[Nfbnet-members-list] Fw: National Federation of the Blind Names Janet Bernhardt 2016 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children

[Morey, Kristian]

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 Names Janet Bernhardt
2016 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children



Orlando, Florida (July 2, 2016): The National Federation of the Blind 
(NFB) has named Janet Bernhardt, an educational consultant at the 
Louisiana Center for the Blind, as its 2016 Distinguished Educator of 
Blind Children.  Ms. Bernhardt was presented with the award at the 
NFB's seventy-sixth annual National Convention, held at the Rosen 
Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida.



Ms. Bernhardt started teaching blind preschoolers in 1977, and since 
then has worked with children of all ages. In her current role at the 
Louisiana Center for the Blind, her goal is to ensure that every 
blind student in Louisiana receives the quality education they 
deserve. She divides her time between helping blind students learn 
techniques for greater independence, and working with their teachers 
to encourage and develop a course curriculum suited to the needs of 
those blind students. Ms. Bernhardt also spends a significant amount 
of her time helping students and their teachers learn Braille because 
she believes it is an important skill to acquire on the path to independence.



Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
said, "Ms. Bernhardt has dedicated her career to ensuring that blind 
students are given the tools for independence and academic success, 
while also ensuring that their teachers possess the necessary methods 
for effective instruction. Ms. Bernhardt's dedication is exemplified 
in her advocacy for Braille instruction and her willingness to go 
above and beyond so that blind students all over the state of 
Louisiana are given the opportunity to succeed. The National 
Federation of the Blind commends Ms. Bernhardt for her unwavering 
commitment to the highest quality of education for blind children."



Ms. Bernhardt received a certification in education of the visually 
impaired from Florida State University, and a bachelor's in 
elementary education from Louisiana State University. She has also 
served internships at the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation 
Center at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and the Lions Low 
Vision Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital.



The Distinguished Educator Award carries with it a $1,000 prize and a 
trip to the 2016 NFB National Convention in Orlando.  While in 
Orlando, Ms. Bernhardt will address several hundred parents and 
educators of blind children and have an opportunity to share her 
experience and insights with many people interested in improving the 
education of blind students.



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About the National Federation of the Blind



The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the 
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise 
the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create 
obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life 
you want; blindness is not what holds you back.



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