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Frequently Asked Questions
Apprentices
NFB STEM2U Leadership Academy
- Is there a registration fee?
No, there is no registration fee. - How will the students get to Baltimore?
Transportation will be arranged by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) for all students except those who live close enough to Baltimore to travel to the program by car. - How will students who are traveling by plane navigate the airports?
Blind people who travel regularly can navigate airports independently just like other travelers. Students who are used to flying and negotiating airports, will likely navigate through their home airport independently. Students who are not frequent flyers may request assistance at the ticket counter. The airport is required by law to provide assistance to passengers who have disabilities. Airport staff will ensure that the students get from the ticket counter to the gate and onto the plane.
Once in Baltimore, students will be met at their gate by NFB staff and escorted to baggage claim to retrieve their luggage and connect with NFB ground transportation. - Will ground transportation to and from the airport as well as activities be provided by the NFB in Baltimore?
Yes, the NFB will arrange all necessary ground transportation for the students while they are in Baltimore. - Where will the students stay?
Students will be housed at the NFB Jernigan Institute for the duration of the program. The NFB Jernigan Institute has dormitory facilities. - Who will chaperone the students?
The students will be chaperoned by NFB staff and volunteers. There will be at least one adult for every five students. - Will students share sleeping rooms at the NFB Jernigan Institute?
Yes, students can expect to share a room with one to three other students during the program. - Will students need to pack any linens for their sleeping room?
No, all linens (sheets, towels, etc.) will be provided. - Can parents/guardians accompany high school participants?
No. It is important that students attend the program on their own so that they can hone their independence, mentoring, and leadership skills. Parents are welcome to contact their students via their cell phones during evening hours. Parents may also contact the program staff to check in with their students via the program hotline. The number of the program hotline will be provided to all parents prior to the start of the program. - Will all meals be provided?
Yes. All meals will be provided for the students. - I will miss some school in order to attend this program, could I receive high school credit for participating in NFB STEM2U?
We strongly encourage students to contact their school to find out if they can receive course credit for the work that they will do during NFB STEM2U. The curriculum for NFB STEM2U is aligned with nationally recognized academic standards (i.e. the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards). The NFB will be happy to provide documentation to demonstrate the work that the students do at NFB STEM2U.
NFB STEM2U Regional Programs
- Is there a registration fee?
No, there is no registration fee. - How will the students get to the city in which the program is being held?
Transportation will be arranged by the National Federation of the Blind for all students except those who live close enough to the program site to travel to the program by car. - Will someone meet the student at the destination airport?
Yes, students will be met at their gate by NFB staff and escorted to baggage claim to retrieve their luggage and connect with NFB ground transportation. - Will ground transportation to and from the airport as well as activities be provided by the NFB in city where the program will be held?
Yes, the NFB will arrange all necessary ground transportation for the students while they are at the program. - Which students will be provided lodging for the program?
Apprentice participants who live more than forty miles from the program site will be provided with lodging for NFB STEM2U regional programs. Students who live within forty miles of the program site will stay at their home and travel to the program daily. If you anticipate this daily travel will pose a barrier, please contact the team to discuss other options. - Where will the overnight students stay?
Students will be provided with a room at a local hotel for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. - Who will chaperone the students?
The students will be chaperoned by NFB staff and volunteers. There will be at least one adult for every five students. - Will overnight students share rooms?
Yes, students can expect to share a room with one to three other students during the program. - Can parents/guardians accompany high school participants?
No. It is important that students attend the program on their own so that they can hone their independence, mentoring, and leadership skills. Parents are welcome to contact their students via their cell phones during evening hours. Parents may also contact the program staff to check in with their students via the program hotline. The number of the program hotline will be provided to all parents prior to the start of the program - Will all meals be provided?
Yes. All meals will be provided for the students. - I will miss some school in order to attend this program, could I receive high school credit for participating in NFB STEM2U?
We strongly encourage students to contact their school to find out if they can receive course credit for the work that they will do during NFB STEM2U. The curriculum for NFB STEM2U is aligned with nationally recognized academic standards (i.e. the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards). The NFB will be happy to provide documentation to demonstrate the work that the students do at NFB STEM2U.
Juniors
NFB STEM2U Regional Programs
- Is there a registration fee?
No, there is no registration fee. - How will the students and chaperones get to the city in which the program is being held?
Chaperones/parents are responsible for arranging transportation for the chaperone and the student from the student’s home to the program site. - Can chaperones/parents be reimbursed for the cost of transportation to and from the program?
Yes. The NFB will reimburse chaperones/parents for up to $150 of the combined roundtrip transportation costs for the chaperone and junior or the actual cost of the transportation, whichever is less.
Transportation includes plane, train, bus, or automobile. Fares for public transportation (plane, train, or bus) must be at coach rate or less. Those using an automobile will be reimbursed $0.45 (45 cents) a mile for reasonable driving distances.
Transportation costs will be reimbursed with valid receipts that include the total amount paid for the ticket, carrier’s name, date of travel, departure and destination locations, and traveler’s name. Emailed receipts from airlines, railways, and bus providers are acceptable as long as they contain the previously listed information. Anyone traveling using an automobile should provide a MapQuest printout showing the starting and stopping points with mileage.
Ground transportation for airport sedan service and cabs to and from a hotel or airport will be reimbursed with completed receipts that include the name of the cab or car service, date, pick-up and drop-off locations, cab number or driver’s name, and amount.
If the cost of transportation to and from the program poses a financial burden for your family, please contact us. We do not want financial barriers to prevent students from participating. - What is the process for submitting reimbursement for eligible travel expenses?
Details about the reimbursement process were provided in an attachment when the participant received their acceptance email. If you no longer have this document, please contact the team at STEM@nfb.org to request another copy. - Will ground transportation to and from the airport be provided by the NFB in the city where the program will be held?
No. Ground transportation from the airport to the program site will be the responsibility of the chaperone. However, the cost of that transportation may be eligible for reimbursement. See question three above for more details. - Will ground transportation to and from program activities be provided by the NFB in city where the program will be held?
Yes. Any necessary transportation from one program activity to another will be provided. For example, at NFB STEM2U Phoenix, transportation from the hotel to ASC (the science museum) will be provided. - Which students will be provided lodging for the program?
Junior participants and their chaperones who live more than forty miles from the program site will be provided with lodging for NFB STEM2U regional programs. Participants who live within forty miles of the program site will stay at their home and travel to the program daily. If you anticipate this daily travel will pose a barrier, please contact the team to discuss other options. - Where will the overnight participants stay? Each eligible junior and chaperone pair will be provided with a room at a local hotel for Thursday and Friday evenings.
- Will all meals be provided?
Yes. All meals will be provided for the students. - My student will miss some school in order to attend this program, could he/she receive school credit for participating in NFB STEM2U?
We strongly encourage participants to contact their school to find out if they can receive course credit for the work that they will do during NFB STEM2U. The curriculum for NFB STEM2U is aligned with nationally recognized academic standards (i.e. the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards). The NFB will be happy to provide documentation to demonstrate the work that the students do at NFB STEM2U.