Save the Date!

National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota 2026 State Convention

Friday and Saturday, November 13–14, 2026
Grand Forks, North Dakota

Theme: Building the Next Generation of Leaders

Join the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota for two days of learning, leadership, advocacy, fellowship, and connection.

This year’s convention will bring together blind North Dakotans, families, friends, advocates, community partners, and Federation leaders as we share resources, strengthen our organization, develop future leaders, and work together to build opportunities for blind people across North Dakota.

We are pleased to welcome Marci Carpenter, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Washington, as our national representative.

Whether you are a longtime Federation member or are just beginning to learn who we are and what we do, we invite you to join us in Grand Forks.

Registration will open soon. Watch the NFB of North Dakota website for registration and additional convention information.

NFBND DOUBLE GOOD POPCORN FUNDRAISER

Dates: October 1–7, 2026
Fundraiser Link: https://popup.doublegood.com/s/794wvfm0

Proceeds will help support our 2026 State Convention and the work of the affiliate.

NFBND STATEWIDE MEETINGS

We have also begun holding Convention Planning and Task Update meetings on the first Friday of the month at 6:00 PM Central as we prepare for the November convention. These are separate from our regular affiliate meetings.

Upcoming meetings:

• Convention Planning and Task Update meeting is Friday, September 4 at 6:00 PM Central.
• September general affiliate meeting is Friday, September 18 at 6:00 PM Central.

I do not mind us sharing useful opportunities from organizations outside the NFB. If something benefits blind North Dakotans, parents, families, or people losing vision, I think it can be useful information for visitors to our website. Please let us know.

NORTH DAKOTA BLINDNESS EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (https://www.ndvisionservices.com/) 2026–2027 programming calendar:

• September 13–18, 2026 Adult Training Week Grand Forks
• September 27–October 1, 2026 Middle School Short-Term Program
• October 13–15, 2026 Dakotas AER Conference
• October 18–22, 2026 Elementary Short-Term Program
• November 1–5, 2026 Teen Short-Term Program/Careers
• November 15–20, 2026Adult Training Week
• December 3–5, 2026Middle School JAM

North Dakota Association of the Blind (https://ndab.org/)

The North Dakota Association of the Blind also has a Fall Sports and Recreation Retreat scheduled for October 2–4 in Grand Forks. It is intended to introduce blind and visually impaired people to recreational activities in a low-pressure environment.

They also hold a weekly Coffee Chat by Zoom on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM.

NORTH DAKOTA DISABILITY ADVOCACY AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY

With the 2027 North Dakota legislative session approaching, there are already disability-related advocacy activities beginning around the state.

North Dakota Protection & Advocacy Project (https://www.ndpanda.org/)

The North Dakota Protection & Advocacy Project (https://www.ndpanda.org/) has Bismarck Legislative Working Group meetings where people can learn about and discuss disability-related legislation.

Upcoming meetings currently include:

• September 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM
• October 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM
• November 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM
• December 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Protection & Advocacy also has a Committee meeting scheduled for November 23 from 9:30 AM to noon.

North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (https://www.ndvisionservices.com)

North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind Superintendent Paul Olson has also reported participating in outreach to legislators and school board members around North Dakota in preparation for the 2027 legislative session.

I think it may be useful for our website to begin drawing attention to disability and blindness issues as the legislative session approaches rather than waiting until January.

ACCESSIBLE VOTING IN NORTH DAKOTA

With the November 3 general election approaching, this may be a good time for a short accessible-voting resource or reminder.

North Dakota polling locations have ExpressVote accessible ballot-marking equipment available for voters with disabilities. The equipment can provide audio access and allows voters with disabilities to mark their ballot privately and independently.

North Dakota Protection & Advocacy also works on voting accessibility and provides information for voters with disabilities.

North Dakota Secretary of State: https://www.sos.nd.gov/

North Dakota Protection & Advocacy voting information: https://www.ndpanda.org/resources/voting

DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY

Accessibility of state and local government websites, electronic forms, mobile applications, PDFs, and other digital services continues to be an important issue for blind people.

There is an ADA Accessibility Webinar scheduled for October 7 from 2:00–3:00 PM titled: Creating Accessible Forms: Connecting People to Services

The webinar is intended particularly for local governments and addresses making applications, permits, registrations, requests, and other government forms accessible to people with disabilities.

North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund:https://www.ndirf.com/events/

I think digital accessibility is an area we should continue watching because inaccessible government forms and websites can directly prevent blind North Dakotans from independently accessing public services.

PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION

North Dakota Department of Public Instruction:https://www.nd.gov/dpi/

The North Dakota IDEA Advisory Committee meets September 10, 2026.

The committee advises the state concerning special education, and North Dakota also accepts applications from people interested in serving on the committee.

This may be particularly useful information for parents of blind or visually impaired children, educators, and advocates.

OTHER NORTH DAKOTA DISABILITY RESOURCES

The North Dakota Association for the Disabled has opened its Fall 2026 Gibbens Memorial Grant cycle.

They also have Fast Track financial-assistance events scheduled for:

• September 9 in Williston, 4:00–6:00 PM
• September 16 in Minot, 4:00–6:00 PM

North Dakota Association for the Disabled:https://ndad.org/

These are not blindness-specific programs, but they could still be useful to blind North Dakotans who have disability-related financial needs.

NFB NATIONAL ADVOCACY AND LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

I would also like our website to help North Dakotans understand that the National Federation of the Blind is actively involved in federal legislation and public policy.

We do not need to reproduce everything from the national website. A short Advocacy or Legislative Watch area with links to current NFB priorities might be enough.

Some of the current national priorities include protecting specialized education, rehabilitation, employment, independent-living, and other programs serving blind Americans.

The NFB is also supporting the Access Technology Affordability Act, which addresses the high cost of specialized access technology blind people need for employment and independent living.

Another priority is the Blind Americans Return to Work Act, which addresses the Social Security Disability Insurance earnings cliff. The goal is to remove the situation in which a blind SSDI recipient can suddenly lose benefits after crossing an earnings threshold and replace it with a system that better encourages employment.

National Federation of the Blind:https://nfb.org/

NFB Advocacy and Policy:https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy

MEMBERSHIP

I would like the website to continue making it clear that people do not have to be blind to become involved with NFB of North Dakota.

We welcome blind and low-vision North Dakotans, people who are newly losing vision, parents of blind children, family members, friends, professionals in the blindness field, students, and other people who support our mission.

Annual membership dues remain at $5.

NFBND currently operates as a statewide affiliate rather than through local chapters, which allows people throughout North Dakota to participate.

New or ongoing North Dakota-relevant disability policy, civil‑rights, and accessibility developments

Government Website Accessibility Rule (ADA Title II)
A major federal ADA rule affecting state and local governments is approaching its first compliance deadline.
    •    The U.S. Department of Justice adopted a rule requiring state and local government websites and mobile apps to meet digital accessibility standards so people with disabilities can access public services online.
    •    For larger public entities, the compliance deadline is April 24 2026.

North Dakota Implementation Issues
Some agencies in North Dakota have reported that older web content may be removed instead of remediated to meet the new accessibility requirements before the deadline.

What we can watch for and do:
    •    Access to public documents, records, and program information may change as agencies adjust websites to comply with the rule.
    •    Help monitor removals to ensure information needed by blind residents remains accessible rather than disappearing.

Section 504 Digital Accessibility Rule for Health & Human Services Programs
A separate federal rule under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act will affect many healthcare and social‑service programs used by disabled North Dakotans.
    •    Programs receiving funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services must ensure websites, apps, and digital systems are accessible.
    •    Compliance deadline:
        •    May 11 2026 for organizations with 15+ employees
        •    May 10 2027 for smaller entities.

Potential impact:
    •    Hospitals, clinics, insurers, and social‑service providers receiving HHS funds must improve accessibility of online portals and digital tools used by patients and program participants.

North Dakota Transportation ADA Compliance Framework
The North Dakota Department of Transportation maintains an ADA transition plan and nondiscrimination program governing accessible transportation infrastructure and public participation.

Key components include:
    •    ADA transition planning for transportation facilities and programs
    •    Complaint procedures for disability discrimination
    •    Public participation mechanisms for accessibility planning.
 

These plans guide accessible transit stops, roadway design, and related infrastructure improvements across the state.

ND Assistive - Assistive Technology Demonstrations & Services
    •    Locations: Fargo and Bismarck, North Dakota
    •    Services: Device demonstrations, assistive‑technology loans, specialized phone program, occupational therapy services, and the iCanConnect program for people with combined hearing and vision loss.
    •    Info: https://ndassistive.org/our-services/vision/