[nfbwatlk] Fw: NOPBC Wins $5,000 National PageTurner Award

[Mike Freeman]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pare, John" <JPare at NFB.ORG>
To: "Pare, John" <JPare at NFB.ORG>
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2007 10:05 AM
Subject: NOPBC Wins $5,000 National PageTurner Award


National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

Wins $5,000 National PageTurner Award



Baltimore, Maryland (March 9, 2007): The National Organization of 
Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC), an affiliate of the National 
Federation of the Blind (NFB), received one of 39 national 2006 James 
Patterson PageTurner Awards.  The James Patterson PageTurner Awards 
serve to honor libraries, schools, individuals, and organizations that 
strive greatly to encourage the joy of reading across the United States.



The NOPBC was honored with $5,000 for their tireless efforts to promote 
leisure and scholastic reading for blind children.  The Braille Readers 
are Leaders Contest, a national contest for Braille readers from 
kindergarten through twelfth grade, and the Braille Reading Pals, a 
program catering to younger children, are two of the NOPBC's Braille 
literacy programs that received praise.



Barbara Cheadle, president of the NOPBC, said: "It is such an honor to 
be recognized in the company of such amazing organizations and 
individuals.  We thank James Patterson for his aid in our mission to 
encourage and spread Braille literacy-and the joy of reading-across 
America."



A definite correlation exists between Braille literacy and employment 
rates among the blind, proving that Braille literacy is a vital pathway 
to success.  Over 80% of employed blind or visually impaired adults 
report using Braille every day, but the number of blind or visually 
impaired students learning Braille has been decreasing.  Today, only 10% 
of blind or visually impaired students learn Braille, emphasizing the 
need for programs like the one honored by this award.



This year's winners of the James Patterson PageTurner Awards came from 
34 cities in 23 states.  James Patterson said, "I love being able to 
help those who spread the word that reading a book is still one of the 
great joys in our lives."


# # #

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:  jpare at nfb.org