[Iabs-talk] National Federation of the Blind Announces March Drive for Imaginators

[Patti Gregory-Chang]

Mr. Diggs and Ms. Mayne tell me that NFB of Illinois has 5 people signed up 
so far.   We need to increase that number in the month of March.  We 
definitely want to be in this drawing and we want a good showing in this 
drive to make technology accessible for all.   Please call our national 
center or go to the race for independence.org to sign up.  It is easy. 
Then drop me an e-mail to let me know that you have joined our Illinois 
contingent.

Subject: National Federation of the Blind Announces March Drive for 
Imaginators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


 CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org


National Federation of the Blind
Announces March Drive for Imaginators


Join the Race for Independence and Win Funds for Your Affiliate




Baltimore, Maryland (March 8, 2010): With five months remaining in the
first phase of the National Federation of the Blind's Race for
Independence, Imagination Fund Chairman Parnell Diggs today urged
affiliates to sign up as many of their members as possible by March 31.
For every ten members of each of the Federation's fifty-two affiliates
that sign up to be Imaginators and participate in the Race for
Independence by the end of March, the affiliate will be entered in a
drawing to receive $250.  The Race for Independence is designed to raise
funds for the National Federation of the Blind Imagination Fund, which
supports the education, technology, and research projects of the NFB
Jernigan Institute, as well as programs conducted by the fifty-two
affiliates and over seven hundred local chapters of the Federation.  The
Race for Independence will also bring public attention to the need for
full and equal access for blind Americans to modern technology, in
everything from home appliances to automobiles.



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
said: "The Imagination Fund represents the hopes and aspirations of
blind Americans.  Through this effort we are able to create innovative
research, training, education, and technology programs that improve the
lives of the blind and move us closer to our ultimate goal of full
integration into society on a basis of equality.  The crisis in Braille
literacy for blind children and advances in technology that, if not
properly designed, will threaten the independence of the blind mean that
time is of the essence.  But I am confident that with the help of our
members and friends, we will ensure that blind children are literate and
can pursue the

career of their choice; that blind people have access to cutting-edge
technology; and that opportunities for all blind Americans are limited
only by our capacity to dream.  I am certain that friendly competition
among our affiliates will dramatically increase the number of
Imaginators participating in this important effort."



Parnell Diggs, chairman of the NFB Imagination Fund, said; "It is
crucial that we register as many Imaginators as possible by the end of
March to put us in the best possible position to maximize the success of
the 2010 campaign.  We will then have three full months before our
convention in Dallas to put the pedal to the metal and solicit
donations. Let's race!"



To sign up to be an Imaginator and help build the Imagination Fund,
please visit www.raceforindependence.org
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/>  or call (410) 659-9314, extension
2371.





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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.