[Electronics-talk] National Federation of the Blind Enhances and Expands Newspaper Service for the Blind

[David Andrews]

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 Enhances and Expands
  Newspaper Service for the Blind





NFB-NEWSLINE®

 Online Offers Blind Individuals More Options for Accessing the News


Baltimore, Maryland (March 31, 2009): 
NFB-NEWSLINE®, the largest electronic newspaper 
service in the world for blind and print-disabled 
Americans, is pleased to announce the launch of 
NFB-NEWSLINE® Online 
(<http://www.nfbnewslineonline.org/>www.nfbnewslineonline.org). 
Through NFB-NEWSLINE® Online’s groundbreaking 
features, subscribers can enjoy both an enhanced 
experience in reading the news and dramatically 
increased flexibility in how they choose to 
access their favorite publication’s content.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind, said: “The NFB-NEWSLINE® 
service was created so that blind people could 
benefit from independent access to information on 
world news and hometown events in the same way 
that our sighted colleagues can.  The new 
features offered by NFB-NEWSLINE® Online are an 
extension of this service’s ability to allow 
independent and flexible access to news content 
by the blind.  I am very proud of the increased 
choice and convenience that initiatives like Web 
News on Demand and NFB-NEWSLINE® In Your Pocket 
provide to NFB-NEWSLINE® subscribers.”

NFB-NEWSLINE®, which began operation in 1995, 
offers over 275 newspapers and magazines as well 
as TV listings to over 65,000 subscribers through 
a standard touch-tone telephone.  With the 
exciting launch of NFB-NEWSLINE® Online, 
subscribers also now have unequaled access and 
unrivaled flexibility in how they read their 
favorite publications.  Two new initiatives have 
been designed to enhance the subscriber’s 
experience: Web News on Demand and NFB-NEWSLINE® In Your Pocket.

Through the easy-to-use Web News on Demand 
feature, subscribers can, for the first time 
ever, visit a secure Web site that offers a 
customizable reading experience and the ability 
to send entire publications, particular sections, 
or single articles to their e-mail inbox.  NFB- 
NEWSLINE® In Your Pocket is a dynamic software 
application that a subscriber installs on his or 
her computer.  Through an Internet connection, 
this software automatically downloads the 
publications of the subscriber’s choice to his or 
her portable digital talking book player (such as 
the Victor Reader Stream or Icon/Braille+).

Jerry Moreno, a retired social worker from North 
Carolina, said: “I love being able to get my 
favorite papers onto my digital talking book 
player in such an easy and quick 
way!  NFB-NEWSLINE® In Your Pocket does it all 
for me, so that I can go about my morning routine 
and by the time I’m done my papers are loaded and 
ready for me to read along with my cup of coffee.”

David DeNotaris, director of Bureau of Blindness 
& Visual Services with the Pennsylvania Office of 
Vocational Rehabilitation, said: “As a husband, 
father, avid sports fan, and busy professional, I 
particularly appreciate the fact that Web News on 
Demand allows me to access relevant local, 
national, and international news quickly, simply, and independently.”

To experience the groundbreaking features of 
NFB-NEWSLINE® Online, please visit 
<http://www.nfbnewslineonline.org/>www.nfbnewslineonline.org. 
For further information please write to 
<mailto:swhite at nfb.org>swhite at nfb.org or call (866) 504-7300.


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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.