Attorneys Timothy Elder and Scott LaBarre are interested in speaking with any blind business owners or employees who have attempted to open or use a business bank account at Citibank. They are particularly interested to hear if you have had any problems with accessing the website interface for your account or entering your password without sighted assistance. Interested individuals can contact Timothy Elder by email at telder@trelegal.com or by phone at 410-415-3493.

The East Bay Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of California is granting $500 to a lucky somebody to help get them to their first national convention of the National Federation of the Blind, NFB. The convention will be held in Dallas, Texas, from June 30 to July 5, 2012.

If you are blind, at least 18 years of age, a legal resident of California and have never been to an NFB national convention, then you may qualify to receive $500 to go to your first one. (Minors will be considered only with the understanding that they MUST be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and that there will be no additional grant funds to supplement the additional individual.)

How to Apply
The grantee will be selected by the board of the East Bay Chapter and notified thereafter. Submissions must be received/postmarked by March 16^th, 2012. Electronic submissions should be emailed to nfbceastbay@gmail.com. Please include “Grant for Dallas” in the subject line. Print or braille submissions are also welcome and should be mailed to Serena Olsen, President, NFBC East Bay, 34904 Herringbone Ct., Union City, CA 94587.

Please provide your name, address, phone number and email. In 50 words or less, write something fun or interesting about yourself and in 250 words or less, answer the following two questions:

• Why is attending national convention important to you?
• What kinds of things do you hope to learn from the national convention experience?

If selected, preliminary expenses (airfare, registration, etc.) must be covered by the grantee. Grant funds will be disbursed upon arrival at the convention. By accepting the grant, you are committed to attending the rookie roundup, general session, banquet and a local chapter meeting immediately following convention to share your experience.

About Convention
Every year, 3,000 people from around the country—and even from around the world—attend the NFB national convention. The convention agenda is action-packed and filled with workshops, seminars, division meetings and great speakers on just about any blindness-related topic you can imagine. From sports and recreation to education, from lawyers to guide dog users, from cane travel to braille, from assistive technology to employment, you’ll find students, working blind professionals and mentors and make lasting friendships and connections. To learn more go to http://www.nfb.org/nfb/national_convention.asp.