National Federation of the Blind of Texas,

San Antonio Chapter

The real problem of blindness is not the lack of eyesight. The real problem is the misunderstanding and lack of information that exists. If a blind person has proper training and opportunity, blindness is only a physical nuisance.

We are a proud member of the National Federation of the Blind, and the National Federation of the Blind of Texas. We are the Nation's oldest and largest organization of blind persons in the United States with local chapters and affiliated divisions of blind consumers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and major cities throughout Texas including San Antonio. We serve blind persons, parents of blind children, educators, andprofessionals in the blindness field in our area.

Upcoming Events

COME JOIN Us for our August Chapter Meeting!

Posted Saturday June 26, 2010

If you’ve never attended a meeting of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), there’s no better time! Come join us at our August meeting.

Saturday August 21, 2010

1:00-2:30PM

DARS-Division of Services for the Blind
4204 Woodcock Drive, Suite 274
San Antonio, TX 78228
(2nd Floor, Trinity Building, just inside NW Loop 410 between Callaghan and Babcock)

This Month’s Agenda:

The agenda for our August meeting will be posted later.

Summer 2010:
Junior Science Academy

The NFB will again offer a Junior Science Academy targeting children in grades three through six. The Junior Science Academy offers young scientific explorers an opportunity to experience the excitement of science in a four-day session with hands-on experiences, tactile materials, and innovative non-visual teaching methods. In addition, the Academy will have corresponding parent workshops to provide parents/guardians with the tools and knowledge that they need to help their child succeed. Two summer sessions will be offered: July 28 to August 1, 2010, and August 4 to August 8, 2010. For more information, please visit the Junior Science Academy home page.

Texas Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) Program

July 12-23, 2010

Posted Tuesday April 20, 2010

This program is designed to serve as a demonstration program to provide intensive Braille instruction to low vision children during the summer months.  The goal of this program is to provide children ages 4-12 with two weeks of intense Braille instruction through fun, hands-on learning and activities. The NFB Braille BELL Project is designed to run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  In addition to crafts, games, and other engaging projects, children may also enjoy field trips to sites related to the BELL curriculum.

In the September 24, 2009 iss ue of Straight Talk aAbout Vision Loss, Produced by the NFB Jernigan Institute Mary Jo Hartle, the NFB Jernigan Institute's Director of Education, and Natalie Shaheen, Education Program Specialist, discuss theNFB's Braille Initiatives including the BELL Program.

Straight Talk About Vision Loss Episode 27, (WMV) 47.5 MB

Straight Talk About Vision Loss Episode 27, audio only (MP3) 18.2 MB

The BELL Program is coming!   Tell your friends!   Save the date! Feel free to Download the 2010 Texas BELL Program Flier and spread it far and wide to blind children and their parents. Interested individuals and families should contact the below NFBT BELL representatives to request registration materials:

Latest News

San Antonio Federationists Race for Independence!

Posted Monday March 30, 2010

On January 19, the NFB announced the 2010 Race for Independence, a fundraising effort focused on improving access to technology by blind Americans and supporting other NFB initiatives. The Race for Independence is designed to raise funds for the National Federation of the Blind Imagination Fund, which supports the education, technology, and research projects of the NFB Jernigan Institute, as well as programs conducted by the fifty-two affiliates and over seven hundred local chapters of the Federation. The Race for Independence will also bring public attention to the need for full and equal access for blind Americans to modern technology, in everything from home appliances to automobiles.

At its March 21st meeting the National Federation of the Blind of Texas San Antonio Chapter voted to create a team to participate in this exciting event. The Rio Racers will join thousands of blind individuals throughout Texas and the nation and to support our Imagination Fund and the programs of the National Federation of the Blind. You can help us carry this work forward by sponsoring our team with your contributions.

For more information about the Rio Racers visit:

http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/TR/Campaign/General?team_id=3331&pg=team&fr_id=1070

Straight Talk About Vision Loss is a video series produced by the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute which explores all aspects of blindness and highlights different projects and initiatives of the National Federation of the Blind. In the March 18, 2010 episode Imagination Fund chairman Parnell Diggs discusses the Race for Independence with Mark Riccobono Director of the NFB Jernigan Institute.

Episode 29, (WMV) 52.0 MB

Episode 29 Audio Only, (MP3) 19.8 MB

For additional information about The Rio Racers and the Race for Independence visit the NFB Race for Independence Web Site at:
http://www.raceforindependence.org

Announcing The Teach Blind Students Web Site

Posted Tuesday January 12, 2010

The National Federation of the Blind has developed this one-stop resource on teaching blind students to provide information about this highly rewarding career. With 90% of blind children not being taught Braille, a 45% high school graduation rate for blind students, and a whopping 70% unemployment rate amongst working age blind adults, the time to make a difference is here! For additional information visit:

http://www.teachblindstudents.org

What's New

May 2010 Meeting Minutes Now Available

Posted Sunday May 23, 2010

The May 20, 2010 Meeting Minutesare now available for viewing. Minutes from previous chapter meetings can also be viewed and downloaded by visiting our Minutes Page.

Officers for 2010

Posted Saturday January 16, 2010

At its January Meeting the National Federation of the Blind of Texas San Antonio Chapter held its annual elections. The new slate of officers and board members for 2010 can be viewed on our Board of Directors page.

Contact Details

For additional information about our chapter, its meetings, and activities contact Jose Martinez, Chapter President at:

Jose Martinez President

National Federation of the Blind of Texas, San Antonio Chapter

Phone: (210) 722-3597

Email: SanAntonio@nfb-texas.org