AFB and Verizon Launch the National Campaign for Literacy, Textbooks, Transcribers and Technology at a Reception in Washington, D.C.
Verizon gives $600,000 for three-year campaign
Dallas, October 4, 2002—The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) announced the launch yesterday of the National Campaign for Literacy, Textbooks, Transcribers and Technology to improve the lives of America's blind and low-vision schoolchildren. Verizon is providing major funding for the three-year campaign with a grant from the Verizon Foundation.
The launch was held at a reception at The Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C., on October 3. Erik Weihenmayer, the only blind athlete to conquer the seven summits—the tallest peaks on the world's seven continents—keynoted the event and concluded the evening with a signing of his book, "Touch the Top of the World." Erik is serving as Verizon Literacy Champion for the three-year campaign.
"Erik had a goal but required the right tools to reach the summit," said Andrew Brown, executive director of public affairs programs for Verizon. "Millions of Americans today do not have the required tools to reach their goals—they can't read. Verizon's commitment to literacy is about ensuring that everyone, sighted or not, has the tools to reach the top and attain their goals."
The national campaign is a public awareness and advocacy program that will promote the new career of Braille Textbook Transcriber at the federal and state levels, and raise general awareness of the needs of blind and low-vision schoolchildren for timely access to textbooks and learning materials.
"AFB is deeply appreciative of Verizon's commitment and support in this important endeavor," said Carl R. Augusto, president and CEO of AFB. "The National Campaign will make a profound difference in children's lives as the new career of Braille Textbook Transcriber is implemented across the country, and blind and low-vision schoolchildren start to receive their textbooks at the same time as their sighted peers."
The National Campaign links transcribers, textbooks, literacy and technology. A trained and credentialed braille textbook transcriber will practice his or her career via technology—receiving electronic publishers' files to the desktop, transcribing those files electronically, and returning the transcribed materials to the state-authorized entity for textbook distribution. The career can be practiced anywhere a computer and Internet access is available.
The new, community college-level, occupational and educational program was developed to train transcribers to produce textbooks and instructional materials in braille. The first offering of the Braille Textbook Transcriber curriculum began this fall at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, TX, in cooperation with AFB and the Texas Education Agency.
About Erik Weihenmayer
On May 25, 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind man in history to reach the summit of Mount Everest. On September 5, 2002, when he stood on top of Mt. Kosciusko in Australia, Erik completed his 7-year quest to climb the Seven Summits—the highest peaks on each of the seven land continents. A former middle school teacher and wrestling coach, Erik is one of the most exciting and well-known athletes in the world. Erik joined AFB's National Campaign for Literacy, Textbooks, Transcribers and Technology in 2002. As a Verizon Literacy Champion for the campaign, he will advocate for the program across the country. To learn more about Erik, visit his Web site at www.touchthetop.com or www.verizonreads.net/champions.
About Verizon Reads
Verizon Reads is the umbrella organization for Verizon's national literacy platform. Established in 1999, Verizon Reads is dedicated to the fight for a more literate America through meaningful programs that create awareness, raise funds, and encourage collaboration among literacy providers. For more information on Verizon Reads, visit http://www.verizonreads.net.
About AFB Textbooks and Instructional Materials Solutions Forum
The AFB Textbooks and Instructional Materials Solutions Forum, in conjunction with AFB's National Education Program and National Literacy Center, has taken a leadership role in addressing the critical shortage of braille textbook transcribers and in offering new skills to current braille transcribers. Results of national surveys funded by AFB's National Literacy Center assisted in defining the enormous national need for recruitment and new training of people to become braille textbook transcribers. With start-up funds received from a Rehabilitation Services Administration Federal grant to AFB's National Literacy Center in May 2001, the AFB Solutions Forum began an important and revolutionary project to define a new occupation as a braille textbook transcriber.
About American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind—the organization to which Helen Keller devoted her life—is a national nonprofit whose mission is to eliminate the inequities faced by the ten million Americans who are blind or visually impaired. Headquartered in New York City, AFB maintains offices in Chicago, Dallas, a National Literacy Center in Atlanta, a National Employment Center in San Francisco, a Governmental Relations Office in Washington, DC, and a Technology and Employment Center in Huntington, WV. Visit AFB online at: http://www.afb.org.
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Media Contacts:
Michelle Ordeneaux/Anna Marie Teague
dawson | duncan
P: 214-520-7550
mordeneaux@dawsonduncan.com
amteague@dawsonduncan.com
AFB Contact:
Mary Ann Siller
Director, AFB National Education Program
P: 214-352-7222
siller@afb.net
Press Releases
- AFB and Verizon's National Campaign for Literacy, Textbooks, Transcribers and Technology
- New Career as a Braille Textbook Transcriber
- Ways to Help Support the AFB and Verizon National Campaign for Literacy, Textbooks, Transcribers and Technology
- AFB and Verizon Unveil Poster and Materials Supporting the National Campaign for Literacy, Textbooks, Transcribers and Technology
- Verizon Reads Poster Featuring Erik Weihenmayer
- Laura Bush Letter
- Legendary Blind Athlete Erik Weihenmayer Dedicated to Improving Literacy for Blind and Low-Vision Schoolchildren
- AFB and Verizon's National Campaign for Literacy, Textbooks, Transcribers and Technology
- Video Describing the National Campaign for Literacy, Textbooks, Transcribers, and Technology
- Legendary Blind Athlete Erik Weihenmayer in Dallas July 31 to Continue his Mission to Improve Literacy for Blind and Low-Vision Schoolchildren
- Photos from the October 3, 2002, Launch of the AFB and Verizon National Campaign
Related Announcements
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Verizon Reads Poster Featuring Erik Weihenmayer
Literacy lets you reach the summit of your dreams 
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