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

[P. R. Stanley]

You forgot the high cost of braille production. Braille displays, 
embossers, and even the old fashioned mechanical braillers are still 
far too expensive for the average blind person who has to live on a 
meagre income on social security.



>--------
>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
>
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