[NFBOH-Cleveland] What is the National Federation of the Blind?

Fri Feb 9 02:34:51 UTC 2018

What is the National Federation of the Blind?

The National Federation of the Blind is the only organization that believes
in the full capacity of blind people, and has the power, influence,
diversity, and determination to help transform our dreams into reality. We
believe in blind people because we are blind people. Our democratically
elected leaders and our diverse nationwide membership are made up of blind
people, our families, and our friends. We are bound together by our belief
that the blind are capable of achieving our dreams and living the lives we
want, and by the love and respect we have for one another and for all blind
Americans. We support one another, act with courage and determination when
we encounter barriers or experience setbacks, and engage in collective
action to improve our lives.

Learn more about our commitment to diversity.
<https://nfb.org/diversity-statement> 

Here is what some of our members are saying about the NFB.

"The National Federation of the Blind gave me a glimpse into a real and a
successful future for my then three-year-old little girl who was going
blind. Taking her to an NFB Braille camp and attending our first national
convention changed our lives forever."

-Parent of a Blind Child, Nokesville, VA

"Before I found the National Federation of the Blind and decided to get the
training I needed to improve my blindness skills and my confidence in using
them, I was an emotional mess hiding behind paper successes. Now I can make
my own choices about where I go and what I do, without depending on others
or experiencing stress and anxiety. I am living the life I want and I strive
to show others that it's the best way to live."

-Blind Student, Seattle, WA

"The National Federation of the Blind is like a big brother who teaches you
confidence, self-reliance, and determination. The NFB has mentored me in all
aspects of my life and, in turn, I have been able to mentor others."

-Blind Professional, Atlanta, GA

"The National Federation of the Blind taught me that blindness did not have
to make me a passenger in my own life, and from my mentors and friends in
the Federation, I learned to be a driver. I am fortunate that I can now give
this invaluable gift to others. I pledge to give all of my energy, my
creativity, and my love to our movement. This is how I intend to pay it
back, pay it forward, and make a future full of opportunity for blind
people. I have no illusions that this will be easy, but I have every
expectation that it will happen when all of us pull together to create the
kind of future in which we truly live the lives we want."

-Mark A. Riccobono, President, National Federation of the Blind

Why should I join the National Federation of the Blind?

The National Federation of the Blind can help you:

*         Find hope and move forward after vision loss.

*         Access local and nationwide networks of blind people who can
provide information and support about all aspects of living, working,
learning, and thriving as a blind person.

*         Work with other blind people to change misconceptions about
blindness, policies and laws that affect the blind, and the individual lives
of people who are blind or who are losing vision.

*         Meet and make friends with blind people who share your profession,
hobbies, interests, or goals.

*         Learn about and select the right technology for your active and
productive life as a blind person.

You'll also have access to all of the following services and resources:

*         The world's largest audio information service for the blind,
NFB-NEWSLINE <https://nfb.org/audio-newspaper-service> R, is free to anyone
who is legally blind. NFB-NEWSLINER makes over four hundred newspapers and
magazines, as well as TV schedules, localized emergency weather alerts, and
job listings, available on demand to blind readers by telephone, online, or
via an iPhone/iPad app.

*         A free white cane <https://nfb.org/free-cane-program> , the basic
tool for independent travel by the blind.

*         A free slate and stylus <https://nfb.org/free-slate-program> , the
basic tools for writing Braille.

*         The National Federation of the Blind Independence Market
<https://nfb.org/independence-market> , which offers hundreds of products
especially designed for the blind.

*         Thirty national scholarships <https://nfb.org/scholarships> ,
totaling over $100,000, for outstanding blind students, as well as other
scholarships through our state affiliates.

*         Innovative programs for blind children and youth, including the
Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL)
<https://nfb.org/bell-program> program for beginning Braille readers and a
number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
<https://nfb.org/ncbys-flyer> programs especially designed for blind
students of all ages.

*         And much more!

But the most important reason to join the National Federation of the Blind
is that we need your time, your talents, your hands, your heart, and your
dreams. In short, we need you!

How do I join the National Federation of the Blind?

The best way to become a member of the National Federation of the Blind is
to join your local chapter. That way, you'll meet blind people in your
community and learn about the organization, too. You can find your nearest
chapter by contacting your affiliate. You can find out how by visiting
www.nfb.org/state-and-local-organizations
<https://nfb.org/state-and-local-organizations> . You can also find your
nearest local chapter by downloading the free NFB Connect iPhone app from
Apple's App Store. If there's not a chapter near you, your state affiliate
may have an at-large chapter that meets by conference call or other ways for
you to get involved. You can also join one of our special-interest divisions
or groups; there's a list of them at www.nfb.org/divisions-and-committees
<https://nfb.org/divisions-and-committees> . Finally, you can join the
National Federation of the Blind as an at-large member by visiting
www.nfb.org/how-join <https://nfb.org/how-join>  and filling out our online
form. We'll follow up with you to help you get involved and live the life
you want!

How can I support the National Federation of the Blind?

You can send a donation to the National Federation of the Blind, 200 East
Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230. You can also learn
about other ways to support the National Federation of the Blind by visiting
www.nfb.org/make-gift <https://nfb.org/make-gift> .

2016 Annual Report

For more information, you may view our Annual Report:

*         2016 Annual Report (accessible PDF)
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/2016-nfb-annual-report-accessible-
pdf-final.pdf> 

More detailed financial information is available on our NFB 990
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/2016-nfb-filed-990-for-pub-accessi
ble.pdf>  and our most recent audited financial statements (Word
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/word/nfb_audit_123116.docx> ) (BRF
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/brf/nfb-audit-2016.brf> ).

Important Links

 <https://nfb.org/nfb-board> Board of Directors
 <https://nfb.org/staff-nfb> Staff of the NFB
Directions to the NFBJI <https://nfb.org/directions-nfb> 
Live the Life You Want Video <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DesLNDBpYVE> 
NFB Privacy Policy <https://nfb.org/privacy-policy> 
NFB Diversity Statement <https://nfb.org/diversity-statement> 
NFB Accessibility Policy <https://nfb.org/accessibility-policy> 

C2018 All Rights Reserved - Copyright 2018 National Federation of the Blind 
Privacy Policy <https://nfb.org/privacy-policy>      Accessibility Policy
<https://nfb.org/accessibility-policy> 

Suzanne Hartfield-Turner, President

NFBOH-Cleveland

P: (440) 462-9755

A: PO Box 141077

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

E: President.NFB.ClevelandOhio at Gmail.com
<mailto:President.NFB.ClevelandOhio at Gmail.com> 

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.

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