[Nfb-science] Two Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars to Go Into Space Today
Freeh, Jessica
JFreeh at nfb.org
Mon May 11 13:52:40 UTC 2009
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.
###
More information about the NFB-Science
mailing list