[Fopbc] NFBF Gainseville Chapter Announces Meet the Blind Event Saturday, October 10

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PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE  PRESS RELEASE 
OCTOBER 1,  2009 
MEET THE BLIND, an event  scheduled for Saturday, October 10, in 
Gainesville, provides a unique opportunity for  two segments of the community, the 
blind and the sighted, to come together so  that the visually impaired may show 
the community what they are capable of in  today's hi-tech world. Since 
October is Vision Awareness Month, the Gainesville  Chapter of the National 
Federation of the Blind has planned various activities  for the afternoon from 
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church,  such as Braille 
reading and writing, puppy training for guide dogs, a  demonstration of a guide 
dog and partner in action and some of the latest  hi-tech equipment that 
permit the blind and visually impaired to live productive  lives. 
Visually impaired children  in the community will demonstrate their skills 
in reading and writing Braille.  It is also a celebration of the 200th 
birthday of Louis Braille, inventor of the  Braille code. 
The guide dog  demonstrations are provided to educate the public of the 
proper etiquette around  a working guide dog and the various techniques used in 
harness training for  puppies who are selected for guide dog training. 
The National Federation of  the Blind (NFB) is an advocacy group for the 
blind and visually impaired and was  instrumental in getting the Americans 
with Disabilities Act passed into law.  They initiated the White Cane Program 
giving the blind and visually impaired  visibility and safety in public. The 
NFB is currently engaged in seeking to have  hybrid and electric cars be 
equipped with some sound as a safety factor for not  only the blind, but for 
all pedestrians and bicyclists. 
The NFB is encouraging  local chapters to present these Meet The Blind 
events in their communities to  inform and educate the sighted community that 
visually impaired persons are  capable of many of the same activities as the 
sighted community. A number of  blind and visually impaired persons hold 
responsible positions in the community  and can share information on the type of 
technologies they use to perform their  duties. This event is being 
sponsored by the Law Firm of Salter Feiber Murphy  Hutson & Menet, P.A., Holy 
Trinity Episcopal Church, Insight Low Vision  Products, Inc., Gainesville 
University City Lions Club, and Rocher  Enterprises. 
Judy Hamilton, president of  the Gainesville chapter, NFB, (352-373-7806) 
and Kathy Roskos, event  chairwoman,(352-372-9187), , invite everyone to come 
and participate in this  unique event at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 
4011 NW 34th Street, from 1:00  PM to 4:00 PM, October 10. 
Submitted  by: 
Georgia "Pete"  Vickers 
352-376-7475 
georgiapete at cox.net
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