Convention Registration for RISE Students and Scholarship Candidates
What are you doing the weekend of October 22?
Because while most people are doing nothing in particular, you could be in a hotel in Herndon, Virginia with blind and low vision students from across the state, meeting professionals who are actually working in fields you care about, and doing something you are going to be talking about for a while.
The 2026 NFBV State Convention runs October 22 through 25 at the Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport in Herndon, Virginia. If you are a Project RISE student, or scholarship candidate, your logistics are covered. Travel, lodging, meals. You just have to decide you want to go.
If you did not put in for a scholarship, or if you're not eligible for Project RISE, or want to attend the convention without Project RISE assistance? That's totally okay as well. Make sure you register via the main convention page. Otherwise, please use the form below. The registration form below is for Project RISE and scholarship candidates.
Project RISE students will participate in a mock trial where every student takes on the role of an attorney arguing a discrimination case set in a school environment. You will not be watching. You will be at the table, building an argument, and making your case. That kind of experience does not show up in most people's portfolios. It will show up in yours.
Here is some of what else is waiting for you. On Thursday evening, kick things off at the Student Dinner Party, a gathering of students, scholarship finalists, and division leaders open to anyone over fourteen. Friday night, join fellow students from across the state for a Meet and Mingle built around real connections and good conversation. Saturday brings Career Labs: Find it. Land it. Grow it., three back-to-back interactive sessions covering job searching, the hiring process, and building a career, not just landing a job. The Exhibit Hall runs Friday and Saturday and puts you face to face with the latest assistive technology and accessibility tools, the kind of hands-on time you rarely get outside a convention floor. When you need to move, blind tennis, blind cricket, blind hockey, and blind soccer are all on the schedule, along with swing dance lessons Friday evening that require exactly zero prior experience. The weekend is full. You will not be bored.
The NFBV offers a scholarship program for blind students pursuing higher education. $2,500 toward your school expenses? The convention puts you in the same room as people who can tell you exactly how to make the most of it. Apply for the scholarship here.
Remember to also pre-regisgter using the form below.
Registration through Project RISE closes Thursday, September 24 at 11:59 PM. We need to connect with your counselor before we can confirm your spot, so do not wait until the last minute on this one. Fill out the form below and we will take it from there.
To participate in Project RISE, students must be between the ages of 14 and 21 and have an open case with the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired. Not sure if you qualify? Reach out and we will help you figure it out.
Questions or difficulty filling out this form? Contact Joe Orozco at rise@nfbv.org or 703-594-9634.
Registration Form
Remember: This form is for Project RISE as well as scholarship candidates. All other students are invited to complete the primary convention registration.
By registering for convention, you agree to comply with the following:
By participating in activities sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia (NFBV), I confirm that I understand the activity, am healthy enough to participate, and will stop if I feel unsafe. I acknowledge that participation carries risks, including serious injury, permanent disability, death, or property damage, whether caused by my own actions, others, the environment, or unforeseen accidents, and I accept full responsibility for these risks. I agree not to hold NFBV, its staff, volunteers, or other participants liable for any injuries or damages, including those resulting from negligence, and I agree to cover any related costs if a claim is made. I have read and voluntarily agree to this release of liability. If any part of this agreement is found invalid, the remaining provisions still apply.
