[Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Sponsors Blind Driver’s “Quest for the Salt " Dan Parker Will Be First Blind Man to Drive Motorcycle on Bonneville Salt Flats

[David Andrews]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
National Federation of the Blind Sponsors
Blind Driver’s “Quest for the Salt”
Dan Parker Will Be First Blind Man to Drive Motorcycle on Bonneville Salt Flats
Wendover, Utah (August 21, 2013): 
<http://www.nfb.org>The National Federation of 
the Blind today announced its sponsorship of the 
first attempt by a blind driver to independently 
race a motorcycle on the famed Bonneville Salt 
Flats. 
<http://www.competitionplus.com/drag-racing/news/21203-pn-racer-dan-parker-talks-about-devastating-accident>Dan 
Parker, an experienced racecar builder and driver 
who lost his sight as the result of a racing 
accident last year, will independently operate a 
three-wheeled motorcycle with the help of a GPS 
system that gives him audible cues in order to 
help him maintain a straight course. Mr. Parker 
will make his run as part of the 2013 BUB 
Motorcycle Speed Trials this Sunday at the Flats. 
The National Federation of the Blind is one of 
several sponsors contributing funds and equipment 
to help Mr. Parker complete his “Quest for the 
Salt.” Additionally, the Federation’s Mark 
Riccobono, the <https://nfb.org/node/1003>first 
blind person to drive a vehicle without the 
assistance of a sighted person, will travel out 
to the Salt to participate in this historic event.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind, said: 
“<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTHa_5Y5IA4>We 
have demonstrated that it is possible for a blind 
person to operate a vehicle with the help of an 
interface that can convey information about the 
driver’s environment. Dan Parker is taking the 
concepts that we pioneered with our Blind Driver 
Challenge™ a step further­and possibly 
faster­while continuing to experiment with 
technology that may someday allow blind drivers 
to navigate America’s roadways like our sighted 
peers. We are pleased to sponsor Dan’s effort and 
wish him a successful run on the Bonneville Salt Flats.”
Mr. Parker said: “As a member, I appreciate the 
support of the National Federation of the Blind, 
an organization that believes, as I do, that 
blind people can succeed in whatever effort we 
choose with the proper tools and training. I look 
forward to demonstrating this truth to the racing 
community and the general public on the Salt 
Flats this weekend. I view this run as just the 
first leg of my journey to contribute to the work 
of the Federation and its Blind Driver Challenge™.”
On January 29, 2011, NFB’s Mark Riccobono became 
the first blind person to operate a vehicle on 
the Daytona International Speedway as a 
demonstration of technology that helped him 
navigate the course and avoid obstacles. More 
information about the NFB Blind Driver 
Challenge™, along with information about Dan 
Parker’s Quest for the Salt, is available at 
<http://www.blinddriverchallenge.org>www.blinddriverchallenge.org. 
Also be sure to visit 
<https://www.facebook.com/DanParkerQuestForTheSalt>Dan 
Parker’s Quest for the Salt Facebook page, as 
well as the NFB’s 
<http://www.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlind>Facebook 
and <http://www.twitter.com/NFB_voice>Twitter 
feeds, for continuous updates on this exciting event.
###

About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the 
oldest, largest, and most influential nationwide 
membership organization of blind people in the 
United States. Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates 
for the civil rights and equality of blind 
Americans, and develops innovative education, 
technology, and training programs to provide the 
blind and those who are losing vision with the 
tools they need to become independent and 
successful. We need your support. To make a 
donation, please go to <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.
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