From JFreeh at nfb.org Wed Aug 4 02:40:14 2010 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:40:14 -0500 Subject: [Nfb-dc] National Federation of the Blind of Virginia Gives the Gift of Independence to Blind Children through Local Braille Training Program Message-ID: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Tracy Soforenko President, Potomac Chapter National Federation of the Blind of Virginia (703) 635-2085 PotomacNFB at verizon.net National Federation of the Blind of Virginia Gives the Gift of Independence to Blind Children through Local Braille Training Program Arlington, Virginia (August 3, 2010): Local members of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) are sponsoring a two-week Braille training program for blind children. The Braille Enrichment through Literacy and Learning (BELL) program is designed to provide blind children and children with low vision ages four through twelve with two weeks of intense Braille instruction via hands-on learning and fun. The BELL program, which started on July 26 and is continuing through August 6, is being held at the Lyon Village Community House in Arlington, Virginia. During the program, children will become acquainted with how useful Braille can be as an alternative to reading print. Students will be immersed in activities that will center on Braille literacy. For example, children will learn about the Braille code and will also learn several other alternative nonvisual techniques for being organized. This will be accomplished through a combination of arts and crafts, games, outdoor activities, and field trips. "We are raising a generation of functionally-illiterate blind children who are unable to read or write as well as their peers because they don't have the correct tools or training," said Dr. Fred Schroeder, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia and former commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration. "Today, fewer than half of all legally blind high school students will graduate. Knowing and using Braille can make the difference between a lifetime of dependence or getting a job." Adults know the powerful connection between knowing Braille and employment. With 70 percent of blind Americans unemployed, it is no accident that 90 percent of the employed blind know Braille. In spite of the bleak employment statistics for the blind, only 10 percent of blind children are currently learning Braille. To combat the lack of Braille training for our youth, the BELL program is led by a certified teacher of the blind and a teacher of the blind in Virginia who are serving as the core instruction team from the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, along with the participation of positive blind role models and local volunteers. Theresa Willis from Virginia Beach, a blind parent of a blind student said: "I have retinitis pigmentosa and have never read a book in my life. I have read a chapter but have given up after that because it was too hard with eye strain and headaches. I don't want that for my child and this program has given her what our school district will not. My daughter also has RP and if she learns Braille, she won't come home from school crying at the end of the day because her eyes are tired and she has headaches. I want her to be able to read books that I have never been able to." Michael Fish, a teacher of blind students in Arlington said: "Many people believe that students with any usable vision should not learn Braille. The BELL program provides Braille instruction paired with a demonstration that blind and low vision students can accomplish anything through the use of alternative techniques. The program has given parents networking opportunities, support from blind role models, and a positive image of the possibilities their children can achieve." The program concludes on Friday, August 6, with an award ceremony honoring the achievement of the students. ## -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From GAIL.CEPHAS at hq.doe.gov Wed Aug 11 18:39:02 2010 From: GAIL.CEPHAS at hq.doe.gov (Cephas, Gail) Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:39:02 -0400 Subject: [Nfb-dc] National Federation of the Blind, District of Columbia, August events Message-ID: Please join DC for two upcoming August events: Annual Game Day Greater DC Chapter Date: Saturday, august 14, 2010 Address: 2001 Fifteenth Street Northwest (walking distance from the U Street - Cardozo Metro station) The Campbell heights Senior Facility dining hall Washington, DC Time: 1 pm to 5 pm Cost: Free of charge Have fun playing Bingo, cards, Monopoly, dominoes, and other games. Refreshments will be served Please call Valerie Jackson at (202) 232.8502 for any questions. The Capital East Chapter Invites you to an evening of music, dancing, fellowship, fun, food, and games just to meet hansom single guys and lovely single women. Date: Friday, August 20, 2010 Time: 7 to 11 P.M. Address: 5233 North Capitol Street, Northeast (near the Fort Totten Metro station) The Community Room of the Plymouth Apartment Complex Washington, DC Cost: $5.00 donation RSVP: Please call Karen at 301-336-2520, On or before Tuesday, August 17 Light food and beverages will be served, and don't forget to bring your dancing shoes! From fschroeder at sks.com Fri Aug 13 23:56:38 2010 From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder) Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:56:38 -0500 Subject: [Nfb-dc] NFB of Virginia August 2011 Cruise Opens for Reservations Message-ID: Dear Federation Friends and Family!!! We are excited to announce that we are now ready to take reservations for the fund-raiser cruise organized by the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia. Due to overwhelming demand, we are accepting reservations with deposits immediately. Please join us on a seven day fun-filled cruise departing from Baltimore MD on August 21, 2011. We will visit Port Canaveral, Orlando, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas and Freeport, Bahamas. We will be on the beautiful Carnival Pride. Please follow the link below to get information about the ship. http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_pride/default.aspx?shipCode=PR Our travel agent Anahit LaBarre is ready to assist you and answer any question you have. Here are the cost specifics: * Inside cabin start at $926 per person * Balconies start at $1086 per person * Ocean View cabins start at $1066 per person * Suites start at $1616 per person with a Penthouse Suite at $ 2286 per person. * 3rd and 4th passenger prices come on average to 70% of the full price. We are very happy to say that the first eight balcony cabins booked will receive a $20 per person discount. Please feel free to contact Anahit LaBarre for additional details. She can be reached at alabarre at labarretravel.com or 720-334-3652. Please take a moment to read the important information below: Prices are per person based on double occupancy cruise only and do include all taxes, fees and gratuities and may vary a little depending on which deck the cabin would be on. Optional shore excursions and insurance are available. Carnival Cruise Line reserves the right to charge fuel supplement should fuel prices go up significantly. Minimum deposit of $50 per person is due by September 6, 2010. Payment plans can be arranged. Suites and ocean view cabins are subject to availability and do require a full $250 per person deposit at the time of booking. Same applies to accessible cabins and those with 3rd and 4th passenger. So we strongly encourage you to make the reservation as soon as you can, since those types of cabins are limited and can not be held for the group without a full deposit. We look forward to cruising with you in 2011. Tracy Soforenko President, Potomac Chapter, National Federation of the Blind PotomacNFB at verizon.net 703 635-4595 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dandrews at visi.com Sat Aug 21 02:28:32 2010 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:28:32 -0500 Subject: [Nfb-dc] KNFB-Reader for Sale Message-ID: >From: "Don & June Galloway" >To: >Subject: listing items > >David, > >Would you please list an item for me to sell: > >New; never used, KNFB reader 82; $1300. > >I can be reached via e-mail 2 >dnj.galloway at starpower.net or >phone 202 882-3816. > >Thank you. >Don Galloway David Andrews: dandrews at visi.com Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: