Blind Children

“Let us work together to ensure that no blind child is left to face life without the confidence and independence he or she can achieve.” Mark Riccobono, Executive Director National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute

The members of the San Antonio Chapter and the NFB of Texas support The National Federation of the Blind and the NFB Jernigan Institute in the development and empowerment of blind youth in the areas of science, Braille literacy, blindness skills, and transitioning to adulthood. This includes the development of programs, Web resources, and the dissemination of models to state affiliates for a broader implementation. The Education team collaborates with various experts in the fields of blindness and education to provide comprehensive support and opportunities that serve blind youth and their families.

What we're doing in Texas and Around the Nation?

Below is information about initiatives of the National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute to create a future full of opportunity for blind children and teens.

What We’re Doing Now:

National Center for Blind Youth in Science (NCBYS): The only national clearinghouse of information, resources, and programs to improve opportunities for the blind in science, technology, engineering, and math subjects and careers. Partnerships with the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautic and Space Administration, and other leading organizations help us to provide quality programs for blind youth. Don't miss out on exciting new developments, including the NFB Youth Slam!
National Convention Youth Track: Each year at our national convention, the Jernigan Institute partners with the NFB’s National Organization for Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) to provide a variety of seminars and social activities designed to provide a more meaningful convention experience for blind youth. These activities help foster independence, raise expectations, and promote positive attitudes about blindness. The Institute also works with affiliates to plan youth tracks for their own state conventions.
Youth Outreach Seminars: Visits to the National Center for the Blind (NFB headquarters in Baltimore, MD) are customized to meet the needs of particular youth groups. Activities include confidence-building experiences, philosophical discussions, and workshops on transition goals and college preparation.
Mentoring for Young Adults: The National Center for Mentoring Excellence (NCME) of the NFB was established to develop and facilitate model mentoring programs, based on established best practices for mentoring that can be replicated throughout the country. These programs match blind and low vision young adults with positive blind role models who demonstrate good blindness skills, incorporate an exemplary philosophy on blindness into their daily lives, and are successful in their chosen careers.

What We’ve Done

The Transition to Independence Club—A program sponsored by the NCBYS in partnership with the Maryland Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS).

Resources

Texas Association of Blind Students, (TABS)

Contact Information

Below is contact information for the NFB Jernigan Institute Youth Education Department, the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, and the Texas Parents Organization of Blind Children along with our chapter president. Any of these individuals and organizations will be glad to asist you with inormation and suggestions to help your blind child become all he/she can be and to know that it's okay to be blind.

National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute

>Karen Zaknini

EducationProgram Manager

National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute

1800 JohnsonStreet

Baltimore, Maryland 21230

Phone(410) 659-9314, ext. 2293

Mary Joe Thorpe

EducationProgram Manager

National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute

1800 JohnsonStreet

Baltimore, Maryland 21230

Phone(410) 659-9314, ext. 2407

National Organization of Parents of Blind Children,(NOPBC)

National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

President: Carol Castellano

23 Alexander Avenue

Madison, New Jersey 07940-2101

Home: 973-377-0976

E-mail: blindchildren@verizon.net

Web site: www.nfb.org/nopbc

Texas Parents of Blind Children, (TPOBC)

Texas Parents of Blind Children

PO Box 125

Friendswood, Tx. 77549-0125

Toll-Free: (866) 636-3289

Kim Cunningham - President

Texas Parents of Blind Children

Pearland, Texas.

Phone: 713-501-9659

Email:kim@tpobc.org

Web Site: http://www.tpobc.org

Local Contact

Jose Martinez president

National Federation of the Blind of Texas, San Antonio Chapter

Phone: (210) 722-3597

Email: SanAntonio@nfb-texas.org

Web Site: <