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<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></strong></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>CONTACT:</span></font></b><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Chris Danielsen<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Director of Public Relations <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyText align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;
text-align:center'><b><font size=4 face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:14.0pt;
font-family:Helvetica;font-weight:bold'>National Federation of the Blind <br>
Partners with Santa to Promote Braille Literacy<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoHeader style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3
face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Baltimore, Maryland (November 14, 2011):</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'> Once again, Santa has
enlisted the help of the elves at the <a href="http://www.nfb.org/">National
Federation of the Blind</a> (NFB) Jernigan Institute to get Braille letters out
to hundreds of blind boys and girls this Christmas season. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>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 spread holiday cheer but will also serve an important educational
purpose, as blind children will be able to practice reading Braille as they
enjoy their letter from merry Saint Nicholas.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Between November 15 and December 20, parents can go online
at www.nfb.org and fill out <a
href="http://www.nfb.org/Forms.asp?MODE=NEW&SnID=2&Forms_FormTypeID=-45">a
Santa Braille Letter request form.</a> The form can also be printed and
faxed to (410) 685-2340. 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.<b><span style='font-weight:
bold'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3
face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Helvetica'>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 </span></font><a href="http://www.nfb.org/"><font face=Helvetica><span
style='font-family:Helvetica'>www.nfb.org</span></font></a><font
face=Helvetica><span style='font-family:Helvetica'>. </span></font><b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=3
face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=3
face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=3
face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>###</span></font><o:p></o:p></b></p>
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<p style='border:none;padding:0in'><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p style='border:none;padding:0in'><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>About the National
Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>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 <u1:place u2:st="on"><u1:country-region u2:st="on">United States</u1:country-region></u1:place>.
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 <u1:place u2:st="on"><u1:country-region u2:st="on">United
States</u1:country-region></u1:place> for the blind led by the blind.
Please visit our Web site: <a href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</a>.</span></font><b><span
style='font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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