National Federation of the Blind (NFB)

National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest and largest civil rights organization of blind people in the United States, with affiliates in all 50 states and over 50,000 members. The organization was founded in 1940 by Jacobus tenBroek, a blind lawyer and academic, along with other blind leaders such as Newel Perry and Russell Kletzing. The NFB is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, and is led by Mark Riccobono, who has been the president since 2014, following in the footsteps of notable leaders like Kenneth Jernigan and Marc Maurer. The organization has worked closely with other disability rights groups, including the American Foundation for the Blind and the Helen Keller International.

● History

The National Federation of the Blind was founded on November 16, 1940, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, with the goal of promoting the civil rights and independence of blind people. The organization's early years were marked by a focus on rehabilitation and employment services, with the establishment of the Iowa Commission for the Blind and the Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The NFB also played a key role in the development of the White Cane Safety Day, which is celebrated on October 15 of each year, and has worked with organizations like the Lions Clubs International and the American Red Cross. The organization has also been involved in various court cases, including the Board of Education v. Rowley and the Americans with Disabilities Act Olmstead v. L.C., which have helped to shape the disability rights movement in the United States. Notable figures like Helen Keller and Louis Braille have inspired the organization's work, and the NFB has collaborated with institutions like the Perkins School for the Blind and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

● Organization

The National Federation of the Blind is a democratic organization with a federal structure, comprising affiliates in all 50 states and over 700 local chapters. The organization is led by a president and a board of directors, which includes representatives from each of the state affiliates, as well as members from organizations like the American Council of the Blind and the Blinded Veterans Association. The NFB also has a number of committees and divisions, including the National Association of Blind Students and the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, which focus on specific issues such as education and research. The organization has partnerships with companies like Microsoft and Google, and has worked with government agencies like the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and the United States Department of Education.

● Advocacy

The National Federation of the Blind is a leading advocate for the civil rights and independence of blind people, with a focus on issues such as accessibility, employment, and education. The organization has been involved in various advocacy campaigns, including the Braille Literacy Crisis and the Accessible Voting Technology Initiative, and has worked with organizations like the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund and the National Organization on Disability. The NFB has also played a key role in the development of accessibility standards and guidelines, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and the Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and has collaborated with institutions like the World Blind Union and the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment. Notable advocates like Stevie Wonder and Judy Heumann have supported the organization's work, and the NFB has partnered with companies like Apple and Amazon to promote accessibility.

● Programs

The National Federation of the Blind offers a range of programs and services to support the independence and success of blind people, including the National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program and the Jernigan Institute. The organization also provides training and resources for parents and educators of blind children, through programs like the National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam and the Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy. The NFB has partnerships with organizations like the Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Perkins School for the Blind, and has worked with government agencies like the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research and the United States Department of Labor.

● Notable Members

The National Federation of the Blind has a number of notable members, including Mark Riccobono, the current president of the organization, and Kenneth Jernigan, a former president and leader in the disability rights movement. Other notable members include Marc Maurer, a former president and lawyer, and Fredric K. Schroeder, a former commissioner of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The organization has also been supported by notable figures like Helen Keller and Stevie Wonder, and has worked with institutions like the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration. The NFB has collaborated with companies like IBM and Cisco Systems to promote accessibility and inclusion, and has partnered with organizations like the American Foundation for the Blind and the Helen Keller International to advance the rights of blind people.

Category:Disability organizations