[Nfb-seniors] National Federation of the Blind Partners with MV Transportation to Increase Opportunity for the Blind

[David Andrews]

>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>CONTACT:
>Chris Danielsen                                        Nikki Frenney
>Public Relations Specialist                         VP, Communications
>National Federation of the Blind                MV Transportation, Inc.
>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330                   (707) 863-8739
>(410) 262-1281 
>(Cell) 
><mailto:nfrenney at mvtransit.com>nfrenney at mvtransit.com
><mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>
>National Federation of the Blind Partners with MV Transportation
>  to Increase Opportunity for the Blind
>
>Funds to be Raised for National Federation of the Blind Imagination Fund
>
>Baltimore, Maryland (February 7, 2008): The National Federation of 
>the Blind (NFB), the nation's oldest and largest organization of the 
>blind, is partnering with MV Transportation, Inc., the largest 
>privately held and domestically owned transportation management 
>company in the United States. Since MV's founding, the company has 
>grown significantly - not through major acquisitions or mergers - 
>but through hard work that makes a difference.
>
>MV Transportation will form several teams across the nation to help 
>raise funds for the March for Independence: A Walk for 
>Opportunity.  The 5K "Walk for Opportunity," which will be held in 
>Dallas on July 2, to kick off the annual national convention of the 
>National Federation of the Blind, will support the NFB Imagination 
>Fund.  The Imagination Fund finances the research and training 
>programs of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute 
>and also supports the NFB's affiliates in each of the fifty states, 
>the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
>
>Dr. Marc Maurer, president of the National Federation of the Blind, 
>said: "The National Federation of the Blind is pleased to work with 
>MV Transportation to increase opportunities for blind Americans of 
>all ages.  The funds raised through this 5K walk will support the 
>creation and enhancement of innovative programs for blind youth, new 
>technologies to increase the independence and productivity of blind 
>workers, and programs to help senior citizens who are losing vision, 
>as well as the development of similar efforts in communities across 
>the nation through the work of the state affiliates and local 
>chapters of the National Federation of the Blind.  We hope that many 
>other organizations will follow the outstanding leadership example 
>set by MV Transportation and help us reach our goal of $1 million by 
>July 2, 2008."
>
>"We are equally excited about this incredible opportunity to work 
>with a great organization and advocate for persons who are visually 
>impaired," said Jon Monson, MV's chief executive officer.  "MV's 
>corporate promise is to ensure that we remain committed to 
>supporting the NFB and organizations like it who are equally 
>committed to empowering people with disabilities and educating others."
>
>Dwight D. Sayer, community relations manager for MV Transportation 
>and a member of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "MV 
>Transportation understands the importance of empowering the blind in 
>order to help them achieve full integration into American 
>society.  That is why we are partnering with the NFB.  MV strongly 
>believes that when we provide transportation services, we provide 
>the freedom of independence to those who desire it most."
>
>If you would like to support a team participating in the March for 
>Independence: A Walk for Opportunity or to form your own team, 
>please visit 
><http://www.marchforindependence.org>www.marchforindependence.org. 
>You may also contact Kristi Bowman at the National Federation of the 
>Blind by calling (410) 659-9314, extension 2406, or by e-mail at 
><mailto:kbowman at nfb.org>kbowman at nfb.org.
>
>###
>
>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 MV Transportation, Inc.
>
>Based in Fairfield, California, MV is the largest private provider 
>of paratransit services and the largest privately owned 
>transportation contracting firm in the United States. The company 
>employs more than 11,000 dedicated transit professionals and 
>operates more than 180 paratransit, fixed-route, shuttle and 
>Medicaid contracts in 24 states and the District of Columbia.
>