2024 state convention of the national federation of the blind of Ohio!
Introduction
Welcome From the Mayor, Dennis M. Clough
Proudly serving since 1986
Welcome to the City of Westlake, Ohio. We are delighted to have you visit us and hope you enjoy seeing what makes our City such a special place. We have accomplished much in our nearly 2 centuries. Our early founders would be proud of what their dreams have become.
- Involved citizens
- Vibrant businesses
- Scenic parks and recreation areas
- Exceptional city services and safety forces
- Outstanding restaurants and shopping
- Highly rated school system
And in November 2024, West Lake will hold the State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio.
Convention dates.
The Convention dates are Thursday, November 14, 2024, through Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Ohio Affiliate, President, Richard Payne, and the Ohio Board of Directors invite you to come learn how to reach your maximum leadership potential, participate in motivational and leadership development seminars, and most of all learn about “living the life you want.”
Convention theme
The 2024 Ohio Convention theme is, “Unleashing Potential: Empowering Through Leadership”!
Hotel address and reservation information
The DoubleTree by Hilton Cleveland Westlake Hotel address is 1100 Crocker Road, Cleveland Westlake, Ohio 44145. You can make reservations by calling (800) 445-8667. Individuals must identify themselves as being with the group, The National Federation of the Blind, at the time the reservation is made in order to receive the special group rate. The room rates are only $105.00, taxes are 17.5%, which includes breakfast for 2 occupants per room. The last date to reserve a room is Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
The booking code for our room block is 92U
If you'd prefer to book online, please
Visit this link to book online!
By the way, there is comfortable seating in the restaurant where we all will gather for fellowship each morning prior to great presentations during the General Sessions and inspiring Breakout Seminars. The good news is that when you make your reservations, funds are not deducted from your credit card until you arrive at the hotel.
RESERVE NOW!
Checking and checking out
Check-in time is 4:00PM and Check-out time is 11:00AM. Late check-out requests will be reviewed based on hotel demand.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The following accomodations are available.
- DoubleTree Westlake offers free parking to all of our guests
- Refrigerators and Microwaves in every room
- Wireless high-speed internet access and remote printing from any guest room
- On-demand movies and premium television channels (HBO*, CNN*, ESPN*)
- In-room coffee from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
- Alarm clock radio with MP3 connectivity
- USA Today* delivered each weekday morning
- DoubleTree Aroma Actives bath products
- Same day laundry / dry cleaning
- Self-parking
- 24-hour connectivity center
- 24-hour Life Fitness Center
- Sundry and ATM
- In-door Pool
National rep.
our national rep this year is Shawn Callaway!
Meet Shawn Callaway
Shawn Callaway is a locally acclaimed disabilities advocate, motivational community leader, and currently a Program Specialist for the United States Department
of Health and Human Services. For more than 23 years, he has leveraged his own experience, professional career, and personal time toward helping others
to overcome obstacles that are highly attributed to the attitudes, misconceptions, and perceptions of what it means to a person with disabilities. In his
current position as a Program Specialist, Shawn manages grant programs that focus on establishing innovative opportunities for individuals with intellectual
and developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. Shawn has also dedicated a portion of his professional career as a Social Worker, currently
for the Columbia Light House for the Blind, and previously for the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and the Catholic Communities non-profit organization.
In these roles, Shawn worked with consumers struggling with a variety of conditions related to vision loss, mental health, or addiction. He facilitated
peer support groups and helped them gain access to resources to assist them in having the best quality of life.
Shawn is familiar with having unexpected circumstances and life-altering events that impacted his life moving forward. After graduating from high school,
Shawn planned to obtain a BA degree from South Carolina State University. Unfortunately, in 1991 Shawn was involved in an accident that caused him to become
permanently blind. But Shawn did not allow his circumstances to hold him back. A few years after the accident, he entered the Workforce Technology Center
(WTC) in Baltimore, MD and obtained independent living skills, assistive technology training, and Braille reading training. His efforts at WTC became the
catalyst to propel Shawn forward in pursuing higher education degrees including his associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s, as well as his licensure in
Graduate Social Work.
In 2011, Shawn was elected President of the National Federation of the Blind of the District of Columbia and in 2016 he was elected to the NFB National
Board of Directors. Shawn is inspired by the NFB’s mantra “You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.” This quote has motivated
Shawn to continue his efforts in helping others live the lives they want to, in upholding multiple leadership positions and affiliations to give back to
his community. Within the NFB Shawn is Chairman of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, President of the National Organization of Blind Black
Leaders, and Chairman of the Blind Greek and Masonic Group. He has served as Chairman of the DC State Rehabilitation Council and as previous Boards for
the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind and the D.C. Center for Independent Living. Shawn is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and
the Fort Stevens Lion’s Club. In addition, Shawn’s influence can be heard on Takoma Radio 94.3 airing every first and third Monday of each month. Shawn
is a co-host of the radio show titled “Open Our Eyes” which focuses on the inclusion of persons with disabilities within our society. In 2016, Shawn received
a citation from U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, for his leadership in bringing awareness to the needs of the blind community regarding employment. Shawn
currently resides in Washington, D.C. with his lovely wife of 18 years Latonya Callaway, raising their 9-year-old daughter, Camille.
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS:
Licensure: Licensed Graduate Social Worker
A.A. in Psychology I Essex Community College I 1995
B.A. in Psychology I University of Maryland College Park I 1997
M.S.W. in Social Work I Catholic University of America I 2000
forms and useful documents
Preregistering for the 2024 Ohio State convention!
preregistration for the 78th annual convention of the national federation of the blind of Ohio is now Closed, If you've already preregistered but haven't paid, please see your confirmation e-mail for how to pay or see the contact information below if you have questions about your preregistration. Please see the agenda for times where you can register onsite for the convention. Note: onsite registration is $30. Please also note that Limited times for purchasing banquit meals will be available onsite as well for $60 a meal, please see the convention for those times as well.
access to the agenda
The agenda can be accessed in the following ways
download in Microsoft word format
a limited number of hardcopies will be available in large print in Braille on site at convention in Westlake.
Want more information or have questions?
For more information or questions, contact,
Richard Payne, Affiliate President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
(937) 829-3368
Conclusion
The 78th Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio (NFBOH) is the largest gathering of blind people in the state. This will be an opportunity for participants to learn about accessible technology at our Technology Fair and living with blindness, by attending outstanding educational seminars and much more.