Join us March 2-4, 2017, for the Joint AFB Leadership and Virginia AER Conference.

Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA

Blueprint of Washington DC skyline


The full AFB Leadership Conference 2017 Agenda is now available!

**Rooms at the conference hotel are almost full.** Make reservations at the Crystal Gateway Marriott today. If you are unable to reserve a room at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, here are some local hotel options:

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the Virginia Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) are pleased to present the 2017 Joint AFB Leadership and Virginia AER Conference, which will cover the most pressing and relevant topics in the field of blindness and offer many opportunities to learn from the best and brightest minds in our field, make new connections, and reunite with old friends while earning continuing education credits (CEU). We offer CEU through two groups: Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) and Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). Our program features one-hour sessions and you may accumulate one hour for each session attended. If you attend each CEU-approved session, you will receive 6 credit hours on Thursday; 5 credit hours on Friday; and 4.75 credit hours on Saturday.

Held annually, AFBLC attracts established and emerging leaders in the blindness field. Conference attendees include technology experts, corporate representatives, university professors, teachers of students with visual impairments, orientation and mobility instructors, rehabilitation professionals, and parents. They come from diverse organizations and institutions spanning the public and private sectors, including school districts, schools for the blind, Veterans Administrations, hospitals, private agencies, and universities.

The 2016 AFBLC attracted over 400 attendees from 44 states and 5 countries.

Attendees will receive a special group rate of $190/night at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. [Note that there are two Marriott hotels in Crystal City—make sure you book at the Crystal Gateway!] Reserve online through our dedicated reservations page. If you prefer to speak with a reservations specialist, please call 888-236-2427 and reference our conference to get the group rate.

If you are interested in sponsorship, advertising, or exhibiting opportunities, please take a look at our options or contact Amanda Kolling directly for more information.

Many thanks to our conference partners:

  • Vision Serve Alliance, Conference Ally
  • Association of Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
  • Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
  • Maryland School for the Blind
  • National Industries for the Blind
  • Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired