[Blindtlk] National Federation of the Blind Congratulates Blind Driver ChallengeT VIPs

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org



National Federation of the Blind Congratulates
Blind Driver Challenge™ VIPs



Baltimore, Maryland (December 21, 2010): The 
National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the 
oldest and largest nationwide organization of 
blind people in the United States, today 
congratulated the ten Blind Driver Challenge™ 
VIPs who have been awarded trips to the public 
debut of a vehicle equipped with a nonvisual 
interface allowing a blind person to drive it 
independently.  The vehicle, a Ford Escape 
equipped with nonvisual interface technology, 
will be driven by a blind individual  who will 
navigate part of the famed Daytona International 
Speedway course on January 29, 2011, as part of 
the pre-race activities at the 2011 Rolex 24 At Daytona.



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind, said: “We greatly 
appreciate the hard work of our VIPs, as well as 
our other Imagination Fund contributors.  With 
their help, we are able to create innovative 
research, training, education, and technology 
programs that improve the lives of the blind and 
move us closer to our ultimate goal of full 
integration into society on a basis of 
equality.  The Blind Driver Challenge™ is the 
perfect example of the type of innovative program 
we are able to bring about with the help of the 
Imagination Fund.  Our VIPs will truly be 
witnessing an historic event as we 
demonstr<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = 
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" 
/>ate the fruits of our efforts before the 
automobile enthusiasts and racing fans at the 
Rolex 24 At Daytona.  This demonstration will 
break down the wall of stereotypes and 
misconceptions that prevent our full integration 
into society by showing the public that the blind 
have the same capacities as everyone else.  Our 
only challenge is access to the information we need.”



Parnell Diggs, chairman of the Imagination Fund, 
said: “We congratulate our Blind Driver 
Challenge™ VIPs, and thank them for a job well 
done.  It is vital that we raise the funds we 
need to operate the programs of the National 
Federation of the Blind.  Those who registered to 
be Imaginators and raised at least $250 by 
December 15 have our gratitude.  Because of their 
efforts, we are off to a good start in the current campaign."



The ten VIPs won the honor of attending the Rolex 
24 At Daytona by raising at least $250 for the 
National Federation of the Blind Imagination 
Fund, which supports the education, technology, 
and research projects of the NFB Jernigan 
Institute, as well as programs conducted by the 
fifty-two affiliates and over seven-hundred local 
chapters of the Federation.  Four of the VIPs 
were chosen at the 2010 NFB National Convention 
in Dallas, and the other six were chosen last week.



The VIPs will receive roundtrip airfare, 
accommodations at the Plaza Ocean Club, food 
allowance, and a $119 pass to the Daytona 
International Speedway for January 29 to watch 
the debut of a vehicle equipped with a nonvisual 
interface allowing a blind person to drive for the first time independently.



The Blind Driver Challenge™ VIPs are listed below:



1.      Dana Ard

2.      Andrew Braun

3.      Patti Chang

4.      Mark Colasurdo

5.      William O. Jacobs

6.      Patricia Maurer

7.      John Paré

8.      Dwight Sayer

9.      Sue Sebranek

10. Kevan Worley





For more information about the Blind Driver 
Challenge™ and the Rolex 24 At Daytona, please 
visit <http://www.blinddriverchallenge.org/>www.blinddriverchallenge.org.





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About the National Federation of the Blind


With more than 50,000 members, the National 
Federation of the Blind is the largest and most 
influential membership organization of blind 
people in the United States.  The NFB improves 
blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, 
research, technology, and programs encouraging 
independence and self-confidence.  It is the 
leading force in the blindness field today and 
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 
the NFB opened the National Federation of the 
Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and 
training center in the United States for the 
blind led by the blind.  Please visit our Web 
site: <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.