[Blindtlk] National Federation of the Blind of Virginia Gives the Gift of Independence to Blind Children through Local Braille Training Program

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT:
Tracy Soforenko
President, Potomac Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
(703) 635-2085
PotomacNFB at verizon.net



National Federation of the Blind of Virginia Gives the Gift of Independence
  to Blind Children through Local Braille Training Program

Arlington, Virginia (August 3, 2010): Local members of the National 
Federation of the Blind (NFB) are sponsoring a two-week Braille 
training program for blind children.  The Braille Enrichment through 
Literacy and Learning (BELL) program is designed to provide blind 
children and children with low vision ages four through twelve with 
two weeks of intense Braille instruction via hands-on learning and fun.

The BELL program, which started on July 26 and is continuing through 
August 6, is being held at the Lyon Village Community House in 
Arlington, Virginia.  During the program, children will become 
acquainted with how useful Braille can be as an alternative to 
reading print. Students will be immersed in activities that will 
center on Braille literacy.  For example, children will learn about 
the Braille code and will also learn several other alternative 
nonvisual techniques for being organized. This will be accomplished 
through a combination of arts and crafts, games, outdoor activities, 
and field trips.



"We are raising a generation of functionally-illiterate blind 
children who are unable to read or write as well as their peers 
because they don't have the correct tools or training," said Dr. Fred 
Schroeder, president of the National Federation of the Blind of 
Virginia and former commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services 
Administration.  "Today, fewer than half of all legally blind high 
school students will graduate.  Knowing and using Braille can make 
the difference between a lifetime of dependence or getting a job."



Adults know the powerful connection between knowing Braille and 
employment.  With 70 percent of blind Americans unemployed, it is no 
accident that 90 percent of the employed blind know Braille.



In spite of the bleak employment statistics for the blind, only 10 
percent of blind children are currently learning Braille.  To combat 
the lack of Braille training for our youth, the BELL program is led 
by a certified teacher of the blind and a teacher of the blind in 
Virginia who are serving as the core instruction team from the 
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, along with the 
participation of positive blind role models and local volunteers.



Theresa Willis from Virginia Beach, a blind parent of a blind student 
said: "I have retinitis pigmentosa and have never read a book in my 
life.  I have read a chapter but have given up after that because it 
was too hard with eye strain and headaches.  I don't want that for my 
child and this program has given her what our school district will 
not.  My daughter also has RP and if she learns Braille, she won't 
come home from school crying at the end of the day because her eyes 
are tired and she has headaches.  I want her to be able to read books 
that I have never been able to."



Michael Fish, a teacher of blind students in Arlington said: "Many 
people believe that students with any usable vision should not learn 
Braille. The BELL program provides Braille instruction paired with a 
demonstration that blind and low vision students can accomplish 
anything through the use of alternative techniques.  The program has 
given parents networking opportunities, support from blind role 
models, and a positive image of the possibilities their children can achieve."



The program concludes on Friday, August 6, with an award ceremony 
honoring the achievement of the students.



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