[Nfb-editors] Two Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars to Go Into Space Today

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, ext. 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org





Two Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars to Go Into Space Today


National Federation of the Blind Launches Program
  to Sell 50,000 Coins before the Shuttle Returns



KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (May 11, 2009): When the 
space shuttle Atlantis takes off today, it will 
carry two Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver 
Dollars.  This unique coin commemorates the birth 
of the inventor of the reading and writing code 
for the blind and is the first United States coin 
to contain tactile, readable Braille.  At the 
same time, the National Federation of the Blind 
will launch a program to sell 50,000 of these 
limited edition coins to raise funds to advance 
Braille literacy in the United States before the 
shuttle returns to earth in eleven days.



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind, said: “This is an 
exciting moment because the general public has 
the chance to buy a piece of history­a coin that 
not only represents knowledge and empowerment for 
blind people but that also will visit the Hubbell 
Space Telescope.  Just as the Hubbell telescope 
has advanced our knowledge of the universe, 
purchasing the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver 
Dollar will advance the cause of equality for the blind.”



Mark Riccobono, executive director of the 
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan 
Institute, said: “Blind children in America are 
facing a crisis­only 10 percent of them are 
learning Braille, leaving 90 percent 
illiterate.  It is imperative that the general 
public act swiftly to reverse illiteracy among 
blind children.  That is why we are asking 
everyone to purchase a Louis Braille Bicentennial 
Silver Dollar before Atlantis returns to earth.”



To purchase the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver 
Dollar, please visit 
<http://www.usmint.gov/>www.usmint.gov or call 
1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  The proof silver 
dollar is $41.95 and the uncirculated silver 
dollar is $33.95.  For more information about the 
National Federation of the Blind and the Braille 
Readers are Leaders campaign, please visit www.braille.org.



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