[il-talk] Fw: [nfbwnews] FW: National Federation of the Blind Congratulates BlindDriver ChallengeT VIPs

Tue Dec 21 23:37:31 UTC 2010

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dick & Mary Scholl 
To: Don Gillmore ; dave meyer ; Charlene Elder 
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 3:03 PM
Subject: Fw: [nfbwnews] FW: National Federation of the Blind Congratulates BlindDriver ChallengeT VIPs

----- Original Message ----- 
From: NFB-Wisconsin 
To: nfbwnews at nfbwis.org 
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 10:38 AM
Subject: [nfbwnews] FW: National Federation of the Blind Congratulates BlindDriver ChallengeT VIPs

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 Congratulates 
Blind Driver ChallengeT VIPs

Baltimore, Maryland (December 21, 2010): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind people in the United States, today congratulated the ten Blind Driver ChallengeT VIPs who have been awarded trips to the public debut of a vehicle equipped with a nonvisual interface allowing a blind person to drive it independently.  The vehicle, a Ford Escape equipped with nonvisual interface technology, will be driven by a blind individual  who will navigate part of the famed Daytona International Speedway course on January 29, 2011, as part of the pre-race activities at the 2011 Rolex 24 At Daytona.  

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "We greatly appreciate the hard work of our VIPs, as well as our other Imagination Fund contributors.  With their help, 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 Blind Driver ChallengeT is the perfect example of the type of innovative program we are able to bring about with the help of the Imagination Fund.  Our VIPs will truly be witnessing an historic event as we demonstrate the fruits of our efforts before the automobile enthusiasts and racing fans at the Rolex 24 At Daytona.  This demonstration will break down the wall of stereotypes and misconceptions that prevent our full integration into society by showing the public that the blind have the same capacities as everyone else.  Our only challenge is access to the information we need."

Parnell Diggs, chairman of the Imagination Fund, said: "We congratulate our Blind Driver ChallengeT VIPs, and thank them for a job well done.  It is vital that we raise the funds we need to operate the programs of the National Federation of the Blind.  Those who registered to be Imaginators and raised at least $250 by December 15 have our gratitude.  Because of their efforts, we are off to a good start in the current campaign." 

The ten VIPs won the honor of attending the Rolex 24 At Daytona by raising at least $250 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.  Four of the VIPs were chosen at the 2010 NFB National Convention in Dallas, and the other six were chosen last week.

The VIPs will receive roundtrip airfare, accommodations at the Plaza Ocean Club, food allowance, and a $119 pass to the Daytona International Speedway for January 29 to watch the debut of a vehicle equipped with a nonvisual interface allowing a blind person to drive for the first time independently.

The Blind Driver ChallengeT VIPs are listed below:

1.      Dana Ard  

2.      Andrew Braun  

3.      Patti Chang  

4.      Mark Colasurdo  

5.      William O. Jacobs  

6.      Patricia Maurer  

7.      John Paré 

8.      Dwight Sayer  

9.      Sue Sebranek  

10. Kevan Worley  

For more information about the Blind Driver ChallengeT and the Rolex 24 At Daytona, please visit www.blinddriverchallenge.org.

###

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.  Please visit our Web site: www.nfb.org.

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