[Mabs] National Federation of the Blind Makes MATHCOUNTS Materials Accessible

[David Andrews]

>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>National Federation of the Blind Makes MATHCOUNTS Materials Accessible
>
>Baltimore, Maryland (December 6, 2006):  As part 
>of its continuing effort to improve math 
>education for blind students, the National Federation of the Blind
>Jernigan Institute announced today that it has 
>partnered with the MATHCOUNTS Foundation to 
>produce challenging mathematical materials in accessible formats.
>  Through a contract with GH Braille, the 
> National Federation of the Blind (NFB) has 
> prepared Braille-ready files of the 2006-2007 MATHCOUNTS School Handbook,
>which is used by teachers across the nation to 
>supplement the middle school math curriculum and 
>prepare students to participate in MATHCOUNTS competitions.
>
>The Braille files of the MATHCOUNTS handbook 
>contain both the full text of the book and 
>tactile representations of the graphics contained in it, which can
>be printed with Braille embossers.  Students or 
>their teachers can download the Braille-ready 
>MATHCOUNTS School Handbook from the Web site of the MATHCOUNTS
>Foundation at
><http://www.mathcounts.org/>http://www.mathcounts.org/.
>
>“The greatest challenge for blind students who 
>want to excel in math is obtaining materials in 
>accessible formats,” said Mark Riccobono, Director of Education
>for the Jernigan Institute.  “By producing the 
>MATHCOUNTS School Handbook in Braille, we are 
>filling a need for supplemental math study materials and paving
>the way for blind students to participate in 
>local, state, and national MATHCOUNTS 
>competitions.  Our goal is to help prepare blind students to pursue
>and excel in careers relating to science, 
>technology, engineering, and mathematics.”
>
>Larry Jacobson, Executive Director of the 
>MATHCOUNTS Foundation, said: “We are very 
>grateful to the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute
>for helping us fulfill our mission to increase 
>enthusiasm for and enhance achievement in 
>mathematics among all U.S. middle school students.  The NFB provided
>the expertise necessary to make these materials 
>accessible to blind students, making a valuable 
>contribution not only to the education of the blind but
>to the advancement of mathematical education throughout society.”
>
>Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
>Federation of the Blind, said: “Blind students 
>have traditionally been discouraged from pursuing the study of
>mathematics or hampered unnecessarily in their 
>studies by the lack of accessible materials.  We 
>are committed to removing the barriers that limit the participation
>of blind students in math and science, and 
>making the MATHCOUNTS School Handbook accessible 
>is a manifestation of that commitment.”
>
>###
>
>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.
>
>About MATHCOUNTS
>
>MATHCOUNTS is the nation’s premier middle school 
>math enrichment, coaching and competition 
>program.  Each year, it provides every U.S. middle school with
>free creative curriculum materials meeting 
>National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 
>standards for grades 6-8.  With the generous support of all MATHCOUNTS
>sponsors and volunteers, and leadership of the 
>National Society of Professional Engineers at 
>the local and state levels, MATHCOUNTS is providing today’s
>students with the foundation for success in 
>science, technology, engineering, or mathematics careers.
>
>John G. Paré Jr.
>Director of Public Relations
>NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>1800 Johnson Street
>Baltimore, Maryland  21230
>Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, ext. 2371
>Cell phone:  (410) 913-3912
>Fax:  (410) 685-5653
>Email:  <mailto:jpare at nfb.org>jpare at nfb.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
National Federation of the Blind Makes MATHCOUNTS Materials Accessible
 
Baltimore, Maryland (December 6, 2006):  As part of its continuing effort to improve math education for blind students, the National Federation of the Blind
Jernigan Institute announced today that it has partnered with the MATHCOUNTS Foundation to produce challenging mathematical materials in accessible formats.
 Through a contract with GH Braille, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) has prepared Braille-ready files of the 2006-2007 MATHCOUNTS School Handbook,
which is used by teachers across the nation to supplement the middle school math curriculum and prepare students to participate in MATHCOUNTS competitions.
 
The Braille files of the MATHCOUNTS handbook contain both the full text of the book and tactile representations of the graphics contained in it, which can
be printed with Braille embossers.  Students or their teachers can download the Braille-ready MATHCOUNTS School Handbook from the Web site of the MATHCOUNTS
Foundation at
http://www.mathcounts.org/ http://www.mathcounts.org/
.
 
“The greatest challenge for blind students who want to excel in math is obtaining materials in accessible formats,” said Mark Riccobono, Director of Education
for the Jernigan Institute.  “By producing the MATHCOUNTS School Handbook in Braille, we are filling a need for supplemental math study materials and paving
the way for blind students to participate in local, state, and national MATHCOUNTS competitions.  Our goal is to help prepare blind students to pursue
and excel in careers relating to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”
 
Larry Jacobson, Executive Director of the MATHCOUNTS Foundation, said: “We are very grateful to the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute
for helping us fulfill our mission to increase enthusiasm for and enhance achievement in mathematics among all U.S. middle school students.  The NFB provided
the expertise necessary to make these materials accessible to blind students, making a valuable contribution not only to the education of the blind but
to the advancement of mathematical education throughout society.”
 
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “Blind students have traditionally been discouraged from pursuing the study of
mathematics or hampered unnecessarily in their studies by the lack of accessible materials.  We are committed to removing the barriers that limit the participation
of blind students in math and science, and making the MATHCOUNTS School Handbook accessible is a manifestation of that commitment.”
 
###
 
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.
 
About MATHCOUNTS
 
MATHCOUNTS is the nation’s premier middle school math enrichment, coaching and competition program.  Each year, it provides every U.S. middle school with
free creative curriculum materials meeting National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards for grades 6-8.  With the generous support of all MATHCOUNTS
sponsors and volunteers, and leadership of the National Society of Professional Engineers at the local and state levels, MATHCOUNTS is providing today’s
students with the foundation for success in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics careers.
 
John G. Paré Jr.
Director of Public Relations
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, Maryland  21230
Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, ext. 2371
Cell phone:  (410) 913-3912
Fax:  (410) 685-5653
Email:  mailto:jpare at nfb.org jpare at nfb.org