[Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Sponsors Blind Drivers Quest for the Salt " Dan Parker Will Be First Blind Man to Drive Motorcycle on Bonneville Salt Flats
David Andrews
dandrews at visi.com
Wed Aug 21 16:55:50 UTC 2013
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 Drivers 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 Federations 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
drivers 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 Americas roadways like our sighted
peers. We are pleased to sponsor Dans 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, NFBs 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
Parkers 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
Parkers Quest for the Salt Facebook page, as
well as the NFBs
<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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