NFADB President’s Message, Spring 2021  

Greetings NFADB Members,

Spring is here! A new season, a new outlook, a fresh start. Each spring I look forward to writing this report as an opportunity to thank you for your membership and tell you about our ambitions for the upcoming months. Considering everything we have gone through together in the past six months, let alone this year to date, this report is especially important.

PAST

It has now been officially over a year. A year of quarantine. A year of challenges.   NFADB has worked hard to stay connected and support our membership. We have continued to keep families informed of learning opportunities that we can all attend virtually and have expanded our social media platforms. This has allowed us to share announcements, lessons, webinars, videos, quick activities, networking opportunities, and more.  

As I look back, I am humbled when I consider the number of members, agencies, and organizations that have depended on NFADB and partnered with us to support our families and members.  I appreciate the strong relationships we have built with all of you.

PRESENT

Our 2021 spring, summer, and most likely the remaining months of this year will continue to look a bit different.  NFADB has not let the challenges of the pandemic distract us.  We continue to advocate, foster family-to-family relationships, promote partnerships, and provide information and resources. We are just wrapping up a wonderful opportunity as a partner for the 2021 Texas Symposium on Deafblind Education, where we joined forced with a network of families and colleagues from Texas, the USA, the Americas, and around the world. The Symposium included an excellent Family Day, and we were so honored to host the Mary O’Donnell Family Social, an NFADB tradition.

Another ongoing learning opportunity to watch for is the Southeast Regional DeafBlind Webinar Series that began in March and will run through June 2021.  

FUTURE

Mark your calendars for the annual NFADB Membership Meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 (7:00-8:30 eastern). All members are invited. You will hear more about our Family Advocacy Project as well as the announcement of our first ever Steve Perrault Award recipient(s). There will also be information about the upcoming NFADB Annual Deaf-Blind Awareness Event slated for the fall of 2021.  We have a great deal to celebrate with our members and affiliates as the network grows. The past 27 years would not have possible without our loyal members and caring partners.

While we cannot predict the future or what the remainder of 2021 will bring, we can promise you this: NFADB is committed to empowering the voices of families of individuals who are deaf-blind and advocating for their unique needs.

May the coming seasons bring you brightness in each and every new day.

With Gratitude,

Patti McGowan 

NFADB President