Voice of the Nation's Blind

Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced the Blind Persons Return to Work Act of 2010 (S. 2962), which will allow blind Americans to more easily transition from Social Security beneficiaries to income-earning, productive members of the workforce.    

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a program meant to provide disabled Americans with financial support, actually discourages blind people from seeking employment by placing a limit on how much money they can earn.  This bipartisan bill replaces the monthly earnings limit with a gradual phase-out, allowing blind beneficiaries to systematically replace benefits with earned income.  For more on this exciting development, please read the official press release.

NFB today commended Apple for including its VoiceOver application on its latest device, the iPad, which was unveiled yesterday.  VoiceOver is a screen access application that uses text-to-speech technology in conjunction with the device’s touch-screen interface so that blind people can independently operate the device.  VoiceOver is also integrated into Apple’s Mac operating system and is included on the iPhone 3GS and recent models of the iPod Touch.  For more on this, please read the official press release.

Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today 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.

Dr. Marc Maurer addressed staff at the Library of Congress today.  Dr. Maurer’s presentation focused on the need for digital information, including electronic books, to be made available to the blind.  He urged the Library of Congress, which is participating in the creation of the World Digital Library, to work with blind Americans to make sure that this new resource will be accessible to the blind.  In addition to being the world’s largest library, the Library of Congress operates the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which distributes Braille and recorded books by hard copy and digital download to some 800,000 Americans who cannot read print.  To learn more about his presentation, please read the official press release.

The NFB today 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.

The NFB today commended the United States Department of Justice for reaching settlements with three universities regarding use of the Kindle DX reading device in the classroom.   The settlements with Reed College of Portland, Oregon; Pace University of New York; and Case Western Reserve University of Cleveland, Ohio require that the universities refrain from further purchase or deployment of the Kindle DX or any other electronic reading device unless the device is fully accessible to students who are blind or have low vision. The settlements followed complaints filed against the universities by the NFB and the American Council of the Blind.  For more information, please read the official press release.

The NFB today announced that both UPS and Humanware have signed on to be platinum-level sponsors of the national convention to be held in Dallas this summer. 

The 2010 NFB national convention will take place from July 3 to July 8, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.  For more information, please visit the National Convention web page.

 

The White House is currently looking for dedicated individuals to participate in the prestigious White House Fellowship program.  Each year, exceptional young men and women are selected to spend a year in Washington, D.C., to gain first-hand experience in the process of governing the nation at the highest levels of the federal government.  Candidates need to be promising young leaders who are excelling early in their careers and are committed to leadership and public service.  To learn more about the Fellowship program, please visit www.whitehouse.gov/fellows.  To download an application, visit www.whitehouse.gov/about/fellows/apply1.

This morning, CNN interviewed Vice President of K-NFB Reading Technology Jim Gashel about the updated knfbReader Mobile.  The knfbReader Mobile, a revolutionary cell phone device that can read most print aloud, can now even recognize colors! Watch the video now!