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<font face="Tahoma" size=2><b>From:</b> Marc Maurer
[<a href="mailto:outreach@nfb.org" eudora="autourl">
mailto:outreach@nfb.org</a>] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, July 30, 2009 3:14 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Maurer, Patricia<br>
<b>Subject:</b> How many children in America are not taught to
read?<br><br>
</font>The answer is 90 percent if the children are blind. Most
Americans are shocked to hear this statistic. And we should
be. The blind read and write using Braille, so why is our
educational system failing to teach Braille to so many children?
Why are these children being denied the opportunities that come with a
proper education? What if you could not read and write? Where
would you be today? <br>
<br>
There are three primary reasons for this educational crisis: (1) there
are not enough Braille teachers; (2) some teachers of blind children have
not received enough training; and (3) many educators do not think Braille
instruction is even necessary. <br><br>
To bring critically-needed attention to this educational crisis, the
United States Congress authorized the minting of the 2009 Louis Braille
Bicentennial Silver Dollar with a portion of the sale of each coin going
toward a revolutionary and comprehensive Braille literacy campaign.
<br>
<br>
Learning to read and write is fundamental to education, which in turn is
paramount to full and equal participation in American society. This
coin, the first U.S. coin to have proper tactile Braille, symbolizes
independence, opportunity, and the potential of blind people to make
significant contributions to society when they are taught to read and
write using Braille. To learn more, read our report
<a href="http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=yeymcYhMheQ-y7-mcNDRWg..">
The Braille Literacy Crisis in America</a>, or watch our video
<a href="http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=8AWBxYZpjpELqegcgZlFhg..">
Making Change with a Dollar</a>. <br><br>
<a href="http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=oU7TznrVm6kt3P1O7AWYDg..">
Please purchase this unique and beautiful coin now</a> and help solve
this educational crisis for blind children in America. <br><br>
The law authorizing this 2009 silver dollar requires that any coins not
sold by midnight on December 31, 2009, be melted down. Time is of
the essence--a 90 percent illiteracy rate is not acceptable and the
opportunity to purchase this coin will soon be gone. <br><br>
Be part of the solution. Give the gift of literacy. Create
new opportunities.
<a href="http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=nMVjIeI1iave6Nk717B4dA..">
Buy the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar today</a>.
<br><br>
Marc Maurer, President<br>
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND<br><br>
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