The NFBMI Raising Expectations, Accessing Life program is a weekend-long experience of academic, professional and social development for blind youth, blind parents, parents of blind children and blind students. The program aims to support attendees in learning to expand their horizons in the realms of education, employment, advocacy and networking through a variety of seminars, activities, and presentations in an engaging environment.

The 2023 NFBMI REAL program will take place in the city of Flint, with a majority of the activities and seminars taking place in our hotel, which also provides rooms for students and families that are registered with our room bloc. The address of the program location is:

Hilton Garden Inn

110 W. Kearsley St.

Flint, MI 48502

NFBMI REAL is an umbrella program that houses two concurrent age-appropriate tracks for blind youth (NFB STEM2U) and blind high school/college students (NFBMI Scholars). The tracks have different eligibility and criteria built into the curriculum and agenda to best support attendees in expanding their horizons and increasing their connection to the variety of community and statewide resources available. Attendees in both tracks are eligible for access to our social activities throughout the weekend, including the NFBMI REAL bowling event on June 23 and the NFBMI Flint-Genesee Gala on June 24. Please take some time to read the descriptions of the concurrent tracks to make a decision on registration.

NFB STEM2U brings nonvisual accessible lessons and activities to blind youth. Students of varying ages across the country will learn fundamental nonvisual tools and techniques they can use to pursue further education and careers. Our NFB STEM2U track for this program is tailored for blind youth ages 8-13. Participants are required to be accompanied by a parent or authorized guardian. Scholarship opportunities are available for families upon request.  This informative track is helpful for students who:

• Are interested in experiments and investigations.
• Could benefit from fun programs specific to blind students.
• Need hands-on, nonvisual skills training opportunities.

The NFBMI Scholars track strives to support high school and college students, ages 14+, in their individual path towards both professional development and gainful employment. This goal is accessed in a variety of different seminars, activities, interviews and networking opportunities. Of the variety of topics broached over the weekend, the NFBMI Scholars track works to support students in:

• Academic and Professional Ambition
• Skills of Blindness and Low Vision (Braille, Access Technology, Personal and Home Management)
• Vocational Assessment and Exploration
• Networking and Advocacy Skills Refinement
• Work Based Experiences

The cost of registration for NFBMI REAL is $125 per attendee. This registration cost includes admission, meals for the weekend, and transportation between included social events.

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan pledges to achieve equality, opportunity and security for blind Michiganders in our programming. Youth (ages 8-13) and families interested in registering for NFBMI REAL have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship offered through the support of our generous donors. For a registration cost of $25 per family, youth and parents interested in the STEM2U track should select the STEM2U option in the NFBMI REAL registration form, applying the adjusted registration cost to the number of people attending. Note: This scholarship does support families’ room cost for the program.

The NFB of Michigan is a proponent of vocational rehabilitation and the fundamental role it can play in the success of blind students, especially in their years of secondary and post-secondary education. High school and college students interested in attending the NFBMI Scholars track of the program are encouraged to register using the form below, indicating NFBMI Scholars as the selected track. If you are a student and have a case with the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP), please connect with your counselor to discuss registration and attendance possibilities. If you are a rehabilitation professional, instructor, teacher for the visually impaired or blindness professional, please use the registration form below to register and follow the guidelines to reserve your room.