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<td style="background-color:transparent; border-bottom:medium none; border-left:medium none; border-right:medium none; border-top:medium none"><img alt="National Federation of the Blind logo with the tagline live the life you want. A group of blind people sit together, some holding white canes, with guide dogs seated at their feet." background-color:="" src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/2026-01/Outreach-email-header.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px;" /></td>
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<h1><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; color:black;">High Expectations Shape Lives</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">The alternative techniques and positive philosophy of blindness embraced by the Federation help raise expectations, create problem-solving ability, and foster independence. Our programs empower blind people of all ages to develop the confidence and skills necessary to believe they can achieve their dreams. As President Mark Riccobono said:</span></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">“<em>The quality of instruction, mentorship, and expectations we provide plays a critical role in making that belief a reality. Together, we continue transforming the systems, services, and expectations that shape the lives of blind youth and adults.</em>”</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><img alt="Mark Riccobono with his daughter and wife and their three long white canes at a baseball stadium" src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/IMG_6358_Outreach_Newsletter_(New)_600x285.JPG" style="max-width: 100%; display: block; width: 600px; height: 285px;" /></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; color:black;">Mentors, Training, and Skills Build Confidence</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">Our faith in the capacity and dignity of blind individuals is at the heart of our mission, which is why we partner with leading training centers around the country and host programs for teachers of blind students and rehabilitation counselors. The Federation’s comprehensive approach imparts skills, inspires, and adapts to our community's needs. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">Our <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44394&qid=13007585" rel='nofollow'>affiliated training centers</a> are <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44395&qid=13007585" rel='nofollow'>grounded by the Structured Discovery method</a> and equip students with the skills, positive attitude, and self-assurance to pursue their desired lifestyle. Moreover, they immerse blind people in a supportive community of teachers, mentors, and other blind people who face similar challenges.</span></p>
<h3 style="color:1b5633"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; "><font color="1b5633">Tools for Independence Program</font></span></h3>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">This Federation program allows blind people to receive, at no charge, a long white cane for travel and a slate and stylus for writing Braille. While the tools are important, the connection to blind people who can mentor a person to use those tools is critical. Thus, this program also includes follow-up by Federation leaders in the state where the recipient lives so they can get connected at the local level. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">Learn more about our <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44396&qid=13007585" rel='nofollow'>Tools for Independence Program</a>.</span></p>
<h3><span style="color:1b5633"><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif"><font color="1b5633">The Work to Overcome Low Expectations</font></span></span></span></h3>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color:black">We know that when blind people have the skills and confidence to tackle challenges, they can live an independent and fulfilling life. But society’s pervasive low expectations can be hard to overcome. In <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44407&qid=13007585" rel='nofollow'>the July issue of the <em>Braille Monitor</em>, Amy Porterfield</a> shared how it took years of hard work to build a training program that allowed students—and herself—to find their own potential.</span></span></span></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color:black">“<em>What the Federation adds is the part no training center and no mentor can provide alone. It is the place where the work of pushing back against low expectations gets held across time, across members, and across generations so that no one of us carries it alone.</em>”</span></span></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color:black"><img alt="Amy Porterfield with her son and husband" src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/new-orleans_national-convention_july-8-2025-morning%20(68)_Outreach_Newsletter_(New)_600x285.JPG" style="width: 600px; height: 285px;" /></span></span></span></p>
<h3><span style="color:1b5633"><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif"><font color="1b5633">Dare to Be Remarkable</font></span></span></span></h3>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color:black">This fall, the Federation will host a specialized, multi-day training event grounded in Structured Discovery and high expectations. The Dare to Be Remarkable professional development conference will bring together more than one hundred rehabilitation and education professionals who work with blind youth and adults and are willing to think boldly, lead courageously, and expect greatness from every person they serve.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Learn more and <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44397&qid=13007585" rel='nofollow'>register for the Dare to Be Remarkable Conference</a>.</span></span></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; color:black;">Until Next Time: Share our Resources and High Expectations</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">The Federation provides resources and support for blind people of all ages, including people who are new to blindness. If you or someone you know would like to learn more, call us at 410-659-9314 or email <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44398&qid=13007585" rel='nofollow'>nfb@nfb.org</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">Thank you for helping us show the world that we can live and create the lives we want. You are subscribed to our monthly community impact email, where we share how we are advancing the lives of the Nation’s blind. The National Federation of the Blind is a network of members, friends, and people like you who believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people.</span></p>
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