2025 State Convention Agenda
National Federation of the Blind of Rhode Island
55th Annual State Convention
Join us for our 55th year of connecting with our community, learning new skills, and empowering one another to live the lives we want.
Friday October 3rd and Saturday, October 4th, 2025
Crowne Plaza Hotel, 801 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, RI
***For those using Paratransit please asked to be dropped and picked up at the main entrance. ***
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 blind people.
We welcome this year’s national representative, Tom Page of Kansas to our convention! Tom is the president of the NFB of Kansas and also serves on the board of directors of the National Federation of the Blind.
Gratitude
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to our sponsors for their financial support of this convention.
White Cane Sponsors
RI Lions Sight Foundation
P.O. Box 19671
Johnston, RI 02919
www.rilionssightfoundation.org
RI Lions Sight Foundation: Founded in 1961 as a charitable arm of the Lions Clubs International, District 42, Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation (RILSF) provides assistance to blind and low
vision persons in Rhode Island. the RILSF is composed of representatives from Lions clubs around Rhode Island
Cox Communications
6205 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30328
Cox Communications is dedicated to empowering people today to build a better future for the next generation, focusing on community service, innovation and customer satisfaction
Braille Sponsor
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
910 Douglas Pike
Smithfield, RI 02917
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, an innovative health plan in partnership with the Community Health Centers, secures access to high quality, cost-effective health care for Rhode Island
Accessibility Sponsors
Selvas BLV
2113 Wells Branch Parkway
Suite #1600
Austin, TX 78728
East Providence Lions Club
P.O. Box 14431
East Providence, RI 02914
clubhouse.org/sites/eastprovidenceri/index.php
Friday, October 3rd
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Resource Fair – Bristol Room
Drop in anytime 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.
Visit all the tables to enter for a chance to win a prize!
Say hello to Cox Communications, one of our White Cane sponsors! Hear what they have to offer. Find out about health insurance options from Neighborhood Health Plan of RI, Braille Sponsor. See the latest Braille devices from Selvas BLV, accessibility sponsor. Get a hands-on demo of Spoken RX audible prescription label from CVS Health. See the latest assistive technology from New England Low Vision and Blindness and Rhode Island Talking Books Library. Check out the TechnoBag for your technology needs from HipMe LLC. Hear how resources and services from Ocean State Center for Independent Living (OSCIL), Rhode Island Assistive Technology Access Partnership (ATAP), Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan, Rhode Island Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities, RIPTA, the Carroll Center for the Blind and United Way Rhode Island can help enhance your independence. Learn about your rights to equal access from the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities. Visit representatives from the office of the Secretary of State to try out the ExpressVote, our accessible voting machine. Learn about the Rhode Island’s Able Savings program from RI Treasure’s office and don’t forget to pick up some NFB literature to share in your community!
12:00 – 1:30 Wearables 101
Join New England Low Vision and Blindness for an in-depth look at wearables, from the Rayban Meta smart glasses to hands-free video magnification. What do these devices do, and what’s the key to success when using them? Which one is right for you? Come by to find out!
2:00 pm Cookie Break
2:30-4:00 – Creating Community
Are you a knitter, crocheter, artist or creative? Do you aspire to be? Or maybe you’re new to vision loss and want to know how to get creative non-visually? We’re here to help. Come by with your current project or have fun with one of our artsy activities. Share your tips, ask your questions, and enjoy!
4:45 Turn in your vendor passport for a chance to win a gift card of your choice. One lucky winner will be drawn!
Saturday, October 4, 2025
*** Door prizes will be awarded throughout the convention and banquet. You must be present to win. ***
The convention is being streamed on Zoom. Registered attendees are eligible to win door prizes as well. Please claim your prize by raising your hand or writing on the chat.
Morning Session – Bristol A and B
8:00 am – Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 am – Call to Order
Grace Pires, President
9:10 am - News from Our National Office
Tom Page, National Representative.
9:50 am – An Update on Public Transportation in Rhode Island,
Magi Hadfield and Joelle Kanter.
10:40 am - The benefits of using the Able Savings Program, The Honorable James Diossa, Rhode Island general Treasurer.
11:05 am – Accessible shopping Platform: A Blind centered shopping experience using AI
Patrick Long, Cofounder InnoSearch.
11:40 am – Reflections from a National Scholarship Winner
Ryan Lukowicz
11:50 am – Resolutions and Reports
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – Lunch, mingle and drop in by dignitaries.
Afternoon Session –Bristol A and B
1:00 pm –What’s New at Insight,
Christopher Butler, Executive Director
1:25 pm – A History of the ADA, Elizabeth Hubbard, Executive Secretary, Governor’s Commission on Disabilities.
2:40 pm – Presidential Report
Grace Pires, President, NFBRI.
3:05 pm – Reflections from a first time convention Attendee, Bloom Slavin.
3:10 pm – 2025 BELL Update, Danielle Petsch, NFB RI BELL Coordinator.
3:20 pm – Game On: Bringing Live Sports to Your Fingertips, Evelyn Lee, OneCourt.
3:50 pm – Board Meeting, Call to order
Treasurer’s report, Angelina Stabile, Treasurer, NFBRI.
Chapter Reports
Robert Pires, President, Mount Hope Chapter
Rui Cabral President, Greater Providence Chapter
Nominating Committee Report
Regina Connor, Committee Chair
Elections and Installation of Board Members
4:30 pm – Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Grace Pires
Evening Banquet –Bristol A and B
5:30 PM – Welcome and Call to Order
Raffle Drawings
Keynote Address – Tom Page
Talent show
8:00 Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Grace Pires
NFB 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.
National Federation of the Blind of Rhode Island
Grace Pires, President
PO. Box 14404, East Providence, RI 02914
(401)433-2606
Board of Directors
President, Grace Pires
Vice President, Molly Faerber
Treasurer, Angelina Stabile
Secretary, Regina Connor
Rui Cabral
Robert Pires
Heather Schey
Jenaya Smith
The Greater Providence Chapter meets most second Saturdays in East Providence from 10:30-12:30 PM
Contact (rui@nfbri.org) for more information
The Mount Hope Chapter meets most third Thursdays in Bristol from 6:00-7:30
Contact president@mhc.nfbri.org for details.