[Nfbc-info] National Federation of the Blind to Exhibit at Consumer Electronics Show

[David Andrews]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
	
CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Public Relations Specialist

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, ext.  2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org

National Federation of the Blind to Exhibit at Consumer Electronics Show

Exhibit Will Highlight Products Blind People Can Use

Baltimore, Maryland (January 5, 2009): The National Federation of the

Blind (NFB), the oldest and largest organization of blind people in the

United States, in partnership with the Sendero Group, will exhibit at

the international Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held January 6-11,

2009, in Las Vegas.  The CES, the largest technology showcase in the

world, will feature a booth sponsored by the National Federation of the

Blind and the Sendero Group that highlights "vision free"

products-mainstream products that blind people can use independently.

The NFB and the Sendero Group will be manning the booth along with

internationally-acclaimed singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder.  The Sendero

Group is the developer of the first accessible GPS and talking map, and

one of the products that will be featured at the booth is their new

Mobile Geo, an accessible GPS program for cell phones and PDAs.

Dr.  Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,

said: "Many new consumer electronics and home appliances are designed

with visual displays and interfaces that make it extremely difficult and

in some cases impossible for the blind to use them independently.

It is

critical that blind people have access to all features of mainstream

products and technology with the same ease of use as the sighted.

The

Consumer Electronics Show is an important opportunity to reach out to

manufacturers and encourage them to create accessible products.

Creating technology that is accessible to and usable by blind people is

not difficult, and it is essential if the blind are to be independent,

productive citizens."

Representatives from the National Federation of the Blind and the

Sendero Group, along with Stevie Wonder, will be at the Sands Expo and

Convention Center, in booth 72044 during the Consumer Electronics Show.

For more information about accessible technology or the National

Federation of the Blind, please visit
www.nfb.org
  <http://www.nfb.org> .

###

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is

the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people

in the United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives through

advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging

independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the

blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind.  In January

2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan

Institute, the first research and training center in the United States

for the blind led by the blind.  Please visit our Web site:
www.nfb.org

<http://www.nfb.org> .