[Blindtlk] Fwd: [BANA-Announce] NLS Announces Braille Summit

[David Andrews]

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>NLS Braille Summit to be Held at Perkins
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>NLS is inviting participation in the Braille 
>Summit at  Perkins School for the Blind in 
>Watertown, Massachusetts, June 19−21, 2013, to 
>help determine the best ways for libraries to 
>promote and support braille literacy. The 
>conference will bring together librarians, 
>braille literacy professionals, braille readers, and other stakeholders.
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>Braille is the only true form of literacy for 
>people who are blind. It increases access to 
>education, allows for fuller participation in 
>society, and drastically increases the odds of 
>employment. Yet studies suggest that less than 
>10 percent of people who are legally blind in 
>the United States can read braille, and many 
>children who are blind have no opportunity to 
>learn it. As leading providers of braille 
>reading materials, libraries are poised to play a key role in the fight to
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>reverse this trend. NLS is committed to 
>increasing braille literacy as part of its strategic plan.
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>The conference will allow participants to gather 
>lessons learned from across America and around 
>the world; assess the present state of braille 
>literacy, technology, and access; and make 
>recommendations that will shape braille programs 
>and priorities for the future of the NLS network of cooperating libraries.
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>The conference will cover five major themes: 
>Braille Readers, Library Selection and 
>Collection Development, Braille Production, 
>Braille Technology, and Promoting Braille 
>Literacy and Awareness. Participants will have 
>the opportunity to listen to expert speakers in 
>each subject area and then engage in facilitated 
>discussions with their peers, during which they 
>will identify strategic issues and recommend 
>solutions for implementation. We hope that you 
>will join us to lend your own knowledge and experience.
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>The Crowne Plaza Boston-Newton has been selected 
>as the host hotel and is offering a rate of $159 
>per night. Attendees are responsible for 
>handling their own lodging and transportation 
>expenses. NLS will provide breakfast and lunch, 
>as well as transportation from the host hotel to the conference facility.
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>See NLS Home page for registration form and conference information
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>(<http://www.loc.gov/nls/conferences/braillesummit/index.html>http://www.loc.gov/nls/conferences/braillesummit/index.html).
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>Please note that attendance is limited and 
>registration will be closed when capacity is reached.
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>For more information contact: Judith Dixon
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>Consumer Relations Officer -- jdix at loc.gov
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>_______________________________________________
>BANA-Announce mailing list
>BANA-Announce at brailleauthority.org
>http://www.brailleauthority.org/mailman/listinfo/bana-announce