National Federation of the Blind

National Federation of the Blind. The organization was founded in 1940 by Jacobus tenBroek, a prominent figure in the American Civil Liberties Union, with the goal of promoting the rights and interests of blind people in the United States, working closely with Helen Keller and American Foundation for the Blind. The National Federation of the Blind has been a leading advocate for the rights of visually impaired individuals, collaborating with organizations such as the Library of Congress and National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The organization has also worked with notable figures like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles to promote awareness and understanding of blindness.

● History

The National Federation of the Blind was established in 1940, with the first convention held in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, attended by notable figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The organization's early years were marked by significant milestones, including the establishment of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, and the development of the Braille literacy program, which has been supported by organizations like the Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Perkins School for the Blind. The National Federation of the Blind has also worked closely with other organizations, such as the American Printing House for the Blind and the National Association of Blind Veterans, to promote the rights and interests of blind individuals. Notable events, including the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Americans with Disabilities Act signing, have been supported by the organization, with participation from notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesse Jackson.

● Organization

The National Federation of the Blind is a membership-based organization, with a diverse membership of blind individuals from across the United States, including notable members like Daniel Kish and Tom Sullivan. The organization is led by a president, currently Mark Riccobono, who has worked closely with organizations like the National Council on Disability and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. The National Federation of the Blind has a strong network of affiliates, including the National Federation of the Blind of California and the National Federation of the Blind of New York, which work to promote the organization's mission and goals, often in collaboration with organizations like the California Department of Rehabilitation and the New York State Office for the Blind. The organization also has a number of divisions, including the National Association of Blind Students and the National Federation of the Blind Seniors, which provide support and resources for specific groups of members, such as those attending Harvard University or University of California, Berkeley.

● Advocacy

The National Federation of the Blind is a leading advocate for the rights of blind individuals, working to promote accessibility and equality in areas such as education, employment, and transportation, often in collaboration with organizations like the National Education Association and the American Public Transportation Association. The organization has been involved in a number of high-profile campaigns, including the Campaign for Equal Access to Air Travel and the Effort to Improve Accessibility of Self-Service Kiosks, which have been supported by notable figures like Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi. The National Federation of the Blind has also worked to promote the use of assistive technology, such as screen readers and braille displays, which have been developed by companies like Microsoft and Apple Inc.. The organization has collaborated with other organizations, such as the World Blind Union and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, to promote global accessibility and equality, including participation in events like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

● Programs

The National Federation of the Blind offers a range of programs and services to support its members, including the National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program and the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute's Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND), which have been supported by organizations like the Ford Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The organization also provides training and resources for blind individuals, including the National Federation of the Blind's Braille and assistive technology training programs, which have been developed in collaboration with organizations like the Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Perkins School for the Blind. The National Federation of the Blind has also established partnerships with organizations like the Library of Congress and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped to provide access to braille and large print materials, including works by notable authors like J.K. Rowling and Stephen King.

● Notable_members

The National Federation of the Blind has a number of notable members, including Daniel Kish, a renowned expert in echolocation, and Tom Sullivan, a musician and motivational speaker, who have worked with organizations like the National Organization on Disability and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. Other notable members include Mark Riccobono, the current president of the organization, and Anil Lewis, a prominent advocate for disability rights, who have collaborated with organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association of the Deaf. The National Federation of the Blind has also been supported by notable figures like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, who have performed at events like the National Federation of the Blind Convention and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

● Conventions_and_resolutions

The National Federation of the Blind holds an annual convention, which brings together members and supporters from across the United States, including notable figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The convention features a range of speakers, workshops, and exhibits, and provides an opportunity for members to connect with one another and learn about the latest developments in assistive technology and disability rights, often in collaboration with organizations like the National Council on Disability and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. The organization also passes resolutions on key issues, such as accessibility and employment, which have been supported by notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesse Jackson. The National Federation of the Blind has also participated in events like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the International Disability Rights Symposium, which have been attended by notable figures like Ban Ki-moon and Michelle Obama.

Category:Disability organizations