and agencies are subject to title II
of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and


WHEREAS, Part II of the Americans with Disabilities Act§ 35.107, Designation of Responsible Employee
and Adoption of Grievance Procedures, states “(a) Designation of Responsible Employee. A public entity
that employs 50 or more persons shall designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to

Tags: 
State Convention
Resolutions

RESOLUTION 2022-1: ACCESSIBLE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY

Submitted by Wayne on July 19, 2023 - 6:18pm

WHEREAS, technology has revolutionized access to information, textbooks,
course materials, testing, software, interaction with college administrations,
and other facets of student life in postsecondary education; and


WHEREAS, Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit
colleges and universities from discriminating against persons with disabilities
and mandates equal access to educational opportunities; and


WHEREAS, many postsecondary institutions are failing to comply with these

Tags: 
State Convention
Resolutions

exciting VABS event coming up on March 23, 2023!!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 5, 2023 - 12:41am

Hello everyone,

Tags: 
Students
General Announcement

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