DSB at the NFBW 2025 Convention

Event description

Join the DSB Explorers and DSB Pre-ETS Services at the National Federation of the Blind of Washington 2025 Convention Youth Track!

Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is proud to partner with the National Federation of the Blind Washington (NFBW) to offer special youth and family driven content at the 2025 State Convention. 

This event is a special opportunity for participants to meet other students and community members who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision from around the state. Participants can learn from others how to enrich their journey. It is truly a gathering of people, knowledge, and resources that inspire growth, reflection, and action.

Space is limited! Please register early!

Learn more about the NFBW Convention on their website. 

Who Should Attend?

NFBW welcomes youth through age 21 who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Low Vision to participate in the youth track program at this year’s convention. 

Parents & Families

We have not forgotten about the foundation that supports our youth in their journey towards independence and success. There will be sessions specific to the interests of parents and families where they can meet other families, share their knowledge and experiences, grow their support networks, and find contacts and resources to strengthen their family toolkits.

Costs

This event is offered to students statewide. Travel assistance and overnight lodging may be available for families traveling more than 50 miles. Participants under 18 must have a parent chaperone to stay at the hotel. Depending on availability, participants 18 and over may be assigned a roommate. 

DSB will cover convention registration, provided meals, and hotel accommodations for the nights of Friday, February 28 and Saturday, March 1 for eligible youth and their parents/guardians. Checkout is 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 2. Families are responsible for any additional hotel incidentals, food, or drink costs not listed above.
 
Youth participants and parents/guardians will be required to attend breakfast and lunch activities on Saturday as well as participate in all planned activities Friday night through Saturday night.

Youth Participants 14 and Older

Registration fees for the convention, convention meals, and hotel accommodations for participant and up to two (2) family members will be fully covered by registering through DSB Pre-ETS Services. 

Participants 13 and Younger and Their Families

There are limited funds for transportation costs and reimbursements for families participating in the DSB Explorers program. Please state your interest in applying for a scholarship in the online registration. 

Additional Lodging Information 

DSB will cover hotel accommodations including taxes. It is the responsibility of those who are checking in to present a payment card upon checking in which will serve as an acknowledgment that the debit or credit card used for check-in will be charged a daily incidental fee of $50.00 throughout their stay at The Heathman Lodge. For more information, review the Heathman Lodge Reservations Policy.

It will be the responsibility of the youth participant and/or family to cover any incidentals (additional hotel nights, food or drink costs not listed above, etc.) Please note that hotel room occupancy may not exceed 4 people per room. 

Contact Information 

For more information on this year’s program, or other upcoming events, please contact the following DSB Specialists:

Ages 14 – 21

Ryan Scott, Pre-ETS Specialist
509-818-1010 

DSB Explorers (Ages 13 and under) 

Sara Logston, Birth through 13 Specialist
206-702-3673 

How to Register

Space is limited! Please register early!
Register online before Friday, January 31, 2025. No new registrations will be taken after that date.