[Iabs-talk] National Federation of the Blind Announces New Summer Program to Empower Blind Teens

[Patti Gregory-Chang]

We need people to call students about this.  

Please let me know if you have several hours you could
devote to calling.  Debbie, Kelly, and Ronza have
names of students we can call.   I also need a
coordinator to keep track of who is calling whom.  Any
volunteers to coordinate?

--- Kelly Doty <kelly at dls.net> wrote:

> From: "Kelly Doty" <kelly at dls.net>
> To: "Patti Gregory-Chang" <pattichang at att.net>,
> 	"Ronza Othman" <aznor99 at aol.com>
> CC: <pattichang at att.net>
> Subject: Re: National Federation of the Blind
> Announces New Summer Program to Empower Blind Teens
> Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:29:24 -0600
> 
> I think we need to contact the high school students
> and their parents that 
> we already have had contact with. Initial contact
> being by phone. It seems 
> that this would mostly be aimed at juniors and
> seniors, with them having to 
> have a case open with VOC Rehab or have alternative
> funding.
> 
> Kelly
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Patti Gregory-Chang" <pattichang at att.net>
> To: "Kelly Doty" <kelly at dls.net>; "Ronza Othman"
> <aznor99 at aol.com>
> Cc: <pattichang at att.net>
> Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2008 7:04 AM
> Subject: Fwd: National Federation of the Blind
> Announces New Summer Program 
> to Empower Blind Teens
> 
> 
> > How do we wantto try to encourage teens to apply
> for
> > this.
> >
> >
> > I have sent it to all blindness providers I have
> an
> > e-mail address for in Illinois.
> >
> > But we will need to do more.
> >
> >>
> >> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> >>
> >> CONTACT:
> >> John G. Paré Jr.
> >> Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives
> >> National Federation of the Blind
> >> (410) 659-9314, extension 2227
> >> (410) 913-3912 (Cell)
> >> jpare at nfb.org <mailto:jpare at nfb.org>
> >>
> >> National Federation of the Blind Announces New
> >> Summer Program to Empower Blind Teens
> >>
> >> Students will Build Skills, Increase Confidence,
> and
> >> Gain Work Experience!
> >>
> >> Baltimore, Maryland (February 26, 2008): The
> >> National Federation of the Blind, the largest and
> >> most influential organization of the blind in
> >> America, today announced that it will hold the
> >> first-ever Teen Empowerment Academy at the NFB
> >> headquarters in Baltimore.  The Teen Empowerment
> >> Academy is the newest program in a series of
> >> initiatives striving to drastically increase the
> >> educational, social, and vocational opportunities
> >> for blind youth.
> >>
> >> The eight-week residential training program, led
> by
> >> blind instructors and occurring from June 15 to
> >> August 9, 2008, is designed to help blind and
> >> visually impaired teens develop the blindness and
> >> job-readiness skills necessary for success.
> >>
> >> The first part of the program will focus on
> helping
> >> teens develop their blindness skills.  Highly
> >> qualified blind role models will teach courses in
> >> Braille, technology, mobility, and daily living
> >> skills.  During the second part of the program,
> >> students will enter the working world at a level
> >> suitable for teens.  Each student will work
> fifteen
> >> to twenty hours per week earning minimum wage. 
> With
> >> the support of mentors, students will also be
> >> responsible for residential tasks like preparing
> >> meals, maintaining a clean living environment,
> and
> >> doing their own laundry.  Additionally, students
> >> will participate in various recreational and
> >> challenge activities.
> >>
> >> Marc Maurer, president of the National Federation
> of
> >> the Blind, said: "By demonstrating the true
> >> capabilities of blind teens, the academy will
> >> encourage independence and raise the expectations
> >> students have for their own lives.  Many job
> fields
> >> are falsely believed to be closed to the blind,
> and
> >> we want blind teenagers to know that they do not
> >> have to limit themselves or their dreams."
> >>
> >> The Teen Empowerment Academy will combine a
> rigorous
> >> blindness skill-building curriculum with a work
> >> experience component to help all students gain
> new
> >> ability and capacity and develop long-lasting
> >> confidence.   Contact Rosy Carranza at (410)
> >> 659-9314, extension 2283, or via e-mail at
> >> rcarranza at nfb.org <mailto:rcarranza at nfb.org>  for
> >> additional information.  Interested persons may
> >> visit www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org>  to
> download
> >> an application.
> >>
> >>
> >> ###
> >>
> >>
> >> 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.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Jessica A. Freeh
> >> Public Relations Assistant
> >> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
> >> 1800 Johnson Street
> >> Baltimore, Maryland  21230
> >> Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, ext. 2348
> >> E-mail:  jfreeh at nfb.org <mailto:jfreeh at nfb.org>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > Patti S. Gregory-Chang
> > President,
> > National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
> > www.nfbofillinois.org
> > pattichang at att.net
> > 
> 
> 
> 



Patti S. Gregory-Chang
President, 
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois 
www.nfbofillinois.org
pattichang at att.net