Blog

The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship provides funding support to members who want to attend a National Federation of the Blind National Convention for the first time. The three biggest ticket items members need to cover when attending a convention are round-trip transportation, hotel reservations, and food. While we make every attempt to give as much […]

The National Association of Blind Merchants has issued a white paper that summarizes what it views as Randolph-Sheppard noncompliance issues by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). GSA is the second only to the U.S. Postal Service in terms of the number of Randolph-Shepaprd facilities on its property. However, there is a growing concern about […]

New York (February 25, 2019): Blind voters in New York will now have access to websites operated by the State Board of Elections (BOE) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In a settlement just reached by blind voters, advocates, and the two state agencies, the BOE and the DMV have agreed to ensure fully […]

Summer Experience Camp is a week of outdoor fun, friendship and skill building. The program combines activities like rock wall climbing and tandem biking with leadership building exercises and things exclusively Leader Dog-GPS training and spending time with Leader Dogs in training. The combination helps increase independent travel skills, interpersonal skills and leadership skills. The […]

Miami, Florida (February 26, 2019): Janice A. Bartleson, PhD, a blind counselor and emotional/behavioral disabilities clinician employed by Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M‑DCPS) for more than twenty-seven years, has settled the lawsuit she filed against the school board last spring Dr. Bartleson brought the lawsuit because she was unable to use the school system’s websites, […]

The National Federation of the Blind is seeking feedback from Uber and Lyft customers who have service animals, or who travel with individuals with service animals. Testers can be NFB members or non-members, and we welcome completed surveys on both positive and negative ride share experiences. Complete the Uber and Lyft survey as often as […]

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is looking for volunteer applicants for its State Advisory Committees, who serve as the Commission’s eyes and ears on the ground across the country, investigating and researching civil rights issues specific to their jurisdiction. The Commission is especially interested in appointing individuals who have a demonstrated interest in civil […]

At the February 9 Indy Chapter meeting; Attorney Emily Munson spoke about inaccessible materials being produce from Family Social Services, and Family Disability Services. If you want to tell your story; please let Valarie Yingling know at NFB National headquarters by February 28. Contact her by phone at 410-659-9314 ext. 2440 or vyingling@nfb.org

Geneva, Switzerland (February 8, 2019): Today, the United States government formalized its ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty by depositing the US instrument of ratification with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This action begins a ninety-day waiting period, after which the treaty will officially be in force as US policy, expanding literacy for the blind […]

We have a new bill in the 116th Congress which needs your immediate attention. The Transformation to Competitive Employment Act was introduced in the Senate by Senator Casey of Pennsylvania and Senator Van Hollen of Maryland, and was assigned bill number S. 260. In the House, Chairman Bobby Scott of Virginia and Representative Cathy McMorris […]

The blind of this nation are headed to DC for our annual Washington Seminar. Many of you will be visiting the capitol to speak with your legislators. The Washington Seminar is an annual event of the National Federation of the Blind to introduce the agenda of blind Americans–the priority issues requiring congressional attention over the […]

Aira is offering a 7-day trial with 30 minutes free for Guests to try the service. Some of that time will be used for setting up your account preferences and answering your questions about the service. The remaining time is free to use for any task. Remember, if you wish to sign up for continued […]

The National Federation of the Blind, together with the country’s premier training centers for the blind, offer a variety of summer programs for blind and low-vision children and young adults that build blindness skills and encourage independence. National Programs NFB E Q NFB E Q is a week-long summer engineering program for blind and low-vision […]

January 3, 2019, was the first day of the 116th Congress. Let’s take a look at some of the legislation they passed during 2018. When it comes to bills pertaining to veterans’ programs and services, and legislation of interest to people with visual impairments, the 115th Congress actually accomplished quite a lot, often with strong […]

The Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas is the site for the 2019 convention of the National Federation of the Blind, taking place July 7 to July 12, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, 3950 South Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119. Make your room reservation as soon as possible with the Mandalay […]

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission, Indiana Black Expo, Inc., AFSCME Local 725, and the State of Indiana has selected NFB Newsline Indiana Director Lee Martin as the 28th annual winner of their Freedom Award. The Freedom Award is granted to individuals or projects whose major societal influence […]

Two Aira plans are now available only to members of the National Federation of the Blind. A new introductory plan offers thirty minutes a month for twenty dollars. The regular NFB plan, which has been in place for some time now, offers 140 minutes per month for ninety-nine dollars. The regular NFB plan comes with […]

December 17, 2018: Today the United Nations passed a resolution designating January 4 of each year as World Braille Day. “From the time of its invention nearly two hundred years ago, Braille has represented independence, literacy, and opportunity for blind people,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “Though its adoption […]

Every year, the NFB awards more than $120,000 to blind scholars across the United States and Puerto Rico in recognition of their achievements and professional aspirations. The 2019 scholarship application is now open and will be available online through March 31, 2019. Thanks to generous partners, there are thirty merit-based scholarships ranging from $3,000 to […]

By Mark A. Riccobono “Workers paid only a few dollars per hour.” “Disabled workers exploited for profit.” “Employers pay next to nothing for manual labor.” If you read these headlines at the top of your newspaper, would you think you were reading about sweatshops in some distant developing country? If someone were to tell you […]