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<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
<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>
<br>
<div align="center"><b>Dan Parker Completes Successful Run on Bonneville
Salt Flats<br>
</b></div>
<br>
<div align="center"><b><i>National Federation of the Blind Congratulates
Blind Motorcyclist<br>
</i></b></div>
<br>
<b>Wendover, Utah (August 27, 2013):</b>
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/">The National Federation of the Blind
(NFB)</a> today congratulated Dan Parker, who yesterday became the second
blind man to publicly operate a vehicle independently and the first blind
man to race at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Parker, an experienced
automobile builder and racer who lost his sight in a racing accident last
year, completed a two-mile run on the famed Bonneville Salt Flats on a
motorcycle he constructed himself, reaching an officially recorded top
speed of 55.331 mph. Parker independently operated the
three-wheeled motorcycle with the help of a GPS system that gave him
audible cues in order to help him maintain a straight course.
Parker made his run as part of the 2013 BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials. The
National Federation of the Blind is one of several sponsors contributing
funds and equipment to help Parker complete his “Quest for the Salt,” and
Parker wore leathers with the logos of the National Federation of the
Blind and its <a href="http://www.blinddriverchallenge.org/">Blind Driver
Challenge™. </a> 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> witnessed Dan’s run,
which was also documented on the
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/NFB_voice">NFB’s Twitter feed</a>. <br>
<br>
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
“We are pleased to congratulate Dan on his successful run on the
Bonneville Salt Flats. Through his own effort, determination, and skill,
Dan once again demonstrated to the public that, given the right tools, a
blind person can safely and independently operate a motor vehicle, and he
did so at an impressive speed. The National Federation of the Blind
is immensely proud to have participated in this historic
achievement.”<br>
<br>
This weekend Dan Parker will have his custom-built motorcycle on display
in the Star Racing Pro Stock Motorcycle pit area of the Chevrolet
Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana. <br>
<br>
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<div align="center"><b>###<br>
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<br><br>
<b>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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