Press Release

Braille Readers are Leaders Day Part of

Braille Literacy Campaign throughout Illinois

Mayor Anthony T. Calderone declares March 26, 2009 as
Braille Readers are Leaders Day in  the Village of Forest Park. The proclamation will be presented at the March 23^rd Village Council meeting. The Illinois affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), a leading proponent of Braille Literacy, obtained a mayoral proclamation as part of its 2009 Braille Literacy Campaign. 

The real problem facing the blind today is not the loss of our eyesight, but the misconceptions and stereotypes that exist about the blind and our methods of achieving success—including Braille.

Despite the many advantages of Braille, the Braille literacy
rate among blind people today is only 10 percent. This means the vast majority of blind people today are illiterate—and they are being denied the right to read or write.  This would be viewed as a national outrage among sighted individuals.  Literacy should be for all people.  And yet the Braille literacy crisis continues for the blind, contributing to a shocking 70 percent unemployment rate among today’s 1.3 million blind Americans. Eighty percent of the blind who are employed read Braille.  Braille is effective.

In 2009 NFB is coordinating Braille literacy events throughout the country.   NFB is educating and this proclamation along with numerous others passed throughout Illinois is part of that effort. 

The U.S. mint is selling the Louis Braille coin.  The NFB will receive matching funds for every coin sold to use to improve Braille literacy.

“I was one of the fortunate ones. I was taught Braille as soon
as I was diagnosed. I cannot imagine effectively working as an attorney, raising our kids, or taking part in volunteer activities without it,” explained Patti S. Gregory-Chang, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois.