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Take Action for Braille Literacy!

The National Federation of the Blind established an unprecedented and comprehensive initiative in Braille literacy in July 2008, coinciding with the unveiling of the design for the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar from the United States Treasury in honor of Braille’s 200th birthday.  This initiative will be marked by the most significant investment in literacy for the blind ever—raising $8 million for Braille literacy programs into the future—and an innovative network of programs that dramatically enhance opportunities and education for the blind. 

In order to accomplish our campaign goals, we need your help!  Below you will find information and resources to help us raise awareness about the state of Braille literacy, spread the word about the coin and campaign, and raise the matching funds needed to fund our Braille literacy campaign.

Member Tools

Press Kit

Event Planning Documents

Meet the Blind Month Campaign Guide

Fundraising Ideas and Awareness (Word)      
For all of our affiliates and chapters who want new ideas on how to raise money and build a fundraising campaign around the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Siver Dollar as well as Braille Literacy, this sheet will give helpful ideas and suggestions.

Press Release Template (Word)      
This is an actual press release that can be used as a format for your local area events and happenings. 

Videos

A video compilation DVD is also available through the Independence Market.

Change With a Dollar 
Braille: Unlocking the Code
Measure for Measure, Achieving Equality Through Braille Music Literacy
Straight Talk About Vision Loss, Episode 19, featuring the Braille Readers are Leaders initiative.

Audio

Change With a Dollar

Core Distribution Documents

• Braille Literacy Crisis Flyer (Pintable PDF)
  This flyer will help people to understand why they should purchase the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar
• Braille Initiative flyer (Word)
  Braille Initiative flyer (BRF)
  This document has Braille myth busters on one side, and information about Braille.org and the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar on the other. The document can be double-sided or printed on two pages. 
• Talking Points (Word)     
  This is a one-page document that has the Campaign Goals and the Key Talking Points; if you only have a few minutes to speak to someone and get your point across, these are the points you want to make. 
• Braille Readers are Leaders Campaign Overview (Word) 
  Learn more about the campaign and how to explain it to others.  Print this document and bring it with you to educate the public about the state of Braille literacy and what the NFB plans to do about it!

Supplemental Distribution Documents

• A Child's Story (Word)      
  This is a one-page document where the child very honestly tells us why Braille is so important to him.
• A Parent's Story (Word)     
  This is a one-page document where a parent of a blind child very poignantly shares how important Braille is to her son’s education and future possibilities.
• American Action Fund (AAF) Free Braille Books Program Application (Word)
• Braille Is Beautiful Flyer (printable PDF)    
  A Diversity Awareness Program for Sighted Children.  An innovative program teaching sighted students how to read and write the Braille alphabet code, increasing the students’ sensitivity to and understanding of blind persons.
• Meet the Blind Month Flyer (printable PDF)