[Blindvet-talk] National Federation of the Blind Launches "Project VIP" t...

[Hipupe at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/4/2008 2:19:26 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
JFreeh at nfb.org writes:

FOR  IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Public  Relations Specialist

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410)  262-1281  (Cell)

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





National  Federation of the Blind Launches
"Project VIP" to Help Blind Voters on  Election Day





Voting Specialists Will Provide Advice and  Assistance to Blind Voters



Baltimore, Maryland (October 21,  2008): The National Federation of 
the Blind, the nation's leading advocate  for the voting rights of 
blind people, announced today that it is  launching Project VIP 
(Voting with Independence and Privacy), a toll-free  hotline that will 
be available to blind voters across the United States on  Election 
Day.  The purpose of the hotline is to help blind voters who  are 
experiencing problems voting independently and privately as required  
by the Help America Vote Act.  The National Federation of the Blind  
will have voting specialists on call to provide support to blind  
voters who call from their polling locations and to assist in  
troubleshooting problems with nonvisual voting technology.  If a  
blind voter is unable to vote independently and privately, the voting  
specialists will record details such as the city, state, and polling  
location.  The information from situations that cannot be resolved  
during a phone call to the Project VIP hotline will be referred to 
the  proper authorities for follow-up action.



Dr. Marc Maurer,  President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
said: "There is no  right that is more fundamental in a democratic 
nation than the right to  vote, and the 2008 presidential election is 
the first election in which  blind Americans are guaranteed the right 
to cast their vote for president  independently and privately.  The 
National Federation of the Blind is  setting up Project VIP to ensure 
that every blind voter can exercise this  historic and invaluable 
right, for which blind Americans have fought and  will continue to protect."



On November 4, blind voters who  experience problems voting 
independently and privately are urged to call  877-NFB-1940 
(877-632-1940) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (EST).  The voting  specialists 
answering this number will assist the blind voter and/or the  poll 
worker in resolving the issue.  Voters are urged to call  directly 
from their polling location to resolve voting issues rather than  
simply reporting problems after they  occur.



###





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.




As a long time member of NFB and a veteran of WW!! even though I am  sighted 
I said that I would not be actually doing anything when I joined a  little 
over a year ago. However, I have just been appointed to the committee  on 
veterans with vision problem of the New York State Jewish War Veterans.  So far I 
have said that I will send to you whatever I get through JWV in  return for your 
sending me whatever new information you receive that I do not  have.
 
Sara S. Berger
408 Beach 141 Street
Belle Harbor, NY 11694
 
1 7181634-5505
HIGHPUPEAT AOLDOTCOM 
 
 


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