Programs and Events
Programs:
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Braille Reading Pals: Braille Reading Pals is an early literacy program that gently encourages and rewards parents for reading daily with their blind or low vision children ages 0-7 (or older if the children have developmental delays) who are not yet reading. Sponsored by the Jernigan Institute, this free two-month program takes place twice a year. 2009 Fall Registration is now closed, stay tuned for the 2010 Spring Program.
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Braille Readers Are Leaders: This literacy program is co-sponsored by NOPBC and the National Association to Promote the Use of Braille (NAPUB). It includes a Braille contest for blind children grades K-12, special recognition to schools for the blind that promote Braille literacy, Community Service Awards for blind students who use their Braille skills to give back to others, and a prereaders program (Braille Pals) to help families introduce Braille and a love of reading to their blind infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
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Braille Pen Pal Program: Slate Pals is a free pen-pal program for children aged 6-18 from around the world. Slate Pals enables children who are blind to correspond with one another in Braille. It also finds blind pen pals for sighted children who are interested in learning the Braille code.
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Mentors and Role Models: Through partnership with the NFB and collaboration with programs of the NFB Jernigan Institute, the NOPBC helps connect blind youth and their families with blind individuals who often become invaluable role models and mentors. For information about the NFB online mentorship program, go to http://www.nfblink.org/.
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Educational Advocacy: NOPBC advocates at the federal and state levels for better legislation and regulations for the education of blind and visually impaired children. Through letter campaigns, representation on federal and state committees and task forces, and many other activities, the NOPBC is a vital, strong voice for parents nationwide. For more information about how you can participate in legislative advocacy within your state, contact your local NOPBC parent contact leader or your NFB state president.
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Education Programs: The NOPBC works collaboratively with the NFB Jernigan Institute as the institute establishes exciting summer programs for blind youth, develops new resources and opportunities in math and science for blind youth, offers on-line courses for teachers and parents, and much more. The NOPBC encourages parents and teachers to take advantage of the many programs and opportunities offered through the NFB Jernigan Institute Education Programs.
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IEP Information and Advocacy: Through literature, phone consultations, and local blind members who volunteer as advocates, the NOPBC is an unbiased source of information and support for parents who need help and advice about IEPs and educational services for blind children. See your local contact, your NFB state president, or contact Carol Castellano at blindchildren@verizon.net if you have IEP or advocacy related needs.
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Leadership Training: In partnership with the NFB, the NOPBC recruits potential parent leaders and offers them leadership training and ongoing mentoring. Opportunities have included scholarships to attend the NFB convention, weekend retreats at a camp in South Carolina, and workshops with hands-on legislative training in Washington D.C. For more information about leadership training opportunities, contact NOPBC President Carol Castellano at blindchildren@verizon.net.
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Support Networks: NOPBC helps parents share information and receive encouragement and support through informal networks.
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Blindkid ListServ: Want to talk about your blind kid with other parents? Would you like tips from knowledgeable blind adults who have "been there, done that?" Ask questions, get and give advice, vent frustrations, brag about your kid, share resources, and make new friends on this NOPBC sponsored listserv. To subscribe, visit the blindkid web site and fill out the form provided on the page. The NFB also sponsors many other listservs, including one for teachers of blind children; to subscribe, visit their web site at: www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/teachvib.
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See Local Contacts for a list contact individuals in your state. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, contact NOPBC president, Carol Castellano at blindchildren@verizon.net and we will do our best to help.
