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Federationists:<br>
<br>
<a name="OLE_LINK8"></a>We have an opportunity to proclaim our love for
Braille to the world on a day when the world, or at least the United
States, is abuzz about books! The National Education Association has been
celebrating Read Across America Day on Dr. Seuss’ birthday for many
years. March 2--Dr. Seuss’s birthdayfalls on a Saturday this year, so
the festivities will take place on Friday, March 1 in schools and
libraries around the country. As in years past, the National Federation
of the Blind (NFB) will be joining in this celebration of literacy for
all childrenfocusing particularly on the importance of Braille literacy.
To ensure our message about the awesomeness of Braille is heard around
the world, we need everyone’s help! <br>
<br>
You can join in the Read Across America fun and help spread the good news
about Braille starting today by doing the following:<br>
1.
<a href="https://nfb.org/readacrossamericavideouploadform">Send in
pictures</a> of you or your child reading a Braille book near landmarks
or other identifiable places. We want to show the world that blind people
read Braille across America by showcasing pictures of Braille readers in
the desert, on a beach, at Disney World, at the Grand Canyon, and the
like. Chosen pictures will be posted on
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/">nfb.org</a>, on the
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlind?ref=ts&fref=ts">
NFB’s Facebook page</a>, and tweeted by
<a href="https://twitter.com/nfb_voice">@NFB_Voice</a>.<br>
2.
<a href="https://nfb.org/readacrossamericavideouploadform">Send us a
video</a> of your child reading Braille or showcasing how you will
celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday. A selection of the submitted videos will
be posted on Facebook, the
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/nationsblind">NFB’s YouTube channel</a>,
and tweeted by <a href="https://twitter.com/nfb_voice">@NFB_Voice</a>.
Josey and Angel (one Braille reader and one print reader) submitted
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nNBMnAqSeo">a great video for
Read Across America Day</a> last year! Have fun, get creative, and show
the world why you love Braille!<br>
On March 1, Red Across America Day, help spread the message that Braille
rocks by:<br>
1. READING Dr. Seuss! This is what this day
is all about. You can find Dr. Seuss books in Braille online to download
at <a href="http://www.bookshare.org">Bookshare</a> or from
<a href="http://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate.nls?ACTION=INIT&FORM_HOST_PORT=/prod/www/data/nls/catalog/index.html,z3950.loc.gov,7490&CI=151238">
NLS</a>, and you can find hardcopy Braille books at
<a href="http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/publications/all_books.html">National
Braille Press</a>.<br>
2. Tell us about what you are reading!
Whether you are reading Dr. Seuss or not, we still want to hear about it.
Post about it on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtags #Braille and
#NEAReads (the official Read Across America hashtag). You can talk about
what you are reading, suggest books, ask for suggestions, or post about
why you love Braille and why it is important, or about anything else. We
want to hear from you!<br>
<br>
<a name="OLE_LINK3"></a>If the whole country is talking about literacy on
March 1, Braille must be a part of the conversation! <br>
<br>
"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and
read with a child." <br>
--Dr. Seuss <br>
<br>
If you have questions about the NFB’s participation in Read Across
America, please be in touch.<br>
<br>
Natalie Shaheen<br>
<br>
Natalie L. Shaheen, MEd <br>
Director of Education<br>
Jernigan Institute<br>
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND<br>
200 E. Wells Street<br>
at Jernigan Place.<br>
Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
Email: <a href="mailto:nshaheen@nfb.org">nshaheen@nfb.org</a><br>
Phone: (410) 659-9314 x2293<br>
Twitter: @nlshaheen<br>
Fax: (410) 659-5129<br>
Visit: <a href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</a> <br>
"If they do not learn the way you teach, teach the way they
learn" --Anonymous<br>
<br>
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