[Njabs-talk] National Federation of the Blind to Light Up Times Square

[EVELYN E. VALDEZ]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Public Relations Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, ext. 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org
 
National Federation of the Blind to Light Up Times Square


NFB Braille Literacy Video Will be Shown at 42nd Street
 
Baltimore, Maryland (December 23, 2008): The National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest organization of blind people in the United States, will premiere a video promoting Braille Literacy in Times Square in New York City beginning today.  The video will appear once an hour for ten days, airing on a large screen on 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.
 
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “We are pleased to show a video of such importance in one of the largest venues in the world.  There can be no doubt that the ability to read and write Braille competently and efficiently is the key to education, employment, and success for the blind.  Despite the undisputed value of Braille, only about 10 percent of blind children in the United States are currently learning it.  This video will announce the need for equal opportunities in education and employment for the entire nation’s blind to a countless number of people over the next ten days and will work toward our ultimate goal of reversing the downward trend in Braille literacy.”
 
 
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About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States.  The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.  Please visit our Web site: www.nfb.org.