[MDPOBC] This Giving Tuesday, Support Independence for the Blind of Maryland

[Ronza Othman]

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland - Live the Life You Want!
Dear Federation Members and Friends,

On this Giving Tuesday, and as we complete 59 years of service to blind persons in Maryland, I am asking for your support of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland with a special holiday tax-deductible donation. We accomplished a great deal this year. To continue our work in the coming year, we urgently need your support. In 2025 we:

- Worked with members of the Maryland General Assembly to enact legislation to raise the property tax credit for blind home owners to better align with property values, ensuring that home ownership for blind and low vision Marylanders remains within reach.
- Worked with members of the Maryland General Assembly to enact legislation to incorporate a Braille and tactile U.S. flag in all state-run veteran cemeteries, ensuring the accessibility of ceremonies to honor our veterans for all.
- Awarded scholarships to blind college students and offered paid internships to those seeking work experience early in their careers.
- Provided people with diabetes and vision loss with information managing the complications of their disease.
- Helped blind seniors and those who lost vision recently to live independently with blindness training.

This summer, we served 28 Maryland children through the 18th Braille Enrichment Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy for blind children ages 4 to 12 who have limited vision at three different locations throughout Maryland. Learning to read and write Braille is vital for these children because any limited vision they may have is likely to deteriorate as they mature into adulthood. We engaged in significant advocacy casework for parents, students, seniors, employees, and those who recently lost vision in order to ensure equal access to Maryland programs and services.

We advocated on behalf of dozens of blind and low vision students related to special education. We helped many blind and low vision employees navigate the job search process and advocated in several disability discrimination cases. We provided training and mentorship for those who work in the blindness field and for families, friends, and companies. We also established a Food Insecurity Grant for blind and low vision Marylanders impacted by the suspension of SNAP benefits due to the 2025 prolonged federal government shutdown.

Much more remains to be done. Your donations enable us to do more field work to locate blind individuals who need help and encouragement so they can live the lives they want. Please make your contribution through one of the following ways:

Check:

Please make payable to NFB of Maryland and mail to:

NFB of Maryland

1800 Johnson Street

Suite N1

Baltimore, MD 21230

OR

Zelle:

Use President at nfbmd.org

OR

PayPal and Credit Cards:

Use the Donate button located at https://u42132173.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.wNUTskSrtbfyZvCh3Pf1A4NK-2B2lljM6nA-2Bj6QhrIxr66WcwzqeokXPujJMovRB7VjCQqrTL4GERTi-2F0TRLtv3Q-3D-3DrkHJ_0O-2F-2B-2FnkdW-2BF1WPW1K-2BApXhPm8HRfwZbvgAnFjkdEScNpzPFPLF2W2IATxHCBQfr1xOOgM7P-2BKLvaELhB07yP-2BtDGNMfaQznJtyuKElm1Nv4feotEyAb65lj43H6LJiEB1Pg9Ta7Eho3rioz8dNiJIT6c9XrR2JY94BZKKdkzW94lCxxm-2FyDiRz0knfB3TTWo-2BUM6lkD2gvIsPaYCfGS1btCVv8hbv8PNUNnA7IPxj4vrWYlN2YzZqCzzRbE-2FRLRzFtBppMBhG20mrzVdjZNPecuf-2FWLtOpd3bAhpMs-2BucB8-3D

If you already donated this year, we thank you again for your generous support. Please remember, donations are welcome any time.

Thank you for supporting the independence of the blind of Maryland.

Sincerely,

Ronza Othman, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
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1800 JOHNSON ST
STE N1
BALTIMORE, MD 21230-4914
United States
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