[Iabs-talk] FW: [Nfb-newsline-sponsors] Critical Funding Shortage Threatens NFB-NEWSLINER in Michigan

Wed Sep 1 15:35:07 UTC 2010

Hello Everyone,

I am sending this item for two reasons.  First, all of us who use NewsLine
or who are eligible to use NewsLine should be thankful and greatful that
mechanisms have been put in place for permanent funding, at least as
permanent as funding can be.  Secondly, since we have NewsLine and will
continue to have NewsLine for the forseeable future, it benefits all of us
to use what we have in any way that we are able to use it.  In the case of
NewsLine that means using the phone, the internet, and even a digetal
talking book playing device if that is what you choose to do.  Let us all
take advantage of what we have so that we may continue to have it. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-newsline-sponsors-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-newsline-sponsors-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Freeh,Jessica
(by way of David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>)
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 9:26 PM
To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfb-newsline-sponsors] Critical Funding Shortage Threatens
NFB-NEWSLINER in Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:

    Larry Posont, President

    National Federation of the Blind of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Michigan

    Phone: (313) 271-3058

    E-mail: <mailto:president.nfb.mi at gmail.com>president.nfb.mi at gmail.com

    Scott White, Director, NFB-NEWSLINER
    Phone: (410) 659-9314, extension 2231
    E-mail: swhite at nfb.org

Critical Funding Shortage Threatens NFB-NEWSLINER

 in Michigan

Thousands of Print-Disabled Michigan Residents May Lose Free, Independent
Access to Newspapers and Magazines

Baltimore, Maryland (August 31, 2010):  Due to lack of funding,
NFB-NEWSLINER, a free service that provides independent access by
print-disabled people to hundreds of local and national publications and TV
listings, will be turned off in Michigan, effective October 1, 2010.
Termination of this service will drastically limit the ability of thousands
of print-disabled Michigan residents to obtain in-depth information about
international affairs, local events, and breaking news easily and
independently.

NFB-NEWSLINER allows those who cannot read conventional newsprint due to a
visual or physical disability to listen to newspapers and magazines over the
telephone, on the Web, or by download to a digital talking-book player.
Through the service, print-disabled people can access over three hundred
newspapers and magazines independently, determining how, when, and where
they wish to read their favorite publications.  If funding is not found on
or before October 1, 2010, blind and print-disabled Michigan residents will
no longer have access to NFB-NEWSLINER.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"With NFB-NEWSLINER, blind and print-disabled people can benefit from the
vital news contained in newspapers and magazines.  Access to information
such as analyses of current events, political commentary, and international
news helps all individuals, including the print-disabled, to be successful
participants in their workplaces and in the world.  NFB-NEWSLINER offers us
the ability to read the news independently, choosing the content that is of
interest to us.  As a subscriber, I truly benefit from the service every
day, and would very much miss reading the paper with my morning cup of
coffee."

NFB-NEWSLINER offers six Michigan newspapers, including the Detroit Free
Press, the Detroit News, the Flint Journal, Grand Rapids Press, Lansing
State Journal, and the Mining Journal, as well as the Michigan Associated
Press wire feed.  In addition to state newspapers from Michigan and across
the nation, subscribers have access to many national publications, including
the New York Times, USA Today, Popular Science, the Economist, and the
Christian Science Monitor.  NFB-NEWSLINER also provides print-disabled
Michigan residents access to information from state agencies and legislative
bodies that can otherwise be difficult to obtain.  Through a state-specific
channel on the service, entities such as the Michigan Commission for the
Blind, Michigan Legislative Service Bureau, the Michigan State House of
Representatives, and the Michigan State Senate can provide, at no cost,
vital information to this population in an accessible format.

"This truly is a crisis for the blind and print-disabled of Michigan, as we
will be losing an incredibly valuable service that helps us to connect with
the world at large and with our own communities," said Larry Posont,
president of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan.  "With
NFB-NEWSLINER, for more than ten years I have been able to read the Wall
Street Journal, Roll Call, and the New York Times to keep up on national
news and to learn about economic forecasts and pending governmental
legislation.  I also read the Lansing State Journal to learn about events in
my community.  Losing this innovative service would have a profoundly
negative impact on my life, as the service helps me not only as a citizen
and retired businessman, but also in my role as an advocate for the blind in
Michigan State."

Peter Zaremba, a blind resident of Michigan,
said: "Using NFB-NEWSLINER I can access at any time and at any place the
same essential and entertaining news that my sighted peers enjoy.  This
helps me to be successful in my business of course, but also in my
relationships with others, as conversations with colleagues, neighbors, and
friends often revolve around the news of the day.  It would be virtually
impossible for me to obtain the news I need without NFB-NEWSLINER and I
would miss having access to this invaluable resource were it to be shut
down."

Scott White, director of NFB-NEWSLINER, said: 
"While it would be a great shame to close this vital service to blind
Michigan residents, unless we are able to locate or are provided with a
funding source, we have no choice but to turn off NFB-NEWSLINER in Michigan
on October 1."

To learn how you can help keep NFB-NEWSLINER available in Michigan, please
call Larry Posont, president of the National Federation of the Blind of
Michigan, at (313) 271-3058 or send e-mail to president.nfb.mi at gmail.com.

To learn more about NFB-NEWSLINER, please visit
<http://www.nfbnewsline.org/>www.nfbnewsline.org.

###

About the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

With chapters in all major cities, the Michigan 
affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind 
is the largest and most influential membership 
organization of blind people in the Great Lakes 
State.  Since 1941, in connection with thousands 
of blind Michigan residents, the National 
Federation of the Blind of Michigan has worked to 
improve the lives of blind citizens in its 
affiliate through advocacy, education, and 
programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.

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