The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) award-winning Money Smart curriculum is now available in Braille and large-print versions, marking the first time a financial education program has been specifically targeted for individuals with visual impairments.

"The FDIC recognizes that those with visual impairments should have the same opportunities as the rest of society, and that includes access to financial education and mainstream financial services," said FDIC Chairman Shelia C. Bair. "The new Braille and large-print versions of our Money Smart financial education program will be an excellent complement to other educational and transition-service programs designed to reach individuals with visual impairments."

The FDIC's Dallas Regional Office, in partnership with the American Foundation for the Blind, the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, and the Volunteer Center of North Texas, will host a Financial Education Kickoff to roll out Money Smart for the Visually Impaired on Tuesday, November 14th, in Dallas, Texas. A similar event was held by the FDIC Kansas City Regional Office on October 31st, and another will be held in the FDIC's New York Regional Office in the near future.

The Dallas kickoff will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the American Foundation for the Blind, 11030 Ables Lane, Dallas, TX. For more information about the event, call FDIC Community Affairs Officer Eloy Villafranca at 972-761-8010.

Money Smart is available free of charge to help consumers understand basic financial services, build assets, develop money-management skills and learn how to use banking services effectively. The FDIC works with national and local organizations to promote Money Smart to their constituents. Money Smart is also available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian, and an interactive CD ROM version.

To learn more about the FDIC's Money Smart program, visit the Money Smart page on the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/index.html. Since July 2001, when Money Smart was launched, more than 495,000 consumers have completed a Money Smart course and more than 95,000 new banking relationships have been established with Money Smart students. Money Smart was awarded the 2003 Service to America Medal by the Partnership for Public Service.

Call or write the Division for Blind Services for information about the Money Smart classes and services for persons who are blind or visually impaired at 1-800-628-5115 or DARS.Inquiries@dars.state.tx.us.

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Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1933 to restore public confidence in the nation's banking system. The FDIC insures deposits at the nation's 8,778 banks and savings associations and it promotes the safety and soundness of these institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to which they are exposed. The FDIC receives no federal tax dollars - insured financial institutions fund its operations.

FDIC press releases and other information are available on the Internet at www.fdic.gov, by subscription electronically (go to www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html) and may also be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center (877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200). MS-5-2006