The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight. The real problem is the misunderstanding and lack of information that exist. If a blind person has proper training and opportunity, blindness can be reduced to a physical nuisance. |
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Upcoming Events
February 1- April 30, 2010: Onkyo Braille Essay Contest
The Onkyo Braille essay contest is being administered by the NFB on behalf of the North America-Caribbean Region of the World Blind Union. Essays must be written by contest participants, in English or their native language, in Braille, and must be completely original in nature. Entries should be no fewer than 800 words and no more than 1,000 words in length. Prizes range from $500-$2,000. The contest deadline is April 30, 2010. For more information, including how to apply, please visit the Onkyo Braille Essay Contest Web page.
April 15 - 16, 2010: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Tom Perez and former Congressman Tony Coelho head the list of distinguished law professors, practitioners, and advocates who will discuss the concepts of equality and difference as they relate to the disabled in employment, education, medical treatment, and access to technology. To learn more about the symposium, view the agenda, and register online, please visit http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Law_Symposium.asp.
April 16 - 20, 2010: LAW Program
The 2010 NFB Leadership and Advocacy in Washington, D.C. Program (LAW), a four-day experience, will provide blind and low vision students with a unique opportunity to explore the inner workings of our country’s government, its history, and its culture while staying at the national headquarters for the NFB in Baltimore, MD. In addition to learning about grassroots legislation efforts, how resolutions are passed, and how various blindness legislation is brought about, participants will learn more about advocacy work for blind individuals and available resources for blind students and adults. Blind youth ages 12 to 16 or grades 6 to 9 are eligible to apply. Applications are due by February 1, 2010. For more information, or to apply online, please visit www.nfb.org/LAWProgram or contact Mary Jo T. Hartle at (410) 659-9314, ext. 2407, or by e-mail at mhartle@nfb.org.
July 3 - 8, 2010: National Convention
This year the National Federation of the Blind's annual convention will be held in Dallas, Texas, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. This year we will celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the NFB, so you won't want to miss out! The Hilton Anatole is now accepting reservations; call (214) 761-7500 to make your reservation now. For more information, please view the National Convention web page and watch the Braille Monitor.
Summer 2010: Junior Science Academy
The NFB will again offer a Junior Science Academy targeting children in grades three through six. The Junior Science Academy offers young scientific explorers an opportunity to experience the excitement of science in a four-day session with hands-on experiences, tactile materials, and innovative non-visual teaching methods. In addition, the Academy will have corresponding parent workshops to provide parents/guardians with the tools and knowledge that they need to help their child succeed. Two summer sessions will be offered: July 28 to August 1, 2010, and August 4 to August 8, 2010. For more information, please visit the Junior Science Academy home page.
What's New
NFB Announces 2010
Race for Independence
On January 19, the NFB announced the 2010 Race for Independence, a fundraising effort focused on improving access to technology by blind Americans and supporting other NFB initiatives. The Race for Independence is designed to raise funds for the National Federation of the Blind Imagination Fund, which supports the education, technology, and research projects of the NFB Jernigan Institute, as well as programs conducted by the fifty-two affiliates and over seven hundred local chapters of the Federation. The Race for Independence will also bring public attention to the need for full and equal access for blind Americans to modern technology, in everything from home appliances to automobiles. The initiative begins with a six-month campaign to raise funds from NFB members and friends that will close on July 31, 2010. For more on this exciting initiative, please read the official press release or visit www.raceforindependence.org.
Technology Bill of Rights
for the Blind Introduced
On January 27, Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced the Technology Bill of Rights for the Blind (H.R. 4533), which will mandate that all consumer electronics, home appliances, kiosks, and electronic office technology provide user interfaces that are accessible to the blind. For more information on this exciting development, please read the official press release.
Apply Now for a 2010 Bolotin Award
Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program. Each year the National Federation of the Blind presents cash awards to individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions toward achieving the full integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality. To learn more about the program or apply online now, please visit the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program web page.
