[Artbeyondsightmuseums] How many children in America are not taught to read?

[Maurer, Patricia]

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From: Marc Maurer [mailto:outreach at nfb.org]
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 3:14 PM
To: Maurer, Patricia
Subject: How many children in America are not taught to read?

The answer is 90 percent if the children are blind.  Most Americans 
are shocked to hear this statistic.  And we should be.  The blind 
read and write using Braille, so why is our educational system 
failing to teach Braille to so many children?  Why are these children 
being denied the opportunities that come with a proper 
education?  What if you could not read and write?  Where would you be today?

There are three primary reasons for this educational crisis: (1) 
there are not enough Braille teachers; (2) some teachers of blind 
children have not received enough training; and (3) many educators do 
not think Braille instruction is even necessary.

To bring critically-needed attention to this educational crisis, the 
United States Congress authorized the minting of the 2009 Louis 
Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar with a portion of the sale of each 
coin going toward a revolutionary and comprehensive Braille literacy 
campaign.

Learning to read and write is fundamental to education, which in turn 
is paramount to full and equal participation in American 
society.  This coin, the first U.S. coin to have proper tactile 
Braille, symbolizes independence, opportunity, and the potential of 
blind people to make significant contributions to society when they 
are taught to read and write using Braille.  To learn more, read our 
report 
<http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=yeymcYhMheQ-y7-mcNDRWg..>The 
Braille Literacy Crisis in America, or watch our video 
<http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=8AWBxYZpjpELqegcgZlFhg..>Making 
Change with a Dollar.

<http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=oU7TznrVm6kt3P1O7AWYDg..>Please 
purchase this unique and beautiful coin now and help solve this 
educational crisis for blind children in America.

The law authorizing this 2009 silver dollar requires that any coins 
not sold by midnight on December 31, 2009, be melted down.  Time is 
of the essence--a 90 percent illiteracy rate is not acceptable and 
the opportunity to purchase this coin will soon be gone.

Be part of the solution.  Give the gift of literacy.  Create new 
opportunities. 
<http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=nMVjIeI1iave6Nk717B4dA..>Buy 
the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar today.

Marc Maurer, President
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND