[Fopbc] Fwd: How many children in America are not taught to read?

[FOPBC at aol.com]

-----Original  Message-----
From: Maurer, Patricia <PMaurer at nfb.org>
To:  david.andrews at nfbnet.org
Sent: Thu, Aug 6, 2009 11:58 am
Subject:  [Nfbf-l] How many children in America are not taught to read?

---------- 
From:  Marc Maurer [_mailto:outreach at nfb.org_ (mailto:outreach at nfb.org?) ] 
Sent:  Thursday, July 30, 2009 3:14 PM 
To: Maurer,  Patricia 
Subject: How many children in America are not taught to  read? 

The answer is 90 percent if the children are blind.  Most Americans are 
shocked to hear this statistic. And we should be. The blind  read and write 
using Braille, so why is our educational system failing to  teach Braille to so 
many children? Why are these children being denied the  opportunities that 
come with a proper education? What if you could not read  and write? Where 
would you be today? 

There are three  primary reasons for this educational crisis: (1) there are 
not enough Braille  teachers; (2) some teachers of blind children have not 
received enough  training; and (3) many educators do not think Braille 
instruction is even  necessary. 

To bring critically-needed attention to this  educational crisis, the 
United States Congress authorized the minting of the  2009 Louis Braille 
Bicentennial Silver Dollar with a portion of the sale of  each coin going toward a 
revolutionary and comprehensive Braille literacy  campaign. 

Learning to read and write is fundamental to  education, which in turn is 
paramount to full and equal participation in  American society. This coin, 
the first U.S. coin to have proper tactile  Braille, symbolizes independence, 
opportunity, and the potential of blind  people to make significant 
contributions to society when they are taught to  read and write using Braille. To 
learn more, read our report 
<_http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=yeymcYhMheQ-y7-mcNDRWg..>The_ 
(http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=yeymcYhMheQ-y7-mcNDRWg..>The)   Braille Literacy Crisis in America, or watch 
our video 
<_http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=8AWBxYZpjpELqegcgZlFhg..>Making_ 
(http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=8AWBxYZpjpELqegcgZlFhg..>Making)   Change with a Dollar. 

<_http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=oU7TznrVm6kt3P1O7AWYDg..>Plea
se_ 
(http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=oU7TznrVm6kt3P1O7AWYDg..>Please)   purchase this unique and beautiful coin now and help solve this 
educational  crisis for blind children in America. 

The law authorizing  this 2009 silver dollar requires that any coins not 
sold by midnight on  December 31, 2009, be melted down. Time is of the 
essence--a 90 percent  illiteracy rate is not acceptable and the opportunity to 
purchase this coin  will soon be gone. 

Be part of the solution. Give the gift  of literacy. Create new 
opportunities. 
<_http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=nMVjIeI1iave6Nk717B4dA..>Buy_ 
(http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=nMVjIeI1iave6Nk717B4dA..>Buy)   the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar today. 

Marc  Maurer, President 
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE  BLIND 







Lenora J. Marten,  President
FOPBC NFBF-Parents Division
NFB-Jacksonville Chapter  Secretary
NOPBC/PLP
_FOPBC at aol.com_ (mailto:FOPBC at aol.com)   
904-777-5976 / 904-229-9554
_www.nfbflorida.org/parents_ (http://www.nfbflorida.org/parents)   


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