[Nfbk] FW: National Federation of the Blind Announces 2010 Race for Independence

[Cathy]

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From: Freeh, Jessica [mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org]
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 2:33 PM
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Sundling-Crawford
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Announces 2010 Race for
Independence


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
Announces 2010 Race for Independence
Fundraising Effort to Focus on Access to Technology for Blind Americans


Baltimore, Maryland (January 19, 2010): The National Federation of the Blind
(NFB), the oldest and largest organization of blind people in the United
States, today announced the 2010 Race for Independence, a fundraising effort
focused on improving access to technology by blind Americans and supporting
other NFB initiatives.  The Race for Independence is designed to raise funds
for the National Federation of the Blind Imagination Fund, which supports
the education, technology, and research projects of the NFB Jernigan
Institute, as well as programs conducted by the fifty-two affiliates and
over seven hundred local chapters of the Federation.  The Race for
Independence will also bring public attention to the need for full and equal
access for blind Americans to modern technology, in everything from home
appliances to automobiles.  The initiative begins with a six-month campaign
to raise funds from NFB members and friends that will close on July 31,
2010.



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"The Imagination Fund represents the hopes and aspirations of blind
Americans.  Through this effort we are able to create innovative research,
training, education, and technology programs that improve the lives of the
blind and move us closer to our ultimate goal of full integration into
society on a basis of equality.  The crisis in Braille literacy for blind
children and advances in technology that, if not properly designed, will
threaten the independence of the blind mean that time is of the essence.
But I am confident that with the help of our members and friends, we will
ensure that blind children are literate and can pursue the

career of their choice; that blind people have access to cutting-edge
technology; and that opportunities for all blind Americans are limited only
by our capacity to dream."



Parnell Diggs, Chairman of the NFB Imagination Fund, said: "The Race for
Independence is quite simply the expression of our desire to speed toward
our goal of achieving first-class citizenship status in society at an
ever-increasing pace.  It is the anchor of the National Federation of the
Blind's Imagination Fund, the annual campaign to raise proceeds for NFB
programs at the national, state, and local levels."



To sign up to be an Imaginator and help build the Imagination Fund, please
visit www.raceforindependence.org or call (410) 659-9314, extension 2371.





###




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.



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