National Federation of the Blind of Rhode Island 56th Annual State Convention

Access, Opportunity and Leadership

 Join us for our 56th year of connecting with our community, learning new skills, and empowering one another to live the lives we want.

When: Friday October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd, 2026                

 We welcome this year’s national representative Barbara Manuel of Alabama to our convention! Barbara is the president of the NFB of Alabama and serves as secretary on the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors.  

·         Friday - Seminars and Exhibits

Resource Fair, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM - This is your opportunity to chat with representatives from organizations serving and of interest to the blind and low vision community. Learn what these community resources have to offer, whether that’s the latest in accessible technology, exciting recreational activities, or training to help you achieve your goals. We know that blindness doesn’t have to hold you back, and so do our exhibitors. The exhibitors include:

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island

Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Synapse IT

Rhode Island Department of State’s elections division

Rhode Island Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

CVS Health, Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities

Ocean State Center for Independent Living OSCIL), RI’s ABLE.

·         Making the Most of Meta: Optimizing your smart glasses to live the life you want!

12:30 pm-2:00 pm – Access information in the home, office and community. This workshop is specially tailored for those who already have a pair of smart glasses and are looking to improve their skills. Presented by Stephen Deltatto, Silver Lining Technologies

·         Saturday - General Session

8:00AM Coffee, light breakfast and socializing. - from there our convention will start with an engaging speaking program that aims to educate, empower and inspire. This year’s  presentations include a panel on traveling as a blind person, information on making street crossings accessible to everyone, as well as HapWare’s new and exciting wearable technology to make communication universal. We will have a presentation on voting rights to prepare for the upcoming elections and much more. The convention will conclude at 5:00 pm. 

Our convention is a time for blind people and those with low vision to come together to learn, connect, and uplift each other. We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. We welcome you to join us!

The Friday Exhibitor and Meta Glasses event is free  to attend! But please fill out the RSVP form!  See below for more information.

Registration fee is $45.00. This includes a Saturday speaking program, light breakfast and banquet lunch. 

Virtual attendance is $10.00. Zoom link will be emailed prior to convention.

NOTE: If the cost to attend the convention will pose a financial hardship please call us to inquire about financial assistance.  

Deadline for the in-person registration is September 23, 2026, the Saturday Virtual registration will remain open until September 30, 2026. Friday’s events will not be streamed.

 To register for the convention please complete this form and submit payment. Payment may be done via the following methods:

 • credit/debit card, Zelle, and Check

Zelle and check users, please select the Zelle/check option  below and check out, you will be emailed further instructions.

Credit/debit card users should select the meal choice below and head to check out.

If there are any questions or concerns using the Shopping cart below, please contact rui@nfbri.org or info@nfbri.org

All registrants are eligible to win our door prizes, which will be drawn throughout the day. Must be present to win!

If you have questions please contact the office at (401)433-2606 or info@nfbri.org.

To request an accommodation please email accommodations@nfbri.org or call (401)433-2606.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our sponsors for their financial support.

Braille Sponsor

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, 910 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917

www.nhpri.org

An Innovative Health plan in partnership with the Community Health Centers, secures access to high quality, cost-effective health care for Rhode Island.

Independence Sponsors

Vanda Pharmaceuticals

2200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 300 Washington DC, 20037

www.vandapharma.com

A global biopharmaceutical company focusing on developing innovative therapies for central nervous system disorders, immunology and other high unmet medical needs.   

Synapse ITS

Https://synapse-its.com

Polara’s mission is to make signalized crossings more accessible for everyone. Accessible Pedestrian Signals and Audible Information Devices provide essential nonvisual cues such as locator tones, audible messages, tactile arrows, and vibration so people who are blind or have low vision can cross with confidence.