[Nfbk] FW: eBay and National Federation of the Blind Partner to Increase Ecommerce Job Opportunities

[Cathy]

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From: Freeh, Jessica [mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org]
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 10:33 AM
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Subject: eBay and National Federation of the Blind Partner to Increase
Ecommerce Job Opportunities



News Release
Contacts:                               Press Hotline
Kathy Chui                                               Chris Danielsen

                                                press at ebay.com
katchui at ebay.com                                      CDanielsen at nfb.org

                                                                            
                    (408) 218-9257
(410) 262-1281



eBay and National Federation of the Blind Partner to Increase

Ecommerce Job Opportunities


 Innovative Partnership aims to empower blind Americans to gain employment,
start businesses while buying and selling on eBay



San Jose, Calif. - September 15, 2010 - eBay, the world's largest online
marketplace, and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) today announced
a partnership to create more opportunities for blind Americans to access
eBay as buyers and sellers.



eBay.com now includes enhanced features for users to buy, bid and sell using
the keyboard alone, as well as improved ways to navigate content using
assistive technologies such as screen access software. The blind can now
more easily connect with eBay's 92 million users and shop from 200 million
live listings.



"We have great respect for the advocacy role the NFB plays in creating
employment opportunities for the blind," said John Donahoe, President and
CEO of eBay Inc. "eBay has built a reputation as a driver of job creation by
helping entrepreneurs start up and grow their businesses. We are excited
about connecting with an even wider audience through this partnership and
providing blind Americans with easier access to our marketplace for both
buying and selling."



"eBay is demonstrating true leadership and commitment to accessibility,
along with creating exciting opportunities for blind Americans," said Dr.
Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind. "The
National Federation of the Blind is thrilled with the accessibility of eBay'
s buying and selling experience, and we look forward to working together
with eBay on employment opportunities for blind Americans. This partnership
demonstrates that when the blind and business leaders work together,
everyone wins."



With seventy percent of blind Americans either unemployed or underemployed1,
job creation is critical to tackle the employment challenges facing the
blind. The NFB and eBay aim to provide additional tools and support to the
blind community to enable their success on eBay such as:



.        Providing seed funding for promising blind entrepreneurs

.        Recruiting members of the blind community to become eBay Trainers
to educate other blind individuals in selling on eBay

.        Creating an NFB ecommerce store on the eBay platform

About eBay

Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY) connects
hundreds of millions of buyers and sellers globally on a daily basis through
eBay, the world's largest online marketplace. For more information about the
company and our global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.

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.  For
more information about the National Federation of the Blind, please visit
www.nfb.org.



1National Center for Health Statistics

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