[Iabs-talk] FW: Braille Summit - June 19-21, 2013

[David Meyer]

I received the following message from Steve Benson.  If someone has some extra time, extra cash and a commitment to braille, it might be well worth participating.
 

  _____  

From: Stephen Benson [mailto:stephen.benson at comcast.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2013 5:02 PM
To: carl jacobsen
Subject: Fw: Braille Summit - June 19-21, 2013


 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Patrice  <mailto:patjohn at chipublib.org> Johnson 
To: Stephen Benson <mailto:stephen.benson at comcast.net>  
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2013 5:24 PM
Subject: Braille Summit - June 19-21, 2013


Braille Summit: June 19-21, 2013 


NLS invites you to participate in the NLS Braille Summit at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts, June 19−21, 2013, to help determine the best ways for libraries to promote and support braille literacy. The conference will bring together librarians, braille literacy professionals, braille readers, and other stakeholders.

 

Braille is the only true form of literacy for people who are blind. It increases access to education, allows for fuller participation in society, and drastically increases the odds of employment. Yet studies suggest that less than 10 percent of people who are legally blind in the United States can read braille, and many children who are blind have no opportunity to learn it. As leading providers of braille reading materials, libraries are poised to play a key role in the fight to reverse this trend. NLS is committed to increasing braille literacy as part of its strategic plan. 

 

The conference will allow participants to gather lessons learned from across America and around the world; assess the present state of braille literacy, technology, and access; and make recommendations that will shape braille programs and priorities for the future of the NLS network of cooperating libraries. 

The conference will cover five major themes: Braille Readers, Library Selection and Collection Development, Braille Production, Braille Technology, and Promoting Braille Literacy and Awareness. Participants will have the opportunity to listen to expert speakers in each subject area and then engage in facilitated discussions with their peers, during which they will identify strategic issues and recommend solutions for implementation. We hope that you will join us to lend your own knowledge and experience. 

 

The Crowne Plaza Boston-Newton has been selected as the host hotel and is offering a rate of $159 per night. Attendees are responsible for handling their own lodging and transportation expenses. NLS will provide breakfast and lunch, as well as transportation from the host hotel to the conference facility. 

 

 <https://nlsbard.loc.gov/cgi-bin/public/nlsbardprod/braillesummit2013conference.cgi> Registration form and conference information. available online:

 <https://nlsbard.loc.gov/cgi-bin/public/nlsbardprod/braillesummit2013conference.cgi> https://nlsbard.loc.gov/cgi-bin/public/nlsbardprod/braillesummit2013conference.cgi 

 

Please note that attendance is limited and registration will be closed when capacity is reached. 

 

For more information contact:

Judith Dixon
Consumer Relations Officer
jdix at loc.gov