[Nyagdu] o/t about braille literacy

[cheryl echevarria]

Subject: National Federation of the Blind to Light Up Times Square


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.


Cheryl Echevarria
Treasurer
National Federation of the Blind Greater Long Island Chapter
Member NAGDU, NYAGDU and DAN