National Federation of the Blind of Georgia

 

NFB of georgia Logo

 

An organization of and for the Blind

 

“Everyday People, Living Life Every Day”

 

Welcome to the Web Presence of the NFB of Georgia

 

About the NFB of Georgia

 

Negative attitudes and mistaken perceptions about blindness are the largest barriers to our independence and full participation in society.  Unfortunately, the general public believes that blind people should be relegated to the role of dependent, custodial beneficiaries of society’s good will.  Equally as offensive, others feel the blind are extraordinary simply because we perform the fundamental tasks, and accept the basic responsibilities, that are expected from all citizens.  To counter these negative attitudes and mistaken perceptions, the NFB of Georgia works aggressively to empower blind people with a positive self-concept of independence and self-worth, while simultaneously educating the public about the true potential of the blind.  We strive to promote positive, inclusive, perceptions of blind people, so that we can exercise our right, like any other American, to live, work, and play in our communities and be appreciated as everyday people living life every day.

 

Visit the following links for more information about our:

Constitution     *           Board of Directors        *           Local Chapters and Divisions

 

The National Federation of the Blind of Georgia (NFBGA) is a 501-C(3) non-profit volunteer organization, all donations are tax-deductable. Established in 1972, and chartered in 1973 as a state affiliate of the largest organization of blind people in the nation, the National Federation of the Blind.  Our national organization is composed of more than 50 affiliates, with 700 local chapters, consisting of over 50 thousand blind individuals.

 

Visit this link to learn more about our national organization.

 

Make a Gift to the NFB of Georgia

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

NFB National Convention

Please join us for the 2009 NFB convention, which will be held at the Detroit Marriott, Renaissance Center July 3-8, 2009.  The National Federation of the Blind convention is the largest gathering of blind people (more than 2,500) to occur anywhere in the nation each year.  Blind youth and adults are able to meet other blind people who are successfully functioning in a variety of chosen professions or occupations, and exchange information and ideas.  Federal officials, members of Congress, and the makers and distributors of new technology attend Federation conventions.  Above all, a broad cross section of the most active segment of the blind population of the U.S. will be present to discuss common problems and plan for concerted action.  It is an interesting and exciting week.  You won't want to miss the excitement!

 

For more information, and registration, visit our National Convention Web Page.

 

 

NFB March for Independence

The March for Independence -- A Walk for Opportunity, is a 5K walk-a-thon fundraising event and celebration demonstrating the independent spirit of the nation's organized blind, their friends, family, and supporters.

 

The event relies on volunteers to register and participate in a 5K walk and to raise donations for walking.  The donations raised, support the National Federation of the Blind's Imagination Fund.

 

The Imagination Fund supports local and state outreach efforts benefiting blind people in your local community. Blind children, teens, youth, college students, adults, and seniors losing their vision as well as the programs and initiatives of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Jernigan Institute.

 

Visit this link for more information on the March for Independence.

 

 

NFB Youth Slam

During the week of July 26-August 1, 2009, at the University of Maryland, Two hundred blind and low vision students from all across the country will attend this five-day adventure that will engage, inspire, and encourage the next generation of blind youth to consider careers falsely believed to be impossible for the blind.  Have you ever wanted to build and launch a rocket?  Are you interested in learning about forensics?  Or do you have an interest in journalism?  The possibilities are plentiful at the NFB Youth Slam!

 

Visit this link for more information about youth Slam.

 

 

NFBGA State Convention

The state Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia is the largest gathering of the blind in the state.  Over 250 blind people, family members, friends, and blindness service providers come together for a week of seminars, presentations, workshops,and general discussions on training, technology, and  strategies for improving the quality of life of blind people.  This year, our State Convention will be held in Macon, Georgia at the Marriott from Thursday, October 8 thru Sunday, October 11.  Check back for updated information.

 

 

Black tie – White Cane Appreciation Banquet

This will be our Eighth Annual Black Tie-White Cane appreciation Banquet.  Check back for updated information.

 

 

Projects and Programs of the NFBGA

 

Georgians Empowered through Mentoring Success (GEMS)

The aim of the Georgians Empowered through Mentoring Success (GEMS) program is to link blind and low vision young adults throughout Georgia, ages sixteen to twenty-six, with successful blind and low vision adult mentors for the purpose of increasing their knowledge and participation in their educational and vocational rehabilitation processes with a resulting outcome of increased post-secondary academic success, high-quality employment, and community integration. 

 

Visit this link for more information about the GEMS Program

 

 

NFB-NewsLine®

Georgia Audible Universal Information Access service (AUIAS)

Blind and print disabled citizens of Georgia can use a touch-tone telephone to access over 250 newspapers and magazines that provide timely information concerning our communities, cities, nation and the world.  The Georgia Audible Universal information Access Service is more than just a way for blind and print disabled Georgian’s to receive the latest information from national, state, and local print publications.  The service is a tremendously empowering asset to the blind and print disabled citizens of Georgia.  It makes it possible for us to stay connected to the social and political life of Georgia and the world, and continue to be informed, participating, contributing members of society. 

 

Visit this link for more information about the NFB-NEWSLINE® serving as the Georgia AUIAS

 

 

National Braille Literacy Initiative

This year we celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille. We celebrate not only his life but also the countless lives impacted by the code that bears his name.  Through his creation of the Braille code, Louis Braille equipped the blind with an essential tool for independence and success. He empowered us with the knowledge that we could compete on the basis of equality, and for the first time in history, he afforded us the opportunity to both read and write.

 

Now, some two hundred years later, as we celebrate how far we have come, we must also remember how far we have to go.

The National Federation of the Blind established an unprecedented and comprehensive initiative in Braille literacy in July 2008.  This coincided with the unveiling of the design (Windows Media video) for the Louis Braille Commemorative Coin from the United States Treasury in honor of Braille’s two hundredth birthday.  The initiative will be marked by the most significant investment in literacy for the blind ever—raising $8 million for Braille literacy programs into the future—and an innovative network of programs that dramatically enhance opportunities and education for the blind.  

 

So as we celebrate Braille's birth and advance the Braille Readers are Leaders literacy campaign, we urge you to support the NFB's Braille literacy initiative in any way that you are able. Whether it is through purchasing an NFB-Braille Commemorative Coin, providing matching funds for the Braille literacy campaign, attending Braille events, or simply helping to raise awareness of this important issue, we hope that you will join us in our efforts to end the Braille literacy crisis.

 

Visit this link to learn more about our Braille Literacy Campaign.

 

 

Free White Cane Program

The White Cane is a tool used by the blind to travel independently as contributing, productive members of our communities and is recognized everywhere as a symbol of independence.

 

The NFB is giving, free of charge to the user, straight fiberglass canes.  The canes are available in the following lengths: 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, and 63 inches.  Any blind individual in the fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico may request a cane for their personal use.  Requests may be made as often as every six months.

 

Visit this link to order your free white cane.

 

 

News and Press Releases

 

 

 

 

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NFB of Georgia

315 West Ponce de Leon Avenue

Suite 1020

Decatur, Georgia 30030

(404) 371-1000 (Voice)

(404) 371-1002 (Fax)

(866) 316-3242 (Toll Free)

Theblind (Email)

 

Last Revised     

                        Sunday, May 31, 2009