[Nfbf-l] Please save and forward to others How many children in America are not taught to read?

[Sherrill O'Brien]

Hi all,

I think I sent this, but just in case I didn't, or you didn't save it, this
is the email from Dr. Maurer which is short, but really hits the nail on the
head.  And this has important links  so folks can easily go right to them.
I'm sending this letter, with a brief personal letter at the beginning, to
lots of people in my address book.  Even if you don't read Braille, that's a
fact you can use to show how difficult it has been for many years to
convince universities, school systems and parents that teaching Braille is
of vital importance even for children with some remaining vision.  Do
sighted kids or their parents ever have a choice about whether learning to
read printshould be part of their education?  People would think you were
crazy if you proposed this option.  Anyway, I think the following letter,
along with a few personal and heartfelt lines, would be a great email for
all of us to send out.  And the link to the Mint is right in the letter, in
case you yourself haven't purchased any coins yet and wish to do so.  Thanks
for helping our affiliate sell those coins, which will raise much needed
funds for Braille literacy programs!

Sherrill
NFBF Braille Coordinator

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From: Marc Maurer [ mailto:outreach at nfb.org]
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 3:14 PM
Subject: How many children in America are not taught to read?

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?

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.

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.

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 The Braille Literacy Crisis in
America, or watch our video Making Change with a Dollar.

Please purchase this unique and beautiful coin now and help solve this
educational crisis for blind children in America.

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.

Be part of the solution.  Give the gift of literacy.  Create new
opportunities.  Buy the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar today.

Marc Maurer, President
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND