[Nfbwv-talk] Requesting Help From All Members

[Smyth, Charlene R]

Greetings Federation Family,

The National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia is making plans to conduct its first Braille Enrichment in Learning and Literacy Academy (BELL) the summer of 2018.  Please read the below message, written by Ed McDonald, to learn more about this.

After learning more about the BELL Academy, we are requesting that each and every one of you contact as many Lions Clubs in your area to request that you be placed on their meeting agendas to give a presentation about the BELL Academy and how their funding can help make this possible.  Please discuss all of your plans with BELL Academy Coordinator Sheri Koch by calling 304-933-5103 so she can provide you with what you will need to make a successful presentation.

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) BELL Academy is a summer program which provides children ages 4-12 with intense Braille instruction through fun, hands-on learning activities.  NFB's BELL Academy targets blind and low-vision children who do not receive enough Braille and nonvisual skill instruction in school or who could benefit from Braille enrichment over the summer.

The National Federation of the Blind has developed an extensive curriculum along with additional planning aids and guidelines.  These tools are available to Federation members to conduct BELL academies in communities throughout the nation.

Federation affiliates in some 35 states sponsored BELL academies during the summer of 2017, and we in the National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia are planning our first BELL Academy for the summer of 2018.  It will take place in Charleston the week of July 23-27 at Elizabeth Memorial United Methodist Church.  The program will be open to as many as ten blind and low-vision children from Kanawha and Putnam counties.  One of our members-a certified teacher of blind children who also happens to be blind-has agreed to facilitate the program.  At least six additional members have volunteered to participate as mentors (adult blind role models) to work with the children.  The church offers a variety of facilities-open meeting space, classrooms, kitchen, playground, etc.-which will provide an ideal environment for a BELL Academy.  Pastor Jim McCune is also investigating ways in which the church can provide transportation for both student and staff participants.  Both the project coordinator and the certified teacher will take part in a weekend training workshop in early 2018 at the National Federation of the Blind's headquarters in Baltimore, MD.

In addition to Braille, crafts, games, and other engaging projects, children will learn vital independent living skills from a nonvisual perspective.  They will also benefit from peer learning and mentoring from blind adults, and   the daily schedule includes opportunities for play and recreation.  Planning is already underway for an afternoon of swimming at the Charleston YMCA.

Anticipated expenses for the program include (but are not necessarily limited to) the costs of books, paper, writing devices, and other Braille learning materials; daily lunches and snacks for all participants; and transportation and lodging for volunteers who travel from other parts of the state to assist with the project.

The National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia has established a BELL Academy fund, and several individuals as well as local Federation chapters have already made generous contributions.  Additional support, however, is still needed, whether it be volunteer time, in-kind contributions, or direct financial support.  All checks should be made payable to National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia and earmarked for "BELL Academy."  The National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia is a 501(c)(3) "not-for-profit" organization, registered with the state of West Virginia.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in this project and stand ready to answer further questions or to provide additional information.  For more information, contact Sheri Koch, Braille Academy Coordinator, by calling 304-993-5103 or via E-mail at slk8332015 at gmail.com<mailto:slk8332015 at gmail.com>.



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