<html><head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Liberation Serif";}
@font-face
{font-family:"DejaVu Sans";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
h1
{mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1 Char";
margin-top:12.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:160%;
page-break-after:avoid;
font-size:24.0pt;
font-family:"Liberation Serif",serif;
mso-fareast-language:ZH-CN;}
h2
{mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 2 Char";
margin-top:10.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:160%;
page-break-after:avoid;
font-size:18.0pt;
font-family:"Liberation Serif",serif;
mso-fareast-language:ZH-CN;}
p.MsoBodyText, li.MsoBodyText, div.MsoBodyText
{mso-style-link:"Body Text Char";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:7.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;
mso-fareast-language:ZH-CN;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#467886;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.Heading1Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 1 Char";
mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1";
font-family:"Liberation Serif",serif;
mso-ligatures:none;
mso-fareast-language:ZH-CN;
font-weight:bold;}
span.Heading2Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 2 Char";
mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 2";
font-family:"Liberation Serif",serif;
mso-ligatures:none;
mso-fareast-language:ZH-CN;
font-weight:bold;}
span.BodyTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Body Text Char";
mso-style-link:"Body Text";
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:none;
mso-fareast-language:ZH-CN;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:558522160;
mso-list-template-ids:2065700660;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:35.35pt;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:35.35pt;
text-indent:-14.15pt;
font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:70.7pt;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:70.7pt;
text-indent:-14.15pt;
font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:106.05pt;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:106.05pt;
text-indent:-14.15pt;
font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:141.4pt;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:141.4pt;
text-indent:-14.15pt;
font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:176.75pt;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:176.75pt;
text-indent:-14.15pt;
font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:212.1pt;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:212.1pt;
text-indent:-14.15pt;
font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:247.45pt;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:247.45pt;
text-indent:-14.15pt;
font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:282.8pt;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:282.8pt;
text-indent:-14.15pt;
font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:318.15pt;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:318.15pt;
text-indent:-14.15pt;
font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head><body lang="EN-US" link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Friends:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Volunteers are needed for our BELL Academy set to take place July 20-31, 2026, at the NfB headquarters in Baltimore. Please review the below information and contact Shuketha Johnson if you are interested in
volunteering. Volunteers will need to complete training and a background check before participating. This program cannot happen or be effective without volunteers, so please consider stepping up. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Warmly,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Chris Danielsen, President<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Greater Baltimore Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><a name="auto-d5027c40-082e-4446-a15a-9bc5321ede5"></a><a name="auto-096a470f-bcbd-4cfc-8984-d204a0f6eed"></a><img width="334" height="95" style="width:3.4833in;height:.9916in" id="_x0000_i1028" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DCEE76.FB0A4C60" alt="Title: Logo for the National Federation of the Blind BELL Academy. The word 'BELL' is in large blue letters, with a yellow bell icon replacing the 'E'. Below it, the text reads 'Braille Enrichment for Literacy & Learning®'."><a name="auto-e3f8cf0a-b562-4dc1-93c9-a1df1f84f67"></a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<h1><a name="auto-63c5d77d-a0b0-418e-9c63-17056d69fca"></a>NFB BELL® Academy: A Summer Program for Blind and Low-Vision Youth<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><a name="auto-7c40164f-c894-49b2-b397-570d7a74770"></a>Join the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) for the NFB BELL® (Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning) Academy—an engaging, confidence-building learning experience for blind
and low-vision children.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><a name="auto-efafee4c-9255-4e15-b85d-141b5d0a463"></a>Through hands-on activities and meaningful instruction, participants strengthen their Braille literacy, develop essential nonvisual skills, and build independence in a supportive
environment led by blind role models.<o:p></o:p></p>
<h2><a name="auto-57b9bca1-2a0d-4846-928e-b684869cfd0"></a>Participants Will Experience<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:35.35pt;text-indent:-14.15pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<a name="auto-5a3991d8-37ef-4c87-ac67-fa9c98e93df"></a><a name="auto-c01f0f61-1ff2-4d3c-a71d-75fbefdeed3"></a><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>Interactive Braille lessons that make reading and writing fun and empowering
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:35.35pt;text-indent:-14.15pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<a name="auto-ce57d2a7-c25e-4d35-b969-d75a59f342a"></a><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>Hands-on activities that build real-world nonvisual skills
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left:35.35pt;text-indent:-14.15pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<a name="auto-aa11b4c7-8970-4498-bdff-99adc508bde"></a><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>Opportunities to connect with other blind youth and mentors
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><img width="201" height="248" style="width:2.0916in;height:2.5833in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.jpg@01DCEE76.FB0A4C60" alt="Title: A young girl with dark hair and a white dress smiles while holding a braille document. An adult woman with dark hair and glasses sits behind her, smiling and looking at the document."><a name="auto-c93cd051-e894-4a73-8726-aead9a19c16"></a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<h2><a name="auto-a9a6288a-ef7b-4e2b-8416-fb95d0f8b97"></a>Program Near You<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><a name="auto-6ecc18e4-b724-4131-8b5f-00faeb8c354"></a>The NFB of Maryland will host an NFB BELL® Academy at the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, July 20-31, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., daily. Lunch will be provided. Transportation
is not included, except for scheduled field trips. Registration is $300 per child, with scholarships available. Registration will close on July 13.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><a name="auto-c15b1cfa-c96d-4896-a21f-17feda93529"></a>For additional details, contact Shuketha Johnson at 706-332-4492 or
<a href="mailto:shukethajohnson@gmail.com?subject=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark:auto-97aa4b8a-d5a1-445a-947c-c49d2f5348b"></span>shukethajohnson@gmail.com</a><a name="auto-97aa4b8a-d5a1-445a-947c-c49d2f5348b"></a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><a name="auto-4d433789-0a6e-4153-b27f-b3cd728a258"></a>To learn more and register for the NFB BELL® Academy, visit
<a href="https://nfb.org/bell" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark:auto-7f8ebcf6-8d1b-4f51-ba42-e62b697a6f1"></span>nfb.org/bell.</a><a name="auto-7f8ebcf6-8d1b-4f51-ba42-e62b697a6f1"></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><img border="0" width="267" height="363" style="width:2.7833in;height:3.7833in" id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:image003.jpg@01DCEE76.FB0A4C60" alt="Title: Two circular images. The top image shows a blindfolded girl with a white cane walking with an adult man in a parking lot. The bottom image shows a blindfolded boy sitting at a desk, using a braille writer."><a name="auto-5011c616-559d-4cbf-b55e-4e398207b5d"></a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.<br>
Editor, <i>Braille Monitor</i> <br>
National Federation of the Blind <br>
410-659-9314 ex 2330 <br>
<a href="mailto:email@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0563C1">cdanielsen@nfb.org</span></a> <br>
Pronouns: he, him, his<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
Reminder: Attend <a href="https://nfb.org/convention" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0563C1">National Convention</span></a>, July 3-8, 2026, in Austin, Texas.<br>
“It’s the time of year where blind people are the majority.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="298" height="133" style="width:3.1083in;height:1.3833in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image004.jpg@01DCEE76.FB0A4C60" alt="National Federation of the Blind logo, Live the life you want tagline, nfb.org"></span></a><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</body></html>