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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><SPAN class=762455916-16092009>Hi
all,</SPAN></FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><SPAN
class=762455916-16092009></SPAN></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><SPAN class=762455916-16092009>I think I
sent this, but just in case I didn't, or you didn't save it, this is the email
from Dr. Maurer which is short, but really hits the nail on the head. And
this has important links so folks can easily go right to them.
I'm sending this letter, with a brief personal letter at the beginning,
to lots of people in my address book. Even if you don't read
Braille, that's a fact you can use to show how difficult it has been for many
years to convince universities, school systems and parents that teaching Braille
is of vital importance even for children with some remaining vision. Do
sighted kids or their parents ever have a choice about whether learning to read
printshould be part of their education? People would think you were crazy
if you proposed this option. Anyway, I think the following letter, along
with a few personal and heartfelt lines, would be a great email for all of us to
send out. And the link to the Mint is right in the letter, in case you
yourself haven't purchased any coins yet and wish to do so. Thanks for
helping our affiliate sell those coins, which will raise much needed funds for
Braille literacy programs!</SPAN></FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><SPAN
class=762455916-16092009></SPAN></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><SPAN
class=762455916-16092009>Sherrill</SPAN></FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><SPAN
class=762455916-16092009>NFBF Braille
Coordinator</SPAN></FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<HR>
<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> Marc Maurer [<A
href="mailto:outreach@nfb.org" eudora="autourl"> mailto:outreach@nfb.org</A>]
<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, July 30, 2009 3:14 PM<BR><B>Subject:</B> How many
children in America are not taught to read?<BR><BR></FONT>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? <BR> <BR>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. <BR><BR>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. <BR> <BR>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
<A
href="http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=yeymcYhMheQ-y7-mcNDRWg..">The
Braille Literacy Crisis in America</A>, or watch our video <A
href="http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=8AWBxYZpjpELqegcgZlFhg..">Making
Change with a Dollar</A>. <BR><BR><A
href="http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=oU7TznrVm6kt3P1O7AWYDg..">Please
purchase this unique and beautiful coin now</A> and help solve this educational
crisis for blind children in America. <BR><BR>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. <BR><BR>Be part of the solution. Give the gift of
literacy. Create new opportunities. <A
href="http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=nMVjIeI1iave6Nk717B4dA..">Buy
the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar today</A>. <BR><BR>Marc
Maurer, President<BR>NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND<BR><BR></BODY></HTML>