[Tn-talk] Jernigan Institute News, July 31, 2006

[David Andrews]

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 National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute
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http://secure.nfb.org/email/ji-template/images/nfbji-logo.gif>

JERNIGAN
INSTITUTE
NEWS

July 31, 2006

                July in Dallas, Texas, is usually hot, but in 2006 it
was even hotter as the largest group of blind people assembled together
this year attended the 66th annual National Federation of the Blind
National Convention. The convention is held annually during the first
week of July, and this year's opening ceremonies appropriately commenced
on Independence Day, when NFB President Marc Maurer announced the theme
of the convention, proclaiming, "The Revolution Is Here!" to over 2800
members and friends of the Federation. Revolutionizing independence was
the release of the Kurzweil-National Federation of the Blind Reader.
This portable, handheld reading machine brings a new independence to
blind and low vision folks across the country and around the world.
Combining a state-of-the-art digital camera with a powerful personal
data assistant, the "camera that talks" puts the best available
character recognition software together with text-to-speech conversion
technology--all in a single, handheld device.  Users hold the Reader
over print--a restaurant menu, an airline ticket, a business card, a
school assignment, an office memo--and in seconds they hear the contents
of the printed document played back in clear synthetic speech.  The
Kurzweil-National Federation of the Blind Reader has the ability to
dramatically enhance the lives of millions of people who have difficulty
seeing or reading print by providing access like never before.  To see
the national media coverage the Reader generated visit the following
links:

http://video.ap.org/v/en-ap/v.htm?g=95c071d3-cf1a-4193-afdd-d5a7991eff61
&f=youridhere&fg=copy

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/0
6-26-2006/0004386982&EDATE
<
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/ 06-26-2006/0004386982&EDATE >

                Another exciting announcement was the NFB Youth Slam,
which will be held July 30-August 4, 2007, at the Institute.  Expected
to be the largest gathering of blind youth ever, two hundred blind or
low vision youth will participate in four days of activities that expose
them to the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields in
a way that powerfully demonstrates that these challenging careers are
open to them.  In conjunction with partners such as the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Johns Hopkins
University Whiting School of Engineering, and other institutions and
corporations working in STEM, the Slam will create a greater
understanding among parents, teachers, and the general public that blind
people can learn and excel in these fields.  The Slam will culminate
with an inspiring rally at Baltimore's Inner Harbor and a celebration at
the Institute.  For more information about the 2007 NFB Youth Slam visit
http://www.blindscience.org/ncbys/Youth_Slam.asp?SnID=1723555634.

                Following convention and back at home, our work
continued as the third annual Jernigan Institute Science Academy got
underway.  On July 14, 2006, Rocket On!, the first of two Science
Academy sessions for school age youth, had its kick off.  Twelve blind
high school students became the third NFB team to successfully launch a
10½-foot sounding rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops
Island, Virginia.  This year's Rocket On! academy was as successful at
fulfilling dreams as it was at shattering the myth that challenging and
technical sciences are dangerous for blind youth.  To learn more about
this program go to
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=20335.
Additionally, on July 29th, ten blind middle school students from across
the U.S. arrived at the National Center for the Blind to participate in
the Circle of Life session of the Science Academy.  This second academy
session focuses on natural sciences and includes the dissection of a
dogfish shark.  For more information, visit the NFB Science Academy Web
site at
http://nfb.org/nfbji/science_academy.htm
<
http://nfb.org/nfbji/science_academy.htm> .

                Every day as we enter into the work that we do at the
Jernigan Institute, we are grateful for the strength of our movement,
the support of our friends, and the inspiration, innovation, and
influence that the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute
represents.  As you can see, the Jernigan Institute is not simply
advocating for skills and resources, we are actively changing what it
means to be blind!

                Make sure to frequently check out Voice of the Nation's
Blind <
http://www.voiceofthenationsblind.org/>
and the Braille Monitor
<
http://www.nfb.org/bralmons.htm>
for more information on this and
other important topics.

                Betsy A. Zaborowski, Psy.D.
                Executive Director
                Jernigan Institute
                NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

                Thanks for your interest in the Jernigan Institute.
We'll be sending out these releases periodically to keep you informed
about how we are creating a future full of opportunity for the blind.
These short updates are being distributed on NFB listservs and to others
interested in what is going on at the Jernigan Institute. Help us spread
the word about the Institute by sharing this and other information at
chapter meetings and at other gatherings of the blind.

                Visit our Web site:
http://www.nfb.org/

Imagine A Future Full of
Opportunity<
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Donate Online <
http://nfb.org/donate/dononline.php?fund=imagine>

The Imagination Fund <
http://www.nfb.org/nfbji/inaugural_fund.htm>
helps support the NFB state affiliates and local chapters across the
country and the initiatives of the Jernigan Institute
<
http://www.nfb.org/nfbji/enter.htm> .

If you have questions about the Imagination Fund contact
imagine at nfb.org.

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