[Ohio-Talk] NEWSLINE updates

Tue Mar 24 02:53:46 UTC 2020

Ohio,
There are a few updates regarding NEWSLINE.
First of all there is a “Breaking News” section at the very top of NEWSLINE and it is available to all 50 states, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.  You can find the most up to date information regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) there, the full article is listed below.
Secondly, I have created a COVID-19 section.  The articles can be found by going into “Ohio State Specific Channel” then “Ohio Information Channel Latest Information”.Now click on “COVID-19 Information”.  The information in this section will pertain to the state of OHio.  I will continue to add articles to this section as appropriate, but be sure to follow the Breaking News section for the most up to date information.

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COVID-19 Information Available in Braille and Audio
National Federation of the Blind Expands Access to NFB-NEWSLINE(r)

In order to make current news about the COVID-19 pandemic available to all
blind people, the National Federation of the Blind is making the "Breaking
News" section of our NFB-NEWSLINE service available throughout the United
States, including Puerto Rico, for sixty days beginning March 16. This
includes states that do not have a sponsor for the NFB-NEWSLINE service and
are therefore usually only able to receive limited content.
"NFB-NEWSLINE and the new breaking news channel have made tracking the new
coronavirus cases a lot easier than relying on television broadcasts," said
Glenn Crosby of Alvin, Texas. "The other day, there were two new cases
confirmed where we live that showed up on NFB-NEWSLINE hours ahead of the TV
news broadcast."
"In this global health emergency, the ability to read timely information in
an accessible format is even more critical than usual," said Mark Riccobono,
President of the National Federation of the Blind. "The more people access
and act upon the information that healthcare leaders and public officials
are providing, the better we can all cope with the rapidly evolving
situation. We are committed to making sure that blind people throughout our
country have the information they need to make appropriate preparations and
decisions as our nation's response unfolds."
The "Breaking News" category contains thirty-four outlets with frequently
updated content. An automated search has been set up for "coronavirus" to
compile the latest articles about the pandemic and the measures being taken
to combat it from all of these outlets. This content will now be available
to all eligible blind people in the United States. As with all NFB-NEWSLINE
content, it will be available via touchtone telephone, on the web, via the
NFB-NEWSLINE mobile app, with devices like talking book players, and over
smart speakers. Because the content can be accessed with Braille devices
such as notetakers and refreshable Braille displays, it is also available to
deafblind individuals who cannot get timely information from radio or
television.
For information on how to access NFB-NEWSLINE breaking news content on the
coronavirus, visit https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline>.
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About the National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is
the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded
in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the
fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of
blind people of all ages, and provides information and support to families
with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We
believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to
transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and
initiatives at nfb.org <http://nfb.org/> <https://www.nfb.org/ <https://www.nfb.org/>> .
CONTACT
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
410-659-9314, extension 2330
410-262-1281 (cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>> 

this news brief is also available at:
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/covid-19-information-available-brail <https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/covid-19-information-available-brail>
le-and-audio

Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.
Director of Public Relations
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, Ext. 2330 | cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>> 
Twitter: @rlawyer 

<https://nfb.org/ <https://nfb.org/>> 

<http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind <http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>>
<https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice <https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>>      <https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind <https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>> 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want. 

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Jim Weiss
jimweiss72 at icloud.com

“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark; than alone in the light.” | Helen Keller