National Federation of the Blind Building Our Future

“Changing What It Means to be Blind” February 2002

NRTIB Ground Breaking October 19, 2001
We have broken ground and are building our future.

The crane operator stands in the open door of the crane directing Dr. Marc Maurer as he prepares to move a shovel full of dirt. Over 300 friends and Federationists joined local dignitaries to witness this historic event. The ceremony included speeches by NFB of New York President Carl Jacobsen and survivor of the World Trade Center attack Michael Hingson, District Sales Manager, Quantum ATL, Inc.; an inspiring vision of the Federation's future by NFB President Marc Maurer; and words of encouragement from Joanne Wilson, who was recently appointed by President Bush as the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

Other speakers included Maryland Senators Barbara Mikulski and Paul Sarbanes; Congressmen Benjamin Cardin and Robert Ehrlich; Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert Bell; Baltimore City Council President Sheila Dixon; Major Riddick, Jr., Chairman of the Governor's Information Technology Board; and Patricia Schroeder, President of the Association of American Publishers.

NFB's new National Research and Training Institute for the Blind Ground Breaking. The ceremony ended with a surprise as the ground-breakers unearthed, with the help of a crane, the Federation's vision of the future in the form of a large box, which took the shape of the new building and contained examples of the cutting-edge technology we expect to develop at the new Institute.

The National Federation of the Blind extends sincere thanks to all of our friends and supporters. With your help, we are realizing our dream of establishing the National Research and Training Institute for the Blind, the first such institution to be developed and operated by an organization of blind persons. Together, we will “change what it means to be blind.”

The National Research and Training Institute for the Blind— Targeted Completion Fall '03
The Institute promises a brighter future.

National Research and Training Institute for the Blind targeted completion, summer 2003. The NRTIB will be a five-story structure built on the present block-square property which now includes a renovated factory building that houses the NFB National Headquarters at 1800 Johnson Street in South Baltimore. This new facility will include a research library, technology training labs, classrooms, distance learning capabilities, an adaptive technology development center, office and flexible meeting space, and a technology incubator designed to support the development and commercialization of technology helpful to the blind.

Senator Paul Sarbanes Speaks of the Future

Long-time friend of the blind, Maryland Senator Paul Sarbanes expresses his pride in the NFB's locating the new Institute in Maryland. He talked about the determination of the NFB and his commitment to continue supporting such a fine organization.

Senator Mikulski Helps the Federation Bridge the Digital Divide

Maryland's Senator Barbara Mikulski speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony. We are pleased to announce that since the Ground Breaking, thanks to the efforts of Senator Barbara Mikulski, the NFB has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the federal government for the construction of the new Institute. Thank you Senator Mikulski for your commitment to help the NFB bridge the digital divide.

Capital Campaign Update

The Capital Campaign began in spring 1999 with a goal of $18 million. To date, $12.7 million has been raised in gifts and/or pledges toward a revised goal of $19.5 million. An additional $500,000 has also been approved but not yet received from the federal government.

A $1 million appropriation for this project has been granted in the FY02 State of Maryland budget. We are working on additional support of $2 million in FY03 as outlined in the Governor's five-year budget plan.

Contributors include over 18,000 individuals, corporations, and foundations, with the largest gifts from: The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults ($1 million); Diebold, Inc. ($1 million); The J.W. and Alice S. Marriott Foundation and family ($900,000); and the NFB of Utah ($550,000). Most recently we have received an $85,000 gift from Erik Weihenmayer, the blind mountaineer who (with the NFB's sponsorship) reached the summit of Mt. Everest on May 24, 2001, as well as $50,000 gifts from the AOL Time Warner Foundation and the Dr. Scholl Foundation.

Kresge challenge Must Be Met by March 1
We need your help.

An additional $340,000 is needed in new contributions by March 1 to meet the Kresge Foundation Challenge and receive from them an $800,000 grant.

Although we have made great progress with the Capital Campaign to build the Institute in the last two and one-half years, we now more than ever need your gift. Since the tragedies of September 11 and the downturn in the economy, we have experienced a decrease in contributions. The Kresge Foundation continues to challenge us to reach the targeted match by the end of February. Please consider supporting this important project. Your gift can be a one-time or a multi-year gift. All donors contributing over $5,000 will be recognized on the Wall of Honor in the Institute, and special naming opportunities are available. For more information on how you can help please contact us:

National Federation of the Blind Logo 1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Phone: 410.659.9314
Web site: www.nfb.org
E-mail: nfb@nfb.org

Campaign Highlights

The Kresge Foundation awarded the NFB an $800,000 challenge grant for the Institute. This grant will be distributed in March of 2002, provided the NFB is able to raise an additional $340,000 before the end of February 2002. With the help of many of our old and new friends, we can meet the challenge.

The France-Merrick Foundation, Baltimore, Maryland, has approved a grant of $250,000 to the NFB for this Institute. Also, gifts have been received from: Allfirst Foundation, $90,000; Constellation Energy Group, $60,000; and the AmeriDream Charity, $20,000.

NRTIB construction is underway. Photo as of January 22, 2002.

The NRTIB Will Provide Leadership in the Development of:

Educational programs designed to upgrade the skills of teachers of the blind,
Training programs to inform parents of blind children of the newest teaching techniques and technology central to their children's success,
New ways to access computer information with speech and Braille technology,
Research that will improve mobility for the blind,
Methods that allow easy learning of Braille by older citizens losing vision, and
Improved opportunities for small companies to get useful adaptive technology to market, through a dedicated adaptive technology incubator center.

The Celebration Gala Held the Evening of October 19, 2001,
in Baltimore, Maryland

Cobber Eccles, Vice President, and Carl William Struever, CEO, Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, Inc., and Dr. Marc Maurer, NFB President. Stephen G. Marriott, Senior Vice President, Culture and Lodging Sales Recruiting, Marriott International, Inc.

James Gashel, NFB Director of Governmental Affairs and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Lieutenant Governor - Maryland. Walden W. O'Dell, President, Diebold, Inc., Pat O'Dell, Dr. Marc Maurer, NFB President, and Mary Ellen Jernigan, Director of Operations.