[nfbwatlk] Fw: National Organization of Parents of Blind Children Celebrates 25th Anniversary

[Mike Freeman]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Freeh, Jessica
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 7:23 AM
Subject: National Organization of Parents of Blind Children Celebrates 
25th Anniversary


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
John G. Paré Jr.
Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2227
(410) 913-3912 (Cell)
jpare at nfb.org

National Organization of Parents of Blind Children Celebrates 25th 
Anniversary

Organization Brings Hope and Opportunity to Blind Children and their 
Parents

Baltimore, Maryland (March 11, 2008): The National Organization of 
Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC), a division of the National Federation 
of the Blind (NFB), will celebrate its 25th anniversary at the NFB 
National Convention in Dallas this year.  Founded in 1983, the NOPBC is 
a national membership organization of parents and friends of blind 
children reaching out to each other to give vital support, 
encouragement, and information.  There are over three thousand members 
in all fifty states and divisions or parent contacts in about thirty 
states plus Puerto Rico.

"The NOPBC is unique because it is a bridge between blind children and 
their families and the adult blind community.  No other organization in 
the world can accomplish what we do because of our extraordinary 
relationship with the National Federation of the Blind.  Blind children 
can grow up knowing they are 'normal' because of their blind role models 
and friends in the NFB," said Barbara Cheadle, who has been president of 
the NOPBC for the past twenty-three years.

The NOPBC is committed to Braille literacy and promotes it through its 
nationally recognized Braille Readers Are Leaders Program.  The literacy 
program includes a Braille contest for blind children grades K-12, 
special recognition to schools for the blind that promote Braille 
literacy, Community Service Awards for blind students who use their 
Braille skills to give back to others, and a prereaders program (Braille 
Pals) to help families introduce Braille and a love of reading to their 
blind infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

"As blind people, we know from personal and empirical evidence that 
Braille literacy is a key component of success for the blind," said Dr. 
Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind and a 
lifelong Braille reader.   "Studies have shown that among blind people 
who are employed, approximately 85 percent read Braille.  Encouraging 
blind children to begin learning and reading Braille as early as 
possible is one of the best things parents and teachers can do to insure 
their children's future success.  The National Organization of Parents 
of Blind Children's Braille literacy programs have helped to ensure the 
future success of countless blind children over the past twenty-five 
years."

The NOPBC led the revolution in promoting the usage of white canes for 
children-even those who are just learning to walk-and continues to 
sponsor a program that gives children their first cane for free.

Slate Pals is another remarkable program as it enables children who are 
blind to correspond in Braille with others from all over the world.  It 
also finds blind pen pals for sighted children who are interested in 
learning the Braille code.  Other NOPBC programs include scholarships 
for blind children to attend summer enrichment programs and distribution 
of Future Reflections, a quarterly journal for parents and teachers of 
blind children.  The NOPBC is also an avid advocacy group, offering 
workshops and training programs for parents that teach them to advocate 
for their blind children's independence in school and in the community.

The 25th anniversary celebration will be a part of the NOPBC's annual 
weeklong family training conference.  The conference brings together 
blind children of all ages, their parents, other family members, and 
blind role models and mentors from the NFB to instruct and inspire them.

For more information about the NOPBC, please visit www.nfb.org/nopbc or 
contact Barbara Cheadle at (410) 659-9314, ext. 2360.

###

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.





-------------- next part --------------
----- Original Message -----
From:
mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org Freeh, Jessica
Sent:
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 7:23 AM
Subject:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children Celebrates 25th Anniversary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT:
John G. Paré Jr.
Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2227
(410) 913-3912 (Cell)
mailto:jpare at nfb.org
jpare at nfb.org
 
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children Celebrates 25th Anniversary
 
Organization Brings Hope and Opportunity to Blind Children and their Parents
 
Baltimore, Maryland (March 11, 2008): The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC), a division of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), will celebrate its 25th anniversary at the NFB National Convention in Dallas this year.  Founded in 1983, the NOPBC is a national membership organization of parents and friends of blind children reaching out to each other to give vital support, encouragement, and information.  There are over three thousand members in all fifty states and divisions or parent contacts in about thirty states plus Puerto Rico.
 
“The NOPBC is unique because it is a bridge between blind children and their families and the adult blind community.  No other organization in the world can accomplish what we do because of our extraordinary relationship with the National Federation of the Blind.  Blind children can grow up knowing they are ‘normal’ because of their blind role models and friends in the NFB,” said Barbara Cheadle, who has been president of the NOPBC for the past twenty-three years.
 
The NOPBC is committed to Braille literacy and promotes it through its nationally recognized Braille Readers Are Leaders Program.  The literacy program includes a Braille contest for blind children grades K-12, special recognition to schools for the blind that promote Braille literacy, Community Service Awards for blind students who use their Braille skills to give back to others, and a prereaders program (Braille Pals) to help families introduce Braille and a love of reading to their blind infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
“As blind people, we know from personal and empirical evidence that Braille literacy is a key component of success for the blind,” said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind and a lifelong Braille reader.   “Studies have shown that among blind people who are employed, approximately 85 percent read Braille.  Encouraging blind children to begin learning and reading Braille as early as possible is one of the best things parents and teachers can do to insure their children’s future success.  The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children’s Braille literacy programs have helped to ensure the future success of countless blind children over the past twenty-five years.”
 
The NOPBC led the revolution in promoting the usage of white canes for children–even those who are just learning to walk–and continues to sponsor a program that gives children their first cane for free. 
 
Slate Pals is another remarkable program as it enables children who are blind to correspond in Braille with others from all over the world.  It also finds blind pen pals for sighted children who are interested in learning the Braille code.  Other NOPBC programs include scholarships for blind children to attend summer enrichment programs and distribution of Future Reflections, a quarterly journal for parents and teachers of blind children.  The NOPBC is also an avid advocacy group, offering workshops and training programs for parents that teach them to advocate for their blind children’s independence in school and in the community.
 
The 25th anniversary celebration will be a part of the NOPBC’s annual weeklong family training conference.  The conference brings together blind children of all ages, their parents, other family members, and blind role models and mentors from the NFB to instruct and inspire them.
 
For more information about the NOPBC, please visit
http://www.nfb.org/nopbc
www.nfb.org/nopbc
or contact Barbara Cheadle at (410) 659-9314, ext. 2360.
 
###
 
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.