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<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
CONTACT:<br>
</b>Chris Danielsen<br>
Director of Public Relations<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br>
<a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br>
<div align="center"><b>National Federation of the Blind Sponsors<br>
Blind Driver’s “Quest for the Salt”<br>
<i>Dan Parker Will Be First Blind Man to Drive Motorcycle on Bonneville
Salt Flats<br>
</i></div>
Wendover, Utah (August 21, 2013):</b> <a href="http://www.nfb.org">The
National Federation of the Blind</a> today announced its sponsorship of
the first attempt by a blind driver to independently race a motorcycle on
the famed Bonneville Salt Flats.
<a href="http://www.competitionplus.com/drag-racing/news/21203-pn-racer-dan-parker-talks-about-devastating-accident">
Dan Parker</a>, an experienced racecar builder and driver who lost his
sight as the result of a racing accident last year, will independently
operate a three-wheeled motorcycle with the help of a GPS system that
gives him audible cues in order to help him maintain a straight course.
Mr. Parker will make his run as part of the 2013 BUB Motorcycle Speed
Trials this Sunday at the Flats. The National Federation of the Blind is
one of several sponsors contributing funds and equipment to help Mr.
Parker complete his “Quest for the Salt.” Additionally, the Federation’s
Mark Riccobono, the <a href="https://nfb.org/node/1003">first blind
person to drive a vehicle without the assistance of a sighted person,</a>
will travel out to the Salt to participate in this historic event. <br>
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
“<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTHa_5Y5IA4">We have
demonstrated</a> that it is possible for a blind person to operate a
vehicle with the help of an interface that can convey information about
the driver’s environment. Dan Parker is taking the concepts that we
pioneered with our Blind Driver Challenge™ a step furtherand possibly
fasterwhile continuing to experiment with technology that may someday
allow blind drivers to navigate America’s roadways like our sighted
peers. We are pleased to sponsor Dan’s effort and wish him a successful
run on the Bonneville Salt Flats.”<br>
Mr. Parker said: “As a member, I appreciate the support of the National
Federation of the Blind, an organization that believes, as I do, that
blind people can succeed in whatever effort we choose with the proper
tools and training. I look forward to demonstrating this truth to the
racing community and the general public on the Salt Flats this weekend. I
view this run as just the first leg of my journey to contribute to the
work of the Federation and its Blind Driver Challenge™.”<br>
On January 29, 2011, NFB’s Mark Riccobono became the first blind person
to operate a vehicle on the Daytona International Speedway as a
demonstration of technology that helped him navigate the course and avoid
obstacles. More information about the NFB Blind Driver Challenge™, along
with information about Dan Parker’s Quest for the Salt, is available at
<a href="http://www.blinddriverchallenge.org">
www.blinddriverchallenge.org</a>. Also be sure to visit
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DanParkerQuestForTheSalt">Dan Parker’s
Quest for the Salt Facebook page,</a> as well as the NFB’s
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlind">
Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/NFB_voice">Twitter</a>
feeds, for continuous updates on this exciting event.<br>
<div align="center"><b>###<br><br>
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About the National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
</b>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest,
and most influential nationwide membership organization of blind people
in the United States. Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the civil
rights and equality of blind Americans, and develops innovative
education, technology, and training programs to provide the blind and
those who are losing vision with the tools they need to become
independent and successful. We need your support. To make a donation,
please go to <a href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</a>.<br>
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