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Welcome to the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa Home Page |
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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. Capitol Square Post Office Still Needs Your HelpOn May 14, 2012, members of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa, Des Moines Chapter, The Postal Workers Union and The Alliance of Retired Americans, held an informational rally to support the Capitol Square location of the United States Post Office and ask that it remain open. We asked everyone that came by to fill out a post card, asking for a "Reconsideration" of the closure. Many did. Just before our rally, a news story was "leaked" from a postal official in Kansas City, implying that the Capitol Square location would not close. What that really meant is that the United States Post Office would not close any city and suburban offices at this time. Capitol Square is still on the closure list. We are asking for a "Reconsideration" of the closure and that this post office location be removed from the closure list. We still need your support. Please write to postmaster Deb Woodrum and let her know how important this location is for you. Here are addresses to write to concerning Capitol Square. 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 Iowa 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 National Federation Of The Blind Free White Cane ProgramThe 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. For more information, or to order your free white cane, Visit this link to learn more America is a nation in crisis regarding Braille literacy!How many children in America are not taught to read?The answer is 90 percent if the children are blind. Most Americans are shocked to hear this statistic. And we should be. The blind read and write using Braille, so why is our educational system failing to teach Braille to so many children? Why are these children being denied the opportunities that come with a proper education? What if you could not read and write? Where would you be today? There are three primary reasons for this educational crisis: (1) there are not enough Braille teachers; (2) some teachers of blind children have not received enough training; and (3) many educators do not think Braille instruction is even necessary. To bring critically-needed attention to this educational crisis, the United States Congress authorized the minting of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar with a portion of the sale of each coin going toward a revolutionary and comprehensive Braille literacy campaign. Enjoy audio highlights of the 2011 National Federation of the Blind convention held in Orlando Florida./ |