|
|
Welcome to the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa Home Page |
|
The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa (NFBI), an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, is a consumer organization of blind and sighted people of all ages from across the state of Iowa who work to improve the lives of all blind persons in Iowa and throughout our country. NFBI is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization. We welcome your support and contributions. Local chapters of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa meet monthly to address issues of importance to the blind. These include, among other things, transportation, public awareness of the blind, and access by the blind to services and technology. One chapter has taken on an educational project for its community. Blind men and women write, produce, and host a local cable station talk show which informs the public about issues of concern to the blind and elevates the public's understanding about the true capabilities of people who are blind. Local chapters also serve as a support group for the Blind. People who lose their sight later in life desperately need the help and encouragement of others to return to the lives they knew when they could see. Most people, when they become blind, do not know of any other blind person in their city or family. They have no role model or mentor to assist them in their adjustment to blindness and their quest to return to a fulfilling life. Chapter members provide the essential links to help, encouragement, and services. As a statewide organization of blind Iowans, we work to influence and improve state programs that affect the blind. These include programs to provide materials to the blind in formats other than print, efforts to provide independent access to the ballot box, and services designed to help the blind obtain and retain employment. We advocate for the blind by serving on statewide boards or committees. We work to educate our members about services to which they are entitled. We work with parents of blind children to provide them with the information they need to help their children achieve their dreams of success. NFBI brought NFB-NEWSLINEŽ to the state of Iowa and continues to provide customer support for this service. NFB-NEWSLINEŽ provides, at no cost to blind individuals, the following telephone features:
With NFB-NEWSLINEŽ, subscribers can select which paper, section, or article to read; and they can read the paper at any time--day or night. To obtain an application for NFB-NEWSLINEŽ, contact Peggy Chong at (515) 277-1288. You may also apply online for NFB-NEWSLINEŽ. If you are the parent of a blind child, you will be interested in our Parents Of Blind Children Division! This division was formed as a result of a four-year program where a small handful of Federation members met on the second Saturday of each month with parents and their blind children at "Saturday School" where parents were introduced to the positive philosophy of blindness espoused by the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa and the National Federation of the Blind. Parents were taught to believe that their blind child could achieve just like their siblings who have sight. If you are a parent of a blind child, a grandparent, or perhaps you know someone who is a parent of a blind child, and would like more information, you may contact the division president, Carrie Thomson at e-mail Carrie The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is changing what it means to be blind in the state of Iowa. We know the world should not change to meet all of our needs, but we believe and demonstrate through our many projects and programs that Blind people, given the proper training and opportunity, can lead productive lives in our society. The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind: 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230; phone: 1-410-659-9314; e-mail: nfb@nfb.org; on the web at www.nfb.org. Read Issues of the Following NFB Publications:
NFB of Iowa Contact Information NFB of Iowa Press Releases |