[nabs-l] Fw: [blindkid] _That _the _Blind _May _Read on DVD

[Peter Donahue]

Good morning everyone,

                 We are writing to those who are in charge of 
chapter-sponsored
Braille classes regarding the video _That _the _Blind _May _Read. According
to Ellen Ringlein, manager of the Independence Market, _That _the _Blind
_May _Read is now free of charge but is only on VHS videocassette, and so 
far, it is neither on the
Web site as a downloadable file nor is it on DVD. Videocassette 
players/recorders are an endangered species these days making it difficult 
to show presentations not available on DVD or as an Internet download. So 
far, there are no plans
to put this video on DVD.

    Those who saw this video when it was released in 1985 recall its 
powerful message which sadly is still very much true today. Braille is an 
essential skill for independence, life-long learning, and full participation 
in society.
Those denied Braille instruction as a child suffer life-long consequences as 
illustrated by the testimonies of the blind adults featured in that video.

                If we can work with Dr. Maurer, Ed Morman, and our national 
office , perhaps "That the Blind May Read" could be made available as a DVD 
or as a
downloadable file from the NFB Web Site. We wanted to show it at a future 
Chapter Braille
class, but now, We'll have to substitute one of the other shorter videos
such as _What _Braille _Means _to _Me.

 When we  first saw _That _the
_Blind _May _Read at a state convention, we , along with everyone else in 
the
room, got very emotional. There was lots of cleanex being passed around that 
afternoon. We all care for Braille and want to have as many people learn the 
skill as possible before the 2015 goal. Let's see what
we can do to preserve _That _the _Blind _May _Read as a download and/or on
DVD.                May you all have a great New Year!


 Peter and Mary Donahue