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

[Kaye Kipp]

I think that's great.

Kaye
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Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 6:03 PM
Subject: [nfbwatlk] National Federation of the Blind Makes MATHCOUNTS 
Materials Accessible



>
>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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