[real-eyes] A C B press release

From: <bigdaddylou63@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2009 04:46:13 -0500
> FYI;
>
>
> Mitch Pomerantz
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: slovering [mailto:slovering@xxxxxxx]
> Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 1:42 PM
> To: leadership@xxxxxxx
> Cc: announce@xxxxxxx
> Subject: [leadership] press release
>
> American Council of the Blind Celebrates Louis Braille's Birthday and
> National Braille Literacy Month!
>
> WASHINGTON, January 5, 2009 -- One hundred and seventy-nine years after 
> the
> first book was published in braille, millions of people who are blind or
> have low vision continue to read, write, and communicate through the 
> six-dot
> system. In fact, braille is used throughout the world by people who read a
> variety of languages.  Louis Braille designed the coding system, based on
> patterns of raised dots, by which the blind can read through touch. 
> January
> 4th is Louis Braille's birthday, and thus, January is also designated to 
> be
> National Braille Literacy Month.
>
> Louis Braille was born January 4, 1809, in Coupvray, France. An injury to
> his eye at age 3 resulted in total loss of vision. When he was 10, he
> entered the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, the world's first
> school for blind children. There he would live, study, and later teach.
> When Louis was 15, he developed an ingenious system of reading and writing
> by means of raised dots.
>
> Louis Braille accepted a full-time teaching position at the Institute when
> he was 19.  Unfortunately, he became seriously ill with incurable
> tuberculosis in 1835 and was forced to resign his teaching post. Shortly
> before his death, a former student of his, a blind musician, gave a
> performance in Paris, France.  She made a point of letting the audience 
> know
> that she had learned everything she knew using the system developed by the
> dying Louis Braille. This created renewed interest in and a revival of the
> Braille system, although it was not fully accepted until 1854, two years
> after the inventor's death.  Louis Braille died on January 6, 1852 at age
> 43.
>
> The Braille system has been modified slightly from time to time over the
> years; for instance, to accommodate the new computer terminology and
> symbols.  The fundamental version employed today was first used in the
> United States in 1860 at the Missouri School for the Blind.  It continues 
> to
> be used by many blind people around the world.  Mitch Pomerantz, President
> of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), says: "As someone who learned 
> to
> use Braille at the age of five, I am absolutely convinced that without 
> this
> wonderful code, I would be, in every sense of the word, illiterate and
> unable to hold the responsible position I held with the city of Los 
> Angeles
> for nearly 34 years."
>
> Judy Jackson, president of the Braille Revival League, ACB's
> special-interest affiliate at the forefront of the fight for Braille
> literacy, says: "Were it not for the priceless gift of Braille, those of 
> us
> who are Braille readers would be greatly disadvantaged in our efforts to
> communicate with the world of people whose primary medium is the printed
> word."
>
> The American Council of the Blind and its numerous state and
> special-interest affiliates take pride in supporting the continued 
> teaching
> and use of the Braille system.  If you have any questions about the use of
> Braille or about blindness, or if you know anyone who has lost, or is
> losing, their eyesight, or if you are a parent of a blind or sight 
> impaired
> child, contact us!  We are here to answer your questions and help any way 
> we
> can.
>
> The American Council of the Blind is the largest consumer-based 
> organization
> of blind and visually impaired Americans advocating for the rights of 
> blind
> Americans. Comprised of more than 70 affiliates across the United States,
> the organization is dedicated to making it possible for blind and visually
> impaired Americans to participate fully in every aspect of American 
> society.
>
>
>
>
> For more information about the American Council of the Blind, and the 
> issues
> it supports, visit www.acb.org or contact Melanie Brunson, Executive
> Director, American Council of the Blind, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650,
> Arlington, VA 22201, or phone (202) 467-5081 or toll-free, 1-800-424-8666. 

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[real-eyes] A C B press release

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