[Nfbk] FW: [Chapter-presidents] National Federation of the Blind Partners with Santa to Promote Braille Literacy

Tue Nov 17 00:44:10 UTC 2009

-----Original Message-----
From: chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org]On Behalf Of Freeh, Jessica
(by way of David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>)
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 5:37 PM
To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Chapter-presidents] National Federation of the Blind Partners with
Santa to Promote Braille Literacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org

National Federation of the Blind
Partners with Santa to Promote Braille Literacy

Baltimore, Maryland (November 16, 2009):  Once again, Santa has enlisted the
help of the elves at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Jernigan
Institute to get Braille letters out to hundreds of blind boys and girls
this Christmas season.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
“Santa approached the National Federation of the Blind a couple of years ago
and asked us to be his helpers.  I’m quite fond of the fellow and was
delighted that we could assist him in his work.  Braille literacy is the key
to success and opportunity for the blind, but unfortunately too few blind
children are learning it today.  This program will not only be jolly good
fun but will also serve an important educational purpose, as blind children
will be able to practice reading Braille as they enjoy their letter from
Saint Nicholas.”

Between November 16 and December 20, parents can go online at www.nfb.org
and fill out a Santa Braille Letter request form.  The form can also be
printed and faxed to (410) 659-6893.  Beginning December 1, the Braille
letters from Santa will start going out to boys and girls around the
country.  The Braille letter will also be accompanied by a print copy (for
mom and dad to read), and parents can choose the contracted or uncontracted
form of Braille for the letter.  Requests for letters must include the
writer’s name, the child’s name, birthday, gender, mailing address, and a
telephone number or e-mail address in case Santa’s helpers at the National
Federation of the Blind have questions.

The Braille letters from Santa program is part of the National Federation of
the Blind’s national Braille literacy campaign, the largest ever undertaken
in United States history.  Congress authorized the minting in 2009 of
400,000 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars to mark the two-hundredth
anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille (1809–1852) and to support the
efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to promote literacy among
blind Americans.  This unique and beautiful commemorative coin is the first
U.S. currency to feature tactile, readable Braille.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial
Silver Dollar  will be used to support the NFB’s “Braille Readers are
Leaders” campaign, a national initiative created to double the number of
blind children learning Braille by 2015, improve certification standards for
teachers of Braille, and conduct innovative programs to support Braille
literacy.

The deadline for letter requests is December 20, to ensure that a return
letter in Braille is received before Christmas.  For more information about
this and other programs of the National Federation of the Blind, please
visit our Web site at www.nfb.org.  Those interested in ordering a 2009
Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar or the new Braille Education Set,
which features the coin in a collectible folder designed to highlight the
life and legacy of Louis Braille, should visit www.braille.org or
www.usmint.gov or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  The Louis Braille
Bicentennial Silver Dollar and the Braille Education Set will only be
available until December 11, 2009.

###

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.

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