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. |
   |
Upcoming Events
Fall 2008: State Conventions
Affiliate conventions are an important part of our nationwide movement and generally feature information about issues, programs, and services affecting the blind at the state level; the election of state officers; deliberations on state and local policy matters; special exhibits of interest to members; opportunities to develop friendships and mentoring relationships; and more. Fall convention season is approaching, so here is a list of some of the upcoming scheduled conventions. For more information about state conventions, contact your affiliate.
Date(s) Affiliate City
November 6-9 Colorado Colorado Springs
November 7-9 Pennsylvania Middletown
November 7-9 New Jersey Clarke
November 7-9 Wisconsin Madison
November 7-9 Oregon Medford
November 14-16 Maryland Ocean City
November 14-16 Michigan Lansing
November 15 Puerto Rico San Juan
July 26 - August 1, 2009: Youth Slam
Attention blind and low vision high school students: leave your boring summer behind and join us for the second NFB Youth Slam! This summer academy will not only provide hands-on experience with science, technology, engineering, and math, but also give you the chance to meet other blind and low vision youth and adults from all over the United States. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! Apply for the NFB Youth Slam today!
What's New
Google Settlement Will Have
Positive Results for the Blind
The recent settlement between Google and authors and publishers over the Google Books project, if approved by the courts, will have a profound and positive impact on the ability of blind people to access the printed word. Blind people, like other members of the public, will be able to search the texts of books in the Google Books database online; purchase some books in an accessible format; or access accessible books at libraries and other entities that have an institutional subscription to the Google Books database. For more information on the settlement, please read the official press release.
NFB Launches Project VIP
to Help Blind Voters on Election Day
Project VIP (Voting with Independence and Privacy) is a toll-free hotline that will be available to blind voters across the United States on Election Day. The purpose of the hotline is to help blind voters who are experiencing problems voting independently and privately as required by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The NFB will have voting specialists on call to provide support to blind voters who call from their polling locations and to assist in troubleshooting problems with nonvisual voting technology. On November 4, blind voters who experience problems voting independently and privately are urged to call 877-NFB-1940 (877-632-1940) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (EST). For more information, please read the official Project VIP press release or visit our HAVA fact page.
Register Now for Braille Reading Pals
Learning to love books and reading begins at home long before your child starts formal reading instruction. Braille Reading Pals is a free program that encourages and rewards parents who spend time reading daily with their blind or visually impaired child. The program starts November 1 and ends December 31, 2008. Blind and low vision children ages newborn-7 and older children who are not yet reading are eligible to participate. Parents and other caregivers of children eligible for this program can register online now! For more information about the Braille Reading Pals program, please visit the Braille Reading Pals page.
