[Njabs-talk] Louis Braille Coin Celebration

[EVELYN E. VALDEZ]

National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey     Celebrates 
Release of Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar 

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of New Jersey , celebrates the release of the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar.   This historic commemorative coin, the first- ever U.S. coin to contain tactile, readable Braille, will be launched at a special ceremony at the headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind, in Baltimore, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on March 26, 2009.   In Clark, New Jersey, the launch   will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel located at 36   Valley Road in Clark, NJ from 11:00 A.M.to 1:00 P.M.   on March 28. 




At this event, which will be attended by blind students and their parents, members from all of our 7 chapters and5 Divisions as well as   public officials,   Members will demonstrate methods in which Braille equipment and devices used by blind persons are equivalent even though they are different.   

  A professional wrestler   who calls himself the   American Outlaw will take an aggressive stand to destroy Braille illiteracy. The proclamation commemorating   March 26, 2009 ,.   as Braille Readers are Leaders Day will be read in Braille.   In addition to the usual refreshments, 26 cupcakes, each containing the symbol of a Braille letter in   M   and Ms will be displayed and given to attendees.     

Louis Braille pins, chocolate replicas   of the Louis Braille Commemorative Coin, Braille alphabet cards, the book _The World Beneath My Fingers, and flyers, highlighting the importance of Braille and information pertaining to the Louis Braille Silver Dollar Coin,     will be distributed to attendees.   



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “If the blind can read, the blind can achieve. The Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar celebrates the man who gave literacy to the blind and is a unique and beautiful keepsake, but it is also a coin with a mission: to make sure that every blind child and every adult losing vision in our nation has the opportunity to learn Braille.   



According to Joe Ruffalo,   president of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey,   “Learning Braille is as important to the blind as learning print is to the sighted. To be truly literate, Braille is the answer."   



Many blind people in New Jersey   learned Braille and other skills which increased their self- confidence and inspired in them a can- do attitude. 

    

Sales of the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, which was authorized by a law passed by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush in 2006, will support the NFB’s “Braille Readers are Leaders” campaign.   The campaign is a national initiative created to double the number of blind children learning Braille by 2015. 






The National Federation of the Blind is asking the American public, through purchasing this stunning silver dollar, to join its campaign to bring literacy, education, opportunity, and success to the blind of America .   The Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar goes on sale to the general public at noon   today.   Those interested in ordering a coin should visit www.usmint.gov or call 1- 800- USA- MINT (872- 6468).   For more information about the National Federation of the Blind and the Braille Readers are Leaders campaign, visit www.braille.org . 









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