[nfbwatlk] Fw: Fw: [leadership] AFB/NAPVI FamilyConnect

[Alco Canfield]

I guess it all depends upon what the "resources" communicate to parents.  Anything that can provide good information to parents and educaters could be most helpful.  I wonder if NFB is listed as a resource.  I rather doubt it, but I'l; check.

Alco

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 7:15 PM
To: NFB of Washington Talk <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [nfbwatlk] Fw: Fw: [leadership] AFB/NAPVI FamilyConnect

It would appear that the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is 
regressing or perhaps is showing its true colors.

Read on.

Mike Freeman

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Sue Ammeter
To: wcb-l at wcbinfo.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 6:20 AM
Subject: [Wcb-l] Fw: [leadership] AFB/NAPVI FamilyConnect



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Thom" <jsthom at comcast.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 8:56 PM
Subject: [leadership] AFB/NAPVI FamilyConnect


This AFB/NAPVI partnership, as discussed in the press release included
below, is a major step forward for families with children who have 
visual
impairments. As a board member of the American Foundation for the Blind, 
I
can tell you that it is their hope that all ACB affiliates will play a 
part
in this venture, and as CCB president, I urge all affiliates to learn as
much as they can and become involved.

Jeff Thom





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Adrianna Montague-Gray

AFB Communications

(212) 502-7675

amontaguegray at afb.net



New Web Community Brings Together Parents of

Visually Impaired Children



New York, NY (April 29, 2008)-When parents learn their child has a 
visual
impairment, it can be overwhelming. Parents wonder, "Will my child fall
behind at school?" or "Will my child make friends?" or "Will my child 
have a
successful career?"  With only 93,600 visually impaired school-aged 
children
in the U.S., over half of whom have additional disabilities, it's easy 
for
families facing vision loss to feel alone.



To help these families connect with each other and give busy parents,
grandparents and other caretakers a place to find comprehensive 
resources
and support 24 hours a day, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) 
and
the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
(NAPVI) today launched FamilyConnectTM, an online, multimedia community 
for
parents an    d guardians of children with visual impairments.



Located at www.familyconnect.org, FamilyConnect gives parents access to
message boards where they can talk to other parents, compelling videos
featuring real-life families, parenting articles, a mom-authored blog, a
glossary of more than 30 eye conditions, and links to local resources. 
The
site also features sections dedicated to multiple disabilities, 
technology,
education, and every age group from infants to teens.



"We created FamilyConnect to give parents the support and information 
they
need to ensure their children can achieve their dreams-whether that is
playing sports or music, learning to read braille, getting a first job,
surfing the web, making the cheerleading squad, traveling the world, or
going to graduate school," said Carl R. Augusto, President & CEO of AFB.



A recent NAPVI/AFB survey of parents of children with visual impairments
showed that parents/guardians turn most commonly to physicians (82%),
educators (76%), and web sites (65%) for information and support 
regarding
their children's vision problems.  This is consistent with national
statistics from the 2006 Pew Internet & American Life Project that show 
80
percent of American adult Internet users have searched for health
information online. For parents living in rural areas with fewer 
resources,
the web is particularly important to finding relevant, trustworthy
information and the right services.



"When I talk to parents of visually impaired children they almost always 
ask
about three things: they want to talk to other parents who have children
with the same eye condition as their child, they want access to the 
latest
health and education information, and they want to know what the future
holds," said Susan LaVenture, Executive Director of NAPVI. 
"FamilyConnect
offers parents all these things-and more-in one place."



In addition to joining a community of parents, visitors to
www.familyconnect.org can create a personal profile and receive 
information
on news and events based on their child's age, eye condition, and 
location.
Families can also find articles written by parents and professionals on
topics such as:



  a.. Finding the Right Eye Care Professionals for Your Child
  b.. Developmental Milestones: What Do They Mean?
  c.. Your Child's Individualized Educational Program
  d.. Friendship in the Teen Years
  e.. College Life Begins


In designing this web site, AFB and NAPVI partnered with leading 
national
organizations and hundreds of local agencies that serve children who are
visually impaired to keep FamilyConnect content complete and up to date.
AFB and NAPVI also solicited input from families across the country. 
Here
are representative samples of what they are saying about the final 
result.



Jen and Bill O'Neill, Nebraska

Daughter Camille, age 3, Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

"Our family is truly amazed at what we've seen of the site. Wow!  Thank 
you
all for the insight to see that this is something that is so needed for
families who are facing and overcoming the diagnosis of visual 
impairment.
The site is more than I imagined it would be-it is so comprehensive and
truly allows families to connect with one another and to resources."



Patty Bushland, Arkansas

Daughter Mary Rose, age 2, Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA)

 "When I found out my baby was visually impaired, I immediately went to 
the
Internet to find out everything I could about her condition and what I 
could
do to help her. FamilyConnect is so important, and I wish it had been 
there
for me when my daughter was first diagnosed."



The goal of www.familyconnect.org is to provide connections and support. 
By
providing accurate information and creating a forum for meaningful
discussion, families and their visually impaired children will feel
empowered to reach their full potential.



FamilyConnect is generously supported by grants from the Lavelle Fund 
for
the Blind, Inc. and Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, The Annie E. Casey
Foundation, and Morgan Stanley.



# # #

About AFB

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that
expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities 
include
broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information 
and
tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and 
promoting
independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing 
them
and their families with relevant and timely resources. Headquartered in 
New
York, AFB is proud to house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the more
than forty years that Helen Keller worked tirelessly with AFB.



About NAPVI

The National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
(NAPVI) is an international membership organization serving families in 
the
U.S. and in 55 countries.  NAPVI helps parents to find information and
resources for their children who are blind or visually impaired, 
including
those with additional disabilities.  NAPVI provides leadership, support, 
and
education to assist parents in helping children reach their potential.



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