[MD-Sligo] Community Impact: Employment Readiness and Mentorship

Wed Apr 15 13:05:49 UTC 2026

COMMUNITY AND MENTORSHIP CREATE HOPE AND OPPORTUNITIES

> _"There are not many jobs which cannot be performed by blind persons." -
> Dr. Jacobus tenBroek, founding President of the National Federation of
> the Blind_

No one should equate blindness with the end of a productive life, and the
National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not our defining
characteristic. This is apparent at all of our Federation gatherings,
employment events, and especially national conventions, where we can meet
blind professionals in all fields. 

Learn more about our employment initiatives [1]. 

TOGETHER, WE RAISE EXPECTATIONS FOR CAREER SUCCESS

It is a sad fact that blind people have a high rate of unemployment. Our
work to correct this trend demonstrates for blind people and employers that
with proper training, support, and high expectations, career success is
possible. We connect blind and low-vision students with successful blind
role models who help them navigate employment opportunities. 

CAREER QUEST PROGRAM: NETWORKING AND EMPLOYMENT TRAINING

The National Federation of the Blind Career Quest program is specifically
designed to provide pre-employment transition services and mentorship to
blind and low-vision students. Career Quest is a week-long immersive
experience which takes place at the annual NFB National Convention. 

Find more information and registration details for the 2026 Career Quest
program [2]. 

THE MOST AUTHENTIC VOICE IN ACCESSIBLE WORKPLACE TECH

Accessible technology and tools are key to building workplaces where all
people, including blind professionals, can be successful. For decades, the
National Federation of the Blind has been instrumental in developing and
evaluating the most useful access tech, and our leaders are known to be
experts in the field. Jonathan Mosen, in the NFB _Access On_ Podcast and
Webinars, discusses cutting-edge tools used in workplaces and provides
feedback from real user-testing. 

Listen to the recent podcast "Using AI to Improve Productivity on the Job
[3]" and check out all of the recent _Access On_ episodes [4]. 

FROM THE ARCHIVES: SUPPORTING A BLIND FOREIGN SERVICE WORKER IN 1955

Nyal McConoughey was the first blind person to work in the foreign service
overseas. In 1955, shortly after becoming blind while stationed at an air
base in Japan, he wrote to NFB President Jacobus tenBroek about his hope to
resume his occupation. 

Dr. tenBroek wrote back affirmatively and with encouragement, "There are
not many jobs which cannot be performed by blind persons" and offered
concrete assistance: advocacy in Washington, a letter testifying to "the
methods you would employ in doing your work," and guidance on obtaining
training in travel methods and Braille. 

Read more about this fascinating illustration of career support and
mentorship from the Federation's history in this month's _Braille Monitor_
[5]. 

UNTIL NEXT TIME: LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRANSPARENCY AND STEWARDSHIP

The National Federation of the Blind has been recognized for meeting the
most rigorous standards for charity accountability and has earned the
Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and a CharityWatch "A" rating. Check
out our Annual Reports and Audited Financial Statements at
nfb.org/annual-report [6]. 

You are subscribed to our monthly community impact email, where we share
how we are advancing the lives of the Nation's Blind. The National
Federation of the Blind is a network of members, friends, and people like
you who believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people. Contribute to our
work at nfb.org/donate [7]. 

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 		 National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD
21230 | 410-659-9314 

 		 Unsubscribe from this mailing list [13] | Opt out of all mailing lists
[14] | Sign up for our newsletter [15] 

 		 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, MD 21230
United States
.. 

Links:
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[1] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42653&qid=12515534-services/employment
[2] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42653&qid=12515534-services/employment/career-quest
[3] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42654&qid=12515534-and-media/access-on-podcast/using-ai-improve-productivity-job
[4] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42654&qid=12515534-and-media/access-on-podcast
[5] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42643&qid=12515534
[6] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42655&qid=12515534-us/annual-report-and-financials
[7] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42645&qid=12515534
[8] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42646&qid=12515534
[9] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42647&qid=12515534
[10] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42648&qid=12515534
[11] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42649&qid=12515534
[12] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42651&qid=12515534
[13] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=26252&qid=12515534&h=524c2231a8b65680
[14] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=26252&qid=12515534&h=524c2231a8b65680
[15] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=42652&qid=12515534
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