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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><img width=624 height=174 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D29982.67B180D0" alt="Horizontal Color NFB BELL Academy Logo"><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Growing Readers and Growing Leaders<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal> Announcing the 2017 National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy of Nebraska and the immediate release of its application form.<span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Today, fewer than 10 percent of blind children are learning Braille in US schools. Too many blind students are denied Braille literacy because teachers and administrators falsely believe that audio can replace reading or that extreme print sizes and slow reading speeds are acceptable. Furthermore, parents of young blind children are frequently unaware of methods and resources for introducing Braille to their children early and unnecessarily delay Braille exposure beyond age-appropriate milestones.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The NFB of Nebraska works to reverse the missteps that have created an illiteracy epidemic among blind people in this state. The NFB of [Nebraska provides educational programming for blind youth and adults, as well as parents and educators of blind children. One such program, the NFB BELL Academy, has delivered Braille education, nonvisual instruction, and resources to hundreds of blind students and their parents in states across the country. At NFB BELL Academy sites, children ages four through twelve participate in hands-on activities designed to increase students’ facility with Braille and nonvisual techniques. <a name="OLE_LINK8"></a><a name="OLE_LINK7"><o:p></o:p></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The NFB BELL Academy began as a model initiative in Maryland in 2008 and has since expanded: there will be forty-five NFB BELL Academy sites in more than thirty states in the summer of 2017, including Nebraska.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here’s what a few of last year’s students had to say about the academy:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Using a slate and stylus is a lot of fun and makes braille writing easy.” – Lynn-Marie age 12<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“I wish BELL Academy was all year long!” – Gage age 7<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“I’m so excited to have my first cane! Now I’m like all the other kids!” – Kadee age 9<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> The 2017 NFB BELL Academy of Nebraska will be held in Lincoln June 12-16th and June 19-23<sup>rd</sup> from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. During the academy, the attendees will become acquainted with how useful Braille can be as an alternative to reading print. They will learn about the Braille code through an engaging combination of arts and crafts, games, outdoor activities, and field trips. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal> Attached is a flyer which can be printed or distributed electronically to potential BELL Academy families. Additionally parents can get more information about this year’s academy by visiting the academy website<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/bell-academy">Here</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Or complete the online application<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/bell-student-application-form">Here</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Print applications are available for those who don’t have access to a computer. Contact coordinator Jamie K. Richey for questions or to receive a paper application. She can be reached by phone at (308) 520-9024 or email at <a href="mailto:bell@ne.nfb.org">bell@ne.nfb.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Handwriting"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>